Lakeland Public Library discussion

The solar eclipse on Monday, August 21st will have most of us watching the sky. But stargazing doesn't require a once-in-a-lifetime (or every 18 months) event. The library has plenty of books to help you learn more about astronomy and the universe. Here are just a few titles from our collection to keep you looking to the stars:

American Eclipse: A Nation's Epic Race to Catch the Shadow of the Moon and Win the Glory of the World - David Baron
Documents the efforts of three late-19th-century scientists to observe the rare total solar eclipse of 1878, citing how the respective ambitions of James Craig Watson, Maria Mitchell and Thomas Edison, juxtaposed against the challenges of the Wild West, helped America's early pursuits as a scientific superpower.

Book of the Moon - Rick Stroud
A lavishly photographed profile of the moon includes coverage of the myriad debates about its origins, the mythology and astrology that have inspired civilizations and cultures throughout history, and the scientific achievements that enabled moon visits.

Chasing the Sun: The Epic Story of the Star That Gives Us Life - Richard Cohen
A chronicle of humanity's historical, mythological and scientific relationship with the sun draws on various world cultures to explore such topics as the religious beliefs of Ancient Egypt, Galileo's early discoveries of sun spots and the modern world's efforts to address global warming

The Handy Astronomy Answer Book - Charles Liu
From planetary movements and the exploration of our solar system to black holes and dark matter, this comprehensive reference simplifies all aspects of astronomy with an approachable question-and-answer format. 

The Stargazer's Guide to the Night Sky - Jason Lisle
“How do phases of the moon work? When will the next solar eclipse take place? What is that bright star setting in the west? How do I find Saturn? What sorts of objects can be seen with binoculars?” These questions and many more are easily answered with the helpful tips and basic understanding of astronomy presented in this book.

Urban Astronomy: Stargazing from Towns & Suburbs - Robin Scagell
Scagell, a photographer, journalist, and author of astronomy books, offers a guide for amateur astronomers living in urban locations affected by light pollution. He explains equipment and photography, the role of the weather, the effects of streetlights and other forms of light pollution, planets and other objects and phenomena that can be observed under light-polluted skies, choosing sites outside of urban areas, and indoor astronomy. 

The Vacation Guide to the Solar System - Oliva Koski and Jana Grcevich
An astronomer from The American Museum of Natural History and one of the creators of the Guerilla Science collective presents an imaginative, out-of-this-world vacation guide, filled with full-color illustrations and real-world science, that is an essential planning tool for the curious space explorer.

We Have No Idea: A Guide to the Known Universe - Jorge Cham & Daniel Whiteson
The creator of PHD Comics and a University of California particle physicist blend infographics, cartoons and lighthearted scientific explanations to fill in gaps in layperson cosmological knowledge, offering coverage of topics ranging from quarks and neutrinos to gravitational wave and exploding black holes.

Welcome to the Universe: An Astrophysical Tour - Neil deGrasse Tyson, Michael Strauss & Richard Gott
Three of today's leading astrophysicists offer a guided tour of the cosmos, discussing the latest discoveries in the field, explaining why Pluto lost its planet status and covering everything you need to know about planets, stars, galaxies, black holes, wormholes and time travel.