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Atlases
and Catalogs |
There are many great star atlases
and catalogs of deep sky objects that make good subjects for
amateur astronomers at all levels, from beginner to expert. One
of the best collections of atlas, catalog and sky map descriptions
on the web is SkyMaps.com,
a web site devoted to presenting information about amateur astronomy
resources. One can also purchase products through the web site.
The list below represents just a few of the many resources available
through SkyMaps.com, Willmann-Bell and other sellers.
Norton's Star Atlas First published in 1910
and now in its 20th edition, Norton's has long since been
superceded by more recent works.
Discover the Stars More than just charts,
Richard Berry's intro book includes tutorials on observing, telescopes
and deep sky objects.
Bright Star Atlas 2000.0
Ten star maps to mag 6.5 by Wil Tirion, with data for 600 objects
visible in small telescopes on facing pages.
Cambridge
Star Atlas Revised version contains 52 Wil Tirion color star
maps down to mag 6.5, with 900 deep sky objects.
Pocket Sky Atlas Sky & Telescope's field
atlas of 80 charts containing 30,000 stars down to mag 7.6 as
well as 1500 deep sky objects.
Sky Atlas 2000.0 Spiral bound set of 26 Tirion
charts covering the sky down to mag 8.5, with 2700 deep sky objects.
Many versions.
Uranometria 2000.0 Wil Tirion's massive two
volume set of star charts down to mag 9.5 containing more than
30,000 deep sky objects.
Cambridge Double Star Atlas Star maps and
descriptive tables of over 2000 double stars. Spiral bound and
red light friendly.
The Night Sky Observer's Guide Detailed descriptions
of almost 8,000 night sky objects as seen in a variety of amateur
telescopes.
Field Map of the Moon Sky & Telescope's
large scale fold-out moon map, available in normal and mirror-reversed versions.
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Planetarium
Software |
Each of the planetarium programs below
has the ability to show the sky at any time of year and location
on earth; to filter deep sky objects according to characteristics
such as type, magnitude, size, catalog, etc.; to construct and
print tailored sky maps for an evening observing session; and
to control telescopes with computer controlled mounts. Of the
three, MegaStar5 has the least sophisticated graphical presentation
of the sky but the most comprehensive set of deep sky catalogs
and object filtering and search capabilities.
MegaStar5
Sky Atlas One of the most complete set of catalogs available
in any planetarium program.
The Sky Popular and widely used planetarium
program with highly realistic sky views, including sun, moon
and twilight effects.
Starry Night Highly realistic and widely
used planetarium program with ability to change viewpoint to
anywhere in space and time.
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Online
Resources |
Many online web sites provide weekly
or monthly summaries of sky events and observing highlights.
These are often accompanied bymaps of the night sky, sometimes
customizable by location and time. Some sites provide lists of
interesting objects of various types. These summaries and lists
can be helpful in planning an observing session, and the star
maps provide beginners with a substitute for planispheres and
star charts until they can purchase their own. The links below
represent some of the more popular and useful ones.
S&T Observing Highlights Monthly summary
of night sky observing highlights as well as other astronomy
news.
Tonight's Sky Video-based guide to constellations,
deep sky objects, planets and events, located on the Hubble
Site.
SkyMaps.com
Extensive listing of astronomy atlases, guides, software, etc.
Features monthly Evening Sky Map in PDF format.
Jupiter's
Moons A Javascript application that plots the position of
Jupiter's moons now or at the time of a user's choice.
NASA/JPL
Night Sky Network Night sky calendar and planning tools,
primarily geared for use by astronomy club members.
The Sky This Week A compilation of weekly
observing highlight, maintained by the US Naval Observatory
Jodrell
Bank Night Sky Monthly compendium of highlighted observing
events, including planet and evening constellation visibility.
Your Sky Tonight Provides custom star charts
for observer location. Features Timothy Ferris' popular Seeing
in the Dark.
The Sky Tonight A night sky site devoted
to introducing kids to astronomy. Allows creation of maps and
tracking of solar system objects.
East Valley Observing Program Perhaps the
best collection of observing lists available on the web! Well
worth perusing at length.
Chesmont Space Science Forum Follow Dave
Mitsky's monthly celestial calendars at the Chesmont Astronomical Society web site.
Saguro Astronomy Club (Download page) Offers
a number of useful data sheets as well as an extensive deep sky
object database.
Deep Sky Database Tools for building observing
lists from the Saguaro Astronomy Club database.
Hawaiian
Astronomical Society Deep Sky List Includes several lists
of deep sky objects as prepared by different observers.
Astrosurf Carbon Stars A list of over one
hundred carbon stars.
Reddest Carbon Stars A list of the 22 reddest
carbon stars.
Wolf-Rayet Stars An extensive list of Wolf-Rayet
Stars
AstronomyBoy Best 100 Non-Messier Objects
A list derived from an online discussion on the sci.astro.amateur
Usenet newsgroup.
Skywatching Highlights A summary of noteworthy
sky events for the year. Located on the Space.com web site.
Your
Sky Provides tools to create skymaps for user defined time,
location and viewing direction.
AstroViewer Provides tools to create skymaps
for user defined time and location. Also includes current Earth
day/night view.
SpaceWeather
NOAA site devoted to information about and observation of the
Sun.
Willmann-Bell Seller of astronomy books,
atlases, catalogs, observing guides and software.
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