The fifth edition of Ian Ridpath and Wil Tirion's famous guide to the night sky is updated for planet positions and forthcoming eclipses up to the end of the year 2004. It includes the latest star data from the Hipparcos satellite. The book contains a chapter on each month of the year and is an easy-to-use handbook for anyone wanting to identify constellations, star clusters, nebulae, galaxies and meteor showers, to plot the movement of planets, or to witness solar and lunar eclipses. Most of the features discussed are visible to the naked eye, and all can be seen with a small telescope or binoculars. The Monthly Sky Guide offers a clear and simple introduction to the skies of the northern hemisphere for beginners of all ages.