michaeloconnell
scholastic sledgehammer
Reged: 08/18/03
Posts: 964
Loc: Ireland
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I'm now using my old plastic workbench as a table for observing. It's about 3ft x 2ft x 4ft high. As it's all made of plastic, it's really light yet it's very sturdy as the legs are very wide. It can also fold up really easy. I think it might have only cost about €40 which isn't bad. I now use it every night. The part which holds the two legs together also acts as a second tier. This can take my box of eyepieces. That leaves the entire table top free for my star atlas.
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Michael
www.astroshot.com
Gemini G41 Observatory+ Mount, Meade 16" SCT OTA, TEC140 Apo, 16" ATM Dob, Pentax75 SDHF, PST Ha, PST Cak.
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jr_
sage
Reged: 07/28/03
Posts: 212
Loc: Valencia, Spain
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Have anybody tried the Herald-Bobroff Astroatlas?. I have just purchased it from Lymax, and it seems the most observer-oriented atlas I have ever seen (I highly recommend it). It provides lots of useful information within each chart (a cleverly designed symbol set). It is organised in 6 sections (A-F) of increasing power. The C-section (the remaining ones only show some too crowded regions), with 94 charts, is similar in scale to the sky atlas 2000 but with more stars; more or less like Uranometria 2nd. edition. Drawbacks, few: the number of objects is not excessive and in some case labels are not included. I think that this will be from now on my main atlas (completed with my collection of expanded mosaic maps that I discussed above this thread).
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10" LX-200 classic
Binoc:25x100,20x80
Refr:12/15cm
Deep sky/software
http://www.uv.es/jrtorres
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wilash
Fairy Godmother
Reged: 09/30/03
Posts: 5746
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The Herald-Bobroff Astroatlas is a fine publication. I wish its distribution was better. Very easy to use. Easy to make copies for use in the field. And as you pointed out, the different scales in each series are a great bonus.
The really nice thing is that the different scale charts make it great for all levels of observers. The normal B series charts are nice for binoculars or naked eye observing. The C series are very good at the scope for the whole sky. But then the following series charts give some more details on very crowded areas where it can be difficult to distinguish close objects. I like the all-sky A series were they show the distribution of specfic DSO types like galaxies or emision nebula. And the star magnitude B series charts are very good as well.
Have you read the front matter yet? I like some of the specs the authors give like the pages with the most and least number of stars in each chart series.
I was fortunate to buy this as my first atlas. I don't think I'm going to need another. (Which means I can save my money for the next Harry Potter book!?)
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jr_
sage
Reged: 07/28/03
Posts: 212
Loc: Valencia, Spain
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I received the Herald-Bobroff Astroatlas two weeks ago, and I hope being able to use it in the field in two weeks (4 days in a mountain, 2000m height, I'm impatient...). Up to now I have only compared the HB with my other atlases, mainly the Millennium, Uranometria and the Sky Atlas 2000. The HB almost matches Uranometria 2nd edition (but having a smaller scale). By the way, U2000 introduced in its second edition some of the nice features of the HB (is this casual?). For instance, the chart arranging in U2000 is now from east to west, and there are three sets of charts at different scale. But the codes for deep sky objects in the HB are wonderfully more informative. The Millennium is the best atlas, but I am just unable to carry it with me to the field: it is too heavy (and expensive), and I do not want to damage it. The Sky Atlas 2000 just cannot resist any comparison with HB: HB is without any doubt the best.
Yes, I have read (at least partially) the front pages. There is a lot of details that I really like in the Astroatlas. The authors are real observers. There are minute points thoughout all the book that transmits you this impression. However, my first impression (just after opening the package) was "this is an old-fashion, unuseful atlas", but I was completely wrong. In fact, this is the most advanced and technologically most perfect DS atlas (in my opinion).
Finally, my experience with Lymax was fully positive. They were professional and really kind; the atlas was sent to me in a very short time, perfectly packaged.
