The Yearbook of Astronomy 2022 is the Diamond Jubilee edition of this
iconic publication, the annual appearance of which has been eagerly
anticipated by astronomers, both amateur and professional, ever since
this invaluable book first appeared in 1962. As the preface to the 1962
edition informed its readers, the post-war years had seen a tremendous
growth of interest in astronomy and space research. Doubtless fueled by
the dawn of the Space Age, the launch of Sputnik 1 in October 1957
marked a significant change in the course of history. This epoch-making
event, coupled with the subsequent flights of Soviet cosmonaut Yuri
Gagarin (April 1961) and American astronaut Alan Shepard (May 1961),
served to engender a public interest in astronomy and space that has
continued to grow and expand to this day.
Maintaining its appealing style and presentation, the Yearbook of
Astronomy 2022 contains comprehensive jargon-free monthly sky notes and
an authoritative set of sky charts to enable backyard astronomers and
sky gazers everywhere to plan their viewing of the year's eclipses,
comets, meteor showers and minor planets as well as detailing the phases
of the Moon and visibility and locations of the planets throughout the
year. To supplement all this is a variety of entertaining and
informative articles, a feature for which the Yearbook of Astronomy is
known. In the 2022 edition, the reader is presented with articles
covering a wide range of topics including "A History of the Amateur
Astronomical Society: 1962 to 2022"; "Expanding Cosmic Horizons"; "Frank
Drake and His Equation"; "Remote Telescopes"; "Skies Over Ancient
America" and others.
The Yearbook of Astronomy continues to be essential reading for anyone
lured and fascinated by the magic of astronomy. It remains an
inspiration to amateur and professional astronomers alike, and warrants
a place on the bookshelf of all stargazers and watchers of the Universe.
