ZiHao Posted December 13, 2017 Share Posted December 13, 2017 Hi all, Any suggestion of getting a good star atlas?Thanks Clear skies Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Merlin66 Posted December 13, 2017 Share Posted December 13, 2017 A starting point would be something like Norton’s Star Atlas, then the Uranometria set. The electronic version would be the Carte du Ciel - with the additional catalogues it’s all you need. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ronin Posted December 13, 2017 Share Posted December 13, 2017 Do you mean a Star Atlas or an Astronomy Guide, as in a guide to the constellations etc. Something a bit less intense/serious? Ask this as I have a couple of the Star Atlas's and to me at least they can be a bit much. My "Constellation" guide is The Monthly Sky Guide by Ridpath and Tirion. However I guess this may be of limited use to you as the book it based around the 50N Latitude. For a PC use Stellarium or Carte du Ciel (CdC) and set your location. Owing to you being in Malaysia be a little careful of recommended books as most of us here will be familiar with the Northern latitudes and some may be non-applicable to you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ZiHao Posted December 13, 2017 Author Share Posted December 13, 2017 I mean a Star Atlas,hmm..like a star chart. I found one which is Pocket Atlas,anyone used this be4? @ronin,yes...and also the telescope alignment part,cannot see Polaris here, too low near the horizon...FRUSTRATED . But there is a method called drift alignment,more accurate than a rough polar alignment, especially for those deep sky imagers. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NGC 1502 Posted December 13, 2017 Share Posted December 13, 2017 The Sky & Telescope pocket sky atlas is great. There may be other “pocket” guides, but it’s the Sky & Telescope one that I’m recommending. Ed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stu Posted December 13, 2017 Share Posted December 13, 2017 2 minutes ago, ZiHao said: I mean a Star Atlas,hmm..like a star chart. I found one which is Pocket Atlas,anyone used this be4? @ronin,yes...and also the telescope alignment part,cannot see Polaris here, too low near the horizon...FRUSTRATED . But there is a method called drift alignment,more accurate than a rough polar alignment, especially for those deep sky imagers. This one is very handy, compact but comprehensive https://www.amazon.co.uk/Sky-Telescopes-Pocket-Atlas/dp/1931559317 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NGC 1502 Posted December 13, 2017 Share Posted December 13, 2017 3 minutes ago, Stu said: This one is very handy, compact but comprehensive https://www.amazon.co.uk/Sky-Telescopes-Pocket-Atlas/dp/1931559317 Yes, that’s the one I mean, thanks for the link, Ed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ZiHao Posted December 13, 2017 Author Share Posted December 13, 2017 Does the Pocket Atlas work for people living in the equator?Thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave In Vermont Posted December 13, 2017 Share Posted December 13, 2017 For those nights with a typhoon or other meteorological phenomena, Stellarium is a good way to learn your way about - as deep as you wish to go. Here's a 'copy & paste' to help you download and see it's possibilities. Similar programs can cost a great deal, but Stellarium is totally FREE: ___________________________________________________________________________________________ On this link is the main page for downloading Stellarium. Choose which version is correct for your computer. Here you go: http://www.stellarium.org/ As for instructions, a full copy of them is bundled with the program that you download. But if you need another copy for some reason, these can be downloaded here: https://sourceforge.net/projects/stellarium/files/Stellarium-user-guide/0.16.0-1/stellarium_user_guide-0.16.0-1.pdf/download This program is quite large, so download when you have a few minutes. I'll leave you with 2 screenshots: First one shows basically how Stellarium appears before you customizes it, while the 2nd. shows my copy while identifying a satellite. Mine is much more advanced - just to give you an idea about Stellarium's great range of options. Please know that I am an experienced user. In the Beginning - And My Advanced - ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Hope this helps, Dave p.s. - Stellarium will work for any location on Earth, and any place else. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stu Posted December 13, 2017 Share Posted December 13, 2017 20 minutes ago, ZiHao said: Does the Pocket Atlas work for people living in the equator?Thanks Yes, it covers both hemispheres Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ZiHao Posted December 13, 2017 Author Share Posted December 13, 2017 Thanks for your help. I have downloaded Stellarium last year, but I wanna get a star atlas book so that I won't have to use a laptop or phone when I am observing. Stellarium is really an excellent software, I have spotted one meteor last time in it, really surprised and also I use it to learn the right ascension and declination. @Dave In Vermont, the second picture looks so PROFESSIONAL! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave In Vermont Posted December 13, 2017 Share Posted December 13, 2017 Thanks! By the way - the meteors it shows are not real ones happening in real-time. Those are imitations to imitate the current rate of meteors likely from any current meteor-showers. Such as the current Geminid's in this present time period. Take Care, Dave Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
