Guide to the Stars [Map]

Ken Graun (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 2, 2009

The 4th edition of the 11-inch diameter plastic Guide to the Stars chart (formally called the David H. Levy Guide to the Stars) is a ''map'' to help you identify the constellations. You simply dial-in your observing time and date to find the set of constellations visible in your sky (this is accomplished by rotating the clear top piece). This chart can be used for latitudes 30 degrees to 60 degrees North, which covers the US and Canada. Although this chart is designed for beginners, it finds use with seasoned amateur astronomers. This type of round star chart is often called a planisphere because it takes a set of stars on a sphere and plots them on a flat surface.

The 11-inch diameter is a compact size ideal for travel. This chart can be used anywhere in the world between latitudes 30 and 60 degrees north including England, Europe, Northern China and Japan. The 4th edition has been improved by indicating favorite double stars and providing more information on the back, all without increasing clutter.

The front chart indicates 70 Constellations, the Names of 55 Stars, the Milky Way Band, the Ecliptic (which is the path of the Sun, Moon and Planets), 55 favorite Double Stars, the Summer Triangle, Winter/Summer Tours and 12 Galaxies, Star Clusters and Nebulae that can be observed with binoculars or a small telescope. Additionally, favorite star patterns are noted, like the Great Square of Pegasus, the Circlet of Pisces, the Northern Cross of Cygnus and others.

On the back side, there are useful tables and other astronomical information, including: Yearly Meteor Showers, Phases of the Moon, Facts about the Planets, A Short history of Astronomy, the 10 Brightest Stars, Information about the Binocular & Telescope Objects (indicated on the chart), Why Stars Twinkle, additional instructions for using the chart to identify the stars and constellations, and more.

PLANET NOTE. Most star charts, like this one, do not indicate, on the chart, the position of the Planets or Moon because these objects move through the constellations of the zodiac, along a path in the sky called the Ecliptic (indicated on the chart). The Moon moves at a rate of one Moon diameter per hour against the background stars. The visible Planets move much slower but movement can normally be seen over several days. Website support is provided to identify the planets that are visible in the sky.

This chart is also available in a larger, 16-inch diameter size that is easier to read and ideal for families, teachers and seniors (ISBN 1-928771-01-7). The larger size has more astronomy information on the back. And, there is a very low price kid's version of this chart that is printed in color on sturdy card-like paper stock. The wheel of stars for the kid's version is 11-inches in diameter and the ISBN is 1-928771-22-X.

Editorial Reviews

Review

. . . invites beginning stargazers to relax, follow the chart's easy to use instructions and slowly begin the fascinating task of finding the constellations. . . --Arizona Daily Sun, September 14, 2000

About the Author

Ken Graun is author of six star charts and the popular astronomy books, What's Out Tonight?, Touring the Universe and The Next Step: Finding and Viewing Messier's Objects. His children's books include Our Earth and the Solar System, Our Constellations and their Stars and Our Galaxy and the Universe.

Product Details

• Map
• Publisher: Ken Press; 4th Edition edition (July 2, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1928771033
• ISBN-13: 978-1928771036
• Shipping Weight: 3.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (28 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #775,956 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

