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I suppose that some will always be somewhat nostalgic about a 1st printing. Me on the other hand, I'm always looking for new and improved especially if it is really improved.

This will be a fantastic addition to my library. Now, if I can only get my hands on the Millenium Star Atlas.

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There are advantages to both editions of the U2K. The first has 50,000 more stars, and the stars are "binned" instead of continuously scaled in size. I find the scaling results in a lot of the stars in the 2nd ed. being so tiny, they disappear under low light, while the binned stars always show up.
The 2nd ed. has all those extra DSOs, the mini finder atlas which is great, and the double page layout. The 1st ed. field guide has a neat code for finding everything in the area of each listed DSO that's missing from the 2nd ed.
So, if you get a chance to get both, they're both worth having.

The MSA doesn't have more stars; it has a LOT (almost 6X) more stars than the U2K. It's a beautiful work and a must-have for anyone who likes printed atlases. There is a companion CD called "Celestia 2000" that has data on every star, you should try to get both. But it's *big* and *bulky*, and primarily a desk reference unless you find youself in a really tight star field and need it's depth at the telescope. I see two sets on Bookfinder.com: hardcover $750 and softcover $200. (Glad I got mine when I did!)
Caveat: it won't show up unless you're careful about the spelling of "Millennium". (I misspelled it first time and got no hits).

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- Rick
14" LX200GPS
8" Meade 826C

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