Public Practical Astronomy

The science of celestial bodies – astronomy – is one of the oldest. In ancient times, people looked at the sky and tried to find answers to many questions, not only philosophical but also practical. Stars and planets helped navigate... the terrain and determine time. Thanks to the knowledge gained from the heavens, it became possible to predict the periodicity of solar and lunar eclipses and compile calendars, leading to the development of nautical navigation. What are celestial coordinates and star maps? How is latitude and longitude measured? How does the sky change throughout the year? How can one learn to determine location by the sun, moon, and stars? This publication details the tasks of practical astronomy, explains the methods for precise measurement of stars, and provides information about measuring instruments and methods for working with them. The book is aimed at a wide range of readers of different ages interested in the structure of the Universe.