Re: Star atlas or software

The software vs. printed atlases a sort of personal decision. Both have
their strengths. As for me, I like a printed star atlas I can sit on
the livingroom floor with and plan out a star hop with little acetate
FOV circles. As others have mentioned, the Sky Atlas 2000 is a good
atlas to start with once you've got a pretty good idea of how to find
the constellations. As you gain experience and start looking for dimmer
objects, you'll want a more detailed atlas.
I start out with a planisphere to see what part of the sky will be
in a good position. Then I pick out a few targets and find their
location on the old Scalnate Pleso atlas... (an older atlas, similar to
the Sky Atlas 2000,) then go to the Uranometria 2000 for planning a
detailed star hop. Finally, the Uranometria goes out with me under the
sky. I have a space in my observing box especially built to hold it.
Marty

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Relevant Pages

  • review: Collins Atlas of the Night Sky, by Storm Dunlop
    ... After a quick glance at the Collins Atlas of the Night Sky, ... The star atlas is ... Twenty maps cover the entire night sky to a scale of about ... The constellation guide, in turn, is quite reminiscent of the same ...
    (sci.astro.amateur)
  • Re: Starhopping, star-strolling, and star-drifting?
    ... The PAL method works best in conjunction with a dark sky ... naked-eye limit) atlas. ... One then finds the same star pattern in the ... finder and primary telescope. ...
    (sci.astro.amateur)
  • Re: Dobsdonian Light Bucket 10
    ... What kind of atlas should I get. ... Why don't I try to address your question about atlases and catalogues, ... You are very right to focus on star atlases and catalogues, ... while thinking about and ordering a scope. ...
    (sci.astro.amateur)
  • Re: Star atlas or software
    ... atlas or a software program like Starry night. ... type astronomy books but none really have detailed star maps. ... My most used printed atlases are the ... depends on the nature of my observing project. ...
    (sci.astro.amateur)
  • Re: Star atlas or software
    ... atlas or a software program like Starry night. ... type astronomy books but none really have detailed star maps. ...
    (sci.astro.amateur)