Book Description
Stargazing: History's most beautiful constellation maps in XXL-format!
This collection of celestial atlases by Dutch-German mathematician and cosmographer Andreas Cellarius (c. 1596 - 1665) brings back to life a masterpiece from the Golden Age of celestial cartography. First published in 1660 in Harmonia Macrocosmica, the complete 29 double-folio maps and dozens of unusual details reproduced here depict the world systems of Claudius Ptolemy, Nicolas Copernicus, and Tycho Brahe, the motions of the sun, the moon, and the planets, and the delineation of the constellations in various views. Cellarius's atlas, superbly embellished with richly decorated borders depicting cherubs, astronomers, and astronomical instruments, features some of the most spectacular illustration in the history of astronomy.
This reprint, made from the beautifully hand-colored and complete copy of the first edition in the Library of the Universiteit van Amsterdam, includes a copiously illustrated introduction by Robert van Gent, one of the leading Cellarius experts, summarizing the history of celestial cartography from antiquity to late 17th/early 18th century and illuminating the life and work of Andreas Cellarius. Van Gent also discusses the historical and cultural context and significance of the atlas and provides detailed descriptions of the astronomical and iconographical content of the plates, allowing modern readers to fully appreciate the masterwork of Andreas Cellarius and his publisher, Johannes Janssonius.
The book's detailed appendix includes a list of constellation figures with short descriptions of their origin and mythology, a list of star names found on the plates, a glossary of technical words, and a bibliography.
Customer Reviews:
Simply lovely.......2007-06-21
There are many of us who just can't afford the time and money to get many Cellarius pieces for the home. This is the solution in a lovely, well printed and compiled edition of the book, from start to finish. It is large (slightly larger than the original). It would be perfect on a library table or similar. If you are interested illminated manuscripts, astronomy history, mythology, early scientific understanding of the heavens... then this is of great interest to you.
Great Book to have!.......2007-01-15
A great source book, with beautiful illustrations of cosmos seeing thought the ayes of the 15 Century Artists.
Gorgeous!!!.......2006-12-15
Taschen never seems to disapoint and this latest issue in their series of oversized classic texts is no exception. The Harmonia Macrocosmia is a lavish oversized book of 17th century celstial maps that are reproduced with stunning clarity and brilliance. This volume should appeal easily to anyone with an interest in astronomy, art or fine books.
Customer Reviews:
Millenium Star Atlas PAPERBACK Edition.......2007-08-26
Great reference star atlas as expected. Would recommend that anyone who orders this should also have a copy of the pocket star atlas (Sky & telecope publication, also available at Amazon) as well. In addition, if you are using an atlas outdoors in adverse weather, the Sky Atlas 2000, laminated edition is great to have. Only complaint was that of "false" advertising, in that the description of the item stated that it was a hardcover edition, which is not.
Millennium Star Atlas.......2006-07-16
The overall quality is good and it was received as described by the book seller. However, Volume 3 is missing 129 sky charts. It seems to be a publishing error as it doesn't look like any pages were removed from the binding. Charts #1070 to #1196 simply do not exist in this Atlas! Can't find them anywhere!
RA 19h00m to 23h20m and Dec +21 to +27 are included in the missing charts.
It's what an atlas should be.......2006-07-01
Given that this atlas is the first to show stars to 11th magnitude, it is a pleasure to see it so well executed.
Each of the three volumes covers one gore (strip of sky from pole to pole) of 8 hours of right ascension. This arrangment has the advantage of keeping the part of the sky visible at a given time in the same volume.
Roll the drums! Write the headline: someone in the star atlas business actually gets the message. Sequencing charts in ascending right ascension is backwards. After decades of frustration, users finally have an atlas with charts sequenced in descending order of right ascension. One has to try it both ways to appreciate the difference. In atlases with north at the top and charts in ascending order, users are constantly fighting against their instinct as to which way to turn the page on reaching the edge of a chart. But in the Millennium, the user who reaches the right edge of a chart simply continues rightward to the next page; from the left edge, leftward to the previous page. This arrangement makes navigating the charts so intuitive that within the gore the numbers of adjacent charts at the left and right edges are unnecessary and have been omitted. Atlas writers who unthinkingly follow the tradition of ordering charts in ascending right ascension should take note.
Charts are clear and detailed without being crowded. Top and bottom of each page give the numbers of the adjacent charts; this greatly simplifies navigating through the atlas. A minor complaint is that adjacent chart information does not extend to charts in other volumes. Charts at the edges of a gore should say at their edges something like "Continues on Vol II Chart 235."
A measure of how good this atlas is is that other suggestions for improvement are merely speculative. The charts could maybe be bigger to cover more area and simplify navigation, maybe like the Sky Atlas 2000.0, but would bigger pages make the atlas awkward to use? Would they make it impracticable to print charts on both sides of the page? Numbered tabs for quick chart access are helpful, but are they practicable for an atlas which contains so many pages? Would tabs every 25 to 50 pages be helpful? Hard to say.
What is not hard to say is that this atlas is a superbly useful work.
