With the down-to-earth style and far-ranging knowledge that have made him America€s favorite stargazing instructor, Mike Lynch guides amateur and expert alike through the wonders of Illinois€ night sky. Whether watching the sky from a backyard lawn chair or manning a high-powered telescope, stargazers of all levels will learn how and when to identify the major constellations visible at Illinois€ latitude (37–42º). With chapters on the origins and movements of stars, the mythology of constellations, the phases of the moon, the planets, and even buying a telescope, this book serves as an accessible and in-depth beginner€s guide to the night sky. It includes 12 monthly star maps for Illinois skies, 21 constellation diagrams, a local resources guide, a list of the brightest stars in the state, and more than 80 beautiful color photographs of the heavens.