The Pocket Sky Atlas

[Shroomy]

Might as well confuse myself some more

As a beginer the The Pocket Sky Atlas by phillips seems to be a good start for locating in the night sky what do you guys think or is there something better you can advise

[Ganymede12]

I think:

Turn left at Orion

Phillips Starfinder

Phillips Stargazing with a Telescope

Phillips planisphere

[nightfisher]

Might as well confuse myself some more

As a beginer the The Pocket Sky Atlas by phillips seems to be a good start for locating in the night sky what do you guys think or is there something better you can advise

Good book, i use mine a lot

[Spec-Chum]

I found the blue snowball using only that book so it must be good

[Shroomy]

I think:

Turn left at Orion

Phillips Starfinder

Phillips Stargazing with a Telescope

Phillips planisphere

Turn left at Orion whats this looks good shame its the most expensive @£20 lol

Guess this s going to get expensive

[r3i]

I would also recommend a Planisphere - they're great for starting out in Astronomy but are still also very useful when you get more experienced as a quick tool for finding when and where an object you're interested in is going to be visible.

[Moonshane]

I only use two books (although sometimes they do lack a little detail for my bigger scope) :

S&T pocket sky atlas

Illustrated guide to astronomical wonders. both less than £20 and great to use in the field.

[Stu]

S & T Pocket Sky Atlas is the one I use, I think it is an excellent format and has helped me find plenty of objects.

I also use Stephen O'Meara's Deep Sky Companions: The Messier Objects which I think is great. Very interesting to read, and all black and white photos and sketches done whilst using a 4" apo from a very dark site. It means that he shows detail which is reasonable for us mortals to view with say an 8" from average skies.

Cheers

Stu

[Marki]

I use Turn left at Orion a lot, but recently got the S&T Pocket Atlas - well worth it; rapidly becoming the map I use at the scope most.

[HIP3802]

To complement the Phillip's Pocket Sky Atlas I can also recommend 'Stellarium' - a free planetarium software which will help locate from your viewing spot. I too use 'Turn Left at Orion' a lot.

[wookie1965]

Ive got Turn Left Ive got a Philips Planisphere and ive just sent off for Pocket Sky Atlas by Roger W Sinnott and thats all im getting because i feel that aids are good but there comes a point where too many start to confuse you.

[pvaz]

TL@O is better when you have no idea on how to find objects. It's like having a private tutor getting you through that initial learning curve. It was a big help for me but now it stays in a shelf.

Pocket Sky Atlas is a collection of charts that includes about every object you can find with up to about 12" aperture. So it's pretty much the book you keep on your EP case, always ready, no matter how long you been doing this.

[David Smith]

S & T Pocket Sky Atlas is the one I use, I think it is an excellent format and has helped me find plenty of objects.

I also use Stephen O'Meara's Deep Sky Companions: The Messier Objects which I think is great. Very interesting to read, and all black and white photos and sketches done whilst using a 4" apo from a very dark site. It means that he shows detail which is reasonable for us mortals to view with say an 8" from average skies.

Cheers

Stu

Snap, I use exactly the same combo. I alos have Sky Atlas 2000.0 but rarely use it since I discovered Sky Charts and Stellarium. PSA is a relatively recent addition for me after seeing it recommended time and again on here. Have to say I rarely go out without it now.

[cotterless45]

Pocket Sky Atlas and Turn left at Orion. There's an excellent Collins Pocket Guide "Stars and Planets". This deals with each constellation and gives lots of information on stars,

Nick

[MAN or ASTROMAN]

I find the S & T Pocket sky Atlas totally indispensible- it has to be the best value astro-atlas available imho.

[neilm]

If you want something pocket size try Collins Gem Stars by Ian Ridpath.

[ollypenrice]

I find the pocket atlas a bit small so I use SkyAtlas2000, a large format atlas. I also like to print out dedicated finder charts from my softare planetarium, SkyMap Pro, but you can do this from Stellarium as well, I guess.

For visual use I don't want a computer near my scope however dim and red-covered it is.

Olly

[glowjet]

Just to add to your confusion, If you are using binoculars there is a very user friendly star map program called TUBA, can be found at the head of the Bins Section, you can configure star maps to what you want, then print off to use in the field, colour or black and white

John.

[Shroomy]

Thank you al for your help and advice so far

[onesmallstep]

Hi and welcome to SGL

My recommendations would be Turn Left At Orion as your main reference and Sky & Telescope's Pocket Sky Atlas to keep with your scope and use at observing sessions.

TLAO - get the 4th edition, spiral bound cover

HTH!

[AndyHa]

I use TL@O, the s&T pocket atlas (very clear maps and easy to keep in EP case or take on holiday), the Cambridge Star Atlas ( lots of good charts, moon maps and tables) and Stellarium. I can recommend them all but would get TL@O and the S&T pocket guide first.