Go Back   IceInSpace > Beginners Start Here > Beginners Equipment Discussions
Register FAQ Calendar Today's Posts Search

Reply
 
Thread Tools Rate Thread
  #1  
Old 02-12-2013, 11:29 AM
OzStarGazer's Avatar
OzStarGazer
Nerd from Outer Space

OzStarGazer is offline
 
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: Next to my scope
Posts: 1,091
Star Disc/Chart(s)

Hello,

I am going to buy my telescope later today or tomorrow and wanted to add a star disc too because I am a newbie of course and will need something like that. Is this a good one? http://www.ozhut.com.au/star-disc-planisphere.html (I can buy something better later on of course).
Unfortunately they say "ships in 4-6 business days" though, while the telescope is supposed to be shipped within 24 hours, so if they delay the telescope because of the star disc it is a bit annoying.
Or is this better? http://www.ozhut.com.au/star-charts.html
(This would ship within 24 hours too.)
Or is there anything else you would recommend (for beginners of course)?

Thanks!
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 02-12-2013, 11:47 AM
mental4astro's Avatar
mental4astro (Alexander)
kids+wife+scopes=happyman

mental4astro is offline
 
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: sydney, australia
Posts: 5,004
The Ice In Space shop sells both of the items you mention:

http://shop.iceinspace.com.au/

Mental.
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 02-12-2013, 01:04 PM
OzStarGazer's Avatar
OzStarGazer
Nerd from Outer Space

OzStarGazer is offline
 
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: Next to my scope
Posts: 1,091
Cool. The second one is even cheaper, but the reason why I was looking at OzHut is that they said they will combine postage (so basically they will put it in the same parcel as the telescope). However I have just checked postage and $2 flat rate postage still makes the second one cheaper than at OzHut.
PS: Some interesting stuff in the Ice-In-Space shop!
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 02-12-2013, 01:40 PM
Shark Bait's Avatar
Shark Bait (Stu)
'ZZ9 Plural Z Alpha'

Shark Bait is offline
 
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: Brisbane
Posts: 1,017
I have the A4 Star Charts that you show in your 2nd link and they are a good set of maps to get started with. In the past I have owned the planisphere that you show in your first link but gave it away as I prefer to use this one:

http://www.quasarastronomy.com.au/planispheres.html

The white background makes it easier to read under red light but that is a matter of personal preference.

When you want more detail these charts are free to download. It is up to you to print them out. http://www.geocities.jp/toshimi_taki/
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 02-12-2013, 03:40 PM
OzStarGazer's Avatar
OzStarGazer
Nerd from Outer Space

OzStarGazer is offline
 
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: Next to my scope
Posts: 1,091
Quote:
Originally Posted by Shark Bait View Post
When you want more detail these charts are free to download. It is up to you to print them out. http://www.geocities.jp/toshimi_taki/
Thank you! They look great.
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 02-12-2013, 05:59 PM
mental4astro's Avatar
mental4astro (Alexander)
kids+wife+scopes=happyman

mental4astro is offline
 
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: sydney, australia
Posts: 5,004
Taki's 8.5mag charts are the ones I use. He also has a less detailed set of charts that are great to start out with - also good for use in light polluted areas as they show fewer stars , more like as seen in urban areas.
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 02-12-2013, 07:04 PM
Shark Bait's Avatar
Shark Bait (Stu)
'ZZ9 Plural Z Alpha'

Shark Bait is offline
 
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: Brisbane
Posts: 1,017
These Sky Maps are good as well, giving you the astronomical highlights for the upcoming month. Just scroll down the page to find the *.pdf you need:

http://www.sas.org.au/index.html
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 02-12-2013, 10:01 PM
barx1963's Avatar
barx1963 (Malcolm)
Bright the hawk's flight

barx1963 is offline
 
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Mt Duneed Vic
Posts: 3,982
I used the charts you mentioned in your first post for quite a while before moving on to Uranometria 2000.
They are a good basic chart, scale I think is a little small to really star hop successfully, but will enable you to start finding your way around.

What scope are you getting BTW?

Malcolm
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old 03-12-2013, 08:35 AM
OzStarGazer's Avatar
OzStarGazer
Nerd from Outer Space

OzStarGazer is offline
 
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: Next to my scope
Posts: 1,091
Thanks for the new advice and links.
I am getting the SkyWatcher Heritage 130p. It is the best option for me because I am a beginner and I would also like something portable because I really want to go to the beach sometimes. It is not far from where I live (its a 10-minute walk) and the view is spectacular when the conditions are favourable.
I am going to buy it this morning.
By the way, I do have Starry Night Pro so I can always check there, but I wanted a chart too, particularly for when I am not home and for quick reference.
Reply With Quote
  #10  
Old 03-12-2013, 01:55 PM
barx1963's Avatar
barx1963 (Malcolm)
Bright the hawk's flight

barx1963 is offline
 
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Mt Duneed Vic
Posts: 3,982
Just be careful at the beach! Sand and saltwater are not good for optics, and sand in a focuser is no fun!

Malcolm
Reply With Quote
  #11  
Old 03-12-2013, 02:41 PM
OzStarGazer's Avatar
OzStarGazer
Nerd from Outer Space

OzStarGazer is offline
 
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: Next to my scope
Posts: 1,091
Oh, there is also grass in front of the beach, as well as an elevated promenade (I mean not at sea level). They both also have tables. The promenade is better I think because where there is grass there are also trees! (Unfortunately there are also trees on the right side of my balcony , but they are not mine, so I can't do anything...)
Reply With Quote
  #12  
Old 05-12-2013, 12:00 PM
OzStarGazer's Avatar
OzStarGazer
Nerd from Outer Space

OzStarGazer is offline
 
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: Next to my scope
Posts: 1,091
I printed out Stu's star charts and they look great. I had to print them out in A4 rather than A3 format for the moment, but they are still very clear.
Reply With Quote
Reply

Bookmarks


Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump


All times are GMT +10. The time is now 09:56 PM.

Powered by vBulletin Version 3.8.7 | Copyright ©2000 - 2025, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.
Advertisement
Bintel
Advertisement