Know where the stars are at any time of day
Over 700 stars and almost 250 celestial objects are marked on the map – objects that are worth observing with binoculars or a telescope are specially marked. The colours are designed for night-time lighting with a red torch so as not to disturb the eyes' adjustment to the darkness. Unlike most star charts, whose reference point is 50° north and 15° east outside the German-speaking world, the Oculum sky chart is designed for 10° east. A unique feature is a special correction scale that allows you to adjust the correction for the longitude of your observation location without having to calculate it.
The rotating sky map is also a versatile astronomical tool: sunrise and sunset times and twilight hours are easy to determine.
The reverse side explains how to use the map and provides further tips for observation, data on selected celestial objects and a preview of important astronomical events. You will also find a link to the publisher's homepage on the reverse side. There, under the product " Rotating Sky Map", you can view the current positions of the sun, moon and planets, as well as the current starry sky. With this addition, the sky map is timeless!
Our expert comment:
A good star chart for nature lovers and amateur astronomers
The new rotating star chart from Oculum Verlag is a good alternative or addition to the well-known rotating star chart from Kosmos Verlag. It is an excellent chart for amateur astronomers who conduct observations through a telescope. For example, this star chart features the Messier objects. This makes it easier to locate these nebulae quickly, and you do not need to consult a star atlas for every object.
The time and month scales are very clear. Both CET and CEST are marked on the time scale. If you wish to set the time precisely, you can use the longitude correction scale. Depending on whether you are in Vienna or Cologne, the rise and set times differ slightly.
For planetary visibility, the ecliptic is marked on the star chart; however, there is no planetary pointer on the star chart, as is the case with the Kosmos rotating star chart. The sturdiness of the chart is also slightly inferior to that of the Kosmos rotating star chart. A nice feature is the distinction between binoculars and telescope objects, as binoculars objects are marked in black and telescope objects in grey.
The back of the chart contains some useful information. For example, a diagram of the constellation Ursa Minor can be used to determine the limiting magnitude for the respective observation site.
(Marcus Schenk)
