Night Skies of Botswana

Title: Night Skies of Botswana
Author: Stephen O'Meara
Publisher: Penguin Random House South Africa
Imprint: Struik Nature
Cape Town, South Africa 2020
ISBN 9781775846932 / ISBN 978-1-77-584693-2
Softcover, 15 x 21 cm, 184 pages, throughout colour images, maps

About: Night Skies of Botswana

Botswana is one of the best locations in Africa to view wildlife and also, because of its relatively low levels of light pollution, the stars. Night Skies of Botswana introduces the night skies of the southern hemisphere as seen from Botswana, and describes the stars and constellations that are visible to the naked eye. Stephen O'Meara discusses some essential stargazer's tools and tips before mapping the southern skies in a series of monthly star charts that feature the most prominent stars and constellations. A chapter on the solar system, its planets, asteroids, meteroids and other 'space junk', presents in broad brushstrokes our corner of the visible universe. Dotted throughout the book are lively accounts of ancient African and European star lore, telling of the unfaltering connection over millennia between humans and the heavens above. Accessible and designed for fledgling and experienced stargazers alike, Night Skies of Botswana is the perfect guide to one of southern Africa's most beautiful and enduring natural treasures.

Content: Night Skies of Botswana

Introduction
Stargazing in the southern hemisphere
About this book
Getting to know the night skies
The Milky Way
Patterns and constellations
The stars
The planets
The deep sky
As the Earth turns
Seasons of stars
Botswana's Basarwa star lore
Monthly star charts
January
February
March
April
May
June
July
August
September
October
November
December
Our solar system
The Sun
The Moon
The planets
The leftover debris
References for star lore
Glossary
Appendix: Stars, constellations and deep-sky objects
Index