Pocket Guide to Stars and Planets is a practical guide to understanding the night sky and observing the heavenly bodies. Chapters help the reader to identify different types of stars and galaxies, the planets and satellites of our solar system, as well as comets and meteorites, offering clear and concise definitions of important terms and concepts. There are guidelines for the use of binoculars and telescopes, and tips on setting up a backyard observatory. The book includes comprehensive seasonal night-sky charts for the northern and southern hemispheres, as well as detailed descriptions of the 50 most interesting objects in the night sky - each accompanied by a localized star chart - with detailed instructions on how and when to view them.