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Top Recommendations

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Tirion, Wil: The Cambridge Star Atlas

Now in its 4th edition, this classic star atlas is ideal for both beginning astronomers and more experienced observers worldwide. The clear, full-color maps show stars, clusters and galaxies visible with binoculars or a small telescope. The atlas also features constellation boundaries and the Milky Way, and lists objects that are interesting to observe. This new edition features a clearer map of the Moon's surface, showing craters and features; a second Moon map, mirror reversed for users of telescopes with star diagonals; enhanced index charts showing the constellations more clearly; and a new data table listing stars hosting planetary systems. It is now spiral bound, making it ideal for use at the telescope.

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Collins Gem: Stars

Ridpath, Ian and Tirion, Wil: Collins Gem: Stars

This little "gem" is often overlooked by serious astronomers, but its small format (8cm x 11.5cm) gives you a star atlas in your shirt pocket! Separate chart for each constellation, down to mag 5. Lots of DSOs, including the Messiers, are marked.

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Burnham's Celestial Handbook

Burnham, Robert: Burnham's Celestial Handbook : An Observer's Guide to the Universe Beyond the Solar System

An absolute treasury of information, including related history and mythology. This book is very obviously a work of love for astronomy.

Volume 1 (Andromeda through Cetus)
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Volume 2 (Chameleon through Orion)
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Volume 3 (Pavo through Vulpecula)
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Doherty, Paul (Illustrator), Moore, Patrick and. Arnold, H. J. P (Photographer): The Photographic Atlas of the Stars

With Doherty's maps and Arnold's excellent photography (the field of the picture is equivalent to the naked eye field) augmented by Moore's descriptions, this is a very good work.

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Photo-Guide to the Constellations

Kitchin, Chris: Photo-Guide to the Constellations

The photographs of the sky as it actually looks under a variety of conditions, coupled with a detailed guide to star-hopping and other useful techniques, will enable you to quickly and easily gain a working knowledge of the constellations.

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Malin, David & Frew, David: Hartung's Astronomical Objects for Southern Telescopes

This exquisitely illustrated handbook is a must-have for those able to observe the magnificent sights of the southern skies. It is currently out of print and difficult to get hold of, but is worth the effort!

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***

Ridpath, Ian & Tirion, Wil: The Monthly Sky Guide

Clear and simple introduction for beginners of all ages.

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Ridpath, Ian (ed.): Norton's Star Atlas and Reference Handbook

For decades this has justifiably been the amateur's first atlas; the wealth of other astronomical information greatly enhances its value. Plots stars down to mag 6.0. Now in its 20th edition.

Hardcover
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Tirion, Wil: Sky Atlas 2000.0

Star Charts, covering both hemispheres down to mag 8.5 . This is an excellent atlas for the intermediate and advanced amateur.

Deluxe Edition
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Laminated
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