Best guide book to southern skies?

[erick (Eric)]

I haven't had the opportunity to use it for quite some time, but I do remember turning the book upside down for a few constellations Didn't fuss me too much.

[Paddy (Patrick)]

I suppose the convention with any map is north up. And as only the constellations close to the celestial equator have a vaguely consistent orientation over the months that they are visible, it's reasonable to stick with the convention. No point in trying to have an orientation of Crux, Pavo, Scorpius etc for southern observers as they change so much as they cross the sky.

[stephenb (Stephen)]

Neil, You are quite correct on this. I just checked my copy, and yes, all the constellation charts are orientated north at top, south at bottom. I think this is just a way of standardising all the charts and making them uniform in the one publication. I certainly didn't think twice about it until now. Think of it in terms of a terrestrial or world atlas? There is no southern hemisphere version.

+1 vote for Atlas of the Southern Night Sky but too good a book to be carrying outside at night. Use it as your good reference book for inside.

Stephen

(Damn, Patrick beat me)

[Paddy (Patrick)]

Originally Posted by glenluceskies

+1 vote for Atlas of the Southern Night Sky but too good a book to be carrying outside at night. Use it as your good reference book for inside.

Not if you've got one of these:

http://www.iceinspace.com.au/63-446-0-0-1-0.html

I even use my Night Sky Observer's Guide in the field.

[Robh (Rob)]

Having the maps upside down may not fuss the veteran observer but for the novice it is entirely confusing. Especially, if they are looking for the stars in a constellation the wrong way up. And when you turn the maps over, all the text is upside down and hard to read at night.
One of the reason's I did my maps as a Southern Hemisphere observer was to correct the orientation when looking north i.e. the constellations are the right way up (but upside down for a Northern Hemisphere observer). Of course, the embedded text is also the right way up so you can read it easily. As mentioned by Patrick, when facing south, the constellations nearer to the South Celestial Pole are seen to do a complete rotation around it so the orientation will change constantly. On my maps, I left these constellations with Celestial South down as they are best seen when they are highest in the sky.
I also designed each page (A4 size) map and data so that they could easily be slotted into a plastic sleeve type booklet to use outside at night.

Regards, Rob

[erick (Eric)]

Originally Posted by Paddy

Not if you've got one of these:

http://www.iceinspace.com.au/63-446-0-0-1-0.html

I even use my Night Sky Observer's Guide in the field.

I've got one. As a matter of fact, I have that one

[NeilW]

I've also been using the Tirion laminated star charts, which I've found very useful, and are Southern Hemisphere oriented, but which also have their page numbering in red, rendering them almost invisible under a red light

[Liz]

I use an assortment of charts, all with their various good and not so good points.
I also use the Wil Tirion laminated charts, and really like them. Easy to use, and great having a few constelltions and targets on one chart.
Also use 'The Atlas of the Southern Sky' - a very popular and good book. Yes, reckon its a shame that the charts arnt made for Southern Hemisphere, so you are forever turning the book around??
Have 'A Walk through the Southern Sky' - prob a good start, but not enough info, more of a guide on how to find the constellations.
One of my favs from awhile back is 'Observing the Constellations' by John Sandford. It was all I used for a long time - lots of info and good charts.
Sky and Telescopes little atlas is also a beauty - ghreat charts with heaps of targets.
Collins 'Stars and Planets' is also a goodie - good charts and info in a smaller book.
Recently bought 'The Cambridge Double Star Atlas' supherb maps there, and 'The Southern Sky Guide' by Ellyard and Tirion - havent used much yet, but charts look good, and up the right way.
Robs charts look good, will have to have a good look.

[Suzy]

Originally Posted by Robh

You can also download my maps and data "Night Sky Objects" in pdf form for free (and no advertising on site) at ...
http://sites.google.com/site/southernastronomer/

Regards, Rob

Wow!!! These maps are brilliant! Fantastic for putting into plastic sleeves for my folder when I'm outside. Exactly what I'm looking for - thankyou so much.