I like to use my Sky Atlas 2000 coupled with the season's Night Sky Observers Guide. When I get lazy, I also like to slave my GPS11 to my laptop running The Sky 6. I am hoping to order a Herald-Bobroff atlas in the near future.
-------------------- Scott Azmus
SV80BV, NexStar 11, & 18" Obsession
I like it's large format, but I like to have more object info without bringing out say a companion guide or M object print outs.
I just picked up the Cambridge today. I like the fact that there is at least some info on the opposite page. The downside seems to be the smaller print.
I have one of those magnifying sheets to lay over the charts...I'll try it out tonight
Now I have often had issue with the format of charts and the projection of the sky....cut off constellations...some on this page the rest on another.
I like the idea of seeing what is within each of the constellation's boundries with the lines drawn.
While I was at Borders, I found a very basic guide "The Monthly Sky Guide" Ridpath/Tirion.
It covers just that, each constellation. Stars to 6.5 with many of the popular M objects and some NGC.
Like I said, basic but sould be nice to not have to page hop.
Nobody mentioned the out of print set of charts in 1000+ book by Tom Lorenzin.
This set has stars to 6th mag. and for star hopping with a telrad or quikfinder is absolutely excellent.
Drawbacks?
No constellation boundaries or lines,no coverage of southern sky(in case I travel downunder some day).
What I dont like in sky atlas 2000 2nd edition is that some DSOs are no more there.Example NGC7492,a faint globular in Aquarius,visible thru my 8" dob and plotted on the 1st edition.It's on 1000+ though...
That's one I've not heard of before. There's a database included in Software Bisque TheSky6, Professional Edition with the name Tom Lorenzin attached to it, so the book at least has an electronic incarnation.
Atlases all seem to vary in what they cover. Also, everyone needs something that's just right for their viewing needs. Which would explain why this thread has gone on for so long without a clear favorite emerging.
-------------------- 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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Michael Morris
Member
Reged: 01/05/05
Posts: 1366
Loc: Worcestershire, UK
If you do a fair amount of lunar observing as well as doubles and DSOs then the Collins Atlas of the Night Sky is definitely worth considering. It has colour general sky maps to mag 6.5 and detailed constellation maps to mag 8.5; all by Wil Tirion. The constellation maps also have a list of interesting objects on the facing page. If this wasn't good enough there are Lunar maps by Antonin Rukl. These maps are repeated in normal and reversed orientation for SCT/refractor users. And all for £20/$38. Go to Amazon for substantial (30%) discounts on these prices.
Whats the best Star Atlas, its the one you use most often. each type has its purpose. you may use one to plan an observing session, another at the viewing site, and perhaps another at the scope, or a computer print out. Everyone has their own specific needs in a chart, so there is no "one best", its like trying to pick the best scope.
-------------------- There are no winners in war, only bigger loosers.
Jim
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desertstars
Deja moo
Reged: 11/05/03
Posts: 30445
Loc: Tucson, AZ
Currently I have a SkyAtlas 2000 (unlaminated desk version) I'd want to laminate in order to make it usable outdoors, and I almost always use Starry Night Pro on my desktop while observing at home.
I however vividly remember the H-B AstroAtlas (bought the 1st edition from Crazy Ed Optical at the end of the 90s for our local astronomy club), and I really liked that atlas. As Lymax now reprinted it on synthetic "waterproof" and tear-proof paper, I'm really considering obtaining a copy. It doesn't seem to be distributed in Europe, though.
There's one small book I always take with me, wherever I go: Ian Ridpath's Collins Gem (formerly "The Night Sky", now reprinted as "Stars") with charts from Wil Tirion. That booklet is really very nice when all you have is your eyes and a binocular (or a small scope).
Cheers!
Olivier
-------------------- Tal-200K (#199) with JMI NGF-Mini2M focuser on GEM3 • Astro-Tech AT80ED on Orion Sirius EQ-G with EQDIR & home made wireless EQDIRECT • Celestron Regal LX 8x42 & 10x42 • Helios 15x70
ATM 14" f/5 (designing mirror cell and filter wheel/focuser) • ATM 10" f/6 Portable Truss (polishing) • ATM 10" f/25 Dall-Kirkham (primary: polishing, secondary: #120 grit)
AstroForecast
I have sold all of my book charts. With computer software I can get far more detail and customization. Also book charts do not plot comets and asterids. I know I know what if There are clouds over my planed targets that I have custom charts for and I have to come up with alternitives. I have a Palm PDA that has astromist and planetarium which has more data and customizion then even uranometria. Oh and it fits nicely in my pocket
I have two Sky Atlantes, the old black one and the new brown Deluxe one. So far I've noticed two objects missing in the new one: NGC 6540 and NGC 1360. They're in the old black edition.
-------------------- Beauty is in the eyepiece of the beholder.