25585 Posted December 13, 2017 Share Posted December 13, 2017 Software I have is Redshift as apps & Starry Night:Enthusiast. I believe the S&T Pocket also shows carbon star, though how many are viewable magnitude is another thing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chiltonstar Posted December 13, 2017 Share Posted December 13, 2017 I tend to use both the Pocket Atlas and two screen-based skycharts (Stellarium and SkySafari) depending on the level of detail I want. One thing worth thinking about is the image orientation you will see through your scope; normally N is up, but the view is laterally reversed which you need to think about if you are trying to find something. I copy the screen image, reverse it in PShop, and print it off to get an "eyepiece view". Chris Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Buzzard75 Posted December 13, 2017 Share Posted December 13, 2017 I use the Sky & Telescope Pocket Atlas in conjunction with a planisphere and Turn Left at Orion. In addition I also use Sky Safari and Stellarium on my phone. They each have their strengths and weaknesses, but if you're looking for just a star chart, the Pocket Atlas is fantastic once you figure out how to use it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
davyludo Posted December 13, 2017 Share Posted December 13, 2017 I use Sky & Telescope Pocket Atlas and Sky Safari (app on android - tablet and phone) for my star maps. Then I use Turn Left at Orion and the following book for an idea of things to look at: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Illustrated-Guide-Astronomical-Wonders-Observer/dp/0596526857 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Merlin66 Posted December 13, 2017 Share Posted December 13, 2017 Davy, Unfortunately those books are written for Northern Hemisphere observers. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nyctimene Posted December 13, 2017 Share Posted December 13, 2017 Zi Hao, I'm using the same combination as Davy above - Pocket Sky Atlas and SkySafari Pro with an Android smartphone. For more details and information about Deep Sky objects, I have, next to the "Uranometria", found the "Night Sky Observer's Guide" still one of the best printed resources. Three volumes, which cover the Southern Sky as well; many sketches; surface brightness magnitudes - all designed to visual observing. If you'll get a 10", you should consider the NSOG (at least in the long run). Have a look here: http://www.willbell.com/handbook/nitesky.htm Btw, where in Malaysia are you living (approx.), Peninsula or Sarawak/Sabah? Many years ago, I spent two wonderful weeks diving the Perhentian Island (NE peninsula near the Thailand border). No astro at that time (still the end of the rainy season). But I'm dreaming of observing the sky with my 8" Traveldob from the tip of Borneo. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
25585 Posted December 13, 2017 Share Posted December 13, 2017 Only Sky Atlas 2000.0 Field Ediition is white objects on a black background. I will have to scan, inverse the colours & save as PDF etc. Too much white even red lit can destroy night vision. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
knightware2 Posted December 14, 2017 Share Posted December 14, 2017 On 12/13/2017 at 03:07, ZiHao said: Does the Pocket Atlas work for people living in the equator?Thanks Yes it does. It covers the entire sky, and is perfect for small telescopes and binoculars. You can read about the smaller version here: https://www.shopatsky.com/pocket-sky-atlas , and the larger version here: https://www.shopatsky.com/jumbo-pocket-sky-atlas Assuming that you can get either version, you should be happy with this depth of sky coverage until you either learn the sky well or need charts for a darker sky or large telescope. They are wonderful charts. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RT65CB-SWL Posted December 15, 2017 Share Posted December 15, 2017 If you want a comprehensive star atlas, then there is Tri-Atlas (second edition) - https://www.uv.es/jrtorres/triatlas.html - and it is free! It comes as a .PDF in three volumes and can fill one blank CD-ROM. (also available for Apple iPhone & iPad in the App Store). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave In Vermont Posted December 15, 2017 Share Posted December 15, 2017 Great find, Philip! Thank you for the link. I love star-charts like these! Happily residing in the 'Miles-O'-Files' I maintain, Dave Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ZiHao Posted December 16, 2017 Author Share Posted December 16, 2017 Hi all, I found a website which includes a quite comprehensive star atlas. It is printable, and the link comes with detailed list of objects, images with select DSO as well. Very nice. Gonna print them out http://www.deepskywatch.com/deep-sky-hunter-atlas.html Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stu Posted December 16, 2017 Share Posted December 16, 2017 1 minute ago, ZiHao said: Hi all, I found a website which includes a quite comprehensive star atlas. It is printable, and the link comes with detailed list of objects, images with select DSO as well. Very nice. Gonna print them out http://www.deepskywatch.com/deep-sky-hunter-atlas.html Yes, that is a good site. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nyctimene Posted December 16, 2017 Share Posted December 16, 2017 4 hours ago, Stu said: 4 hours ago, ZiHao said: http://www.deepskywatch.com/deep-sky-hunter-atlas.html Yes, that is a good site. Indeed, a very good freeware resource of DSO's, that should fulfill most of the needs of stargazers with 6" to 10" scope aperture. The added database is really valuable, as it contains a column for the surface brightness ("S. B.") of objects - very important, if you are observing in light polluted areas (objects with lower S.B. = higher values may remain invisible). The abbreviated description from the SAC database is an added bonus. Stephan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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