This concise, readable book is written for the newcomer to astronomical spectroscopy and assumes no previous specialist knowledge on the part of the reader. Starting from the physical background to spectroscopy, with clear explanation of energy levels and spectroscopic notation, the book goes on to introduce the main techniques of optical spectroscopy and the range of instrumentation that is available. The applications of spectroscopy in modern astronomy are then set out: the Solar System, stars, nebulae, the interstellar medium, galaxies, all described with a clarity and directness that give the book an immediate appeal to the beginner.