The Cambridge Star Atlas

by Wil Tirion

Developed by one of the foremost designers of astonomical maps, The Cambridge Star Atlas offers an unusual degree of breadth and detail for amateur and experienced astronomers. Northern and southern latitudes are included in a series of monthly sky charts and an atlas of the whole sky. Each of the 20 overlapping full color charts shows stars down to magnitude 6.5, together with about 900 nonstellar objects, such as clusters and galaxies, which can be seen with binoculars or a small telescope. This new edition features 52 color maps, improved versions of all the charts, and a thorough revision of the text and star data based on the latest information. In addition, there is a comprehensive double page map of the Moon's surface, which shows craters and other named features. Clear, authoritative, and easy-to-use, The Cambridge Star Atlas is an ideal reference for sky watchers everywhere, throughout the year. Wil Tirion began his first star atlas as a hobby, mapping the whole sky on five maps. It was published in the Encyclopedia of Astronomy and soon after was released as a separate set of maps by the British Astronomical Association. In 1983, Tirion began working as a full-time uranographer, or sky cartographer. Since then, he has contributed to many books and magazines on astronomy. He lives in the Netherlands.

Genres: Astronomy, Science, Reference, Physics, Nonfiction, Space

96 pages, Hardcover

First published October 25, 1991

Reviews

[CD Fernlund · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you are looking for books that cover the geography of the night sky then you will definitely come across the name of Wil Tirion many times over. Starting out his career as a graphic designer, for most of his life he has proven himself to be the world’s foremost artist and designer of astronomical maps. With dozens of books to his credit, as well as innumerable charts in other’s publications, the accuracy and beauty of his celestial cartography (uranography) is known and admired the world over.

‘The Cambridge Star Atlas’, 1996, explains in very rudimentary form: the moon (since it is nearest the earth and most readily observable), the constellations (listed month-by-month in planospheric style for both the northern and southern hemispheres, along with star magnitudes), and complete and easy to read star charts (each listing the characteristics of the objects that may be seen on them in both the northern and southern hemispheres). Not his most famous work (‘Sky Atlas 2000.0’), ‘The Cambridge Star Atlas’ is nevertheless an excellent choice both for learning the constellations as well as future reference for more advanced astronomers as well; it should be a lifelong resident in any astronomer’s library. In its 1996 hardcover edition it appears in bound format. Nevertheless, as oversized it easily stays open on a flat surface, especially as used / once it becomes broken in. (The newer edition (2011) in soft cover is spiral bound and lies flat; I personally prefer a hard cover).)

All things considered the cost of the 1996 edition can easily save you $20 to $40 over the price of the 2011 edition. For learning the constellations the price difference seems hardly worth it to me. Additionally, my experience over the years has been that I have often received books from abroad for a pittance in shipping cost; recently a below-rock-bottom priced, new version of ‘Julius Caesar’ arrived from Ireland with a $2 shipping cost. How they do it I do not know, but it seems worth biding my time and shopping around on both counts for items such as this great little star atlas.

[Elona · Rating 5 out of 5]

My favorite atlas at all times! It has many series of monthly sky charts, and the data has been illustrated in a fine way, easy to understand and suitable for beginners. There is a comprehensive map of the Moon as well. For all sky observers, I recommend.

[Alexis Barrera oranday]

Hermoso, increíblemente bien organizado y sencillo.
Los All Sky Maps interesantísimos. Y los mapas de los objetos Messier muy sencillos.
Muy valioso tenerlo a la mano con los telescopios

[David Roberts · Rating 5 out of 5]

Classic star chart reference work.

[Richard Lawrence]

Great resource that I use on a constant basis.

[Paula · Rating 4 out of 5]

10/10 guide.