Field Atlas

I remember when the first edition of Uranometria 2000.0 came out: such detail had not been available before. It was a revelation. Later the Millennium Star Atlas became available, providing even more detail and I think in a more readable format. However, MSA is large, very heavy, and the three volumes awkward to navigate. It really is not a field atlas, and in any case, is no longer available.

So, I have reverted to the second edition of Uranometria 2000.0, and am better for it. I like the fact that the two volumes are organized by latitude. Each volume is lighter and easier to handle. Many references include the appropriate chart number for ease of reference. Last, and not least, is the third volume: the Field Guide, which provides essential information for each object of each page. This is not necessary at home, where my computer can dig up more and faster, but it is worth lugging out into the field, just in case. The combined three volumes still takes up less room and weighs a lot less than MSA.

Perhaps it is a fetish, but all star atlases send a tingle up my spine when I open them.