Tirion Atlas 2000.0, Desk, 2Nd ed. (black stars/white background)

$39.95

Availability: More on the way

A convenient set of 26 individual star charts for planning future observing sessions. The best-selling Tirion Sky Atlas 2000.0 is the standard against which all other amateur astronomy star charts are measured.

The completely revised and updated Tirion Desk Atlas charts show accurate Epoch 2000.0 star positions for the entire sky. 81,312 single, multiple, and variable stars down to magnitude 8. . . .


Our Product #: A9551
Sky Publishing Product #: 0-521-65433-5
 

Product Description

A convenient set of 26 individual star charts for planning future observing sessions. The best-selling Tirion Sky Atlas 2000.0 is the standard against which all other amateur astronomy star charts are measured.

The completely revised and updated Tirion Desk Atlas charts show accurate Epoch 2000.0 star positions for the entire sky. 81,312 single, multiple, and variable stars down to magnitude 8.5 are plotted, in a generous scale of 2.85 degrees per inch. Also plotted are 2,700 deep sky objects (many labeled with their popular names as well as their NGC, IC, or Messier designations). Milky Way and constellation boundaries are shown. Stars are designated by their proper names, Flamsteed numbers, and Bayer letters. Various symbols show stellar magnitudes in one magnitude increments; double and multiple stars with their joint magnitudes shown to the nearest full magnitude (with individual components plotted if separated by more than one arc minute); variable stars with their maximum magnitude shown rounded to the nearest full magnitude; novas that exceeded 8th magnitude, with the year of the outburst shown; open clusters (drawn to scale if 10 arc minutes in diameter or larger); three symbols for globular clusters to show increasing diameters in 5 arc minute increments; planetary nebulas with three symbols showing increasing diameters in 30 arc second increments; bright diffuse nebulas (drawn to scale if larger than 10 arc minutes); and galaxies drawn to scale if more than 30 arc seconds across and with three symbols showing decreasing width in 10 arc second increments below that size.

The charts also include expanded scale inserts of deep sky areas of particular interest. The star and object symbols are printed in black against a white sky background for easier planning of future observing sessions in the home when seeing conditions don't allow observing. Using a low brightness red flashlight will also allow the white Desk Atlas charts to be used in the field without seriously affecting your dark adapted vision, although the white on black Field Atlas charts would be a better choice for use at the scope.

The Desk Atlas comes with a transparent acetate grid overlay that allows very precise right ascension and declination position measurements. The 26 loose 18-3/8" x 13-1/2" charts of the Desk Atlas allow you to take out to the scope only those individual charts that are important for the evening's observing. An optional chart carrying case #A9550 is available to hold the charts flat and protect them from dew and coffee stains while in use.

Tech Details

Warranty No Warranty

Reviews

Review by:
I know it says Desk Reference Set but I've use mine every night I've observed for years. Yes, it is heavy paper card stock and it can get dewy, but if you are careful you can store the charts you aren't using in a container while using one. I made a 1 to 1 transparent copy of only the Telrad finder overlay and use it to locate DSOs at my scope. I also like the fact that I can draw constellation lines on the charts with a pencil or make notes on the margins, like which other charts surrounds it for quick reference. None of the methods or modifications I use are easy with the more expensive ring bound and coated versions. For the price, these can be replaced or just buy two sets (I haven't yet since 2003) for about the same or less than the more expensive versions. Yes, I've used the other bound and coated versions belonging to friends before buying this set, which is why I bought this set. (Posted on 10/4/2019)
Review by:
This is a good product and was used for years until the Pocket Sky Atlas came out. It is a fairly large format which can be awkward unless you have a table handy but is not a big issue. I have the white star black background version and find that it is hard to use without adequate light. I much prefer the white background and black star version. (Posted on 1/11/2019)
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