David H. Levy's Guide to the Stars

Description

The 5th edition (published 2013) of the 16-inch diameter plastic Guide to the Stars chart is an instrument to help you identify the constellations. You simply dial-in your observing time and date to find the set of constellations visible in your sky (this is accomplished by turning the clear top piece). Although this chart is designed for beginners, seasoned amateur astronomers will find it useful, too. This chart can be used anywhere in the world between latitudes 30 and 60 degrees North, which includes the US and Canada, England, Europe, Northern China and Japan. The 16-inch diameter is large and easy to read, ideal for families, teachers and seniors! The 5th edition has been improved by indicating more binocular objects and providing more pertinent information on the back, all without increasing clutter or decreasing the text size. The front chart indicates 70 Constellations, the Names of 55 Stars, the Milky Way Band, the Ecliptic (which is the path of the Sun, Moon and Planets), 54 favorite Double Stars, the Summer Triangle, Winter/Summer Tours and 56 Galaxies, Star Clusters and Nebulae that can be observed with binoculars or a small telescope. Additionally, favorite star patterns are noted, like the Great Square of Pegasus, the Circlet of Pisces, the Northern Cross of Cygnus and others. On the back side, there are useful tables and other astronomical information, including: Mythology, Yearly Meteor Showers, Moon map, Phases of the Moon, Facts about the Planets, A Short history of Astronomy, the 10 Brightest Stars, Information about the Binocular & Telescope Objects (those on the chart), Why Stars Twinkle, additional instructions for using the chart and more. PLANET NOTE. Most star charts, like this one, do not indicate, on the chart, the position of the Planets or Moon because these objects move through the constellations of the zodiac, along a path in the sky called the Ecliptic (indicated on the chart). Website support is provided to help identify the planets that are visible in the sky. This chart is also available in a smaller 11-inch diameter (ISBN 1928771-033). And, there is a low-cost kid's version printed in color on sturdy card-like paper (ISBN 1928771-22X), as well as the Equatorial Guide to the Stars for use in and around the equator (ISBN 1928771-777). Finally, there is the Celestial Atlas Menor, 128 pages chock-full of star charts and tables (ISBN 978-1928771883). Review: A really useful night-time planisphere - This planisphere is easy to use and very clear - and it can be used in the dark, unlike the more common, but more comprehensively marked and more cluttered, Philip's planisphere. This planishpere has a white background with dark star markings making it easy to use and read by red light at night. (The Philip's has a black background with white star markings.) A limited number, A to J, of visible (binocular) objects are suggested and marked. A list of Meteor Showers and dates is also included. Using this planisphere at night is really practical and I can recommend it. (I do also use a Philip's but only in the daytime and for comparison purposes.) Four stars rather than five because it is a bit expensive in the UK, and I would like just a couple more markings, eg, 0/24Hr Right Ascension reference line and Zenith Point, but well worth buying for usability. Review: This is not what I ordered. - I am extremely disappointed. I thought I had ordered David Levy's Guide to the Stars.. a professional quality Planisphere but what arrived is the cardboard child's version which normally retails for a much lower price. The correct version is plastic and has a lot of star and Messier information but this is just card and without a pivot pin.. it goes to bed at 10pm and is clearly a childs toy. Looking at the reviews, most of them describe the proper item and the cardboard version is clearly a substitute put on the original page.. looking now, the image at the top of the review page is the professional model. I would not have ordered the childs version and rather suspect that the front page has been changed retrospectively... this is very bad. desertcart did not publish my first attempt.. but this review is about the article and nothing to do with the packaging.