jandrew
sage
Reged: 05/31/03
Posts: 233
Loc: Winnipeg, Manitoba
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Well, I've hurriedly completed first drafts of Charts 1 through 7 (North
of declination +20) of my Mag-7 free star atlas project -- to try to give a
better feel for the project. Charts can be downloaded from the current
temporary project home.
As always, any comments about the maps are appreciated so I can try to
address any glaring problems or pdf compatibility issues before producing
the remaining two-thirds of the charts.
I know the PDF's work with Acrobat Reader 5.05 on Linux, and with
ghostview-8.50 ...(load in landscape format, mostly centered, and render
and print properly). An older version of xpdf does *not* do a good job with
these on my system. As for other platforms and pdf-readers, I can't say.
regards,
andrew
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4.5" orbitor dob
8" skywatcher dob
Larrivee 6-string (oops, wrong instrument)
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lighttrap
Reged: 02/06/04
Posts: 3833
Loc: cloudy, foggy, humid NC, US
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Andrew,
Thanks for doing that. I printed out the first 7 charts. I like the ability to zoom in and print out a zoom map of a specific region. I also like the idea of being able to stick the charts in standard vinyl page protectors and wind up with a very inexpensive laminated set of charts that can be marked with a grease pencil or reg pencil if desired.
I wish there was a mechanism where you could use the pdf hand to "grab" an area and recenter the whole map. I guess that's what full-blown charting software is for.
If the skies ever clear here, I'll use these charts and compare them to CAS and SA2000 and let you know my perceptions of a comparison.
Thank you for doing this.
Mike
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Tom Trusock
Reged: 02/26/02
Posts: 27381
Loc: Alternate Reality (TM)
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That's pretty cool Andrew.
One piece of feedback. The red DSO circles will dissapear under red light. You might want to change them to green, blue or black.
Tom T.
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There are two theories to arguing with my wife. Neither one works.
Edited by Tom Trusock (02/02/05 12:41 PM)
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jandrew
sage
Reged: 05/31/03
Posts: 233
Loc: Winnipeg, Manitoba
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Actually, I just print them in black and white from my laserjet :-)
I originally had the charts as all B&W, but I thought a little color might help with online viewing -- I can change
them back to B&W or change the DSO colors to something else. I could also make the constellation boundaries and/or the constellation lines themselves in something other than black. (since I'm only printing b&w myself it wasn't much
of a concern).
Anyone have color suggestions for the charts, or should I
just go b&w and leave colorization to the likes of Tirion?
andrew
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4.5" orbitor dob
8" skywatcher dob
Larrivee 6-string (oops, wrong instrument)
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Tom Trusock
Reged: 02/26/02
Posts: 27381
Loc: Alternate Reality (TM)
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The problem will lie with end users who print via an inkjet at home.
FWIW, I do like the color when viewed on the screen.
T
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There are two theories to arguing with my wife. Neither one works.
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jandrew
sage
Reged: 05/31/03
Posts: 233
Loc: Winnipeg, Manitoba
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Quote:
The problem will lie with end users who print via an inkjet at home.
FWIW, I do like the color when viewed on the screen.
T
OK, I've updated two charts to new color schemes: Chart-2 has Blue DSO's and Green constellation lines, while Chart-3 has Green DSO's and Blue constellation lines.
What do people think will not only look good but be *useable* in the field? Perhaps reverting to simple B&W?
Personally, I'm not sure I like either of the above, but they both come out grayscale on my laserprinter, and I can make my own versions with any old color scheme I want  . I'll bow to community input for the public versions.
thanks for the feedback thus far,
andrew
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4.5" orbitor dob
8" skywatcher dob
Larrivee 6-string (oops, wrong instrument)
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Hillbilly_Gazer
Court Jester
Reged: 11/17/04
Posts: 1775
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Very nice. In my opinion, this has the potential of becoming a very popular on-line resource! It never fails to impress me how folks are willing to invest their time in improving the hobby at no cost to their associates with efforts such as this.
I'm with Tom about the colour. It makes items of interest jump out at you. My printer is broken, so I'm unable to provide any feedback on that end, but it looks good on-line!
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Orion XT-8
Orion Scenix 10x50 WA Binoculars
And not a whole lot else!
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cildarith
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 08/26/04
Posts: 2120
Loc: San Diego, CA
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Very nice, Andrew. Thanks for doing this, they look great.
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Eric
6" f/6 Parks Newtonian
10x50 Bushnell Binocs
CN Sketch Gallery
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LivingNDixie
Lord of Ferrets
Reged: 04/23/03
Posts: 15790
Loc: Hoover, AL
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You could put a little sentence on your site telling people to print them in black and white, that might help alot of users, but I agree for online use I like the color too 
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Preston
Celestron 11" Nexstar GPS XLT
Lunt LS60T/Ha 60mm f/8.33 (on order)
It’s not finishing something when your tank is empty that makes you a stronger person. It’s brushing yourself off and refacing the foe that defeated you with the same determination and willingness to fight that you had when you began your journey.
