Mars Observer's Guide
Amateur astronomers have not been entirely superseded by the professionals. In fact, they are often the first to spot dust storms on Mars, which in August 2003 will also be the brightest heavenly body visible, except for the moon and the sun. Come late summer Mars will be closer to Earth than it has ever been before, and its prominence in the sky will definitely provoke interest in the Red Planet. Libraries prescient enough to have Bone's guide at the ready will be prepared to meet patron demand, for its information is modulated for the needs of a novice observer. After explaining the orbital arrangement (termed an opposition) that brings Mars so close, Bone lines up the advantages and drawbacks of three types of commercially available telescopes; binoculars, he writes, are not powerful enough to enable viewers to see the features on Mars. With a summary of the exploration of the planet, and with observing specs for oppositions in 2005 and 2007, Bone's work has both immediate and future shelf life.Gilbert TaylorCopyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved