"Our Night Sky" Prof. Edward M. Murphy (DVD) (12 Lectures / 30 Minutes Per Lecture /  2x DVD - The Great Courses)
Our Night Sky is a 12-lecture educational series designed to guide beginners through the wonders of the celestial sphere. The course focuses on practical stargazing, teaching students how to identify prominent constellations, stars, and planets visible to the naked eye. It provides a foundation for understanding the "geography" of the heavens, including how the sky changes across different seasons and latitudes, and explains the use of essential tools like star charts and planispheres.
 
Beyond simple identification, the curriculum explores the scientific and historical significance of the cosmos. Lectures cover the life cycles of stars, the phases of the moon, and the mechanics of planetary motion, while also touching upon the mythological stories ancient cultures used to explain the patterns in the sky. The series is intended to transform the night sky from a random collection of lights into a familiar map for amateur astronomers and curious observers alike.