Anonymous
Unregistered
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What irritates me about some currently produced charts is that there are not enough stars on the chart near the object (DSO) you are currently trying to observe.
I mean really, not many of us here have a telescope that can't get down to a 10th or even 11th magnitude star.
And so what do the chart makers do? They create charts that only go down to 8th or 9th magnitude. I guess that's great if you have a 90mm or 102mm. What's a person to do when manually targeting objects and thinks he may have found it, but there are no reference stars on the chart that appear in the EP?
Even if you can't actually see the object, it'd be nice to know that the scope is pointed exactly where it's supposed to be. Especially for photography.
My .02c worth.
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Peter Argenziano
Watcher of the Skies
Reged: 11/11/03
Posts: 3642
Loc: Desert Southwest
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Quote:
What irritates me about some currently produced charts is that there are not enough stars on the chart near the object (DSO) you are currently trying to observe.
Great point Schultze.
This is the primary reason why I find it more productive to use software when observing. But, on those nights when it's not practical - or when I am too lazy - I use SkyAtlas.
Peter
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Peter
I come from a small town whose population never changed. Each time a woman got pregnant, someone left town.
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desertstars
Reged: 11/05/03
Posts: 41911
Loc: Tucson, AZ
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Peter,
Which flavor of software do you prefer?
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Thomas Watson
Author of Mr. Olcott's Skies. Available in paperback and ebook from Amazon and Barnes & Noble.
@desertstarsbks
Under Desert StarsEither Way, It's Reading
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Peter Argenziano
Watcher of the Skies
Reged: 11/11/03
Posts: 3642
Loc: Desert Southwest
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Quote:
Which flavor of software do you prefer?
I find that I mostly use SkyMap Pro, Starry Night Pro and Lunar Map Pro.
Peter
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Peter
I come from a small town whose population never changed. Each time a woman got pregnant, someone left town.
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michaeloconnell
Pooh-Bah
Reged: 08/18/03
Posts: 1065
Loc: Ireland
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I have both copies of The Night Sky Observer's Guide. I think they're excellent but would not bring them outside for an observing session due to the dew.
I also have the laminated field version of Star Atlas 2000. However, I find that I don't really use it to be honest. A few reasons for this:
1 - Too big. Very akward to use this, hold a flashlight, flick the pages AND use the GOTO controller - I've only two hands! 
2 - It's too dark for use in the field - the lamionated desk version would be better I reckon.
3 - Constellations split over several pages - I find this annoying.
Can anyone recommend a star atlas that is smaller, has maps of constellations on individual pages and has plenty of DSOs on it?
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Michael
www.astroshot.com
...too many scopes, few clear skies....
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desertstars
Reged: 11/05/03
Posts: 41911
Loc: Tucson, AZ
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I've been getting along quite well with Norton's Star Atlas (not the most recent edition, the one before that). It's smaller and more easily managed than some I've looked at. Don't know off the top of my head how many DSOs are included, but to my mind there's no shortage. Still, being a bound book limits its usefullness. I've often wonder why more publishers don't do with spiral bindings for such references.
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Thomas Watson
Author of Mr. Olcott's Skies. Available in paperback and ebook from Amazon and Barnes & Noble.
@desertstarsbks
Under Desert StarsEither Way, It's Reading
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michaeloconnell
Pooh-Bah
Reged: 08/18/03
Posts: 1065
Loc: Ireland
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I was thinking again, rather than look at DSOs by constellation, perhaps I should start looking at them by Chart Number. However, I' think I'll have to invest in the laminated desk version. A little trolley table with a red desk light by the telescope would also be handy. Something to think about...
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Michael
www.astroshot.com
...too many scopes, few clear skies....
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Anonymous
Unregistered
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The reflections off of the laminate can get on your nerves after awhile. It seems the reflection is always right where you want to look at something on the chart.
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desertstars
Reged: 11/05/03
Posts: 41911
Loc: Tucson, AZ
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Quote:
The reflections off of the laminate can get on your nerves after awhile. It seems the reflection is always right where you want to look at something on the chart.
Just a thought: has anybody tried to find a way to light charts from behind? That would solve any reflection problems.
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Thomas Watson
Author of Mr. Olcott's Skies. Available in paperback and ebook from Amazon and Barnes & Noble.
@desertstarsbks
Under Desert StarsEither Way, It's Reading
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Anonymous
Unregistered
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Not unless you can make yourself glow. 
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desertstars
Reged: 11/05/03
Posts: 41911
Loc: Tucson, AZ
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Quote:
Not unless you can make yourself glow.
It's been a few years. And I'm told it plays hell with night vision when you drink that much.
