2022 Sky Guide Africa South
A practical resource for all astronomers, whether novice, amateur or professional. It covers the upcoming year’s planetary movements, predicted eclipses, meteor showers – any events and facets of the night sky that change annually. Star charts plot the evening sky for each season, facilitating the identification of stars and constellations. The guide contains a wealth of information about the Sun, Moon, planets, comets, meteors and bright stars, with photos, diagrams, charts and images. Prepared yearly by the Astronomical Society of Southern Africa, it is the essential handbook for all night-sky enthusiasts.
Wild Seas
Can’t get to the coast this year. This is almost as good as the real thing. Get lost in the pages of Wild Seas, by National Geographic photographer Thomas Peschak, who, when he’s not underwater, calls Cape Town home. In the book, he’s documenting the beauty and fragility of underwater life, and the majesty of wild coastlines. From gregarious gray whales in the waters of Baja California to manta rays in the Maldives, from sharks in a feeding frenzy to sea turtles the size of bears … the book shows off the gems of the oceans as well as the darker side – the pollution, overfishing and climate change. Page after page after glorious page of images – from southern Africa and the Galápagos, the Seychelles and the Maldives, and so many more spectacular destinations which he explored with little more than a mask, fins and a camera. A magnificent buy, which will bring joy long after the Summer beach holiday is over. HPH Publishing, R750 at book stores or from hphpublishing.co.za. Once you’ve poured over the book, watch Peschak’s TED talk Dive Into an Ocean Photographer’s World, which has been viewed more than a million times.
Marine Mammals: A guide to the whales, dolphins and seals of Southern Africa and the Southern Ocean
Love the sea? Discover the close to 50 species of whales, dolphins and seals found in the Southern Ocean with this compact, easy-to-use identification guide. Marine Mammals: A guide to the whales, dolphins and seals of Southern Africa and the Southern Ocean is the ideal gift for the ocean lover in your family and is sure to come in handy while out at sea. Whether you are hoping to spot the demonstrative Humpback Whale, see the Dusky Dolphin or admire the striking Leopard Seal, this book will give you the best times and places to view these and more commonly seen species. It also includes key identification features (with beautiful illustrations), behaviour, diet and distribution of the mammals along with explanations about common behaviours such as breaching, spyhopping, lob-tailing, bow-surfing and logging. R150 from struiknatureclub.co.za
