The Night Sky 20°-30°N (Large) Star Finder

Very intuitive, easy to use. My eyesight is not the best so I need all the help I can get finding stars.

Excellent

Very easy to use, we had great fun on a Caribbean Cruise identifying stars!

A planisphere (star finder) is a simple device that is absolutely necessary for any amateur astronomer to have. Simply by rotating the dial to the proper date and the correct time of night any stargazer can identify which stars and constellations are visible from their location. Be advised that to get the proper use from your planisphere you must have the one made for your latitude (otherwise it will be useless to you). If you don't know your latitude you can find it on the internet.Some planispheres glow in the dark (briefly) but this one is made of high reflective plastic that will allow you to read it easily under red light (better for preserving your night vision). Using my planisphere I discovered that the Southern Cross, the constellation of Centaurus, and Alpha Centauri are all visible from my home.I strongly suggest finding a very dark but SAFE location to use your planisphere on a clear night. The less light pollution, the better, and the more fun your experience will be. By using your planisphere you will reconnect with the knowledge of the Ancients, who used the stars as a history book, a calendar, a clock, an almanac, and a method of divining the future.

I'm taking up backyard astronomy. So far I just use binoculars, maybe I'll go to a proper telescope later. Finding your way around the constellations is a daunting task for beginners. Enter the star finder. The proper term is planisphere. It's a chart of the night sky. It is adjustable for date and time so that you can locate the major star formations and it is quite useful. I use mine frequently. The one thing I'd fault it for is that it needs better instructions. However, you can find extensive instructions on the web.Now, let me tell you something that very few people know and that I only learned the hard way. Planispheres are constructed for specific latitudes. This one covers a band from 20 to 30 degrees north latitude. It is useful in Florida where I live as well as Texas. It would be of limited use for someone in oh, say Virginia and none at all in Massachusetts. There you would need a planisphere for 30 to 40 degrees north latitude. It is a very important distinction. So, if you decide to buy one, first find out the latitude where you live (you can find it on the Wikipedia page for your home state), then order the specific one for that latitude. It will save you a lot of headaches later