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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superceded by more recent works.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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Object
Lists (PDF) |
Unless one has been observing for
years, deciding on an observing program for an evening is sometimes
a daunting task. That's where having a prepared list of objects
is helpful -- even more so if the list allows note taking as
well. To this end, we've created a set of observation log sheets
in printable PDF format. These lists are built from a variety
of sources, including but not limited to the MegaStar5 Sky Atlas planetarium software
program, The
Astronomical League's observing lists; the web sites of
Students for the Exploration
and Development of Space, Astronomy Club of Tulsa, Delaware Valley Amateur Astronomers, AstroSurf.com,
Atlas
of the Universe; The Night Sky Observer's Guide by Kepple
and Sanner; and monthly observing guides posted by SkyMap.com. Most of these sources draw from
the same set of public domain stellar and deep sky databases,
including the NGC and IC databases and an extensive collection
of specialized catalogs. Print out any of the observing data
sheets below and use them at your telescope in conjunction with
sky charts and maps from the sky atlases
or planetarium software programs
listed above to log your observations as you make them!
Star Party Challenge Objects A monthly list
of objects to challenge observers beyond the Messier showpieces.
SEDS Asterisms Mostly naked eye asterisms;
fine list for beginners and long time night sky lovers alike.
Deep-Sky-UK Asterisms Good list of telescopic
asterisms from the UK astronomy site www.deep-sky.co.uk.
SAC Asterisms Extensive list of asterisms
from Saguaro Astronomy Club download data base.
Best
240 Night Sky Objects
A list of ~240 galaxies, open & globular clusters, diffuse
& planetary nebulae, doubles, and carbon stars.
Best
400 Night Sky Objects
A list of ~400 galaxies, open & globular clusters, diffuse
& planetary nebulae, doubles, and carbon stars.
Best 600 Night Sky Objects
A list of ~600 galaxies, open & globular clusters, diffuse
& planetary nebulae, doubles, and carbon stars.
SEDS Messier Marathon List
The SEDS
list of 110 Messier objects, arranged in order for observing
during a marathon (2-page).
ACT Messier Marathon Charts Seven page list
of 110 Messier objects, with 17 finder charts, from the Astronomy Club of Tulsa.
Caldwell
Catalogue List of 109 outstanding non-Messier objects compiled
by British astronomer Sir Patrick Caldwell-Moore.
Astronomical League Binocular List The Astronomical League's
list of good objects for binoculars.
Astronomical League Urban Club Deep Sky The
Astronomical
League's list of best deep sky objects for light polluted
skies.
Astronomical League Herschel 400 List The
Astronomical
League's list of 400 objects from William Herschel's catalog.
Astronomical League 100 Best Double Stars
The Astronomical
League's list of the 100 best double stars, arranged by season.
Dave Mitsky's Monthly Celestial Calendar
A month-by-month list of great objects; each monthly list covers
2 hours of right ascension.
Colored Double Stars A list of double stars
with contrasting colors, from Delaware Valley Amateur Astronomers
Close
Double Stars A list of close double stars, with primary mag
< 6, secondary mag < 7 and 0.8" < separation <
5.0".
Double Stars Mag 6 or Brighter & 2-120 Arcsec
Separation Double stars brighter than mag 6 and between 2-120
arcsec separation.
The Best 360 Galactic Open Clusters A list
of 360 galactic open clusters brighter than mag 12.
The
Best Galaxies Mag 11 A list of about 180 galaxies brighter
than mag 11.
Globular Clusters Brighter than Mag 11 A
list of 80 globular clusters brighter than mag 11.
Planetary Nebulae Brighter than Mag 13 A
list of over 100 planetary nebulae brighter than mag 13.
The Best Diffuse and Dark Nebulae A list
of the best diffuse and dark nebulae.
Reddest Carbon Stars A list of the reddest
carbon stars, adapted from AHo Software for PalmPilots.
Carbon
Stars Mv8.5 A more extensive list of carbon stars with maximum
magnitude brighter than 8.5, from AstroSurf.com.
Wolf-Rayet Stars A list of Wolf-Rayet stars
visible in amateur telescopes, also adapted from AstroSurf.com.
The Evening Sky Map Monthly sky map, calendar
of events, and summary of objects visible in small telescopes
by SkyMap.com
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