Star map recommendations

[harpy]

Hi,

could anyone recommend a good star map. Book form not app. I see in a link ina a Ricky above recommending the  sky and telescope pockey atlas: is this the one they are referring too? https://www.shopatsky.com/pocket-sky-atlas

i can’t seem to find it in stock in shops in uk/Ireland although the post is from 2013?

 

anyone know where I might find it or recommend another sky map to a complete beginner only bought my first telescope a couple of weeks ago.

 

[Waddensky]

Yes, that's the Pocket Sky Atlas, it's available from Teleskop Express for example. It's an excellent atlas for beginners. Deeper atlases with more objects are the Sky Atlas 2000.0, the Interstellarum Deep Sky Atlas and Uranometria 2000.0, for example.

[John]

If you can find a copy of the S&T Pocket Sky Atlas I highly recommend it. I use it all the time during my sessions with my 12 inch dob. I have the more detailed Interstellarium for further reference but the Pocket Sky Atlas is with me as I observe.

 

[Jiggy 67]

Depending on how deep your pockets are the Sky Atlas 2000 Deluxe is outstanding 

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Sky-Atlas-2000-0-2ed-Deluxe/dp/0521627621

[Steve Clay]

The Cambridge star atlas is very good and worth alook.

[miguel87]

Free online atlas, excellent quality, prints onto A4, laminate and into an A4 ringbinder. Quality waterproof star atlas for less than a tenner (or free if you have a laminater and spare folder).

www.charlotteastronomers.org › ...PDF
Web results
The Mag-7 Star Atlas Project - Charlotte Amateur Astronomers Club

Edited May 11, 2020 by miguel87

[John]

Another set of free downloadable ones here. Down to mag 10 stars and mag 14 DSO's:

http://www.deepskywatch.com/deep-sky-hunter-atlas.html

 

[harpy]

Thanks everyone for all your suggestions really appreciate it..  I’ll definitely print off some of those free ones and use them until  the pocket sky atlas arrives.. I’m near the city so don’t have great skies but just want to get used to trying to find things..there’s a Gold tier dark sky reserve about 2 hrs from me so once restrictions are lifted and there’s a clear night I want to be ready to go. Which can be few and far between in Ireland..

i see that telescope express sell red torches for 23euro are they a thing you could buy cheap anywhere or is it worth spending The few euro on them. Shipping is 18euro for the book so trying to pick up something else as well to make the shipping cost worth it.. a compass prob wouldn’t be a bad idea either would it, currently using compass on my phone but that’s probably bad when looking at the phone and then trying to look at dark sky.

[Dr Strange]

I highly recommend the Pocket Sky Atlas. It really works well for most objects. An alternative is the larger Jumbo size of it if you can't find the PSA. 

[Waddensky]

18 hours ago, harpy said:

i see that telescope express sell red torches for 23euro are they a thing you could buy cheap anywhere or is it worth spending The few euro on them. [...] a compass prob wouldn’t be a bad idea either would it, currently using compass on my phone but that’s probably bad when looking at the phone and then trying to look at dark sky.

A torch can be very useful, but make sure you get one that can be dimmed to almost zero. Normal red lights, like bicycle LEDs are way too bright.

Most astronomy apps have a night mode that will colour all UI elements with a red or orange tint to preserve your night vision. Still, be sure to set your screen brightness to the lowest possible value and preferably use a device with AMOLED screen, other screen types leak light even when the pixels are black. You can also use red screen wrap.

Edited May 12, 2020 by Waddensky

[Second Time Around]

On 11/05/2020 at 21:54, harpy said:

I see that telescope express sell red torches for 23euro are they a thing you could buy cheap anywhere or is it worth spending The few euro on them. Shipping is 18euro for the book so trying to pick up something else as well to make the shipping cost worth it.. a compass prob wouldn’t be a bad idea either would it, currently using compass on my phone but that’s probably bad when looking at the phone and then trying to look at dark sky.