It works nicely in combination with the Pocket Sky Atlas. Use the Pocket for quick basic finding and the Millennium for going deep in pursuit of the challenging stuff.
A Jewel in the Crown.......2006-04-04
The MSA is an astronomer's delight, and the 'bargain' soft-cover edition was well worth waiting for. Amazon's helpful and sympathetic management of the production/delivery delay experienced by some (myself included) has been much appreciated, and I offer them my thanks.
This splendidly resourced and detailed work is the 'jewel in the crown' of star atlases. Its virtues are many: the quality of paper and clarity of print impress one immediately on opening. As does, after a little study, the ease of navigation in this large-scale work. Then there is the delight of exploring the 'on-map' detail: info on variable star amplitudes and types, proper motion of speedy stars, double-star separations, l.y. distances of nearer stars, in addition to all the usual symbolic information on galaxies, nebulae, clusters etc. And of course magnitudes down to V.11.
Cloudy night frustration is vastly eased by the hours of happy research and study to be enjoyed turning the pages of text (admirably lucid) and atlas, so that one might well be tempted to save such valuable volumes for indoor use. Not so: the very manageable page size (13" x 9 1/4") ensures a comfortable efficiency alongside the telescope. It is, to my mind, the most versatile of formats.
If it is a jewel, it must be set in the crown. None of us travels far along the astronomical road before discovering that the resources we gradually gather are much less duplicative, far more complementary. This is essentially true with star atlases. Thus, as a 'setting' for the MSA most will require resources such as the SkyAtlas 2000.0 to give the wide-angle view (though, interestingly, its wide-format makes it not the easiest of tools in the field), and Uranometria 2000 which provides a heftier supply of deep-sky objects in addition to its invaluable DS Field Guide.
Conversely, I suspect that owners of these, and other, excellent tools of the trade are not going to be satisfied so long as this ultimate star gem eludes their grasp.
My standard star atlas I judge all others by.......2006-03-27
Although there are a LOT of features I would like to add to the *MSA*, as I call it, it is top-of-the-line for me. What I really like is its generous scale, nearly the same as the focal plane of a F.L.-80" telescope, such as the popular 8" f/10 SCT, and its magnitude limit of about 11, which was about that of my very 1st real telescope, a 3" f/10 reflector, back in 1965. The index maps make it fast and easy to find anything in the sky in the MSA. An added bonus for me is the over 1500 charts, with the white space all around them an irrestible temptation for my inveterate notes and musings. Now if only the stars were colored and the Milky Way contours were shown...
Customer Reviews:
Great Star Atlas.......2007-09-21
This is a wonderful little star atlas. Very useful for doing the Astronomical league's Messier Club. In the back of the book (last page, very easy to find) is the messier list with the page number of the item.
In the front of the book are other lists.
It's very portable but at the cost of small pages and constellations often run off the page. The pages do have a decent amount of overlap which helps when star-hopping.
The one thing I wish it had and was why I gave it four stars instead of five, I wish the pages were somehow coated so that dew wouldn't make the pages soggy. The pages are tougher than standard paper, but not dew proof.
Great Little Atlas.......2007-09-01
This atlas fills a real need for a pocket atlas that is easily carried and consulted in the field. Highly recommended.
Great Pocket Atlas.......2007-06-27
Features I like:
+ Highly detailed & labeled however not over-detailed.
+ Spiral bound is very handy.
+ Made of good quality paper.
+ Small (like medium notebook) and light weight - great for backyard observations. You don't sprain your hand when you carry it.
+ Great bargain for small price!
+ Good Index including Messier objects.
+ Detailed maps of pleaids, Virgo clusters etc.
Features I like less:
- Its size is also a disadvantge: divided to many charts that sometimes makes you confused. Can be difficult to navigate if you don't have a basic knowledge of sky.
- The spiral bound might cause pages to deteriorate in time.
- Lack of monthly maps that show the sky and the constelations change.
In a nutshell: Great bargain for the price. Very handy for observations. Best for the average stargazer.
Pocket Sky Atlas "For Large Pockets!".......2007-03-14
This rating should probably be closer to a 4 however I just can't get over the misleading description "Pocket" Sky Atlas. Over all it is what you would expect from a sky atlas. Decent easy to read maps, affordable price. However if you want a true "pocket" sky atlas to take in the field that will fit in your pocket, I would suggest looking elsewhere.
A great little atlas.......2007-03-08
I am an active amateur astronomer with several star atlases. I bought this atlas almost a year ago, and I have ended up using it more than any of my other atlases. The format is compact and convenient, it points out the major sky features very well (even providing outlines of larger nebulae), and is a great complement to a medium- to small-sized telescope. I even find this atlas makes interesting bed-time reading, helping familiarize myself with the locations of objects that I haven't commonly observed in the past, like carbon stars (cool, deep-red stars that are particularly beautiful in a low-power star field). The atlas is quite sturdy and has held up well. My only quibble is that in the edition that I have, there are a few small areas (roughly a half-inch in diameter) on a few of the maps that are blanked out, as if a small piece of scrap paper were in the way during printing. I believe this error may affect many or most copies of the first edition, but I am not certain about that.
