What's a good field guide?

chrisyeo · Post by **chrisyeo** » Thu Jul 08, 2004 12:39 pm

Hi,

Can anyone recommend a good field guide book that gives descriptions of the M and NGC objects?

I have a very good star guide but no descriptions are given.

clearskies,
Chris

carlogambino · Post by **carlogambino** » Sun Jul 11, 2004 10:55 pm

Try this: It has tons of info on DSOs and double stars. Descriptions for every observable object of interest in each constellations. Can get at kino for $38 bucks

(Princeton Field Guides) STARS & PLANETS - Ian Ridpath / Wil Tirion
Princeton University Press, New Jersey, 2000
US Edition of (Collins Pocket Guide) STARS & PLANETS (3d Edition)
ISBN 0-691-08913-2 (3rd Edition, 2000, Paperback)

http://www.amazon.com/gp/reader/0691089 ... eader-link

Post by **Airconvent** » Mon Jul 12, 2004 3:14 am

yes..this book has been continually recommended in singastro for some time now. it used to cost below $30 but has since been more expensive.
the book is in constellation format and I think chris already have it.

chris : tried Taiyoukei on your pocket pc? it it one of the best freeware astro database for the ppc and recently updated. contains pics and description of all
M objects, many NGC objects and some Abell/IC objects as well.
Never leave home without it! advantage is it saves space.
the link :

www.alfcen.com

the website has a lot of ppc astro resources..

rich

chrisyeo · Post by **chrisyeo** » Tue Jul 13, 2004 1:17 am

Too bad I don't have a pocket PC.

How about something like the companion to the skyatlas 2000.0?

chris

bodoh · Post by **bodoh** » Wed Jul 14, 2004 11:48 pm

Was wondering... what would be a good sky atlas software. Heard of the Sky but not sure if it's the best. Any comments?

chrisyeo · Post by **chrisyeo** » Thu Jul 15, 2004 7:32 pm

The sky atlas software I'm using is an old version of StarryNight Backyard. Its version 3.1.2.

Its a little hard to find but here is one place you still can get it from: http://skylook.lamost.org/php/download/show.php?id=3

I won't tell you where to get the crack. You'll have to find it yourself. Remember, if you like it, buy the new version. ;)

anat · Post by **anat** » Thu Jul 15, 2004 8:05 pm

If you have a Palm PDA, I recommend you get Planetarium and PleiadAtlas. They are good star chart programs. In addition, you can log your observation in the program. StarParty 1.7 is another good Palm software with database of several catalogs.

QuantumGravity · Post by **QuantumGravity** » Thu Jul 15, 2004 8:49 pm

I've been searching the internet for a long time for astronomy softwares and came across alot of sky atlas softwares. You'll probably need to state on what you are using the sky atlas on (computer, PDA, mobile phones, etc). For the computer, starry night is still one of the best out there. For java enabled mobile phones, I think there is Microsky and Solun. For symbian OS (e.g. 900), there is a different (and better) version Solun. I didn't really take notice of the PDAs ones 'cause i know that i probably would never get my hands on one...

harlequin2902 · Post by **harlequin2902** » Thu Jul 15, 2004 9:28 pm

Was wondering... what would be a good sky atlas software. Heard of the Sky but not sure if it's the best. Any comments?

'Cartes du Ciel' seems quite ok. Its free for download.

The free version of 'The Sky' (level 1) is ok also. Though it's very basic, it still shows much more deep sky objects than my star atlas !

bodoh · Post by **bodoh** » Thu Jul 15, 2004 11:47 pm

Thanks for the advice.... likely to use it on my home pc as a obs planner.