I've got the Millenium Star Atlas and using a 4.5in scope, the star count is a real strong point for me as it enables me to find objects very easily by starhopping. Because of it's sheer size I usually only take out 1 volume with the stuff I want to see.
-------------------- SAB - Melbourne, Australia
GSO 10" F5 Dob with flocking & dewshield
12" (304mm) F4.6 truss dob with premium optics
Quote: There's one small book I always take with me, wherever I go: Ian Ridpath's Collins Gem (formerly "The Night Sky", now reprinted as "Stars") with charts from Wil Tirion. That booklet is really very nice when all you have is your eyes and a binocular (or a small scope).
Olivier I couldn't agree more. The Collins Gem is a really handy little book that you can literally carry in your pocket. I have a copy at my desk at work that I refer to every now and then, when my thoughts drift towards the stars.
David
-------------------- 10" LX200GPS UHTC
Oberwerk 15 x 70
Canon 40D
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Dave Mitsky
Postmaster
Reged: 04/08/02
Posts: 6628
Loc: PA, USA, Planet Earth
Quote: Uranometria 2000.0, second edition, combined with Uranometria DeepSky Field Guide.
More deep sky objects than Millenium atlas.
More detail and better scale than Tirion 2000 atlas.
I find it easier to use in the field than any computer program (I've used Megastar and The Sky.)
But, that being said, a print of a particular area from Megastar shows more objects, more stars, and can be any scale you want. That's even better for a specific area of study.
But for general use at the scope? U2000.0
I own two editions of Norton's (one being the latest one), the BSA 2000.0 (which I find quite useful), the SA2000.0 (the first edition field version and the new deluxe version), and the new Uranometria 2000.0 and have used the old U2000.0 and the Herald-Bobroff Atlas as well as planetarium program printouts. The new U2000.0 is my favorite too.
Dave Mitsky
-------------------- Chance favors the prepared mind.
De gustibus non est disputandum.
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Rick Woods
Post Laureate
Reged: 01/27/05
Posts: 4450
Loc: Inner Solar System
I second the Bright Star Atlas. It gets the most use under the stars of any that I have (and I have quite a few of them). The SA + Night Sky Observer's Guide get a lot of use, too.
Does anyone have the Philips Color Star Atlas? It's a beautiful little work, but I never see any reference to it anymore. - Rick
-------------------- - Rick
14" LX200GPS
8" Meade 826C
The Millennium atlas seems to be definitely out of print. Does anybody know if any editorial (Sky Publishing Co., Cambridge University Press or whichever) is thinking about publishing a new atlas, equivalent to it?. After having a look to the enlarged charts in U2000 2nd. ed. (the set of about 20 enlarged areas), one strongly wishes an atlas at that higher level of detail. But there is none.
-------------------- 10" LX-200 classic
Binoc:25x100,20x80
Refr:12/15cm
Deep sky/software
http://www.uv.es/jrtorres
According to a Sky & Telescope rep at the Table Mountain Star Party, Sky Publishing will be reprinting the MSA before the end of the year. Bad news/good news: it will be in paperback, but the price will be around $150.
If the final price is 150$ and the only point lost is the binding, then it is very good news. The hardbound edition was much more expensive,very heavy and too precious, to bring it outside. However, the detail of the MSA compared with the enlarged sections of U2000 is poorer. An atlas with the level of detail of the zoomed areas of Uranometria would be incredible.
-------------------- 10" LX-200 classic
Binoc:25x100,20x80
Refr:12/15cm
Deep sky/software
http://www.uv.es/jrtorres
About the Millennium, I have just opened the email and I have found a promotional message from Sky Publishing Co., mentioning the inminent reprint with soft covers. Since perhaps people here could be interested, the content of the email is the following:
==========================================
Millennium Star Atlas: Softcover Edition
By Roger W. Sinnott and Michael A.C. Perryman
You asked for it, and here it is: the world's most comprehensive star atlas is back! With more than a million stars to 11th magnitude, based on data from the European Space Agency's Hipparcos mission, the three-volume Millennium Star Atlas is an absolute must-have for every astronomer. And in its new softcover edition, it's more affordable than ever before!
This limited first printing won't be around for long!
Pre-order your copy now and save 10% off the list price!
Special Pre-publication Offer: $134.95 (reg. price $149.95)
Includes three books and slipcase. The atlas will be available
in January 2006. Pre-publication purchasers will receive
a certificate to present to holiday gift recipients.
Millennium Star Atlas Acetate Overlays
These subdivided coordinate grids, perfectly matched to the scale of the Millennium Star Atlas, aid in measuring the positions of charted objects or in plotting new ones. They include a series of star dots for estimating magnitudes, and a set of tick marks for estimating double-star separations.
...So that's it. I have surfed to the SPC website. This is the link to it. I would still like an atlas with the detail of the enlarged U2000 charts, but I (or we) will have to wait.
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