‘There’s an awful lot of sky, isn’t there? Wouldn’t you love a night-by-night guide to help you figure out what to see?
My good friend Fraser Cain, who runs the (ahem) second-best astronomy site on the web, Universe Today, has put together a fantastic FREE book called What’s Up 2006 that will answer your prayers. This is a beautifully laid-out PDF book (did I mention it’s FREE) that has 365 days of, well, what’s up. Tons of pictures, guides to observing the Moon, and much more. It was written by Tammy Plotner, who has done an excellent job describing the variety of celestial objects available for viewing.
Download it. It’s FREE!’
January 7th, 2006 at 9:55 pm
The link’s not working! *gasp*
Does this mean I have to buy the book now?
*opens wallet*
January 7th, 2006 at 10:20 pm
try http://www.universetoday.com/whatsup/
January 8th, 2006 at 12:38 am
I just got an e-mail from Universe Today (which I’ve subscribed to for almost as long as I have Bad Astronomy) and it turns out that despite having two dedicated servers for this book, “the demand for _What’s Up 2006_ is totally melting them down.” Fortunately, I snagged my copy before it happened. It’s a nifty book in PDF format that’s got lots of pictures. Makes for a great daily calendar that points out great stuff to look at in the sky.
If you use BitTorrent you can download it from there. The link is at:
http://www.mininova.org/tor/193558
Enjoy!
January 8th, 2006 at 4:12 am
Yay, thanks, Rowsdover, going to check that PDF ASAP
January 8th, 2006 at 5:26 am
This is awesome ! Downloading mine !
January 8th, 2006 at 8:25 am
I sincerely hope that they are planning to really sell this at bookstores..my gosh, to spend so much time and effort and not get paid for it?
January 8th, 2006 at 8:29 am
Wooohooo, I took a quick glance through the file. Despite several quirks with formatting and mistypes, it is a GRAND thing. Awesome, interesting, many facts, many photoes, many everything!!! The best sky guide ever
By the way, downloading from the page works again 
January 8th, 2006 at 9:24 am
Carnifex, if you found any typos or such, feel free to email Fraser (info at universetoday dot com) or post at our bulletin board. Maybe they can be fixed.
January 8th, 2006 at 12:40 pm
I thank everyone for their kind responses! There are several small errors here and there that are currently being fixed and hopefully will be corrected very soon. When the bugs are out, we’ll see what we can do about offering it as a hard copy.
And to get such words from the great Phil Plait is a reward all of its own!!
(pssst! phil… did anyone ever have to tell you to put on a coat when it was cold outside?
)
Thanks again!
~Tammy
January 8th, 2006 at 2:07 pm
“What’s Up 2006″ is simply elegant. Thank you Tammy and Fraser and Phil!
Perhaps others may find more serious inconsitencies, but none of the errors listed so far at http://www.bautforum.com/showthread.php?t=36681 will minimize one’s edification…
Thanks again.
January 8th, 2006 at 4:52 pm
Not trying to get personal Wonkette (oops looks like you already have) I think Universe Today is a great site; I use it often and have truly enjoyed the weekly “What’s Up” article.
It’s OK to disagree but come on keep it civil…or just don’t log on here.
Thanks for pointing folks to this site BA, I’m sure many will enjoy it.
Clear skies
January 8th, 2006 at 7:52 pm
Thanks Phil, and thanks for that gift you sent. Where did you get it?
R
January 8th, 2006 at 8:34 pm
One has to wonder who this Wonkette really is. I checked her link – no truth there. I checked UniverseToday. Great place to visit, might even want to stay awhile.
jbs
March 9th, 2006 at 12:07 pm
Just finished downloading the ‘WORKS’! I figured I would just get the first three months, after the short 10 page skymap etc., and thought, ‘What the heck’? why not at least check out the calendar? Well I’m very impressed. Decided to get the next 3 months…and the next 3 months. Here’s where I came unstuck, I forgot to save that download, didn’t I!! At least I downloaded it at the end. Wish I had been more adventureous earlier.
But there may have been some good in that initial ‘mistake’, as during the first try the d/l failed, and on repeating it, noticed the speed even accessing the site and the download was painfully slow. I realised that I had just clicked over the 1GB limit. In my case my ISP just throttles back the speed to dial-up speed, and I have to put up with it for a few days till the 13th when the monthly period starts again.
I dont think I will be printing it out all at once — 400 odd pages is a bit much. But I’m glad I have it though. Now if the is to be a commercially printed version I think I may follow that line. Hope that happens soon or maybe for next year???? Please. Many thanks to all concerned.
Ivan