Star Atlas, your recommendations

[Ewok]

Hi everyone.

Thought I should really start to "gen up" on things before I start observing in earnest. I really want to buy a good star atlas, but I am not sure as to which would be most suitable for me as a complete novice, and also because some of them appear to be quite pricey.

Any suggestions on which to purchase, or on any other literature which may be of help would be appreciated indeed.

[neilm]

Welcome to SGL.

Most people, including myself, will recommend Turn Left At Orion, great book to help you navigate around the sky.

As for an atlas, you may find this tread of some help http://stargazerslounge.com/equipment-help/123658-recommend-star-atlas.html

Cheers

Neil

[Ian123]

I would reccomend 'pocket skt atlas' by roger.w.sinnot

excellent star atlas

Sky & Telescope's Pocket Sky Atlas: Amazon.co.uk: Roger W. Sinnott: Books

[perrin6]

sky atlas 2000 - thousands of objects, stars down to mag 8 and a version is laminated.

[Psychobilly]

Depends what your after .. I used the Sky and Telescope Pocket one as well but I dont star hop just used to use it for target selection when the clouds would spoil the planned session...

Billy...

[iamjulian]

Make sure to look at the online options too. I downloaded and laminated these: Free Mag 7 Star Charts - Article There are others online too, down to about mag 13 if you are happy to print off hundreds of A3 sheets.

[BobTheSaxon]

If you have a computer then Stellarium is excellent and free, and is able to do other things that a printed atlas cannot. However, a printed atlas is useful outdoors with a red light.

Regards,

Bob

[ollypenrice]

sky atlas 2000 - thousands of objects, stars down to mag 8 and a version is laminated.

Absolutely! It is big, clear and brilliant. My non laminated version is going strong qfter ten years.

Olly

[M42]

If you want a book star atlas then the Cambridge Star Atlas is highly recommended. Some people prefer the Norton but I find the Cambridge one easier on the eyes.

As for astro software I prefer Starry Night Pro. Very useful for imagers because under the equipment section you can put in your scopes and cameras and when you use the FOV option it will show how tagets will look when photographed.

Keith

[anth]

Also if you have a smart phone (ie an iphone or similar) there are some great little apps for helping you find your way around the skies. I use pocket universe

good luck

anth

[Talitha]

For something basic, you can't beat the Pocket Sky Atlas.

For starhopping at the scope though, i prefer the Millennium Star Atlas.

[Demonperformer]

The tri-atlas found at JR's website on Deep Sky Astronomy

You select which scale/faintness suits your situation/equipment best, then print off the page(s) you need for each session and gradually build up the entire sky. And it's free.

[ollypenrice]

Another awaesome software planetarium is SkyMap Pro. I love it. But Stellarium is free.

Olly

[Ewok]

Thanks everyone.

I have downloaded Stallerium and also got the natty little app as well. I am going to check out your other suggestions also, and see which I think I would be most comfortable with.

Thanks again really appreciate the help.

[mrwhippy14]

Phillips Planisphere is good also. On amazon for like a fiver.

[prbaxter]

For the past 12 years I have used David Levy's Skywatching (Collins). It is a phenomenal book which details each constellation (Northern and Southern hemispheres) showing the specific highlights for telescopes, binoculars and eyes. It contains 12 star maps in the centre of the book and a time/map chart to tell you which one you need at what ever point of the year and time of day.

It even has a comprehensive guide to astronomy at the beginning of the book and explains everything you need to know.

You can get a hardcover copy of the newer edition on Amazon for just under £4. I just bought the newer edition. Best £4 you'll ever spend.

Skywatching: The Ultimate Guide to the Universe: Amazon.co.uk: David Levy: Books

I also use free Stellarium on the computer for tracking planets and the moon.

[Andrew*]

I have the pocket sky atlas. Not quite "pocket", in the same way a "pocket dictionary" is never pocket-size.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Sky-Telescopes-Pocket-Atlas/dp/1931559317/ref=pd_sim_b_1

But it covers the sky in a very clear way, and has plenty of DSOs to keep you amused. Slips into a corner of my eyepiece case, which you couldn't say for a "deeper" sky atlas.

I would well recommend it for the price. If you need a sky atlas with fainter stars, the free print-out one goes very deep. Sky Atlas 2000.0 and Uranometria are well recommended, but they are large and expensive.

HTH

Andrew

[Andrew*]

I would also highly recommend the Illustrated Guide to Astronomical Wonders, which is a guide to finding and observing deep sky objects. It organises objects by constellation and has a finding guide/chart, so it's very easy to use. It also shows which are the most impressive objects to observe, which is always difficult to tell with a star atlas. It's also "field-friendly".

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Illustrated-Guide-Astronomical-Wonders-Observer/dp/0596526857/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1294239255&sr=8-1

Andrew