Best astronomy books 2022

The best astronomy books will be a constant guide to help you understand more about the cosmos. Some are literal tours of the sky, while others will show you more about the culture, history or other implications of the universe around us.

Learning about the sky often begins with figuring out the constellations and the brightest stars — which brings with it the understanding that the "standardized" International Astronomical Union list is not reflective of all cultural names and histories. (The IAU does simplify wayfinding among different cultures, but we do need to be aware of how astronomy is made up of multiple histories.)

From there, beginning astronomers can build out their confidence with titles on how the sun and the solar system were formed, and dive into complex structures across the universe such as nebulas or galaxies. Astronomy books for kids are also helpful to assist them with learning about science, technology, engineering, art and mathematics (STEAM) topics.

We've rounded up classic titles and new titles among the best astronomy books to serve as a buying guide. The authors are experienced hands at teaching others what it means to be thinking about the universe, and our place within it.

Whether you're looking for the Orion Nebula, checking out the interesting history of complex star clusters like the Pleiades, or trying to figure out your way through the early thinkers of astronomy, these books will assist you with your journey through space and time.

New Astronomy Books

(Image credit: Amazon)1. The Disordered CosmosA Journey into Dark Matter, Spacetime, and Dreams DeferredSpecificationsPrice: $18.15Author: Chanda Prescod-Weinstein Publisher: Bold Type BooksRelease Date: March 9, 2021Today's Best DealsView at WalmartView at Textbooks.comView at AmazonReasons to buy+Fantastic memoir of diversity in science+Excellent calls of how science should change+Valuable tips for "allies" to take action+Shows science in the context of societyReasons to avoid-Very technical in places-Portrays less science, more politics-Relies on a single person's experience-Has little allusion to latest physics

Chanda Prescod-Weinstein's memoir and discussion of physics takes on the science from a few different points of view. You will see talk about stars and other topics relevant to science here, but you'll also hear calls about how the community can do better in terms of its representation.

Prescod-Weinstein, who teaches astronomy at the University of New Hampshire, is one of fewer than 100 Black American women to earn a PhD from a department of physics. As such, she talks about ways in which she sees the community as needing to recover from a legacy of sexism, racism and other types of issues. Her goal is to help everyone better participate in the discovery of the universe, and to learn about its significance in our lives.

(Image credit: Amazon)2. The Invisible UniverseWhy There's More to Reality than Meets the EyeSpecificationsPrice: $20.49Author: Matthew BothwellPublisher: Oneworld PublicationsRelease Date: December 7, 2021Today's Best DealsView at AmazonView at WalmartView at TargetReasons to buy+Shows how to examine the universe in other wavelengths of light+Presents a mini-history of observing our universe+Brims to the full with great facts+Delivers some of the latest findingsReasons to avoid-Pictures not always in alignment with text-Not suitable for beginners-Presents technical language at times-Very long book

Matt Bothwell engages the reader with a discussion of the universe we cannot see; that is, the universe of information beyond visual wavelengths. He traces how telescopes and other types of observatories can gain information on black holes, supernovas and other cosmic phenomena by using wavelengths such as infrared, radio, X-rays and ultraviolet.

Bothwell is an astronomer and science communicator based at the Institute of Astronomy and the Kavli Institute for Cosmology, Cambridge. The book is part history, in explaining how these different wavelengths are used. But it is also a call to realizing that the universe opens up to us as we engage different types of observations. You can also take the book as a bit of a celestial tour of interesting objects that pop up in the sky in front of our eyes, even if we can't see them without help.

(Image credit: Amazon)3. How Space WorksThe Facts Visually ExplainedSpecificationsPrice: $26.84Author: DKPublisher: DKRelease Date: March 4, 2021Today's Best DealsView at AmazonView at Barnes & NobleView at AmazonReasons to buy+Presents beautifully rendered pictures+Encourages STEAM in younger readers+Has a comprehensive list of topics+Is well-organized and writtenReasons to avoid-More suited to beginners, not advanced folks-Not very much text-Less discussion of the newest findings-Small factoids sometimes lack context

Children and beginners to astronomy will appreciate this fact-filled book about space. It shows readers the familiar worlds of the solar system and then brings you quickly belong to discover the outer reaches of our universe. From the Big Bang to the modern day, you'll get a quick tour of astrophysics history.

