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Pages: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | (show all) Gary C8 member Reged: 07/09/12 Loc: Oregon Atlas of the Moon       #5328739 - 07/21/12 07:11 PM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   I am going to be getting back into lunar observing after being away from it for a few years. My favorite atlas was the "Astronomy Atlas of the Moon" by Antonin Ruekl (1990). Is this still considered to be one of the best atlases for lunar observing? Post Extras:       desertstars Reged: 11/05/03 Loc: Tucson, AZ Re: Atlas of the Moon [Re: Gary C8]       #5328801 - 07/21/12 07:57 PM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   It is. Unfortunately it's out of print and hard to come by. Also rather expensive when you find one for sale. This can be handy, though unless you bring a laptop out observing with you, might not be so helpful at the eyepiece: Virtual Moon Atlas Post Extras:       simpleisbetter Carpal Tunnel Reged: 04/18/11 Re: Atlas of the Moon [Re: desertstars]       #5328820 - 07/21/12 08:15 PM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   If you're just asking and already have the book, you're set... But if you need to get it again, there are quite a few of the 1992 editions for sale used on Amazon right now priced in the $60's. Not a bad price these days and the newer, more expensive copies don't offer you anymore than the early printings. Edited by simpleisbetter (07/21/12 08:17 PM) Post Extras:       Tim2723 The Moon Guy Reged: 02/19/04 Loc: Northern New Jersey Re: Atlas of the Moon [Re: simpleisbetter]       #5328960 - 07/21/12 10:07 PM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   It is most certainly a top atlas today. If it's hard to find I'd also recommend the Hatfield Atlas. It's photo-based and shows most of the detail seen in the average amateur scope. Post Extras:       Gary C8 member Reged: 07/09/12 Loc: Oregon Re: Atlas of the Moon [Re: Tim2723]       #5328964 - 07/21/12 10:10 PM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   Thank you, I'm lucky in that I do still have it. Thanks for the input. Post Extras:       Starlon member Reged: 04/18/06 Loc: desert, USA Re: Atlas of the Moon [Re: Gary C8]       #5335063 - 07/25/12 03:33 PM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   Another good one: "The Moon: An Observing Guide for Backyard Telescopes" by Michael T. Kitt (Nov 1992) The Foreword (by Robert Burnham), Burnham writes: " I can't figure out what happened. It was 20 years ago ( In 1992) that humans last set foot on the Moon. But until now no lunar guide book for amateur astronomers incorporated the scientific findings from Apollo missions and others. Those missions revolutionized all of our understanding of the Moon - where it came from, what made it's craters, when it's vast lava plains last oozed forth. But little of these results crept into observing guides for amateur astronomers." He goes on to state: " To put it bluntly, up until now backyard Moon observers have been shortchanged." The guide takes you through a months observation. He has imagery and maps to show the objects an amateur can see. He talks about telescopes and what scopes are great for observing. Like a 5" or 6" refractor or 8" - 10" reflector. Although, he stated that anyone with a good, well sited 4" refractor or 6" reflector wouldn't miss much (of what his observing guide takes you through). I enjoy using this book along with Rukl's & the "New Atlas of the Moon" by Thierry Legault and Serge Brunier. Here: http://www.cloudynights.com/item.php?item_id=1517 Just check Amazon - wow ! the prices ! 