Book Description
"all I ask is a tall ship, and a star to steer her by."
From the earliest days of explorations, there has always been one tried-and-true way to navigate through uncharted reaches and one to find the way home -- the stars. Ancient mariners prized their star charts, knowing that they could guide them safely into a friendly port or lead them to the reaches of the mysterious East. Modes of transportation have changes but the stars are still our constant. When man took his first step into space armed with the very latest in computers, he took with him the same tool for reading the stars that the men who sailed under canvas carried.
When humans launched the first ship designed for long-range missions into the deep waters of interstellar space, the Vulcan High Command provided their star charts for the Enterprise™. But Jonathan Archer was not content with relying on the known. Although he used the Vulcan charts, he also added to them, and greatly expanded Starfleet's knowledge of the galaxy. Every generation of starship captain that followed has built on Archer's first steps.
Follow the course set by Archer, Kirk, Picard, Sisko, and Janeway. Relive their extraordinary adventures as you find here, for the first time, the star maps that chart the routes these famous explorers took.
Customer Reviews:
I am glad I found the Star Trek Atlas........2007-09-17
Overall, this book was entertaining, and is worth every penny. The color charts are appealing, and informative. I know where wolf 359 was, I know where founders' homeworld is, I know how close Cardassia is to the Earth etc... Now that I have a map, it makes sense why
There were a few things the book should have included: A 3-D map since space is not 2 dimensional; a map of the entire galaxy on a fold-out would have been nice.
I've always been curious about this..........2007-09-16
This is a great trivia item that can give you perspective on the fictional universe of Star Trek.
Visually rich, but..........2007-08-31
This book is glossier than it appears on the website and I was pleasently surprised. It is no doubt a collector's item.
One small observation: The sector numbering system is inconsistent with earth sector being called sector 001 in "Best of both worlds - ST:TNG", The illustrations are very good, the stars and planets are designed nicely. Geographic classification details - worthy of praise. Overall a good reference book for all trekkies.
One word about graphics, though. The typography of page headers and bold lines in diagrams make it look like a kid's book. It is not. Star Trek is NOT a kid's fantasy. It is a great collaborative project of talented writers, scientists, engineers, graphic designers (and evident from this book - maybe even astrophysicists). It is one work of fiction that is made to look and feel like non fiction. I wish this book was designed like the interfaces by Michael Okuda that appear in the show.
star power.......2007-07-16
For any fan this is a must book to get. The info in here are a must.
Very well done!.......2007-06-24
This is exactly what I was looking for! The amount of information contained in this small book is impressive; a primer on stellar cartography, information on many planets from all four quadrants, galactic trade routes, and best of all, a detailed map of Voyager's path through the Delta quadrant (very fun to watch the series and track their progress). Any fan of Star Trek who enjoys the scientific and geographic details of the series will especially benefit from this book. Although I like it, some may not like the fact that it reads similar to a text book or manual. If you enjoy geography or astronomy and are a fan of Star Trek, you'll like this book!
Book Description
The most famous guide to the stars is now the most accessible! Generations of amateur astronomers have called it simply Norton's: the most famous star atlas in the world. Now in a beautifully redesigned, two-color landmark 20th edition, this combination star atlas and reference guide has no match in the field.
First published in 1910, coinciding with the first of two appearances by Halley's Comet last century, Norton's owes much of its legendary success to its unique maps, arranged in slices or gores, each covering approximately one-fifth of the sky. Apart from being presented more accessibly than ever before, the text and tables have been revised and updated to account for the new and exciting developments in our observation of the cosmos. The star maps themselves were plotted using advanced computer techniques yielding outstanding accuracy and legibility. Every heavenly object visible to the naked eye is included--stars to magnitude 6, star clusters, and galaxies, as well as other celestial objects. Presented with an authority that has stood for generations, observation hints, technical explanations, and pointers to specialized information sources make this the only essential guide to the night sky.
The updated and revised hardcover 20th edition also has new moon maps, clearer tables, new diagrams and a section on the latest computer driven telescopes--today's perfect home reference for curious minds from beginners to dedicated star gazers!
What are people saying? ... "The unique and time-honored projection used in the Norton's star charts is particularly handy and has always been my favorite." --Professor Owen Gingerich, Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics
"Once in a blue moon a book appears to dramatically and forever change its subject; in short, the work becomes an indispensable resource for generations. Norton's Star Atlas is such a work." --Leif J. Robinson, Editor Emeritus, Sky and Telescope
"Ian Ridpath is one of the most dedicated and prolific writers on astronomy. His works all have clarity and authority, and he is ideally suited to infuse new life into a classic." --Martin Rees, Astronomer Royal, University of Cambridge, author of Our Final Hour
Customer Reviews:
Reverse title.......2007-08-26
Don't buy this for the "STAR ATLAS", but only as a "REFERENCE HANDBOOK." As a good overall guide to astronomy this is very useful. But the star maps are deficient...Look @ the slip cover...white stars on dark blue sky, however the maps are black stars on white background...But the real problem for me is the charts themselves...For example Chart 14 find M7 & M6...Now never having learned my Constellations, I would just go out in the summer look south and find the "teapot" and there to the right is M7 & 6...However on Chart 14 ONLY the handle of the teapot is printed, three stars, the top and spout are missing! So how useful can this chart be? Much more helpful are charts by Tirion in such books as A Field Guide to the Stars and Planets, a bit small but wonderful detail and scale. I bot Norton's used and as such would again, but would't pay even discounted new price. Rate 5 for reference and 1 for as Star Atlas
Better options.......2006-07-30
Most people who buy a star atlas are just getting to know the heavens, probably with a telescope and lots of enthusiasm. I would fit this description, so it is appropo that I review the two atlases I have used recently. I compared the "Collins Atlas of the Night Sky, 2005" to Nortons 20th ed, 2004.