This is what I recently posted on torches/headlamps:

I'd strongly advise you go for a headlamp that has separate switches for white and red light, plus the ability to dim the light right down.  The former is important as sooner or later you'll turn the white light on and ruin your dark adaption.  The latter is important because nearly all headlamps are way too bright.

By far the best I've found are some of the 2019 Black Diamonds.  Confusingly, although the model name (but not the number) remains the same, many have been totally redesigned for 2019 with two buttons instead of just one.

One of the great things about them is that only the larger button turns the headlamp on; the smaller button just changes from red to white, but nothing happens when you press it if the headlamp is off. 

Additionally, they remember the last setting you used before turning off.  For instance, if you finished with the red light at its dimmest setting, that's what you get when you turn it back on.

Set up like this it means that it's impossible to turn anything on at the start but the dimmest red light - whatever button you push.

Not all the 2019 Black Diamond two button range are suitable for us though.  Some of them have battery check LEDs that light up when you first switch on.  The problem is they're bright blue!  Also note that the poorly-named Astro model doesn't have a red light.

I started by buying two models, the Cosmo 225 and the Spot Lite 160, that use 3AAA and 2AAA batteries respectively.  The numbers represent the max. brightness in lumens.

Surprisingly, the red light on the Cosmo 225 goes dimmer than that on the Spot Lite 160, although this may just be a sample variation.  The former is also on special offer at the moment because a new model, the Cosmo 250 has just been launched, that seems to be identical but has a higher output.  I've just tested this, and comparing all 3 with fresh disposable batteries the 250 is indeed slightly brighter on full power white light than the 225, but there isn't much in it.  On the dimmest red light the 225 and 250 are exactly the same.  So any of the 3 models are fine for astronomy.

There were complaints about older versions of these products having a weak closure on the battery compartments.  This appears to be rectified nicely in the new models that have a firm, precise click action.  I'd add that, here in Europe at least, these Black Diamonds have a 3 year guarantee.  That doesn't of course prove anything, but they're expected to last at least that long.

These headlamps should also be suitable for my fishing and camping as they have a waterproof rating of IPX8.  This means that they can work for at least 30 minutes submerged to a depth of 1.1 metres (3 1/2 feet).  However do note the battery compartment itself isn't waterproof and will need drying out.

So for the first time I'm satisfied with a headlamp for astronomy and can thoroughly recommend these 3 Black Diamond headtorches.   They're also very reasonably priced.

Do check though that you're buying the latest 2 button models.  Many outlets are still selling the similar 1 button type that's not good for us.  For instance Amazon UK even has a picture of a 2 button Cosmo but the description suggests it's the old 1 button model.

For the special offer Cosmo 225 go to https://www.trailblazeroutdoors.co.uk/outdoor-equipment/lighting/black-diamond-cosmo-225-headlamp-dark-olive

One important thing to point out is that you shouldn't wear a headlamp when other people are around as it can ruin their dark adaption.  You won't be very popular if you do so at a star party! 

For this reason many people use a handheld torch instead.  However, unless you use a special headband you can't use a torch as a headlamp.  But you can easily do it the other way round and use a headlamp as a torch simply by holding it in your hand.  A headtorch also allows both your hands to be free, plus it points wherever you're looking.

[Stardaze]

On 10/05/2020 at 23:41, John said:

If you can find a copy of the S&T Pocket Sky Atlas I highly recommend it. I use it all the time during my sessions with my 12 inch dob. I have the more detailed Interstellarium for further reference but the Pocket Sky Atlas is with me as I observe.

 

Good tip John, thanks. It looked to be out of print over here or unavailable, for whatever reason. I wanted a copy myself. 

[harpy]

Thanks everyone for your recommendations I’ve ordered the pocket sky atlas and a head torch.

[wookie1965]

I got a head torch from poundland sent for some red sticky back paper two pieces and it's brilliant. 

In fact I have been out and bought a couple more for when I go camping so the family has one each. 

Just like this one.