3 new from $327.18 and 18 used from $27.71. Glad I got mine before they shut off the flow. And so, now it is 20 more years since Kitt's guide, and wow, the few guides are harder to find & very costly. Clear skies... Post Extras:       Jayem member Reged: 07/24/09 Re: Atlas of the Moon [Re: Starlon]       #5335163 - 07/25/12 04:36 PM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   Can't see why you asked for advice on an atlas if you already had a Rukl, however, here's another atlas option (in three orientations), if interested. Personally, I feel Rukl is over-rated (I have a copy from years back), and is now out-dated as recent, more modern images that we're used to seeing (e.g. from LROC, amateur mappers in this forum, and, less-recent, Kaguya) are far more informative. Edited by Jayem (07/25/12 04:43 PM) Post Extras:       Rick Woods Postmaster Reged: 01/27/05 Loc: Inner Solar System Re: Atlas of the Moon [Re: Jayem]       #5335392 - 07/25/12 07:12 PM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   Quote: Can't see why you asked for advice on an atlas if you already had a Rukl, however, here's another atlas option (in three orientations), if interested. Personally, I feel Rukl is over-rated (I have a copy from years back), and is now out-dated as recent, more modern images that we're used to seeing (e.g. from LROC, amateur mappers in this forum, and, less-recent, Kaguya) are far more informative. The Moon doesn't look any different through a telescope than it did when the Rukl atlas first came out. How can something like that become outdated? Great LRO images are fine; the Kaguya atlas is a very nice read with great pictures. But neither helps the amateur at the eyepiece like Rukl does. They're not atlases. (They're good supplementary material, though!) To the OP: S&T markets the Rukl fold-out Moon map, which IMO is the best thing you can have at the eyepiece (with the big atlas handy for more detail). I think it's only like $10, too, and there are regular and SCT versions of it. And the Hatfield atlas is wonderful, if you can grab a copy of it too. Post Extras:       RobertED Carpal Tunnel Reged: 07/11/03 Loc: Johnston, RI Re: Atlas of the Moon [Re: Rick Woods]       #5335590 - 07/25/12 09:23 PM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   Hey guys!, if I can add my 2 1/2 cents worth, I have both versions of the S&T Rukl maps....just love 'em!! Post Extras:       Scott in NC Mad Hatter Reged: 03/05/05 Loc: NC Re: Atlas of the Moon [Re: Rick Woods]       #5335615 - 07/25/12 09:39 PM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   IMO, Rukl's is the best, most useful lunar atlas available. I actually find the hand drawn maps in this atlas much easier to read than photographic plates would be. Having said that, the atlas is too expensive to take out into the field, so for field use I prefer the laminated S&T map (also drawn by Rukl). It's a shame that Rukl's atlas is no longer available in print. I bought one in gently used condition off Amazon a year or two ago for around $60, and still think that it was money well spent. I've also seen them listed at well over $100. As great as I think the atlas is, I probably wouldn't pay that much. It would have been just my luck that as soon as I paid $100 or more for a book like that, the very next day the publisher would end up releasing another reprint for $20! Post Extras:       Starlon member Reged: 04/18/06 Loc: desert, USA Re: Atlas of the Moon [Re: RobertED]       #5335843 - 07/26/12 12:31 AM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   Quote: Hey guys!, if I can add my 2 1/2 cents worth, I have both versions of the S&T Rukl maps....just love 'em!! You betcha' and I also have the newer one too ! Also have the Kaguya book - plus.. Gerald North's book. But, yeah, Rukl rules. Like Rick said - the Moon ain't a changin' ! Post Extras:       Tim2723 The Moon Guy Reged: 02/19/04 Loc: Northern New Jersey Re: Atlas of the Moon [Re: Starlon]       #5336322 - 07/26/12 10:31 AM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   I think Rick made a good point when he mentioned the usability at the eyepiece. I got a copy of the Clementine Atlas when it hit the shelves and, while I was impressed with it as a study tool, I couldn't imagine it being the least bit useful at the EP. All these various books are valuable tools, but for different jobs. Post Extras:       ed_turco Pooh-Bah Reged: 08/29/09 Loc: Lincoln, RI Re: Atlas of the Moon [Re: Tim2723]       #5337116 - 07/26/12 06:22 PM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   Every time the Rukl atlas gets mentioned, I throw in this blurb: Several years ago, a gentleman sold me a Rukl for $40 when others were asking $100 or more and mostly getting it. He said that he just wanted a lunar observer to have it, someone who would appreciate the quality of this atlas. I still have it. It is not for sale. And I mention