After the first few weeks I found myself using the Collins choice more often. Norton's is the granddaddy, of course. But sometimes up-and-coming authors try to raise the bar, and this seems to have happened here. I like the color coding and the superior layout of Collins, And I especially like the section #2, where magnified maps alphabetically listed by constellation are presented. When you see something in the sky you want to identify, you usually think "it's in Orion", and want to flip to that page. Easy. You don't think, "it's at about RA 05h, dec +7 deg.
Norton's, on the other hand, has an introductory text of basic astronomy tagged on. If you don't already have an astronomy text it might add something, but most of us already have one. I liked the descriptions of stellar time, tropical vs siderial vs synodic months.
The biggest knock on Norton's, however, is the star charts aren't as easy to read, especially in the dark. I found a few errors as well. For example, the entire chart #13 has no dots to indicate where the stars are under the overlay of the Milky Way. Evidently the printer forgot to make the shading of the Milky Way transparent on that page, so all stars in that area are erased. The labels are present but there is nothing to show the star's exact location, it's visual magnitude, whethere it's a double or variable, etc. This is a huge gaffe! The binding of the Norton's text is also weak, starting to come apart after only a month. I find it hard to pick out nonstellar objects as easily.
I'll still keep my copy of Norton's, as a reference, but if I had to do it again I would buy only one.
Fairly good but not the first choice.......2006-07-04
Updating a classic work is a balancing act between maintaining tradition and keeping up with the times. The editors of the venerable Norton's have succeeded in some areas and not others. On the good side, revisions have adopted contemporary symbols for non-stellar objects and incorporated new astronomical information while keeping the traditional format and feel.
The curvature in the charts is well planned to minimize the distortion that occurs over areas as wide as these. In an age when other atlas compilers condemned their users to fumbling back and forth between charts and the index page, Norton was a pioneer in placing the numbers of adjacent charts at the edge of each of their charts. In this respect, Norton's is still ahead of atlases like the Cambridge.
Worth a mixed response is clarity of charts: they are better than some in this price range and worse than others.
Norton's contains lists of interesting objects, information on various celestial objects, and advice on observing. However, on the minus side, the lists were not as well updated as some other parts of the book and emphasize targets--double and variable stars--more typical of observers decades ago. The greater number of galaxies and nebulae accessible to modern telescopes and filters is scantily covered.
Also, it extends to only 6th magnitude, which limits its usefulness for searching in the field. Finally, the book should be more rugged for field use.
In the market of combined sky guide and 6th magnitude atlas, Norton's is in the middle of the pack, better than the Bright Star Atlas but not as good as Levy's Skywatching. Rather than a book in this category, I would recommend the 7.6 magnitude Sky & Telescope's Pocket Sky Atlas and a separate guidebook such as Skywatching or Celestial Sampler.
Outstanding hardcover nightsky referance .......2006-02-27
Very well organized referance to the nightsky. Easy to use and follow charts and graphs. A must have for the amature astronomer.
from a beginner, and a map lover.......2006-01-31
I am a novice star viewer, but I love this book. Some of it is obscure to me (some of the number notation and math-like notes), but it doesn't interfere with my enjoyment and with my ability to use the resource to watch the sky.
I'm not a novice when it comes to maps and I love the maps in this book: they are starkly beautiful and clear. I wasn't surprised to see they were produced by Bartholomew, who have made some of the most beautiful terrestrial atlases in publishing.
Amazon.com
Norton's Star Atlas is the most famous astronomical reference in the world, having guided thousands of professional and amateur stargazers in their search of the night skies. The 1998 edition is completely revised and expanded, with maps drawn to standard epoch 2000.0, using computer techniques to achieve unprecedented accuracy. You'll find every object visible to the naked eye, as well as star clusters, galaxies, and other celestial objects. Norton's also includes indispensable observation hints and technical explanations, with pointers to other information sources. Whether you're using a telescope, binoculars, or just your eyes, Norton's is your guide to what's up there. --Therese Littleton
Book Description
Generations of amateur astronomers have called it simply Norton's - the most famous Star Atlas in the world. It's immediate success was largely due to Norton's uniquely accessible accessible arrangement of maps in slices, or 'gores' each covering approximately one-fifth of the sky, and its inclusion of stars visble to the naked-eye.
