Upside Down Under

[IanT]

Hello

As a beginner with spectacles, I find the whole process of taking glasses on and off a real pain, especially with finders and ep changes. Star charts bug me as well, but perhaps I have it all wrong. My question is: Are there any charts out there for the southern Hemisphere which are either printed upside down or have the labels,names printed upside down. I realise that charts need to be correct in terms of orientation, RA and Dec etc but I still find it difficult to orient myself with a chart and then have to alter everything in order to read the labels (which are often tiny). I was recently given a new atlas for a present (Atlas of the Southern Skies) and loved it's very clear constellation maps but they all seemed arse about to me when I look at the sky. Am I doing something wrong?

Thanks
Ian

[[1ponders]]

My favourite starter book is "The Southern Sky Guide". (http://www.bookworm.com.au/shop/scditem.asp?ProdID=19868) (This link is the first one that Google came up with. You may find it cheaper at other places but the price seems about right ) Great maps, not too complicated, enough stars to find your way around with plenty of ngc, ic and Messier objects to boot. PLUS all the names are the right way up ;)

[IanT]

Great. I'll rush out and buy a copy while the sky is still dark (well sort of, if you live in Melbourne).
Thanks again
Ian

[jjjnettie]

www.astrovisuals.com.au put out a set of Star Charts, by Wil Tirion.
They have a Southern Hemisphere orientation so you aren't turning them upside down to read them.
It shows stars down to 6th mag.
There are 18 maps, on 9 A4 pages that are laminated so they won't get damaged by dew.
I use mine all the time.

Specs can be a real pain when observing. Putting them on, taking them off, dropping them, trying to find them etc etc.

[astroron]

If you mean that the stars and patterns are about face ? you have to remember that you are looking up and not down as you read the chart.
You do not mention whether you are using a telescope, or just naked eye?
Ron

[IanT]

Thanks for your suggestions. A great help.
Cheers
Ian