| Developed by Wil Tirion, one of the foremost designers of astronomical maps, this new Fourth Edition of The Cambridge Star Atlas offers an unusual degree of breadth and detail for amateur and experienced astronomers in one concise volume. Both northern and southern latitudes are included in a series of monthly sky charts and in a 20 map atlas of the whole sky. Each of the 20 overlapping full color star charts shows stars down to magnitude 6.5, about the faintest visible to a trained observer from a dark sky site. Also shown are about 900 non-stellar objects, such as star clusters and galaxies, which can be seen with binoculars or a small telescope. This new edition features a total of 52 color-coded maps and improved versions of all 45 of the accompanying tables that list the variable and multiple stars and non-stellar objects (star clusters, galaxies, nebulas, etc.) shown on the maps. There is a new table listing 72 stars known to have planets. Stellar magnitudes are shown in fourteen 0.4 magnitude steps. Different colors and symbols denote variable stars, double stars, open clusters, globular clusters, planetary nebulas, bright nebulas, and galaxies, with three symbols in each category indicating the object’s size. In addition, bright nebulas and galaxies larger than 30 arc minutes are drawn to scale, with all galaxies being oriented on the maps as they are on the sky. There is also a new comprehensive double page map of the Moon’s surface, which shows 250 craters and other named features. A new second Moon map is provided, mirror reversed for use with telescopes having star diagonals. Clear, authoritative, and easy-to-use, The Cambridge Star Atlas a spiral bound volume of 96 oversize 8.75” x 11-7/8” pages. Its spiral binding lets the book lie flat when open, making it ideal for use at the telescope. The pages are heavy weight paper that has been specially treated to resist dew and moisture. The Cambridge Star Atlas is an ideal reference for sky watchers everywhere, throughout the year. A review of the atlas in Astronomy magazine said, “I recommend this new edition of The Cambridge Star Atlas for all general reference collections and to amateur astronomers everywhere.” Other reviews have said “. . . perhaps his best for newcomers and practical astronomers . . . easy to understand and very helpful to both beginning and novice observers. The graphics are excellent. This useful and inexpensive star atlas should be a part of all academic library collections, community college and up,” and “Recommended for anyone who plans to observe with the naked eye, binocular, or small telescope . . . The printing is excellent, and the pages easily lie flat . . . prepared by one of the most meticulous celestial cartographers of our time.” Wil Tirion began his first star atlas as a hobby, mapping the whole sky on five maps. It was published in the Encyclopedia of Astronomy and soon after was released as a separate set of maps by the British Astronomical Association. In 1983, Tirion began working as a full-time uranographer, or sky cartographer. Since then, he has contributed to many books and magazines on astronomy. |
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