Customer Reviews:
Update to Norton is a winner.......2006-09-03
This is close to the ideal beginner astronomer guide. No, it isn't "Sky Atlas 2000.0", but it's not meant to be. Most beginners would be totally confused by SA 2000.0's detail.
Norton's Atlas has large swaths of sky covered in each map. The most important objects are clearly marked and the reference material associated with the maps helps new observers get the most out of them.
However, Norton's Atlas is not just an atlas. It also contains much reference material to help the beginner understand the hows and whys. Norton may be the ideal beginning observer's guide and atlas.
Note: Make sure that you order the latest edition, which is the 20th edition.
Room for improvement, but excellent nonetheless.......2003-09-05
Norton's has weaknesses which other reviewers have pointed out, to be sure, but a tremendous advantage is its layout of the star charts. Unlike most other charts out there, it shows huge swaths of the sky (60 degrees north to 60 degrees south, and well over 4 hours in RA) just as you see them when you're out in the dark trying to get oriented in Deep Heaven. Other charts show little chunks of sky--Norton's shows just what you see in a great wide band from well behind the zenith to further south than most of us will ever see.
And as someone else pointed out, the reference material interleaved between the sky charts, though not exhaustive, is very useful. I use Norton's constantly along with the Sky Atlas 2000 and Burnham's Celestial Handbook (and websites to update Burnham's data), and the combination of the three is perfect for most of my own observing. I have dozens of other books on my shelves but these are the ones I rely on.
For teaching astronomy I substitute the Audubon Field Guide to the Night Sky for the Sky Atlas and Burnham's, and my students love it because Norton's helps them find their way around the sky and the Field Guide description of the constellations tells them about what they see. If I were stranded on a desert island (hope, hope) and couldn't take my beloved and well-annotated Sky Atlas 2000 and Burnham's, I'd take Norton's and the Audubon Field Guide as a very good substitute. I always recommend Norton's, the Audubon Field Guide, and binoculars to beginners--the Sky Atlas 2000, Burnham's, and a telescope can come later (or sooner, for the passionate).
Ignore 1 Star reviews.......2003-06-29
Just because this book isn't "pretty" is a lame reason not to buy it. The star charts are not meant so much for telescopic work as to give you a naked-eye reference. Sometimes, not having a million stars crammed onto two pages is nice. No self-respecting astronomer (apparently the 1 stars aren't) would be without this book. Heck, even the editor of Sky & Telescope uses it...
As another point, the star charts only comprise about 15% of this book. The "Reference Handbook" is where this is a gem. The lists of objects to view interspersed between the star charts are invaluable as are the 100+ pages of astronomical information. If you skip this book because two reviewers gave it one star (while the others gave it a 4 or 5) you don't deserve it. Sure, the information concise, but when you're out at night, reading through fluff isn't what you want to do...
This is probably a book to buy after you've stuck to the hobby for a year and know yo're hooked :)
Clear skies!
PS Never trust people who only buy things based on how "pretty" they look...
Aged like a fine wine........2000-07-19
Norton's simply keeps getting better. Earlier editions nurtured multiple generations of amateur (and not so amateur) stargazers. This latest edition is a concise, complete atlas AND reference. The Sky Atlas 2000 or Cambridge Star Atlas are also fine road maps to the skies. An even better bargain is the Bright Star Atlas 2000 (Wil Tirion did all three and is tops as a celestial cartographer), but all lack the wealth of other reference information that is contained in Norton's.
The style is definitly in the Sgt. Friday mode: "Just the facts". But there are so many of them! Page after page of succinctly written information on practical astronomy, the solar system, moon, deep-sky objects, etc.
For an evening looking at the heavens, if you don't want to carry around the local library, this one volume easily suffices.
Just say No to this relic.......2000-01-22
Forget this lame outdated atlas. For a beginner's atlas, try Wil Tirion's "The Cambridge Star Atlas" instead. This includes a similar limiting magnitude of stars, but plots many more deep sky objects (and gives many common names as well, completely lacking on Norton's maps). The graphics and printing are much cleaner in Tirion's tome, and deep sky objects are color-coded.
The moon atlas in Norton looks like a bad photocopy of a photograph. And Norton's star charts go right into the gutter. Just try to get a look on Map 5/6 at delta Orionis (the westernmost star in Orion's belt). The Reference Handbook in Norton is OK, but beginners should try Terence Dickinson's "Nightwatch" and "The Backyard Astronomer" instead. Sure, Norton was great for its time, but who wants to drive a Model T today?
Product Description
Each version of Sky Atlas 2000.0 contains 26 charts covering the whole sky and showing 81,312 single, multiple, and variable stars of magnitude 8.5 and brighter and 2,700 deep-sky objects. Stars are black, while deep-sky objects are color-coded by type for easy identification. Fold out charts in a 12 by 16 inch book (charts unfold to 21 by 16 inches), spiralbound.
