Decent Sky Atlas For DSOs

[cloudsweeper]

I've found that using tablet-based applications for locating DSOs is fiddly, what with having to zoom in, and even then finding that many objects are not shown.

So I would like a good Sky Atlas I can take out with me - A4 size if possible, spiral bound, showing a very large number of clusters, galaxies, and nebulae - preferably all colour coded and clearly indicated on a grid.

There are several available, but I want to make the right choice.  Can anyone therefore please recommend one that would fit my requirements?

Thanks,

Doug.

[Mark S W]

Hello Doug

My mainstay is skyAtlas 2000.0 laminated Desk Version and with that I use the Companion Guide.

I also rely on the Pocket Sky Atlas both from Sky&Telescope.

I know   http://www.deepskywatch.com/deepsky-atlas-release1.html as deep sky charts which can be printed.

Hope this helps

[acey]

All depends how deep you want to go, but I would agree that S&T Pocket and/or SkyAtlas 2000.0 are the ones to start with. Spiral binding (as in S&T Pocket) is nice but so is loose sheets (as in SkyAtlas Field Edition) or stout binding (e.g. Uranometria) which easily opens flat. Colour is all very well as long as it behaves properly under red light: S&T Pocket does (so, apparently, does Interstellarum, which I don't have). White stars on black background (SkyAtlas Field) is very good on the dark-adapted eye: I wish more atlases were like that. If A4 is required then printing the free JR TriAtlas would be an option: http://www.uv.es/jrtorres/triatlas.html . Personally I prefer a larger format (which again is a vote for SkyAtlas or other options). I wouldn't recommend the Cambridge Atlas of Herschel Objects unless you seriously want to work in old money (i.e. Herschel designations rather than NGC). If you want to go seriously deep then Uranometria, Interstellarum, or seek out the magnificent Millennium Star Atlas or Great Atlas Of The Sky (and good luck if you can find either).

[Caput Gorgonis]

There is very good advice in here. Just to give more info based on your requirements (A4 and spiral bounded and, if posible, in color) this would be my input:

1. The Atlas made by Michael Vlasov looks excellent (the link given by Mark) Never used it but it looks very complete and clear. There is one also to be printed on A3 which goes deeper.
2. Interestellarium: Slightly bigger than A4, color coded, spiral bound. This atlas have two nice features (1 - DSO are colour coded and printed in different scales, so you know which ones can you see with your telescope and 2 - double stars are plotted so you know the position adn separation) It has got one problem for me: the index´s print is very very small.
3. I always found the Cambridge Atlas by Tyrion a piece of art. However not very useful to go deep. There are other specialised atlas by Tyrion (Herscehl and Double stars). ALl these are A4, spiral bound and color coded.

However, to give full advice we need to know:

1. Is it that important to be A4 and spiral bound?
2. How deep do you want to go? Or: what do you want to observe the following years? This information is key in order to know which atlas is better for your needs.

Finally, my prefered set up is:

1. Sky Atlas 2000 unlaminated, black stars on white background. I have made arrows with a green liner on all the Messier, Caldwell and Herschel (400) objects and writen in the RA the name of the object ofr easy reference. I find this Atlas, which is NOT A4 or spiral bound very useful when used with a Telrad and naked eye.
2. Uranometria 2000. I had it unbind so I can just have a page on my hands. This is due to the weight of this book. I use it when Sky Atlas 2000.0 is not deep enough.

I find this combination unbeatable. 

I hope you find this useful,

Caput

[cloudsweeper]

Contributions much appreciated, thanks!

[niallk]

4 hours ago, cloudsweeper said:

I've found that using tablet-based applications for locating DSOs is fiddly, what with having to zoom in, and even then finding that many objects are not shown.

So I would like a good Sky Atlas I can take out with me - A4 size if possible, spiral bound, showing a very large number of clusters, galaxies, and nebulae - preferably all colour coded and clearly indicated on a grid.

There are several available, but I want to make the right choice.  Can anyone therefore please recommend one that would fit my requirements?

Thanks,

Doug.

For the exact same reasons, I purchased a physical book deep sky atlas - I went for Interstellarum.  I now really like to be able to browse and plan a DSO session - I notice more of what is up there to see, and decide what is well placed at an observing time by using in conjunction with Sky Safari (cheap version on a phone). I could probably have bought a cheap tablet and the Pro version for the cost though ? I also like that I can view without the glare of a screen on night setting and lowest brightness ruining adaption in the dark with my dim red light.

[Paz]

For a field guide I would go for either the S&T pocket atlas for a small simple guide or Interstellarium for a detailed guide. I've got others like Uranometria, the Cambridge Double Star Atlas, etc and they are all good in different ways but the pocket atlas and Interstellarium rise to the top when it comes the question of what do I reach for when I'm going out. If I had to pick only one then Interstellarium.

Get some plastic wallets for dew protection and save a huge amount of money compared to getting laminated field editions.

[johnfosteruk]

5 hours ago, acey said:

If A4 is required then printing the free JR TriAtlas would be an option: http://www.uv.es/jrtorres/triatlas.html 

Thanks for this one Acey, I like the OP have been looking for something and as a print and forget job on the night this is perfect. I might also do the full set and laminate for a permanent cheap option too.

[YKSE]

+1 for the free Triatlas.

I've used A-chart for 130P, and B-chart for C8 as the only Atlas I've used.

[Joaquim Q]

On 1/6/2016 at 18:22, Mark S W said:

Hello Doug

My mainstay is skyAtlas 2000.0 laminated Desk Version and with that I use the Companion Guide.

I also rely on the Pocket Sky Atlas both from Sky&Telescope.

I know   http://www.deepskywatch.com/deepsky-atlas-release1.html as deep sky charts which can be printed.

Hope this helps

Tottally agree, that ones from deepskywatch.com are the best you can find in the web. And the best of all...they are totally free!! :-)