Product Description

The long-awaited second edition of Wil Tirion’s superb Sky Atlas 2000.0 offers 43,000 additional stars, with all positions now derived from the Hipparcos database. The Atlas opens out to reveal 28 charts, each one 500 mm wide and 380 mm deep (20 by 15 inches). This large format allows the stars, nebulas and galaxies to be displayed with unrivalled clarity. For this edition improved isophotal maps are used for the Milky Way, and extra charts for crowded areas of the sky have been added. Within the constellations, Flamsteed numbers identify the brighter stars by name, while NGC and Messier numbers are used for non-stellar objects. Colour coding and size graduation is used to visually convey the maximum information on star types and brightnesses. This atlas is an indispensable aid for all users of astronomical telescopes. Copublished with Sky Publishing Corporation.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #145482 in Books
• Published on: 1998-11-13
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Spiral-bound
• 30 pages

Review
'Using data from both the Tycho and Hipparcos Catalogues, 81, 312 stars down to magnitude 8.5 are now plotted on 26 charts. This is nearly double the number of the previous version ... The Deluxe Version is spiral-bound and unlaminated. The Field and Desk Versions are available in less expensive unlaminated and unbound format, i.e. loose sheets, or more expensive laminated and spiralbound format ... Sky Atlas 2000.0 is an excellent atlas at a very reasonable price, and is suitable for both beginners and experienced observers.' Gordon Nason, Astronomy and Space 'It is a splendid mid-range atlas.' Ian Genner, Webb Society Quarterly Journal '... an excellent new edition with changes which are all improvements. Thoroughly recommended for amateurs and I suspect that many professionals will also find it useful.' Cliff Turk, Monthly Notices of the Astronomical Society of South Africa

Review
‘Using data from both the Tycho and Hipparcos Catalogues, 81, 312 stars down to magnitude 8.5 are now plotted on 26 charts. This is nearly double the number of the previous version … The Deluxe Version is spiral-bound and unlaminated. The Field and Desk Versions are available in less expensive unlaminated and unbound format, i.e. loose sheets, or more expensive laminated and spiralbound format … Sky Atlas 2000.0 is an excellent atlas at a very reasonable price, and is suitable for both beginners and experienced observers.’ Gordon Nason, Astronomy and Space

‘It is a splendid mid-range atlas.’ Ian Genner, Webb Society Quarterly Journal

‘… an excellent new edition with changes which are all improvements. Thoroughly recommended for amateurs and I suspect that many professionals will also find it useful.’ Cliff Turk, Monthly Notices of the Astronomical Society of South Africa

Synopsis
The long-awaited second edition of Wil Tirion's superb Sky Atlas 2000.0 offers 43,000 additional stars, with all positions now derived from the Hipparcos database. The Atlas opens out to reveal 28 charts, each one 500 mm wide and 380 mm deep (20 by 15 inches). This large format allows the stars, nebulas and galaxies to be displayed with unrivalled clarity. For this edition improved isophotal maps are used for the Milky Way, and extra charts for crowded areas of the sky have been added. Within the constellations, Flamsteed numbers identify the brighter stars by name, while NGC and Messier numbers are used for non-stellar objects. Colour coding and size graduation is used to visually convey the maximum information on star types and brightnesses. This atlas is an indispensable aid for all users of astronomical telescopes. Copublished with Sky Publishing Corporation.

Customer Reviews

The only map you need for the Heavens!
If you are interested in the stars, then you'll be needing a map to find your way around. Sky Atlas 2000.0 is not only the mpost beautiful sky map I've ever owned - it's also the most useful. Be prepared for when this one is to be delivered! It measures some 30 x 42 cm and each page opens out (its folded in half). This gives you a large format, extremely easy to read guide to the stars. Stellar magnitudes are indicated by the diameter of the stars and goes down to 8.5. Also there are symbols for double or multiple stars, variable stars, open star clusters, globular clusters, planetary nebulae, bright and dark nebulae and galaxies. In other words just about every object you are ever likely to encounter. Colour is used to make these maps extremely readable and easy on the eye.
You need a star map - look no further than Sky Atlas 2000.0 - it has the lot!

Wow!
I just love Wil Tirion’s work. If I wasn’t interested in astronomy I’d buy this just to have it on the coffee table sitting around for visitor’s to see. It’s worth every penny and will get lots of use. As I’ve progressed over the years from casually standing at the back door gazing at the stars, to setting up my telescope in the back garden, I’ve felt the need to plan ahead and organise my evenings, even if only because the weather in Scotland is so bad most of the time. The atlas is an excellent aid to planning and as a reference for those objects ‘discovered’ at the scope. I love it and I recommend this purchase to anyone with more than a passing interest.

Useful for the true observer
As the name suggests, this is a Sky Atlas! Its main purpose is to help observers find there way around the night sky, so don't buy it if you're looking for a lot of text....you'll be disappointed.

Excellent quality, and I know now that I'll use it a lot. I bought the unbound, unlaminated edition, so the 'book' is infact 30 A3 sheets of heavy paper. They'll need some kind of protective cover or envelope to keep them in.

A good purchase, but not for the beginner.