Customer Reviews:
Don't leave home without it.!.......2007-05-01
This book has instantly become one of the two most important documents I take to the field. Once I have determined my position and orientation using a plenisphere there is nothing I can't know about any part of the sky. It's heavy, and bulky to hold (I take a collapsible table when observing) but there is nothing like having the complete data at your fingertips. Spiral bound lays flat. I thought that was a cute idea when I bought it. Now I know how important it is. Lamination is also critical to have as the first night out with the "free" charts I printed from my computer they were ruined.
This is the master reference to take to the observing site. I reiterate, "Don't leave home without it."
laminated deluxe version.......2007-02-27
the unlaminated deluxe is great, easy to mark btw. but the laminated deluxe is simply fabulous. the size(21 by 16 inches, maps are not folded), the top-binding make the atlas much less clumsy to handle and the spiral-binding really makes sense. also the chart key is in the front. make sure you take a look of both before making your purchase.
Excellent book.......2006-11-10
This Atlas is fantastic ... very large but the scale s so large it gives you and excellent idea of what one can see.
Very good but not quite perfect.......2006-08-12
For years the Sky Atlas 2000.0 has been the most popular atlas step up from a 6th magnitude atlas. The 8th magnitude limit is deep enough to enable users to find Neptune and the brighter asteroids. The large charts, while they can be a bit awkward to handle, are great to view, as they show wide swaths of sky.
The Second Edition brought some significant improvements: a useful step up to magnitude 8.5, galaxy shapes which show size and orientation, better representation of star magnitude, detailed charts of the Orion region and Virgo Galaxy Cluster. If you are debating between a used First Edition and a new Second Edition, get the Second; it's worth the extra money.
A few shortcomings remain. The charts are arranged in ascending order of right ascension. This presents problems with editions which are bound on the left side. When users reach the right edge of the chart, they have to stifle the instinct to continue right to the next page, force themselves to reverse direction, and turn--of all places--to the previous page instead. The same with the left edge. Charts should be ordered in descending RA like Uranometria or Millennium. Ordering by ascending RA is a pointless tradition.
Some of the versions are bound at the top, which solves the problem of the chart sequence--and makes the book less floppy to handle--but makes it harder to search for charts. Since the chart number is at the top right, the user cannot see what page they have their fingers on until the book is completely open.
The pages of the laminated versions are very sturdy for field use but hard to grasp and separate, especially when moist with dew. This and the previous problem could be solved by adding numbered, graspable tabs to the bottom of each chart.
A badly-needed improvement to the atlas came in a subsequent printing of the second edition: around the edges of each chart are noted the numbers of the charts which adjoin it. This greatly simplifies navigation through the atlas. It would be good to take this measure a step further and, on each chart, mark adjacent chart borders as well to save guesswork as to where each one ends and the next begins.
The many virtues of this atlas have been amply documented by other reviewers. The space I have spent on the shortcomings is simply an attempt to round out the picture. The many improvements already made to this work speak well of the publisher's commitment to an excellent atlas. The Sky 2000.0 is now only a couple steps short.
So which atlas to choose for your observations? I would completely ignore the 6th magnitude atlases on the market. For a beginning to intermediate observer, the magnitude 7.6 Pocket Sky Atlas is very well designed and affordable. For intermediate observing, the Sky Atlas 2000.0 is an excellent choice. For advanced observers who frequently go deep, I would suggest skipping the Sky Atlas and bringing both the Pocket and the Millennium along on outings.
Excellent charts - but for home or field?.......2006-03-18
These are definitely the best charts I've used to date. I have the unlaminated deluxe copy spiralbound, and to have the objects color coded really helps a ton - makes it quick and easy to find stuff and even helps me orient the map faster. However, I would caution using this in the field. If you have problems with dew, definitely get either the laminated version, or buy it unlaminated and pay to have it laminated. (You may have to compare at stores where you live to figure out if it would save you much to buy unlaminated and then take it somewhere - some have said the price isn't that different, others have said they saved a lot by doing the lamination theirselves.) Another solution is to make copies of the area or constellation you want to observe, then if they get ruined or if you want to mark it to death, you can always make more copies.
You really need a good way to lay out the map in the field, like a table or something to make it easier to flip thru - definitely not for the grass and too big to just lay in a chair. Marking the constellation patterns (i.e. connect the dots) also helps, and it's convienent to do on laminated copies as you can use a dry erase or grease marker, and if you make a mistake you can fix it or even mark places for observing sessions, as they easily wipe off.
Overall.. I would most certainly recommend the deluxe spiral version (the one w/ color identification). A Great Buy!!!
Pros: color, nice big charts that show a good expanse of sky, not too detailed but more so than average charts in a book, not exceptionally heavy and easy to pack
Cons: susceptible to dew, can be awkward to flip thru w/o a table or similar prop, unlaminated
Book Description
It's a beautiful, clear night and you decide to look up, once again, at the thousands and thousands of stars you have seen all your life. Each is anonymous in the vast sweep of the heavens. It's impossible to distinguish one bright star from another, one constellation from the next, without help.
Here it is. The product of 20 years face-to-face with the sky in all latitudes of this blue planet,
The Great Atlas of the Stars was created to give the lay-person and amateur astronomer a map of the principal constellations and grand stars seen in the whole Northern Hemisphere. It covers the 30 most important constellations of the 88 visible from Earth.
