How to read Collins Stars and Planets.

[BilliGoatsGruff]

Being written by Notherners, I am confused how to read the star charts for Southern latitudes. Do we just swap East and West or is it more complicated than that? I have tried making sense of the description, but still don't understand.

[barx1963]

Hi Billi
It confused me at first with these. I assume you are looking at at the charts near the front of the book? If so look at the one for January marked "Southern Latitudes" and "Facing North" below that. You will see a set of curved lines lines Marked "Horizon 50 deg S" and "Horizon 40 deg S" etc. That line is the horizon for your latitude. I am at 38 degrees S so i can use the 40 one. Just hold the page so that curved line is at the bottom and face north and the constellations should match the view. Obviously, if facing South use the one on the opposite page.
With the constellation charts throughout the book, you have to hold them upside down and they will match the naked eye view of the sky.

Cheers

Malcolm

[BeanerSA]

Yup ^^, turn them upside.

[BilliGoatsGruff]

Thanks to both of you :D

Malcolm, I'm glad you explained all that because I would have been reading the wrong horizon!
Now to wait for some clear skies :cloudy: