tjswood
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 05/18/05
Posts: 1748
Loc: Tempe, AZ
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That is where I saw one. Thanks. I will take a closer look at it, but those SA laminated are calling my name...
...And though its not a "first time" accessory, I can see an LED star point too... just need to keep looking at all the ones recommended, etc.
Thanks for all your help Scott...
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tjswood
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 05/18/05
Posts: 1748
Loc: Tempe, AZ
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I just wanted back and read replies closer, my solution to the star atlas is buy the deluxe for my wall (non laminated) and use it to copy field charts when I need them or to take notes.
You spend less, and you can customize / shrink, or whatever you want to do then for your field map. And won't be afraid to scribble on it. (My typing is neat buy my handwriting is atrocious).
Thanks, that makes sense.
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EdZ
Professor EdZ
Reged: 02/15/02
Posts: 12566
Loc: Cumberland, R I , USA42N71.4W
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Quote:
EdZ - do you like the Norton sky atlas?
Have one
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Teach a kid something today. The feeling you'll get is one of life's greatest rewards.
member#21
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EdZ
Professor EdZ
Reged: 02/15/02
Posts: 12566
Loc: Cumberland, R I , USA42N71.4W
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When you see the quality of the bound foldout charts in SkyAtlas Deluxe, it won't go on your wall. However, I have made cut&paste collages out of 15-20 photocopies to make some 3'x3' poster/matboard charts for my classroom use. Tedious work.
edz
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Teach a kid something today. The feeling you'll get is one of life's greatest rewards.
member#21
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brocknroller
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 10/16/03
Posts: 1516
Loc: Liberal, Kansas
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Which is better to mount on binos : the Quickfinder, Telrad, or red-dot finder?
Mike
A Telrad on a 20X80? Where would you put it? A Telrad is almost as long as the binocular. A lighter and more convenient set-up might be a red-dot finder mounted on a "C" adapter ("L" adapter with a bar on top for a finder). I haven't tried one, but they look like the best solution if you are having trouble finding objects with your high power bin (had this problem with the Pentax 20X60 (2.2* FOV is "telescopic"). If anyone's used a "C" adapter/red-dot finder set-up, please post a "review". Thanks.
http://www.bigbinoculars.com/ladapt.htm
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Oscar Zoroaster Diggs
"O.Z."
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"And remember, my sentimental friend....a heart is not judged by how much you love,
but by how much you are loved by others."
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ArizonaScott
Postmaster
Reged: 04/29/04
Posts: 5028
Loc: Phoenix, AZ
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I use a short velcro strap to secure the base of my Quickfinder to one of the barrels. The finder snaps on right over the strap. I agree that a Telrad is a bit large.
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Scott
10" LX200 Classic, Konus 200, Orion ST80, ETX90 OTA, 60mm Celestron alt-az, Obie 20x80's, Meade 10x50's
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Anonymous
Unregistered
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That's an interesting idea to place copies of the atlas on the wall. Does anyone know of an atlas that is specifically deisgned to be tacked on a wall and also has about the same quality as the SA2000.0 atlas?
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johnirvine
member
Reged: 02/27/04
Posts: 53
Loc: Iowa
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I find that Karkoschka's "The Observer's Sky Atlas" is a splendid "grab and go" resource. I find it a heckava more "useful" and convenient than both of my SA 2000's. Plus it fits in a bin case...
Also, it gives several facts for each chart (as well as great finder charts), e.g. type of galaxy, position angle of doubles, stellar temperatures... etc.
John
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There wolf. There castle.
Nikon E2 8x30, 10x35; Zeiss Classic 7x42; Swift Ultralite 9x63; Fuji 7x50 FMT-SX
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Alby
scholastic sledgehammer
Reged: 02/12/05
Posts: 899
Loc: Ontario, Canada
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TJ;
The Night Sky Observers Guide has plenty of 3/4inch scope observations. That's fine for folks with giant binocs.
The books are my bible and I would say they cater more to the scope owner.
However there are binocular object listings for every constellation.
Regardless what you view with, anyone serious about viewing the night sky would benefit from these works!
Alby
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Alby
Scoping Savant
10in LX200 Classic SCT
Oberwerk BT 100 45
7x50 USSR Binocs
Nikon Action Extreme 10x50 binocs
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Rich N
Post Laureate
Reged: 09/22/04
Posts: 5312
Loc: San Francisco Bay Area, Calif...
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I most often use Astro-Cards. I have the 3 sets of Astro-Cards in a binder with 3x5 plastic card holders. I have the cards arranged by constellation.
It is easy to use a 3"x5" Astro-Card at the scope.
http://astronomy-mall.com/AstroCards/
Rich
Edited by Rich N (05/27/05 06:56 PM)
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tjswood
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 05/18/05
Posts: 1748
Loc: Tempe, AZ
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EdZ -
There I was on Amazon.com looking at the SA 2000.0 Deluxe, and reading some reviews. Lo and behold, there is a review there from March 24, 2000; by "ez53" in Cumberland, R.I.
In the review, you stated:
"I have now owned this book for about six months. I would call it my definitive desk chart reference. Although it is quite large and "too nice" a set of charts to take outside at night, I repeatedly find myself coming back inside at night to compare these charts to the objects visible in my 6x30 finder and the eyepiece. It has assisted me in star-hopping more than any other book I have. The scale is very large (Leo fills a full 8 1/2 x 11 copy I've made to write all over and keep in my field binder). This allows easy measurement of coordinates using the supplied transparent overlay. For the observer who has a good understanding of the celestial coordinate system, this provides the means to use these charts to establish a jumping off point hen star-hopping just won't work to find those deep space objects that are not quite near enough to a bright star for a simple turn of the dial. The plotted objects in these charts are so accurate that I have used the transparency to measure the needed turn of RA and Dec from a star to an object in a void area of the sky, and then gone right back outside and found the object. A good handbook is a necessary companion to get the detail on doubles, clusters, nebula and galaxies. But for a set of charts that will show you where to find objects, this atlas rates right up there with the best."
I gotta hand it to you, you are consistent - in 2005 you are still on the same page. This must be a great product!
Tim
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tjswood
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 05/18/05
Posts: 1748
Loc: Tempe, AZ
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EdZ -
Was looking through your replies again, have a couple of questions about good "companion" books to the SA 2000. I was looking at a couple, namely "Deep Sky Companions" by O'Meara and "Observing Book and Catalogue of Deep Sky Objects" by Skiff.
Then I saw the Burnham Celestial Handbooks Vol 1-3 and that looked good too. What I liked in one of them, dont remember which, was that they gave descriptions of what you could see with different apertures, scopes, bins, etc. I was at the book store and saw the one by OMeara, it seemed fairly decent...
I also liked the two volume set Alby recommended at the start of this thread, I think it was called "Night Sky Observers Guide" but that was targeted more at 8" or better scopes. Maybe I will get that later when I get upgrade my telescope, but something tells me if I get Burnham, I wont need this too? Or vice versa.
Anyway, I don't mind getting a couple of books to supplement the star atlas... any favorites you want to share? 
So much to learn in so little time.
Thanks in advance,
Tim
PS - Still getting the Fujinons. Changed my mind on the Nikon SE and getting a 9x63 Celestron Ultima or Orion (not decided) and either an 8x56 Ultima OR a 10x50 Pentax WPII. This gets a couple of "spotters" and all the models are good for the boys to use on a small tripod. Decided to fill that out first and buy a couple of good books in addition. And still have money left over!!
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EdZ
Professor EdZ
Reged: 02/15/02
Posts: 12566
Loc: Cumberland, R I , USA42N71.4W
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Astronomy Book Reviews
I comment on NSOG up above.
Burnham's is not a set that you will use in conjucntion with your observing or with you charts. It is written in 1950 coordinates. However, it is a must own set. You'll learn more about astronomy from this set than any other. No matter what other references you get, purchase Burnham's set.
Luginbuhl and Skiff is an excellent reference. If you have NSOG, you probably don't need this also.
"SkyCatalogue 2000.0 - Volume 2 - Double Stars, Variable Stars and Non Stellar Objects" I find is my most used reference when trying to find out what something is on a chart. However this is not a "reading" book. It is reams and reams of data listed by type and by position.
Charts and Atlas's were beat to death up above.
All the information we listed here on accessories is all available in the Beginner's Forum.
All the stuff on Atlas's and reference books is in the Stellar Reading Forum.
Use the resources available to you. Your have a wealth of infomation in others forums for all this information.
edz
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Teach a kid something today. The feeling you'll get is one of life's greatest rewards.
member#21
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tjswood
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 05/18/05
Posts: 1748
Loc: Tempe, AZ
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EdZ - for the ump-teenth time, thank you for taking the time to share your wealth of knowledge.
Tim
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Alby
scholastic sledgehammer
Reged: 02/12/05
Posts: 899
Loc: Ontario, Canada
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Tim;
Starry Night Astronomy software. Not excatly a essential basic accessory but perhaps an option to consider. You have plenty of $$$$:)
Have lap-top....will travel. It's also good to use on those CLOUDY NIGHTS at home.
Pro version 5 continues to amaze me. One neat feature allows you to match the field of view to any scope/binoc you might have. I could go on but see for yourself......
http://www.starrynight.com/
Alby
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Alby
Scoping Savant
10in LX200 Classic SCT
Oberwerk BT 100 45
7x50 USSR Binocs
Nikon Action Extreme 10x50 binocs
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tjswood
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 05/18/05
Posts: 1748
Loc: Tempe, AZ
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Alby,
My Celestron 114 GT came with the control software and a disk called "The Sky". Is this anywhere in the same league? I was hoping to use that for now.
And as far as laptops, I have a couple.  (one work and one personal) I have been planning on toying with the Celestron telescope and the software with laptop - I have had the telescope for two years and always operate it manually. I have the RS232 interface cable on the way, and playing with this feature will get me ready for the 8 or 10 inch SCT later this year!!
Cheers!
Tim
PS - I have been saving for this hobby for about 2 years; don't think my willingness to spend $$ comes from endlessly deep pockets. It doesn't - I am just a planning freak who started putting $100 a month aside some time ago. I know, that's borderline obsessive. But from my posts, would you have expected anything less?
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