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Planisphere??

LittleJim

By LittleJim
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Alwyn

Alwyn

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If it's a Philips the instructions are on the back. Mine says:

"Align the planisphere by holding it over your head map downwards, with the middle of the oval directly overhead and the 'Midnight' time pointing north."

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Nexus 6

Nexus 6

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Hi LittleJim,

Welcome from me as well.

You can try downloading Stellarium, its free and is used by a lot of people on the forum. It will help you to gain an understanding of what you can see and when. I use it a lot, it is an alternative to a planisphere and really good.

Alan

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Capricorn

Capricorn

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You set the date and time.

Then you face N,E,S,W whichever.

Rotate the whole planisphere so that the N,E,S,W is nearest you corresponding to the direction you are facing.

2 options now, realise that the edge is the horizon, so if you are facing South with S on the planisphere towards you then the nearest edge corresponds to the horizon in front of you. Things in the centre are above you.

Other way to do it is to lift the planisphere over your head. Then the centre is directly above you and the edges are again the horizons to the N,E,S,W.

Not an easy thing to explain, lot easier if someone can stand and show you.

Best idea is to get some knowledge of which constellation is which then use the planisphere to find out what is visible and roughly where. Use the constellations you know to track down what it is you want.

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Black Fox

Black Fox

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You set the date and time.

Then you face N,E,S,W whichever.

Rotate the whole planisphere so that the N,E,S,W is nearest you corresponding to the direction you are facing.

2 options now, realise that the edge is the horizon, so if you are facing South with S on the planisphere towards you then the nearest edge corresponds to the horizon in front of you. Things in the centre are above you.

Other way to do it is to lift the planisphere over your head. Then the centre is directly above you and the edges are again the horizons to the N,E,S,W.

Not an easy thing to explain, lot easier if someone can stand and show you.

Best idea is to get some knowledge of which constellation is which then use the planisphere to find out what is visible and roughly where. Use the constellations you know to track down what it is you want.

Hi and welcome.. as Capricorn says pick out what is visible and where on the plannisphere, also i used the apps people are suggesting and it's amazing how quickly you get to know the night's sky for orientation..

Good luck.. :)

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AllanJ

AllanJ

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Hi Jim, welcome to SGL.

There are several videos on Youtube on how to use planispheres (most of them seem to include how to make them, but that should also help you understand the device) and for using star charts there is one by the (American) Astronomy magazine (look on Youtube for 'How To Use A Star Chart'.

Allan

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