The book strives for accessibility and easy learning. As such, it's packed with infographics, images and facts that will be useful for beginning astronomers, or people looking for a quick refresher. When things get complex (as they are bound to do), the book focuses on clear explanations, along with resources to help you learn more as your experience grows.

(Image credit: Amazon)4. The Backyard Astronomer's Guide, 4th EditionSpecificationsPrice: $34.49Author: Terence Dickinson and Alan DyerPublisher: Firefly BooksRelease Date: September 10, 2021Today's Best DealsView at AmazonReasons to buy+Updated to include modern astronomy equipment+Includes fresh charts and photos to show off our universe+Highly in-depth, for experienced astronomers+Large range of astronomy kit for different price pointsReasons to avoid-Not very helpful to beginners, beyond a little introductory material-The equipment may get outdated over time-Emphasis on binocular and telescope astronomy instead of naked eye-Little information available about southern hemisphere targets

We're lucky enough to have a recent, fourth edition of this classic guide to astronomy. It's co-written by Terence Dickinson and Alan Dyer, long-time contributors and writers to the astronomy community who know the ins and outs of what amateurs want, and what they need to know.

Dyer and Dickinson take pains to include the latest technology in telescopes, binoculars and imaging to help you get the most out of your observations. Rich illustrations show realistic reproductions of what sort of photography you could produce with amateur equipment. Even if you prefer naked eye astronomy, however, they have a guide to constellations and bright objects that will be helpful if you're lacking equipment or just beginning your star journey.

(Image credit: Amazon)5. 2022 Night Sky AlmanacA Month-by-Month Guide to North America's Skies from the Royal Astronomical Society of CanadaSpecificationsPrice: $13.49Author: Nicole MortillaroPublisher: Firefly BooksRelease Date: November 17, 2021Today's Best DealsView at WalmartView at AmazonReasons to buy+Highly visual, with pictures and illustrations+Very reasonably priced+Provides monthly sky maps to find your way around the sky+Gives an introduction to advanced targetsReasons to avoid-Not suitable for advanced astronomers-Some information will get outdated quickly-Not very helpful for telescopic observers-Less information available about targets like asteroids

This highly portable star guide was produced by science journalist Nicole Mortillaro, who is also a long-time member of the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada. It's an in-depth guide meant to introduce beginners to the sky and the curious objects within it, such as comets, stars or globular clusters.

It's packed to the brim with moon phase charts, sky maps and other information to stay up to date for 2022 events. You'll also learn how to do measurements of the sky with your hands, the basics of binoculars and telescopes, and a few astronomy terms to help you learn more about the universe. All this information makes the book helpful for the beginning to intermediate astronomy audience.

Classic Astronomy Books

(Image credit: Amazon)1. Astrophysics for People in a HurrySpecificationsPrice: $9.49Author: Neil deGrasse Tyson Publisher: W. W. Norton & CompanyRelease Date: May 2, 2017Today's Best DealsView at WalmartView at AmazonView at TargetSee all prices (5 found)17 Amazon customer reviews☆☆☆☆☆Reasons to buy+Filled with examples to explain complicated things+Includes history and context along with the science+Written with engagement and wit in mind+Explains what we know and what we need to learn in astrophysicsReasons to avoid-Too autobiographical at points-Language is not suited for beginner astronomers-Only covers select topics in astrophysics-A little short, given the scope of the book

Targeted at an audience interested in astrophysics but with no formal knowledge, this book is from astrophysicist and science communicator Neil deGrasse Tyson. He is best known for hosting the new version of "Cosmos", along with his research at the American Museum of Natural History in New York City.

The book tackles big topics such as the nature of science and time, where humans fit in the universe, and items such as the black holes, quantum mechanics and the Big Bang. The aim is to give readers a brief introduction to the major issues of astrophysics so that they better understand what's in the news, and gain even more appreciation of the sky.

(Image credit: Amazon)2. CosmosSpecificationsPrice: $11.50Author: Carl SaganPublisher: Random HouseRelease Date: December 10, 2013Today's Best DealsView at WalmartView at AmazonView at Amazon3 Amazon customer reviews☆☆☆☆☆Reasons to buy+Beautiful images of objects in the universe+Vivid prose about astronomy and its significance+Complements both "Cosmos" TV shows, older and newer+Provides inspiration for younger audiences to pursue STEAM careersReasons to avoid-Some discoveries are dated given the author has been deceased for a generation-Some points of view presented may not be fully inclusive of diversity-Science and language is more targeted for a beginner audience-Overly self-referential at times

This is the book that generated not one, but two television series entitled "Cosmos." Written by planetary scientist and astronomer Carl Sagan, the book styles itself as a tour through nearly 14 billion years of cosmic evolution. In fact, the book attempts to look beyond space to aspects such as the human brain and Egyptian hieroglypics.

