The Observer S Sky Atlas

Can you remember being impressed by a c1ear starry sky? Look at the Milky Way through binoculars and it will reveal its many hundreds of thousands of stars, double stars, stellar clusters, and nebulae. If you are a new ob server, it is not that easy to find your way in this swarm of stars, but this atlas tries to make it as easy as possible. So now it is not just experienced amateurs that can enjoy looking at the heavens. Two additional observing aids are recommended. The first is a plani sphere, where one can dial in the time and day in order to see which constellations are visible and where they are in the sky. The second is an astronomical yearbook. It lists the current positions of the planets and all important phenomena. So, let us begin our journey around the night sky, and see what the universe can reveal to us! Facing page, top: The constellation Cygnus (Swan) in the midst of the northern Milky Way. The photograph gives an impression of the uncountable stars in our Milky Way. This becomes more conspicuous when you sweep through Cygnus with binoculars. Under a very dark sky, one can try to find the North America Nebula, Pelican Nebula, and Veil Nebula (see p. 47). These are difficult nebulae and are only barely visible on this photograph as weIl.

- Includes a short introduction to observing, a thorough description of the star charts and tables, a glossary and much more - Perfect for both the beginner and seasoned observer - Fully revised edition of a best-selling and highly-praised sky atlas

Equally useful for the beginning observer and for the old hand, this atlas presents: -a short introduction into observing the sky and a thorough description of the star charts and tables - clearly arranged charts of all the stars visible with the unaided eye (up to 6th magnitude) - enlarged chart sections for binocular observation, highlighting 250 interesting nebulae, galaxies, and stellar clusters (to magnitude 9) - a catalog of more than 1,000 objects that takes into account the far-reaching measurements of the Hipparcos Satellite published in 1997 - tables of predicted separations of binary stars until the year 2015. The Observers Sky Atlas is an indispensable and handy companion for every observer.

Now expanded and in full color, and useful to 2060! This tremendous new edition of a classic book (previously published only in black-and-white) contains star charts and pictures, for all those who observe the night sky with unaided eyes, binoculars or telescopes. It is equally useful for beginners and experienced old hands at astronomy. A legend among hobby astronomers, this entirely revised and updated edition has new celestial maps in full color, up-to-date data from the Gaia spacecraft and unique comparison images of most visible celestial objects. Sixty-one all-new star charts are good through 2060, and there are 532 pictures of stars, galaxies and nebulae, 415 of them in full color. Very detailed position figures help the astronomer navigate the charts and accurately pinpoint objects for viewing - and knowing what you're seeing. The hobby astronomer can use it to find star clusters, gaseous nebulae and galaxies throughout the night sky. Quick orientation is guaranteed, and intermediate astronomers can really enjoy the night sky for hours and hours by knowing where to locate the objects of their interest.

The Sky Atlas unveils some of the most beautiful maps and charts ever created during humankind's quest to map the skies above us. This richly illustrated treasury showcases the finest examples of celestial cartography—a glorious art often overlooked by modern map books—as well as medieval manuscripts, masterpiece paintings, ancient star catalogs, antique instruments, and other curiosities. This is the sky as it has never been presented before: the realm of stars and planets, but also of gods, devils, weather wizards, flying sailors, ancient aliens, mythological animals, and rampaging spirits. • Packed with celestial maps, illustrations, and stories of places, people, and creatures that different cultures throughout history have observed or imagined in the heavens • Readers are taken on a tour of star-obsessed cultures around the world, learning about Tibetan sky burials, star-covered Inuit dancing coats, Mongolian astral prophets and Sir William Herschel's 1781 discovery of Uranus, the first planet to be found since antiquity. • A gorgeous book that delights stargazers and map lovers alike With thrilling stories and gorgeous artwork, this remarkable atlas explores our fascination with the sky across time and cultures to form an extraordinary chronicle of cosmic imagination and discovery. The Sky Atlas is a wonderful book for map lovers, history buffs, and stargazers, but also for those who are intrigued by the many wonderful and bizarre ways in which humans have sought to understand the cosmos and our place in it. • A unique map book that expands beyond the terrestrial and into the celestial • A wonderful book for map lovers, obscure-history fans, mythology buffs, and astrology and astronomy lovers • Great for those who enjoyed What We See in the Stars: An Illustrated Tour of the Night Sky by Kelsey Oseid, Maps by Aleksandra Mizielinska and Daniel Mizielinski, and Atlas of Remote Islands: Fifty Islands I Have Never Set Foot On and Never Will by Judith Schalansky