Planispheres+and+Maps

Type in the content of your new page here since constellations was taken. This space is mine (Alterman)!

I found the subject matter on planispheres and maps to be repeditive and most of the web sites I found were similar in the sense that the information that was given was eerily comparable. Not to say I didn't search for several hours for the best web sites with the most entertaining home pages, but still only found slight different variations of information pertaining to planispheres and maps. I hope my research and diligense assists you in your search for information on this subject. Enjoy!

__ht__[|tp://www.astro-tom.com/getting_started/using_a_planisphere.htm] This web site focused more on the origin of the planisphere (in Rome during 27 B.C.) and what they looked like back in the dizzay, and how the are used properly. It also specifies how different time zones effect the distortion of your map. This web site is like a ask-whatever site, but has a small section dedicated to this subject. I enjoyed its knowlegde on the subject and recommed this site to start your journey when researching planispheres to get a better sense of how important they are to astronomers and ameturs.

http://www.skymaps.com/store/cat04.html I found this site to be the best when trying to better narrow down your options on which planisphere to purchase. It criteaks how durable and useful and how expensive all five that were tested by I believe a David Chandler. I don't know his expertise, but he puts his chooses from highly recommened to the least. Check this site out when you have the itch to finally purchase your planisphere and read all the features that each one offers too best suit you.

http://www.optcorp.com/category.aspx?uid=105-258-266 I really enjoyed the ads on the side of this page advertising cheap and not so cheap telescopes while also giving a little info. on the importantance of planispheres. Too late, already know that information from the first web site, thanks.

http://www.astromax.com/chandler/nightsky.htm If I may say this is the planisphere I would purchases if I already didn't have one. There cheap and parctical and come in large and small sizes. They also advertise that their white backgrounds are idle for night time useage (is there any other time to view stars). They also have binchulars and books and interchangable discs to add if so inclined. Also a key note that I found fasinating was that Chandlers planispheres don't distort the image you would typically see in the sky as some planispheres do by elongating the image so you aren't that sure if your looking at the same images. The image you see on this planisphere the same image you see in the sky. Neat huh. Also this site has an assitant section where you can ask questions and advise if need be. Check this site out; don't take my word for it.

http://www.planisphere2.com/index.html The web site above claims to be the best planisphere out there. It has a whole section dedicated to comparing traditional planisphere and planisphere 2 and the benefits of the plan.2. It's a little pricy ($39.95 + shipping), but folks I'm sold. All the points the hit on I've complained about. From having the whole night sky on one disc to not telling you where and how to direct what direction your facing. I like the idea of having twenty interchangable disc that have pieces of the night sky on each and built in compasses and a whole heep of cool features. I think this would be the best bet for ametur astronomers and just someone, anyone who wants to navigate the sky with ease. I applaud the design team and Samuel Lee for being intuative and persistant. CHECK THIS PAGE OUT NOW!!! See if ti works for you.

http://www.cloudynights.com/item.php?item_id=155 Now this page has books and I think one planisphere (Miller's), but I like the web site and enjoyed the feed back typical people like you and me left. I recommened (actually they do) the __Monthly Guide__ Book at the top of the page. It breaks down all the planets and cool stars and meteors visible during each month and year. And its cheap, so I would suggest that you purchase a book to help you with ideas of what to observe in the night sky and then use your planisphere to locate it. Its like a tag team on astronomy brother! So whatcha gonna do when your teach wants you to get info. on planispheres and maps? That's right, check out my information. Peace in the Middle East!

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This section was written by Stacey Inouye. Stacey Inouye

Planispheres are a tool to help you find your way around the sky identifying objects as you go. A sky map is a picture of virtual program that has all the objects such as stars, moon, sun and planets on a plane to help you find objects easily at any given time or day. These sites are mostly advertisements for all different kinds of tools to help beginners and semi-skilled astronomers find what they are looking at.

May 12, 2008

Space Sky Maps, http://space.about.com/library/weekly/blskymaps.htm, John Walker

This site is intended for students taking astronomy classes or people interested in objects in the night sky. In order for this site to be useful, the visitor must have a general idea of latitude and longitude. This site has an animated sky map that can be customized for any location in the world, including views with the horizon and from a telescope. Even students in middle school may be able to use this site with a little help from an adult. The graphics make the site seem like it is intended for the younger viewers but the calculations of their location when looking at the sky makes it a little difficult for them to freely use this site unless they are knowledgeable about their surrounding cities. I think this site would be helpful for anyone who is interested in the stars or even the moon or sun. This site seems like it would be easy to figure out and use to identify objects in the sky if you know in what direction you are looking.

May 12, 2008

Publication Quality Sky Maps & Star Charts, http://www.skymaps.com/, Kym Thalassoudis

This site is a good site for people to buy planispheres or learn how to use one. It describes the different types of planispheres and how each works. It gives clear directions and descriptions of each. If the viewer does not have a basic idea of their own latitude the site provides a link to help them figure it out. This site is intended on people with money with interest of getting a quality planisphere or book on astronomy, but would still be helpful if they needed help to learn about a planisphere they already have.

May 12, 2008

Starlight Theatre – Star Maps, http://www.starlight-theatre.net/MAPS.HTM, Starlight Theatre

This site would be good for hard core astronomy hobbyists or people very interested in the night sky. The map has a lot of information about what is in the sky including: stars colors, the ecliptic, star magnitudes, and more. This is a bit complex for people who are just trying to find their way through the constellations but would be good for astronomy students and people who are a little experienced in the field. The map includes more than just stars and even has star clusters, nebula and galaxies plotted. This site’s primary focus is selling their planisphere and has no other use than that.

May 12, 2008

Astronomy Sky Maps and Resources, http://space.about.com/od/skymaps/Maps_of_the_Sky_Planispheres.htm, About.com

This site has many different links to other web pages. The links contain a couple different sky maps and a couple with information about what is in the sky. The information is helpful for beginners of astronomy or maybe students who are learning about what is in the sky. This site would not be very helpful for class but would maybe more for people wanting to learn a little bit about what they see at night every day. It contains minimal details about objects such as the moon or planets.

May 12, 2008

The Night Sky, http://www.davidchandler.com/nightsky.htm, David Chandler

This site offers a planisphere that is easy to see at night and easy to identify constellations in the sky. This seems like a very good product for beginning astronomers. It even has a map for people who do not know their latitude. The site does not offer any information on the objects in the sky but the ability to find them with their product.