These 30 constellations are the most rich and beautiful. Here you will find the most brilliant (and pretty) stars and remarkable nebulas and galaxies, that are the most interesting to observe. Each receives a full-page "identity card" which features the known characteristics: distance, luminosity, dimensions. For each of the constellations, 3 to 6 principal stars are shown in detail and located in a map of their sector of the sky.
Opposite the "identity card" page is a magnificent full color photograph of the constellation and its background of starry sky. Between the two is an overlay of clear mylar. Printed on the mylar overlay are the names of the elements of the constellation, and the connections between them.
Lastly, numerous photographs of staggeringly beautiful nebulae and starscapes, retrieved with the latest telescopes and space technology, put the individual constellations in the larger perspective of the night sky.
As authoritative as it is beautiful,
The Great Atlas of the Stars will be consulted again and again by students, amateur astronomers, teachers and anyone who wants to know more about the stars.
Customer Reviews:
Beautiful, useful, clever and highly informative.......2005-12-28
This book captures the majesty of many of the heavens' greatest delights in beautiful astrophotography -- and shows you exactly where these objects are using a clever system of maps and transparent overlays. Keep it by your telescope at night to plot out your viewing, or on a cloudy night do your viewing right there on the page. Also great for casual readers/viewers who are simply curious about what's up there.
The transparencies are incredibly useful -- you see photos of the stars as they appear to your eye in the sky, with objects of interest circled and noted to guide you to closer views and detailed information. A smart, simple way to guide you through the night sky. I wish it covered even more objects, but it is reasonably comprehensive.
My only complaint (the reason I gave it 4 rather than 5 stars) is that the spiral-bound pages are not quite thick enough at the binding edge, so after a year or two of extensive use, especially on some dewy wet nights, some pages started pulling out. (I bought a second copy to remain pristine, and use the messy one by the scope.)
Strongly recommended for anyone interested in astronomy, regardless of whether you have access to a telescope. But beware: you'll want access soon!
The Great Atlas of the Stars.......2005-10-03
This book is just wonderful. Love the overlays to help with the locating of the constellations. Thank you.
Amazing.......2005-03-31
I have this book, and its heping me with my studies and night watching. This book, has a really amazing way to explain, to view and to make a sence for you while watching the heveans, espacially for the beginners!
"Great Atlas" falls short of its name.......2004-02-06
One knock on modern star atlases is that they tend to be, well, a little dry. Old atlases have colorful constellation figures drawn in ornate detail, detail that gets in the way of seeing the actual stars. Aiming for the practical, atlases for professional use focused more and more on the stars--the ultimate case being an atlas by the German astronomer Friedrich Argelander. Argelander's work was a map of 324,000 stars, unrelieved with figures, constellation lines, names, numbers, or indeed anything at all except coordinate lines. It's hardly a gripping book.
Brunier and Fujii's book is an attempt to put more of the beauty of the night sky back into a map of the stars. This book really isn't a comprehensive atlas; think of it more as a Fodor's guide to the stars. Not all of the sky is covered--just the highlights.
Even those readers only faintly acquainted with the heavens will recognize some friends here: the Big Dipper, Orion. But this book doesn't merely show you the constellations. Akira Fujii's breathtaking wide-field astrophotos reveal dozens of celestial wonders in the neighborhood of each constellation. The brightest are pulled out for special mention in the accompanying text, written by Brunier. Acetate overlays are cleverly inserted between the photos, marked with white circles to indicate where the objects are.
Here's where the book gets a bit dicier. Quite a few of the circles aren't where they ought to be. The circles for M81 and M82, a dazzling pair of galaxies close to the Big Dipper, is a couple of degrees off from where it ought to be. (The circle itself is about a degree across.) Even worse is the circle for M3, a globular cluster containing hundreds of thousands of stars; not only is the circle about 5 degrees off, but M3 isn't even in the wide-field astrophoto at all.
Now, an ordinary copy editor isn't going to be able to catch this, and it won't matter much to the ordinary reader. But it shows a lack of attention to detail that just shouldn't be an issue for a book with such outstanding production values. (And they are outstanding.) This book deserves a second edition; let's hope that these mostly minor issues get resolved by then.
Wonderful book, useful, attractive, and even educational.......2003-11-17
I have a number of astronomy books and this one stands out as exceptional. Its a well annotated picture book that appeals to both adults and youngsters. It serves both a great eye-candy, but it's also a great reference. The striking large photos are very attractive (of course), but the presence of plasic overlays that allows you to see annotations is a great idea; you can see the raw scene but also see the actual vista. The descriptive text is also good and quite informative. This is the only astronomy book I leave out since it appeals to anybody.
Book Description
The ultimate guide for stargazing, anywhere in the world
The scope of
The New Atlas of the Stars is remarkably comprehensive. Astronomy buffs and skywatchers will find this abundantly illustrated reference book useful anywhere in the world.