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10" LX-200 classic
Binoc:25x100,20x80
Refr:12/15cm
Deep sky/software
http://www.uv.es/jrtorres
Edited by jr_ (03/05/04 12:45 PM)
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michaeloconnell
scholastic sledgehammer
Reged: 08/18/03
Posts: 964
Loc: Ireland
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Does the Herald-Bobroff Astroatlas come laminated, if you don't mind me asking?
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Michael
www.astroshot.com
Gemini G41 Observatory+ Mount, Meade 16" SCT OTA, TEC140 Apo, 16" ATM Dob, Pentax75 SDHF, PST Ha, PST Cak.
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desertstars
Deja moo
Reged: 11/05/03
Posts: 30449
Loc: Tucson, AZ
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Last time I looked into this one, it was out of print. When did it make a come-back, and where are people finding it available?
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Tom W.
SVP8 'She turned me into a 3-legged Newt' EQ
Ralph, the All-Purpose 102mm Refractor
Under the Desert Stars
All truths are easy to understand once they are discovered; the point is to discover them. - Galileo Galilei
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Dennis
Pooh-Bah
Reged: 12/30/03
Posts: 1284
Loc: Westford, Mass
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Here's a link:
http://www.heraldbobroff.com/
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Dennis
Nexstar9¼GPS
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desertstars
Deja moo
Reged: 11/05/03
Posts: 30449
Loc: Tucson, AZ
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Thanks!
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Tom W.
SVP8 'She turned me into a 3-legged Newt' EQ
Ralph, the All-Purpose 102mm Refractor
Under the Desert Stars
All truths are easy to understand once they are discovered; the point is to discover them. - Galileo Galilei
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wilash
Fairy Godmother
Reged: 09/30/03
Posts: 5746
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No the atlas is not laminated. It comes on heavy pager stock and is ring bound and so can be used on a photocopier.
I usually photocopy the maps I want before I go observing. I can then flip them over and illuminate them from behind to get the reversed view caused by my diagonal. I slide each copy into a plastic sleeve to make them a little more managable.
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Astrosetz
sage
Reged: 10/05/03
Posts: 320
Loc: Wisconsin
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The HB is my favorite atlas. The multiple scales are really nice; next best thing to having a computer, where you can zoom in and out. Awesome completeness for the stellar and nonstellar objects. And tons of information at a glance once you learn how to read the symbology.
I don't use it as much as I used to, because now I make my own custom observing lists and eyepiece charts in Skytools.
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-Astrosetz
www.astrosetz.com
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nemo
sage
Reged: 06/09/03
Posts: 388
Loc: Eugene,Oregon
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Ed,
Could you or anyone give me any feedback on the following.
-"Observing Handbook and Catalogue of Deep Sky Objects"-by Luginbuhl, Christian B.
and
_The "Sky Spot Messier series" by Brent Watson
As usual any information would be most appreciated.
R/S,
Dan
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"Humility is not thinking less of your self-it is about thinking of yourself less."
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IDONTSEEIT
scholastic sledgehammer
Reged: 05/04/03
Posts: 903
Loc: NYC
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Quote:
No the atlas is not laminated. It comes on heavy pager stock and is ring bound and so can be used on a photocopier.
Although the pages are not laminated, perse, the information on the Lymax website states that it is printed on "synthetic" paper, which is supposedly water-proof/-resistant. I just got mine two days ago, but haven't had the time to do more than leaf through the pages once.
How does one go about returning children, the original packaging is destroyed, and they now look used, and not in original/like new condition 
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Joe,
C8 OTA on UA Unistar Heavy Deluxe
SV-102V on same UA Unistar Heavy Deluxe(not at the same time)
WO-Megrez 80-II ED on UA Microstar Basic
Orion 80ED on same UA Microstar Basic(also not at the same time)
Miyauchi Bs-60ic "Pleiades" 22X60
Orion UltraView 10X50's
Orion MiniGiants 12X63 & 15X63
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desertstars
Deja moo
Reged: 11/05/03
Posts: 30449
Loc: Tucson, AZ
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Did you keep the receipt?
