Celestron Sky Maps

by Celestron

Product Details

• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 5.2 x 1.5 inches ; 11.2 ounces
• Shipping Weight: 2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• ASIN: B0000665V8
• Item model number: 93722
• Average Customer Review: 3.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank:
  • #11 in Software > Education & Reference > Secondary Education > Science
  • #15 in Software > Education & Reference > Science
• Date first available at Amazon.com: April 30, 2002

Product Description

From the Manufacturer

Celestron Sky Maps are the ideal teaching guide for learning the night sky. Even if you already know your way around the major constellations, these maps can help you locate all kinds of fascinating objects.

The front cover has a specially designed luminous planisphere that rotates to simulate the seasonal progression of celestial objects through the sky. When the planisphere is preexposed to light, star positions glow brightly against a dark background, mimicking actual constellations. More than 1,000 stars and deep-sky objects are listed and charted. The illustrated reference section provides basic information and the visual characteristics of various types of stars, nebulae, and galaxies.

The maps measure 13.75 by 11.5 inches and are printed on a heavyweight, moisture resistant card stock. The pages have a special comb binding so they can lay flat or be folded over.

Product Description

The Celestron® SkyMaps astronomy maps lists and charts more than a thousand stars and deep-sky objects. An iillustrated reference section provides basic information and the visual characteristics of various types of stars, nebulae and galaxies. The maps measure 13 1/4 in x 11 1/4 in and are printed on a heavyweight, moisture resistant card stock. The pages have a special comb binding so they can lay flat or be folded over.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

128 of 138 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Dubious Value At Best, May 7, 2006

By 

Michael Paul Sebek (Georgia, USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Celestron Sky Maps (Electronics)

I purchased this item two weeks ago. My thought was that it seemed like a reasonably priced, perfect addition to the "tools" necessary for a budding amateur backyard astronomy hobby (its advertised contents, construction, and "glow-in-the-dark" planisphere). After closely examining the item for the past ten days, I'm forced to conclude that I was in error, and that you really do get what you pay for. As Celestron is one of the most reputable names in astronomy, I must confess that I assumed that quality would follow in all products that bear their name. I have found that this does not hold true in the case of these sky maps. The major problem with the package is that it is rife with misspellings, letter transpositions, apparent omitted words, and just plain (what we used to call in the old days) "typographical errors." Additionally, when I compare some of the technical information on the maps (i.e., star magnitudes, astronomical distances, etc.)and accompanying descriptions with other authoritative astronomy sources I have in my possession, I also find numerous apparent errors and discrepances. When using a product like this, it is essential that one be able to trust the data and information it contains. Since I'm not able to do this, I must rate this item with one star. When I purchased the item, it was marked down by twenty percent. I note that in less that two weeks since my purchase, the price has been further reduced by another thirteen percent. In this case, don't be fooled (as I was) by an attractive price. AVOID THIS PRODUCT. (I don't have a substitute to recommend at this time.)

4 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Have owned previous edition since early 1980's, January 18, 2010

By 

Spock - See all my reviews

This review is from: Celestron Sky Maps (Electronics)

I have not seen the current revision of the Celestron Sky Maps, however I have owned a copy (copyrighted 1972) since the early 1980's. At the time I purchased it, I was a beginning amateur astronomer. I found it to be an invaluable tool. I also purchased a dobsonian telescope (no motors, no computers). The charts in Celestron Sky Maps were my primary guide for "star-hopping" to find deep-sky objects. I have found my copy to be accurate and very informative for a beginning astronomer. Again, I haven't seen an updated version, but I would be very surprised if anything has changed other than updating the planetary position chart. It would be a shame if the current copy was rewritten allowing typographical and statistical errors to get past the editing process.
As far as only being useful for northern latitudes, this is true. However, I do not see anywhere on this Amazon listing where there is a claim that it covers all latitudes. In today's global marketplace, concerning a product such as this, that information is practically essential to the buyer.
I would also recommend, "Universe Guide to Stars and Planets" by Wil Tirion. That hardcover book covers all constellations and has sky charts for both the northern and southern hemisphere. The maps and charts are smaller than those in the Celestron Sky Maps, but it has also served me very well as an excellent guide.

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent charts for beginners, April 7, 2011

By 

JohnS (St. Charles, MO) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Celestron Sky Maps (Electronics)

This star chart is printed on glossy, heavy card stock. I purchased this to replace the exact one I've had for about 25 years. The binding was finally giving up. My old one has been left in the dew saturated grass overnight and had frost on it. It is still easily usable, just that the pages are coming apart. I highly recommend this chart for beginners and veteran astronomers alike who want to learn the constellations or use the "star hop" method to locate the numerous galaxies, open and globular star clusters, double stars, and nebulae described within.