Interstellarum Deep Sky Atlas, standard version in English language

Interstellarum Deep Sky Atlas, standard version, English language

The interstellarum Deep Sky Atlas is the map series of a new generation. It is a unique and indispensable tool for amateur astronomers to select and search for stars, star clusters, nebulae and galaxies. Thanks to its completely new design, it is suitable for users of all experience levels.

Conventional stellar atlases depict deep-sky objects with only one uniform symbol. The interstellarum Deep Sky Atlas takes a new approach: all objects are mapped according to their actual visibility. The map image makes it possible to immediately distinguish whether an object is easy to observe or difficult to see. All objects (except the star patterns) are divided into four different visibility categories:

♦ Object visible with 4" under normal country sky
♦ Object visible with 8" under normal country sky
♦ Object visible with 12" under normal country sky
♦ Object not visible with 12" under normal country sky

Verified user-friendliness is achieved through the following features:.

♦ scale 1,5 cm/°
♦ limiting magnitude 9m,5
♦ clear structure: each map is exactly 2h wide and 15° high (except pole caps)
♦ coloured throughout, but still usable at night without restrictions
♦ generous map image without border
♦ contains all Abell-PN, Hickson groups, Arp galaxies, Barnard dark nebulae, Palomar GC, Terzan GC, Stock OC
♦ contains a selection of AGC galaxy clusters, Shakhbazian galaxy groups, Klemola galaxy groups
♦ contains all star patterns > 5´
♦ gives recommendations for filter usage

The individual features

Object selection: Class instead of mass - conventional star atlases show deep sky objects regardless of whether they are visually visible or not. Most of the time, there are far too many objects listed that cannot be seen at all. On the other hand, others are missing, which can be reached with typical amateur telescopes. The interstellarum Deep Sky Atlas only shows objects that are actually visually observable - and therefore much less than comparable atlases. The maps are therefore free of invisible objects and show what can actually be seen - a total of over 15,000 deep-sky objects.

Visibility categories: In the interstellarum Deep Sky Atlas all objects are listed according to their actual visual visibility for telescope apertures of 4" (100 mm), 8" (200 mm) and 12" (300 mm). So you can be sure that an object is actually visible when you visit it. You can also tell at a glance which objects are easy to see and which are difficult to see. The visual observability for the three aperture categories was calculated with the software "Eye & Telescope" for a typical rural sky, hard to see borderline cases were sorted out. This evaluation is not only based on the overall brightness of the object, probes are based on a complex algorithm which has been proven by Eye & Telescope for more than 10 years. The results of the selection were compared with the more than 15,000 observations documented in the "deep-sky list" and corrected. In addition to the selection in the three visibility categories, special challenges and special objects are listed.

Presentation: The object presentation is based on three characteristics: The visibility categories can be immediately distinguished by font, object representation and color intensity. A glance at the map is enough to be able to assess an object: visible or not visible. The interstellarum Deep Sky Atlas is completely coloured. During the day, the atlas not only looks good, but also offers great clarity. At night, this is maintained, as all colours are optimised for night-time illumination with a red flashlight.

Optimization for visual observers: The interstellarum Deep Sky Atlas is optimized for visual observation. This can be seen in many details: The outlines of deep-sky objects do not show photographic, but visual limits determined by own observations. A filter recommendation is given for all emission nebulae. Very small objects, which are difficult to find with the maps of the atlas, can be identified at a glance, so that extra search maps (e.g. with Eye & Telescope) can be created in advance of the observation. For visual observers, popular object catalogues such as the Planetary Nebulae from the Abell catalogue, the Holmberg galaxies or the Hickson groups of galaxies are completely included in the atlas. This also applies to exciting targets that lie beyond the three visibility categories.

Scale and limiting magnitude: The double-page maps in the format 26 cm x 26 cm show the entire sky in one volume. The maps are borderless and therefore especially clear. The scale is 1.5 cm per degree. A total of 200,639 stars are shown up to a brightness of 9m.5. The size scaling of the star symbols is optimized for observation and tested in practice.

Navigation: The maps are arranged by declination zones and sorted in right ascension. At the same time navigation according to seasons is possible. Each map includes 2h Right Ascension in latitude and 15° declination in altitude. The sheet cut has been deliberately chosen so that there is usually only one sheet above and below the map. The overlap between the map sheets is sufficiently dimensioned. A side index allows quick reference to maps with a certain right ascension or declination. Constellation connecting lines facilitate orientation. Many constellations are completely illustrated on a double page due to the generous format. The connecting lines can also be found on the six detailed overview maps that precede the map section.

Workmanship: The interstellarum Deep-Sky-Atlas is equipped with a robust and practical ring binding. The map sheets always lie flat on the ground, even turning over is possible.

Language: The atlas is available in English, but the maps can also be used without language skills.

♦ 1 book in english language