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Tom W.
SVP8 'She turned me into a 3-legged Newt' EQ
Ralph, the All-Purpose 102mm Refractor
Under the Desert Stars
All truths are easy to understand once they are discovered; the point is to discover them. - Galileo Galilei
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IDONTSEEIT
scholastic sledgehammer
Reged: 05/04/03
Posts: 903
Loc: NYC
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No, that went out with the packaging 
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Joe,
C8 OTA on UA Unistar Heavy Deluxe
SV-102V on same UA Unistar Heavy Deluxe(not at the same time)
WO-Megrez 80-II ED on UA Microstar Basic
Orion 80ED on same UA Microstar Basic(also not at the same time)
Miyauchi Bs-60ic "Pleiades" 22X60
Orion UltraView 10X50's
Orion MiniGiants 12X63 & 15X63
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gordon
scholastic sledgehammer
Reged: 07/15/03
Posts: 872
Loc: England
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I think the best star atlas is one that you actually use
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I paid Al Naglers Mortgage.
Edited by gordon (04/05/04 03:45 PM)
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desertstars
Deja moo
Reged: 11/05/03
Posts: 30449
Loc: Tucson, AZ
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Quote:
I think the best star atlas is one that you actually use
Which requires a lot of checking of options. To save money, go to the library first or, better still, attend a few star parties and see what others are using.
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Tom W.
SVP8 'She turned me into a 3-legged Newt' EQ
Ralph, the All-Purpose 102mm Refractor
Under the Desert Stars
All truths are easy to understand once they are discovered; the point is to discover them. - Galileo Galilei
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Fiske
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 03/14/04
Posts: 2057
Loc: Missouri / United States
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Quote:
Last time I looked into this one, it was out of print. When did it make a come-back, and where are people finding it available?
Tom:
An astronomy company here in Kansas City (Lymax) brought this back into print. Pretty cool! 
Fiske
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Fiske Miles
Nikon 8x42 LX / 12x50 SE Binos
Mini Borg 60ED, TV-101, AT80Ach, XT-8, C11/CI-700, 22-Inch Dob
Way too many Nagler eyepieces
http://www.fiskemiles.blogspot.com/
www.fiskemiles.com
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desertstars
Deja moo
Reged: 11/05/03
Posts: 30449
Loc: Tucson, AZ
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Dennis provided the link to their web page regarding the atlas:
http://www.heraldbobroff.com/
It looks impressive, judging by the samples posted. I'm hoping someone in the TAAA has a copy so I can take a look without first making the investment.
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Tom W.
SVP8 'She turned me into a 3-legged Newt' EQ
Ralph, the All-Purpose 102mm Refractor
Under the Desert Stars
All truths are easy to understand once they are discovered; the point is to discover them. - Galileo Galilei
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Nauset
Post Laureate
Reged: 01/24/04
Posts: 3461
Loc: Cape Cod
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My Herald-Bobroff Astroatlas is in the mail! well in UPS.
via Lymax.  
Betsy
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Betsy
Hardin 8" Dob (inspected by J. Dobson himself), Oberwerks 11x56, Meade Kestrel 10x42
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Secretary, Cape Cod Astronomical Society www.ccas.ws
avatar of Cape Cod taken by Dan Burbank from the Discovery Shuttle
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desertstars
Deja moo
Reged: 11/05/03
Posts: 30449
Loc: Tucson, AZ
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Definitely post you impressions when you get it and have a chance to use it a bit. What made you decide to go ahead and get it, if you don't mind my asking?
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Tom W.
SVP8 'She turned me into a 3-legged Newt' EQ
Ralph, the All-Purpose 102mm Refractor
Under the Desert Stars
All truths are easy to understand once they are discovered; the point is to discover them. - Galileo Galilei
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