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djeber2
sage
Reged: 07/02/04
Posts: 493
Loc: Ohio
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Thanks for taking the time to provide this resource, Andrew. Looking forward to the rest of the charts.
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Don
1 Dob: Hardin DSH10
4 Small scopes: Celestron ED80, Meade 114NT/500 4.5", Orion 102 Mak, Orion 100mm Astroview
2 Classic Scopes: 4.25" Edmunds reflector, Sears 60mm Discovery
4 Binoculars: 15x70 Celestron skymaster, 10x42 Celestron Regal, 8x40 Nikon Action, 10x50 Orion Binoculars
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michaeloconnell
scholastic sledgehammer
Reged: 08/18/03
Posts: 963
Loc: Ireland
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Those charts look really well.
Thanks for sharing!
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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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Fordracer1
professor emeritus
Reged: 12/05/04
Posts: 660
Loc: Springfield, MO
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Just downloaded the charts. They are really nice! I like having a printable chart that I can write and make notes on. Thanks for the resource.
John
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John Moody
Losmandy G-11
Orion 8" Newt w/Moonlite CR1 motofocus
Baader MPCC
Orion 120ST
Meade 5000 80/480 Triplet APO
WO .8 Reducer
15X70 & 25X100 SkyMasters
Modded Canon 40D
Stiletto IV Pro
WO Binoviewer
http://panthercreekastro.mysite.com
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macpurity
super member
Reged: 10/24/04
Posts: 115
Loc: Maryland, USA
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Very well done, Andrew. Looks like you've completed the set. I downloaded all the color sheets and "bound" them all together as a single 21-page PDF file. Super job.
MacP
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Anonymous
Unregistered
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Great charts! They look like they will go very well with my 6X30 finder. And free too! Thanks!
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doudou1229
member
Reged: 01/07/05
Posts: 40
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Thanks for doing this! I used the Peterson's Field Guide's
7-magnitude charts for binocular viewing, but since those
charts are really small (because of the book's size),
sometimes they just don't work. Your charts are great.
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6" Hardin DSH Dob
Meade LPI
16*50 Binoculars
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NJ Night Sky
Reged: 03/25/04
Posts: 833
Loc: Hillsborough, NJ
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I like it one suggestion is that all the objects are circles is there a way to change the shape based on the object type?
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Jim
NJ Night Sky- J&T Telescope - MicroStock Photography - Shop4Scopes
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jandrew
sage
Reged: 05/31/03
Posts: 233
Loc: Winnipeg, Manitoba
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Quote:
I like it one suggestion is that all the objects are circles is there a way to change the shape based on the object type?
The PP3 program does not have options for differentiating different DSO's.
However, for another project I am in the process of fleshing out my
preprocessor to insert different DSO symbols/colors based on type (while
suppressing PP3's default DSO plotting). It would be some time before this
would be in a useable form to regenerate the whole Mag-7 atlas though.
andrew
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4.5" orbitor dob
8" skywatcher dob
Larrivee 6-string (oops, wrong instrument)
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Chopin
Canis Insanus
Reged: 02/03/05
Posts: 3376
Loc: In the doghouse.
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Being a noob sky watcher I have no constructive criticisms. I would, however, like to extend some thanks. These are truly detailed charts. And the PDF format is awesome for navigation. (thanks to other thread posters for reminiding the chromatically challenged of the 'red' issue when printing in color.)
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Jason®
Phlog
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Starman1
Vendor - Scope City
Reged: 06/24/03
Posts: 10954
Loc: Los Angeles
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Chopin,
Welcome to Cloudy Nights. You'll find a lot of information here, from many of the most renowned experts on their subjects.
Don't be afraid to ask any question in any forum, no matter how basic you feel it may be.
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Don Pensack
12.5" Truss Dob, 5" Maksutov
Sustaining Lifetime IDA member, TeleVue junkie
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Chopin
Canis Insanus
Reged: 02/03/05
Posts: 3376
Loc: In the doghouse.
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Thanks for the warm welcome, Starman1. I must admit that I've been lurking since December. I was exited when I received my scope back in January, but blown away when I saw the Great Orion Nebula for the first time. Wow! I can see getting into nebula hunting without a problem. Hopefully my 4.5" reflector has the capability to see enough of them to keep my interest. Oh, who am I kidding, I love this stuff. Can't wait for the sub-freezing temps and snow storm skies to pass for more viewing pleasure. 
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Jason®
Phlog
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