The Night Sky Planisphere 30°-40°N (Small Plastic) Map – 13 January 2025

to small

I purchased this because it is more compact than my LARGE Night Sky planisphere. It is just as nice except for one disappointing thing. This smaller version does not have indication of coordinates in the sky. (The large version does) I often use them to reference my pocket sky atlas. I'm sure in time I will become more familiar with the general coordinate locations of constellations, but I wish they were indicated on this smaller planisphere. It's still great in every other way and compact.

I have bought a total of three of these Star Finder maps.I ordered "The Night Sky 30°-40° (Small)".All 3 of the Star Finder maps I received are labled for Latitude 40°-50° on the actual product itself.30°-40° is on the amazon webpage, on the products amazon sticker, the product description, even the products box.

As a Canadian amateur astronomer, I needed something to help me navigate the unfamiliar night skies of the southern hemisphere on my trip to Australia. I was traveling carry-on only, and backpacking all the way, so I needed something small and light. This planesphere fit the bill.It fit easily in my pocket. It helped me plan my observing sessions and learn the southern constellations while I was on the airplane. And with the help of a red light (to preserve my dark adaptation) I could use it under the dark skies of the Australian outback.It's small size is a trade off. A larger planisphere can show more detail, such as the location of individual deep sky objects. This can be helpful when observing. But a large planesphere may be too big for travel, and it still can not show as much detail as a chart book.A planesphere is easy to use. You just dial in the date and time, and you have a map of the sky. On one side is the map to the south. On the other side is a map to the north.This planisphere will help both casual stargazers and experienced astronomers to navigate night sky from the southern hemisphere. To preserve your eye's dark adaptation at night, I also recommend a red light so you can see better in the dark.

Just what I was looking for.Though silly me, I didn't think about how to light it when outside in the dark - I need to get a red light to make things easier.[I actually received a 10 pack apparently in error.]