Sagan died in 1996, but the book has lived on through numerous editions. This one tackles topics ranging from spacecraft missions to how galaxies evolve to how our sun may die. It also examines influential individuals in modern science. Some of the material may be dated, but the prose remains an elegant example of Sagan's science communication.

(Image credit: Amazon)3. The Science of InterstellarSpecificationsPrice: $18.39Author: Kip ThornePublisher: W. W. Norton & CompanyRelease Date: November 7, 2014Today's Best DealsView at AmazonView at WalmartView at TargetReasons to buy+A great complement to the popular movie+Vivid language brings astrophysics to life+Provides a behind-the-scenes look at the development of "Interstellar"+Clearly explains what is speculation and what is established in astrophysicsReasons to avoid-Physics discussions are likely too advanced for novice readers-Focuses more on the science of the movie and less on general astrophysics-Has few math equations or discussions, given the advanced topic-Requires more discussion on time travel paradoxes

Fans of science fiction, Christopher Nolan films and especially the movie "Interstellar" will enjoy this volume by Kip Thorne. Thorne earned the Nobel Prize in Physics in 2017, shortly after this book was published, for his lifetime contributions in gravitational physics and astrophysics.

Thorne gives a behind-the-scenes look as to how the movie developed, including his role as science advisor. Next, he discusses many objects familiar with watchers of the movie: interstellar travel, black holes, wormholes and the like. What's neat about the book is seeing how some of Thorne's realizations about physics came from working on this film, showing how valuable the arts are in science.

(Image credit: Amazon)4. Shoot the MoonA Complete Guide to Lunar ImagingSpecificationsPrice: $16.76Author: Nicolas Dupont-BlochPublisher: Cambridge University PressRelease Date: January 24, 2018Today's Best DealsView at AmazonView at WalmartReasons to buy+Provides tips for a variety of astronomy cameras and equipment+Has extensive discussion of imaging techniques, such as stacking+Includes characteristics of the moon, so that you know what you're imaging+Presents options to make imaging easier or more comprehensive, as you wishReasons to avoid-Parts of the book will get outdated quickly-Some recommended equipment might not be available-May be difficult for beginners to understand-Few cultural discussions about the moon's history or importance worldwide

French amateur astronomer Nicolas Dupont-Bloch brings us through a stunning tour of the moon in this book, all through the eyepiece of amateur telescopes or the viewpoint of binoculars. The goal of the book is to show how to image the moon and how to pick the best equipment to see its landscapes, including valleys, craters and mountains.

The equipment sections include lengthy discussions on smartphones, DSLR cameras and specialty gear that amateur astronomers may want as they get more advanced. The book self-styles itself as the first modern book in lunar imaging, allowing people who enjoy playing with astronomy gear the chance to try out their stuff on an easy and bright target.

(Image credit: Amazon)5. The SunA Very Short IntroductionSpecificationsPrice: $11.95Author: Philip JudgePublisher: Oxford University PressRelease Date: July 1, 2020Today's Best DealsView at AmazonReasons to buy+Provides a good "first look" at solar science+Includes engaging history tales along with the science+Puts the sun in context with other stars, as well as the solar system+Makes a complex topic accessible to interested readersReasons to avoid-Requires the reader to understand basic physics-Some basic questions might be left unanswered-Short and not fully up-to-date-Does not cover all heliophysics topics

If you want a short and accessible guide to the sun, luckily this book is penned by Philip Judge, a staff member at the National Center for Atmospheric Research and the National Solar Observatory. Judge discusses the role of the sun as a star that supplies life-giving energy to Earth, but how the sun is also a threat at times through its solar storms or other events that can threaten infrastructure.

The book is a swift tour through the sun's physics, structure, origins and evolution and a pointer to some of the questions we have about the sun. Written shortly before a NASA mission (Parker Solar Probe) and a European Space Agency mission (Solar Orbiter) launched for unprecedented high-detail looks at the sun, this will provide a basic understanding for those wanting to follow those missions.

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