Firefly Planisphere Deluxe: For Latitudes between 40 deg and 60 deg North -- Stars to Magnitude 5.5 -- Equinox 2000.0 Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)This is probably the best planisphere I have (I have 3) and very usable. It is usable both as a desk top study/planning tool and also out in the field. The front side of the planisphere that contains the sky mask is more suited for indoors use. The color-coded stars and red constellation lines are impossible to see in the dark with a red flashlight. However, this side is eminently suitable as a desk top planning tool given the tremendous wealth of detail and info.
The back side of the planisphere is unmasked and contains a very detailed sky map mainly for Norhern hemisphere users. This is blue-tone printed and is usable in the dark and the details show up well under a red flash light. An extra bonus are detailed markings of double stars, variable stars, all the Messier objects and selected NGC objects, such as the double cluster. The large size of the planisphere might be ergonomically inconvenient in the field and a little dorky looking, but hey it's virtually a star atlas with all the fabulous detail! After using this planisphere for a while, I picked up some of my others and they just look juvenile. I've gotten spoilt! I would say the next most decent planisphere is one of David Chandler's ( I like the distortion-free flip side Southern view option of his).

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A professional-level tool for observing the night sky.

The large 15 inch Firefly Planisphere Deluxe is a practical tool for accurately locating night sky phenomena at any time of the year. Constructed of sturdy plastic, simply turn the disks to line up the month and date, and the clear top panel reveals the actual positions of the stars. It is also useful for locating planets, stars, constellations, globular clusters, nebula and galaxies at any particular time.

The planisphere is charted by the month, day, hour and minute, so it can be used to plan future viewings. The planisphere also calculates the time of sunrise and sunset for any specific day.

An easy-to-read 24-page companion book describes how to adjust and use the planisphere. The book and planisphere are packaged in a convenient boxed set.

The Firefly Planisphere Deluxe is an indispensable tool for astronomers of all ages.
(200402)

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