Friday Book Shelf

Wildlife watchers often lament the darkest, coldest parts of the year when glimpses of any wildlife is often limited to the bird feeder.

But now is the perfect time to take advantage of the dark, clear, starry nights and look up.

If a telescope is in a loved one's or your Christmas stocking this year, the perfect accompaniment is Three Hundred and Sixty Five Starry Nights by Chet Raymo. This book leads you through a whole year of navigating the stars and will provide all the information you need to find your way around the sky during your first year with a telescope.

Winter is the best time for viewing the sky; not only are the brightest, easiest stars visible, but the cold, clear nights make for the best conditions for viewing. Just make sure to bring your scope down to the outdoor temperature prior to using and never try to view anything through a window; it doesn't work.

Enjoy.....heaven waits.