Uranometria 2000.0 version 2

In addition to the excellent review already given by Craig Levine on this site, I have a few in-the-field user comments:

I received this 3-volume edition shortly prior to my last outing, so I got quite a few hours to use these editions under the stars.

The previous version of Uranometria 2000.0, from the early '90s was useful primarily as a cross-reference check for me, as I have and use a computerized scope with a large object memory. Uranometria was often referred to to clarify an ID in a crowded field.

However, the previous version of Uranometria did not contain enough deep sky objects to resolve a lot of questions AND it often perpetuated the incorrect positions in the NGC for faint objects. Likewise my in-scope memory had the same problems---as I started plumbing the fainter parts of the NGC and UGC lists, I found that misplotted objects became very frequent, and certain identification of a DSO difficult impossible. [My LX200 had a positional accuracy many times as accurate as the original positions recorded in the NGC on a lot of objects.]

Enter in the NEW Uranometria 2000.0 version 2.

It has a greatly expanded number of plotted DSO's, and the positions of most, if not all, of them have been verified by cross-referencing the DSS and relying on a huge amount of research done by Corwin et.al. on the NGCIC.org web site.

The result?

On the very first night I used it and had my scope slew to what seemed to be empty fields of view, I used this atlas to resolve positional questions on 20 objects that were mis-plotted in my scope's database. Most were faint enough to only be visible with averted vision, so knowing exactly where to look was crucial. All were 1/3 to 1/2 of an eyepiece field away from the position plotted in my LX200, and all were found and ID'd!

So, for whom would I recommend this atlas?

Well, beginners would be hopelessly lost and overwhelmed. However, anyone who "pushes" the limits of his scope, all users of big dobs, all experienced stargazers, and all galaxy hunters will find this essential. Star-hoppers without digital setting circles or GOTO computer controls will find the atlas a godsend. It's incredibly priced for the information it contains and the work it required to create it--less than the price of one premium eyepiece. Would I recommend it to users of the earlier edition? One word: ABSOLUTELY.