Little Sky Maps
This is a complete set of tiny little sky maps mastered by astronomer cartographer Zeljko Andreic, ideal for use under a light polluted sky and when star hopping with the tiny Celestron FirstScope. The maps may also help find bright stars for focus and telescope mirror calibration when using the Unistellar eVscope.
Spring
Chart Data
These are seasonal sky maps showing the evening sky at the beginning of astronomical twilight, with eight in the international set, going down to magnitude 4.5 for use in light polluted skies. A few fainter stars are included if needed to complete the constellation. The Circumpolar Northern hemisphere sky chart is specifically for a 45-degree North latitude.
Background
For my early years of astronomy with 4.25" and 8" reflector telescopes, I used Edmund Scientific Company's 5th magnitude star maps 1975 edition. Today, telescopes have advanced computerized GOTO and maps are seldom used, or one will simply view a screen with a planetarium program. Even with GOTO systems, star and constellation identifications may be necessary for mount calibration. Definitely, those individuals working with small non-computerized tabletop telescopes like the tiny Celestron FirstScope will want to star-hop to find the brighter deep sky objects - simple star charts will help. Also many people these days are observing from bright core city locations that show only bright stars through heavy light pollution. They don't need sky charts showing a lot of dim stars at faint magnitudes.
Background
For my early years of astronomy with 4.25" and 8" reflector telescopes, I used Edmund Scientific Company's 5th magnitude star maps 1975 edition. Today, telescopes have advanced computerized GOTO and maps are seldom used, or one will simply view a screen with a planetarium program. Even with GOTO systems, star and constellation identifications may be necessary for mount calibration. Definitely, those individuals working with small non-computerized tabletop telescopes like the tiny Celestron FirstScope will want to star-hop to find the brighter deep sky objects - simple star charts will help. Also many people these days are observing from bright core city locations that show only bright stars through heavy light pollution. They don't need sky charts showing a lot of dim stars at faint magnitudes.
References & Cartographic Credit
The maps are the brainchild of Zeljko Andreic, a Croation Physicist and Astronomer, who has more celestial cartography maps in his three books, in Croation language. Source: http://www.inet.hr/~zelandre/charts/charts.html
