Yearbook of Astronomy, 2018

Book excerpt: The YEARBOOK OF ASTRONOMY 2018 is a book no stargazer should be without.Recognized by both amateurs and professionals alike as an indispensable guide to the night sky, the Yearbook of Astronomy is one of the longest-running series of books on astronomy and the night sky and one of the only reference books to be fully revised each year. Formerly edited by Patrick Moore, this iconic publication first appeared way back in 1962 (well over half-a-century ago) and continues to be, as it was then, the main popular astronomy annual for amateur astronomers.Forthcoming editions will endeavor to maintain the popular style and familiarity of previous editions as well as offering its readers a new, invigorating and inspirational layout and presentation. The 2018 edition contains authoritative sky charts and detailed monthly sky notes that plot a clear path though the years lunar phases, eclipses, comets, meteor showers and minor planets as well as featuring a variety of articles covering a wide range of astronomy-related topics.Articles for the 2018 edition include: Solar System Exploration in 2017 by Peter Rea; Astronomy in 2017 by Rod Hine; Anniversaries in 2018 by Neil Haggath; Supermassive Black Holes by David M Harland; Comets and How to Photograph Them by Damian Peach; Some Pioneering Lady Astronomers by Mike Frost; Double and Multiple Stars by John McCue; Modern Video Astronomy by Steve Wainwright; Is There Still a Place for Art in Astronomy? by David A Hardy; and much more. Bursting with up-to-the-minute information, this Yearbook of Astronomy 2018 is, as ever, essential reading for anyone fascinated by the night sky . . .