Planisphere

Before you even purchase your first telescope, the very first thing that you need to buy is a plastic planisphere, or a star map, so that you can learn the constellations to be able to navigate your way through the night sky.

You need to purchase a planisphere for the correct hemisphere that you will be observing from, and also for the correct latitude that you will be observing from. For the northern United States, the 40-50 degree latitude star map will be sufficient, for other regions, determine the latitude that you will be observing the night sky from, and purchase the appropriate planisphere.

The number one reason for owning a planisphere is to be able to know what you are looking at, and to be able to navigate your way from object to object and from constellation to constellation without having to guess or rely on the auto-tracking computer system on your telescope.

Planispheres, or star maps, are around $10 and should not need to be replaced for many years, if ever.

Click Here for Planispheres at Amazon.com!