Seriously, folks, I need to pull out my copy of Star Wares. Seems there's a plan for such a thing in there, somewhere.
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Thomas Watson
Author of Mr. Olcott's Skies. Available in paperback and ebook from Amazon and Barnes & Noble.
@desertstarsbks
Under Desert StarsEither Way, It's Reading
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michaeloconnell
Pooh-Bah
Reged: 08/18/03
Posts: 1065
Loc: Ireland
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Quote:
Just a thought: has anybody tried to find a way to light charts from behind? That would solve any reflection problems.
I have seen such a product advertised. It consists of a sheet of plastic through which a red light shines through the side creating the effect of a red panel of light. The idea is that you place it behind the sheet. However, something tells me it's only available in A4 size and is a little expensive although I'm not certain on this. I'll google it and hopefully come up with something more definite.
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Michael
www.astroshot.com
...too many scopes, few clear skies....
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wilash
Fairy Godmother
Reged: 09/30/03
Posts: 5746
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I photocopy my star chart, slip the copy into a plastic sleeve, and illuminate it from behind with a red LED flashlight. The beam is clearly defined so by changing the distance to the chart I can make a circle of light equal to the eyepieces field of view or illuminate a larger area. This also lets me use the chart in the correct and reverse orientation for use with and without a diagonal. I use the Herald-Bobroff Astroatlas which used black stars on a white background and makes very nice copies.
Fuji makes a 4X5" light panel that runs off four AAA batteries, but I think it would be more of a hassle at the telescope than a small flashlight. My flashlight is very compact - just one AA battery. You would need to gel a light panel because they are white light and used from looking at film. The larger panels usually run off AC. The light-wedge I think Michael mentioned is placed on top of the chart so it may not eliminate all reflections.
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michaeloconnell
Pooh-Bah
Reged: 08/18/03
Posts: 1065
Loc: Ireland
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Yep, it's the light-wedge alright. Here's the link to it on OPT's website:
http://www.optcorp.com/cart/ProductDetail.asp?PR_ProductID=2648
I think your idea of using the flashlight behind the plastic sounds good. Must give it a go.
Thanks.
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Michael
www.astroshot.com
...too many scopes, few clear skies....
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desertstars
Reged: 11/05/03
Posts: 41911
Loc: Tucson, AZ
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The light wedge looks like a good solution. I'd want to see one in use before spending that much money on it.
To wilash's suggestion, I can only say 
I'll definitely try that (right after the stinging subsides.)
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Thomas Watson
Author of Mr. Olcott's Skies. Available in paperback and ebook from Amazon and Barnes & Noble.
@desertstarsbks
Under Desert StarsEither Way, It's Reading
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Anonymous
Unregistered
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That looks pretty useful. Not sure if I want to spend the money though. I have some acrylic sheet in the shop. I might try my hand at making one.
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michaeloconnell
Pooh-Bah
Reged: 08/18/03
Posts: 1065
Loc: Ireland
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I had another look again at The Night Sky Observer's Guide. The more I look at it, the more I realise just how good it is and how it'd be an ideal reference while observing. However, what I'm wondering is, do any of u have any suggestions as to how I could protect it from dew??
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Michael
www.astroshot.com
...too many scopes, few clear skies....
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desertstars
Reged: 11/05/03
Posts: 41911
Loc: Tucson, AZ
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Perhaps you could adapt wilash's suggestion, posted earlier in this thread. If you can photocopy just what you need, and something happens to the copies, there's no real loss. (I suppose you could scan them, too, and print them from your computer.)
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Thomas Watson
Author of Mr. Olcott's Skies. Available in paperback and ebook from Amazon and Barnes & Noble.
@desertstarsbks
Under Desert StarsEither Way, It's Reading
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matt
Vendor (Scopemania)
Reged: 07/28/03
Posts: 10991
Loc: Chaville, France
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I vote for Star Atlas 2000, nice to browse and nice to use on the field (as you need a table anyway, why not have large charts?). Now and then I browse atlases in astro book stores and I don't feel any of them is as easy to use or as much a pleasure to the eye.
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Matt
CI700 mount with various scopes on top.
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michaeloconnell
Pooh-Bah
Reged: 08/18/03
Posts: 1065
Loc: Ireland
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What sort of table do u use Matt?
I was thinking of getting one as at the moment I simply use the toolbox which I store all my astro gear. About what size and height of table woulf u recommend?
I've seen ones advertised which are designed for camping i.e they have a cloth surface and can fold up easily - would these be suitable?
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Michael
www.astroshot.com
...too many scopes, few clear skies....
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