Sky Atlas 2000.0, 2nd Deluxe Edition (Spiral-bound)

~ (Author), Roger W. Sinnott (Author) "WHEN IT ARRIVED ON the scene in 1981, the original Sky Atlas 2000.0 by Wil Tirion was the first comprehensive set of star charts tailored..." (more)
Key Phrases: shows minimum brightness, shows maximum brightness, Stellar Magnitudes, Variable Stars, Planetary Nebulae Nebulae (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Review

'Using data from both the Tycho and Hipparcos Catalogues, 81, 312 stars down to magnitude 8.5 are now plotted on 26 charts. This is nearly double the number of the previous version ... The Deluxe Version is spiral-bound and unlaminated. The Field and Desk Versions are available in less expensive unlaminated and unbound format, i.e. loose sheets, or more expensive laminated and spiralbound format ... Sky Atlas 2000.0 is an excellent atlas at a very reasonable price, and is suitable for both beginners and experienced observers.' Gordon Nason, Astronomy and Space

'It is a splendid mid-range atlas.' Ian Genner, Webb Society Quarterly Journal

'... an excellent new edition with changes which are all improvements. Thoroughly recommended for amateurs and I suspect that many professionals will also find it useful.' Cliff Turk, Monthly Notices of the Astronomical Society of South Africa

Product Description

A good atlas is essential for travel. This excellent atlas will take the voyager on a journey through the night sky with unparalleled ease and accuracy. The long-awaited second edition of Wil Tirion's superb Sky Atlas 2000.0 offers 43,000 additional stars with all positions now derived from the Hipparcos database. The atlas opens out to reveal 26 charts, each one 20 inches wide and 15 inches deep. This large format allows the stars, nebulas and galaxies to be displayed with unrivaled clarity. For this edition, improved isophotal (objects with same light intensity) maps are used for the Milky Way, and extra charts for crowded areas of the sky have been added. Within the constellations, Flamsteed numbers identify the brighter stars by name, while NGC and Messier numbers are used for nonstellar objects. Color coding and size graduation are used to visually convey the maximum information on star types and brightnesses. This atlas is an indispensable aid for all users of astronomical telescopes.

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Product Details

• Spiral-bound: 30 pages
• Publisher: Cambridge University Press; 2 edition (November 13, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0521627621
• ISBN-13: 978-0521627627
• Product Dimensions: 16.8 x 12.5 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.4 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (37 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,065,868 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

48 of 49 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Great companion for the small to medium sized telescope, June 15, 2000

By	Shawn Moses (Baltimore, MD) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Wil Tirion is one of the big names in celestial chart making, and this Atlas makes it easy to see why. With stars plotted down to 8th magnitude and just about every deep sky object withing the grasp of a typical amateur telescope, the Sky Atlas will get you through years of deep-sky observing. However, if you have a large telescope (greater than 12 inches or so) or are a more seasoned amateur, you might want to invest in the more detailed Uranometria 2000. Sky Atlas 2000 comes with a clear plastic grid overlay for getting exact coordinates (I wish it were made out of a more durable plastic - mine has grown heavily scotch taped with use). I would recommend coating the pages of the altas with a waterproof map sealant (sold in marine and backpacking stores). Otherwise, frequent soakings by dew will hasten wear and tear on the charts.

70 of 74 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars What Atlas Should I buy?, June 12, 2000

By	Casey A. Niemiec (Waukesha, WI) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: Sky Atlas 2000.0 2ed Deluxe Edition Laminated (Map)

I just bought Sky Atlas 2000.0 Deluxe from amazon.com and wanted to write a review to help other buyers in making the right decision. I couldn't decide between the Spiral bound edition($49.95) or the Deluxe (paperback) edition ($39.95). Both of these sound like one and the same version (except for the names that amazon.com gives them), and I know that Sky Publishing/Cambridge University Press sells only one Deluxe non-laminated version. But amazon.com sells these as two different items at two different prices. Still confused, but rather confident, I bought the Deluxe version ($39.95), and it IS the Deluxe version that is sold elsewhere. In other words, DON'T BUY THE $50 VERSION until you contact amazon.com to see if there is a difference between the two! As far as I know, (and I could be wrong) it is the exact same as the paperback (Deluxe) version, so don't waste your money needlessly! It is color coded with 8.2mm per degree, a maroon colored cover, and spiral-bound foldout charts. I am absolutely thrilled with it, I am amazed at its quality, it's sure to be an invaluable guide for years to come. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED! One more note, if you are considering the deluxe laminated version, you should think twice, because you could buy the regular deluxe version and the laminated desk version for the same price (apx $120) as the laminated deluxe! Another option (this is what I've done) is to buy a piece of clear plexigass to cover your charts when outside. This will keep the dew off the front of your charts. And when observing, flip the dew resistant cover over the plexiglass to keep the other charts dry. This is a cheap way of protecting your charts from dew without having them laminated. 6/12/00

28 of 30 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A beautiful and useful Atlas, and a wonderful resource, November 3, 2000

By	Jeff Pickens (Salt Lake City, Utah United States) - See all my reviews

Will Tirion has certainly become our time's best-known and best-selling stellar cartographer. The SkyAtlas 2000 is a work of art, as well as a wonderfully useful tool. I have used it for over a year (the color version) with great enjoyment with both 8x56 binoculars and a 4 inch refractor. As the magnitude limits of my binoculars approach 8 to 8.5 (depending on "seeing" and darkness conditions,) this is a perfect binocular observing tool--it plots stars to magnitude 8.5. I have wished on several occasions that the atlas plotted stars to magnitude 9 or 9.5, so that finding a few of the deep sky objects through the telescope might be easier (especially on higher power and tighter field of view.) There are several computer planetarium programs that accomplish this, allowing custom printable field maps for use at the telescope. Nevertheless, I have found the beauty of the atlas second to none, and simply enjoy scanning its pages with awe--this book was as much a labor of love as a work of accuracy! Hat's off to Tirion and Sinnott for presenting amateur astronomers with a beautiful, accurate, and useful work.