Every Night Astronomy: From Ancient Calendars to Harvest Moons

Does the sun always rise exactly in the east? What are supermoons and are they really so big? What is the relationship between the apparent path of the sun and the zodiac signs? Why did the ancient Egyptians worship the bright star Sirius and how is the star connected to the phrase "dog days"? What stars did ancient armies use for testing their soldiers' eyesight? Which is the most accurate calendar in use? What is the Antikythera mechanism and could it really predict eclipses? How is astronomy connected to the famous painter Vincent van Gogh? This book provides the answers to these and a number of other similar questions in a simple and concise manner without the use of equations or complicated mathematics. It is the aim of the book to break away from the limitations of a simple introduction to astronomy and to discuss issues that will interest the average reader but that are not always covered in science books. In this sense it will provide a useful tool for amateur astronomers, science teachers wishing to inspire pupils, and, above all, for all of those wishing to obtain a better understanding of what is happening around them. Half of the net profits of the author will be donated to the organisation Astronomers Without Borders.

Dr Vassilios McInnes Spathopoulos graduated from the University of Glasgow (UK), with a joint honours degree in Aerospace and Electronic Engineering. He obtained his PhD from the University of Glasgow, conducting research on the validation of a rotorcraft mathematical model by means of flight testing a gyroplane. He is currently a lecturer at the Department of Aircraft Technology, at the Technological Education Institute (TEI) of Central Greece. His research interests include the aerodynamics of sports balls and improving engineering education. He is a keen stargazer and popular science writer, having written books on astronomy, the physics of sports and textbooks for aerospace engineering.