Planisphere - which one?

[Maximilian Hohmann]

Hello!

(12-09-2017 12:02 PM)Csaba Tizedes Wrote:  Hi, I hope I can found here some amateur (or professional) astronomer.

Only amateur :-) (Anyway, I know quite a few professional astonomers who never ever look up to the sky. They don't even know where North and South is. The evaluate terabytes of satellite data on their desk instead...)

Allegedly the best available planisphere is the "Sirius": https://www.astroshop.de/sternkarten/fre...te/p,12557 (Sorry, I only have links to shops in Germany). It is twice as big as normal planisheres and very detailed. A bit clumsy to use maybe.

The most popular one around here (of which I also have one somewhere) is the "Kosmos". It has been in production for over 50 years in different degrees of sophistication. There are noctilucent ones (not sure if they are still made), versions printed on cardboard (a bit delicate when used in late summer with lots of dew) and versions printed on plastic which are more rugged. A current model is this one: https://www.amazon.de/Drehbare-Kosmos-St...F8&s=books

There is also a "mini" Version of the "Kosmos" planishere with about 12cm diameter. I have one of these also and prefer it over the large one, but you need good eyesight - or reading glasses - to see it in the dark. Don't know if it is still produced, I got mine from eBay for 1 Euro.

Another older but excellent planisphere is the "Zodiac". Very rugged construction, almost indestructible. Out of production for a long time, but sometimes eBay or Amazon offer used ones: https://www.amazon.de/Drehbare-Sternkart...te+drehbar

Myself I have not really used a planishere for years I must confess. Apps for the iPad and smartphones have won the battle.

Clear skies!
Max