Star charts depict the night sky, and this atlas is arranged so that one section of the sky is shown and described on each double-page spread. The two polar regions have their own individual pages. There are 30 charts covering the whole sky, and each chart has a plastic overlay depicting the names of the important stars.
The first section of the book is a general overview of astronomy and includes:
- Stars and constellations
- Historical star charts
- The motion of the heavens
- Star trails
- The Milky Way
The other three sections feature galaxies and constellations found in the Northern Hemisphere, Equatorial Region and Southern Hemisphere.
The final section covers the basics of astrophotography and digital imaging as well as practical and useful viewing tips.
The New Atlas of the Stars is the ultimate reference for the astronomer.
Customer Reviews:
Good Atlas.......2007-01-12
This atlas is what you would expect from a star atlas. It lays out everything nicley and has some outstanding pictures to go along with it.
Excellent effort, good for coffee table ref but not for the field.......2005-09-18
It is hard to please every one with a single star atlas, and indeed a variety of useful versions are out there in the market (e.g Uranometria, Star Atlas 2000, Norton's, Starry Night, Sky
Tools etc.). This release is unique in several ways. The atlas consists mainly of actual widefield photographic images of the heavens, with a transparent overlay denoting objects of interest and constellations lines. This approach is similar to Serge Brunier/Akira Fuji's The Great Atlas of the Stars.
Things I like about this book? 1. objects include several more interesting NGC objects instead of the typical Messier tour. 2. Atlas covers the southern skies, a treatment rarely seen in Northern Hemisphere publications and very valuable 3. Sectors of the maps are logical and not overly crowded. 4. The maps will give you a unique persepective of the night skies that are hard to get with any other atlas. 5. Photos are realistic and do not suffer from perspective distortion common in wide field photos. 6. Quality of the book is very good. Firefly, the publisher, has done a great job.
What do I not like? 1. Photos are good but in my opinion defintely not as good as Akira's (although I thought Akira's was a tad underexposed for that particular class of visual atlas). The Milky Way region in particular appears to be a little too overexposed to be aesthetically pleasing or useful. A little creative photoshopping might be the ticket. The author should have opted to take photos with at least a 6cmx4.5cm medium format camera instead of a 35mm camera for better image quality. Akira uses a large format camera and the difference in quality and resolution clearly shows. 2. Accompanying 1 page facing text is too cursory to give each map sector the full justice, hence relegating the atlas to more as a nice visual planning supplement or for coffee table enjoyment. An advanced hobbyist would probably prefer tables of notable galaxies, double stars, etc. for each map sector.
All in all, this book is unique and definitely worth having in one's collection. I recommend it.
Book Description
This unique volume provides a complete reference on variable stars. It presents a wealth of typical light- and colour-curves to allow identification, together with a detailed and up-to-date description of each subclass. The editors, together with seven other world experts, have created a unique pictorial atlas of variable stars. In the first chapter they give a clear introduction to the nomenclature and classification of the light curves of variable stars, and to photometric systems. In the remaining chapters they provide a detailed account of each subclass: from eruptive, pulsating, rotating and cataclysmic variables, through to eclipsing-binary systems and X-ray binaries. Specific variable stars, types and classes of variables, together with key astrophysical terms can be quickly and easily located in the book by means of detailed object-name and subject indexes. This comprehensive and up-to-date volume provides an essential reference for all those interested in variable stars - from researchers and graduate students through to dedicated amateurs.
Customer Reviews:
The Variable Star Menagerie.......2000-06-05
This book is written for professional astronomers as a compendium of what is known (and unknown) about variable stars. (A lot of the "unknowns" are categorized as "poorly understood.") I consider the book very useful for amateur variable star observers, but general readers (it will be worth the effort) will likely need to refer to an introductory astronomical tutorial to interpret much of the material.
The "menagerie" of variables is subdivided into six natural groups bearing the following names with the numbers of sub-classes in each group as shown. Eruptive (5), Pulsating [including Cepheids] (7), Rotating [including Pulsars] (5), Cataclysmic [including Novae] (5), Eclipsing binaries (4), and X-Ray binaries (1).
The stars in the first four groups are presented as single stars that do "poorly understood" but weird and wonderful things such as radial pulsations. One subclass of pulsating variables is alternatively explained as a close binary with a common envelope.
(Gamma-Ray bursters are not covered but many light curves of these enigmatic objects bear strong resemblance to those of some X-Ray binaries.)
The book discusses a total of 279 different variable stars and provides light curves and graphed color information for 164 of them. The bibliography contains 521 references. Two pages of neat "addresses of interest" are given for new researchers to use to obtain further information.
The book faithfully reflects a longstanding astronomical tradition of publishing very few "phase-coordinated" light curves and spectroscopic line profiles in the same study. If phase coordinated line profile information were to be incorporated with the light curves, the book might well become a paradigm flipping tool.
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Books Index
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General
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Joan Blaeu Atlas Maior Of 1665 Hispania, Portugallia, Africa & America: Espana, Portugal, Africa Y America / Spain, Portugal, Africa And America / Espanha, ... E America (Joan Blaeu Atlas Maior of 1665)