all this in thanks to that gentleman and that I remember him and his good deed. Ed Post Extras:       Jim Rosenstock Postmaster Reged: 07/14/05 Loc: MD, south of the DC Nebula Re: Atlas of the Moon [Re: Gary C8]       #5337511 - 07/26/12 10:20 PM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   here's one for $15 http://www.barnesandnoble.com/listing/2685114188769 Post Extras:       amicus sidera Carpal Tunnel Reged: 10/14/11 Loc: East of the Sun, West of the M... Re: Atlas of the Moon [Re: ed_turco]       #5338100 - 07/27/12 09:37 AM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   Quote: Every time the Rukl atlas gets mentioned, I throw in this blurb: Several years ago, a gentleman sold me a Rukl for $40 when others were asking $100 or more and mostly getting it. He said that he just wanted a lunar observer to have it, someone who would appreciate the quality of this atlas. I still have it. It is not for sale. And I mention all this in thanks to that gentleman and that I remember him and his good deed. Ed That is what is known as operating at a high level of gentlemanly conduct - great story, Ed! Additionally, I concur with those here who recommend Rukl's work... it's still the best Moon atlas extant, in my opinion. Post Extras:       Scott in NC Mad Hatter Reged: 03/05/05 Loc: NC Re: Atlas of the Moon [Re: Jim Rosenstock]       #5338260 - 07/27/12 11:21 AM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   Quote: here's one for $15 http://www.barnesandnoble.com/listing/2685114188769 The listing says "not currently available". Maybe someone snapped it up soon after it was listed? I wouldn't mind having a real cheap, even somewhat beat up copy to use out in the field. I reserve my current copy for indoor study, as it's too precious to take outdoors and expose to dewy conditions. Post Extras:       WillCarney Pooh-Bah Reged: 10/08/09 Loc: Bloomington, ILL Re: Atlas of the Moon [Re: Scott in NC]       #5338325 - 07/27/12 11:49 AM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   You might check out local book stores as well as old hobby shops. I found my copy in an old hobby shop. I kept it for a few years then scanned all the pages. I printed out the pages and put them in plastic sheet protectors. Wasn't too long after that I sold my copy. The earlier printings had red numbers on the charts which made it hard to read with red light. Making copies to use in the field allowed me to mark them however I want. I still have the scanned images in my computer. (Sorry I won't give them out, copyright laws) Check your local stores. William Post Extras:       amicus sidera Carpal Tunnel Reged: 10/14/11 Loc: East of the Sun, West of the M... Re: Atlas of the Moon [Re: WillCarney]       #5338358 - 07/27/12 12:08 PM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   Quote: The earlier printings had red numbers on the charts which made it hard to read with red light. I may be odd man out, but I've never used a red light to examine charts when observing the Moon in any phase, as I thought it would be of little utility given the Moon's brightness. Post Extras:       simpleisbetter Carpal Tunnel Reged: 04/18/11 Re: Atlas of the Moon [Re: amicus sidera]       #5338417 - 07/27/12 12:39 PM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   True, the Moon is pretty bright, no red light is needed. Often I just observe the Moon with my porch light on, which helps with the glare and brightness issues some complain about. As for using my Rukl at the eyepiece I agree with other's statements. What I've done is scan the pages with the maps and saved them as a .pdf file. I just print the pages and place in a binder to use at the eyepiece, and the book never goes outside. Post Extras:       Scott in NC Mad Hatter Reged: 03/05/05 Loc: NC Re: Atlas of the Moon [Re: simpleisbetter]       #5338652 - 07/27/12 03:43 PM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   Quote: What I've done is scan the pages with the maps and saved them as a .pdf file. I just print the pages and place in a binder to use at the eyepiece, and the book never goes outside. Smart idea--think I'll do that too! Post Extras:       Pages: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | (show all)

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