“[Hockey] gives us descriptions of the motions of the sun, the moon, the stars and the planets over a night, over a month, over a year, even over millennia. If you’ve ever wondered about the phases of the moon or the movements of the planets, or wondered why Polaris—the North Star—appears stationary, you can find that information and much more packed in here.”

Mike Brown | Wall Street Journal

“Images of the Horsehead Nebula from the Hubble Space Telescope are more familiar to most of us than the sight of the sky above our heads. So argues astronomer Thomas Hockey, who urges us to gaze unaided at the Universe. Starting with a scan of the horizon, Hockey takes us through the science as well as a host of cultural references, from Pink Floyd to the Pyramids of Giza in Egypt. He explores the astronomical sky, the 88 constellations and the Milky Way; orientation through azimuth to zenith; lunar and solar motion, solstices and eclipses. A heavenly and often humorous journey.”

Nature

“In a book that considers the appearance of the heavens from the point of view of naked-eye observations on the Earth’s surface, Thomas Hockey writes about the practical astronomy that anyone can do without using a telescope - and, of course, that is how astronomy was done throughout most of human history. . . . I would happily put this book on a reading list for newcomers to elementary astronomy who are curious to know more about the night sky.”

Simon Mitton | Times Higher Education

“All in all, a charming book, and if it drives you out of your office to look at the sky, well that is what astronomers are supposed to do.”

Virginia Trimble | Observatory

“Unlike Consolmagno and Davis, above, the only special equipment required here is your eyesight. Hockey introduces you to today’s language of astronomy and the essentials about our celestial globe as we encounter it every day-and night.”

Margaret Heilbrun | Library Journal

“Entertaining and very readable, How We See the Sky presents an up-to-date approach to what a dedicated visual observer can hope to understand by carefully monitoring the sky. In addition, it provides a wealth of information that informs the reader about celestial phenomena. In this respect, it follows in a long tradition of astronomical handbooks and celestial viewing guides, many of which are now dated.”

Jay Holberg, University of Arizona

“Appreciating the power of the unaided eye and becoming aware of the astonishing accomplishments that reward patient, repetitive observation: two potent takeaway points of first-year astronomy students taught well. How We See the Sky is the ideal text for all who would learn well, whether through instruction or by themselves. It responds to the questions most asked about the everyday world, such as why day and night, and when and where can we see the moon, the planets, and the constellations of the zodiac. Thomas Hockey’s book gives further meaning to naked-eye astronomy by relating it to other human endeavors, such as history, archaeology, and architecture.”

Anthony Aveni, Colgate University

“Hockey provides a new and vigorous way to introduce the sky to new observers. . . . [A] worthy source for anyone seeking familiarity with the sky and its motions. Recommended.”

A. R. Upgren, Wesleyan University | Choice