A down to earth guide to observing the night (and daytime!) sky without having to invest in a lot of equipment. You will discover: What you need to get started: a clear night, a red light flashlight, and a copy of The Backyard Stargazer to guide your observing sessions; Seasonal star maps to help you spot constellations ,and more, year round; Things you never knew about the Moon, Sun, and planets; What causes an eclipse and how you can travel to see one; How stars are born and where comets come from; How to photograph auroras, meteors, and constellations; What you can see with the naked eye, binoculars, and, when you're ready, a small telescope. Includes 46 easy projects for planet watching, moon viewing, and constellation spotting!"--from back cover.