Finding Accurate Astronomy Charts Online
By Joan Whetzel
Anyone just getting started in stargazing, trying to find one’s way around the constellations and other objects in space can seem quite daunting. Not to fear, though. There are space maps available that are easy to use for anyone from beginner to professional astronomer. Ther are of couse star maps in paper and book formats, but the online versions are great, and constantly updated with new findings.
What Are Astronomy Charts?
Astronomy charts are a sort of road map to the placement of stars in the night sky. There are different star charts showing the stars and galaxies visible in the Northern and Southern Hemispheres. There are also star charts that change with the seasons of the year, following the movement of the constellatons across the sky. Star charts have been around for centuries, beginning with sailors and other long distance overland voyages that used the stars to navigate by.
Reading and Using Astronomy Charts
To make use of astronomy charts, you need to figure out which direction you are facing – with the use of a compass - so that you can figure out which way to hold the map. When using paper or book star charts, lay down on your back looking up at the sky, so that your chin is facing south and the top of your head faces north. Hold the star chart up toward the sky with the map directions matching that of your body. Slowly, one by one, start matching the constellations on the chart with those you see in the sky. A word of warning here. Star charts differ from road maps and atlases in one important way. Maps of the earth have North up and South down, the same as astronomy charts. But what’s different is that West and East are reversed on star charts.
Finding Accurate Astronomy Charts Online
The internet offers many sites with online astronomy charts. A little investigation will help you find a chart that you can understand and navigate easily. Check out this list.
Sky View Café
http://www.skyviewcafe.com/skyview.php
NASA
Astronomy
Astronomy Magazine
Sky Maps
Cloudy Nights
http://www.cloudynights.com/item.php?item_id=1052
Stellarium Planetarium Software
Skywatching
http://www.space.com/skywatching/
Resources
Wikipedia. Star Chart.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Star_chart
Cool Scopes. Astronomy Star Charts.
http://www.coolscopes.com/astronomystarcharts.html
Telescopes for Amateur Astronomers. Astronomy Chart.
http://www.telescopes-for-amateur-astronomers.com/astronomy-chart.html
Texas Astronomical Society. Star Charts for Beginners.
http://www.texasastro.org/star_charts.php
Astronomy. How to Use a Star Chart.
Look at Stars. How to Read a Star Chart.