David H. Levy is one of the most successful comet discoverers in history. He has discovered 23 comets, eight of them using his own backyard telescopes. With Eugene and Carolyn Shoemaker at the Palomar Observatory in California he discovered Shoemaker-Levy 9, the comet that collided with Jupiter in 1994. That episode produced the most spectacular explosions ever witnessed in the solar system. Levy is currently involved with the Jarnac Comet Survey, which is based at the Jarnac Observatory in Vail, Arizona but which has telescopes planned for locations around the world. His most recent discovery, Comet Jarnac (P/2010 E2) was part of this survey.
Levy is the author or editor of about 36 books and other products. He won an Emmy in 1998 as part of the writing team for the Discovery Channel documentary, "Three Minutes to Impact." As the Science Editor for Parade Magazine, he is able to reach more than 78 million readers, almost a quarter of the population of the United States. A contributing editor for Sky and Telescope Magazine, he writes its monthly "Star Trails" column, and his "Nightfall" feature appears in each issue of the Canadian Magazine Skynews. David Levy has given over a thousand lectures and major interviews, and has appeared on many television programs, such as the Today show (4 times), Good Morning America (twice), the National Geographic special "Asteroids: Deadly Impact", and ABC's World News Tonight, where he and the Shoemakers were named Persons of the Week for July 22, 1994. Also, Levy has done nationally broadcast testimonials for PBS (1995-present), and for the Muscular Dystrophy Association Telethon (1998-1999). He and his wife Wendee host a weekly radio show available worldwide at www.letstalkstars.com. In 2004 he was the Senator John Rhodes Chair in Public Policy and American Institutions at Arizona State University. He has been awarded four honorary doctorates, and asteroid 3673 (Levy) was named in his honor. On June 6, 2010 he completed his formal education and was awarded a Ph.D. Degree from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. Levy resides in Vail, Arizona, with his wife, Wendee.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

66 of 69 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Great Way to Learn the Nighttime Sky, July 9, 2001

By 

Jerry M. Sherlin (Centennial, CO, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Guide to the Stars (Map)

For the beginning amateur astronomer there is no better aid to learning the stars and constellations than a planisphere - and I think David Levy's new rendition of this old device is as good as they come.

Basically a planisphere is starmap printed on one of two plastic disks which are joined together in the center and free to rotate. Around the edge of one disk are the days of the year while the other disk has the hours of the day. By setting the time, on one disk, opposite the date on the other, it is possible for you to see the sky, through a window in the top disk, as it would appear at that particular day and time.

There are several thing about David Levy's planisphere that recommend it. To begin with it is BIG, 16 inches in diameter to be precise, and the printing is large and easy to read. Secondly, it is a good representation of the sky showing only those stars visible to the unaided eye. Finally, the reverse side contains information about the Moon, planets, meteor showers and a listing of interesting galaxies and star clusters visible in binoculars or a small telescope. If you are a beginning "Stargazer", or thinking about becoming one, this should be your first acquisition.

39 of 39 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars a very decent jumbo planisphere, December 7, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: Guide to the Stars (Map)

Pros:

-all plastic (not paper or laminated paper)...won't get soggy if it gets wet
-kids will probably like the jumbo 16" diameter size (it is also available in 11" diameter size)
-useful information on the front and back (like meteor shower dates)
-works for latitudes between 30 and 60 degrees North
-several lesser-known stars are named; for example Zaurak, Sabik and Algorab
-a lot less crowded than smaller planispheres

Cons:

-For its jumbo size, I was expecting more celestial objects & detail...the dimmer, harder-to-find Messier objects are not shown. But it looks like it was designed more for beginners, in which case this makes good sense.
-Messier objects are marked by a letter, and you must flip the planisphere over to 'decipher' the letter. For example, M35 in Gemini is simply labelled as 'H'. It should just be labelled as 'M35' on the front in the first place.
-sometimes the same letter represents two or three seperate Messier objects. For example, M36, M37, and M38 in Auriga are all designated by three seperate letter 'F's. The description on the back distinguishes them seperately, but it's annoying.
-floppy due to it being relatively thin for its size

A planisphere like this is essenial for beginners to learn the night sky. If you are more advanced and need more detail, get a star map (but you'll probably still use your planisphere too).

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars fun, February 3, 2006

By 

Haseeb - See all my reviews

This review is from: Guide to the Stars (Map)

I have nothing else to compare this plainesphere with as this is my first one. This is a very fun and quick way to learn the constellations as well as the most popular Messier objects. On the back of this chart, there are tables and other information. The author explains which objects are visable with the naked eye, binoculars or telescopes.

Don't be intimidated by the appearance of this chart, learning to use it is very easy because all you do is match up the time of day with the date. Once you do that, you have a replica of the night sky in your hands.

Make sure you buy the chart for the correct lattitude and hemisphere!