[Lvas] Planisphere Review

[roger ivester]

All,
 
A brief and quick review of two popular planisphere's.
 
Most of us own, or have owned a planisphere at one time or another. A couple of years ago I decided that I wanted one of the newer versions on the market. Daivd Levy's "Guide to The Stars. It has a white background with black stars and is really big...too big to go into my astronomy "gadget" shoulder field bag. It is a full 16-inch's in diameter..what was I thinking? 
 
Each year we have our "Regional Gathering of Amateur Astronomers" at GWU. I took some of my astronomy stuff that I no longer use, for the swap table. This has always been fun. I normally sell a hundred dollars or so and then I have to spend at least $200 to replace it at a later time.   

I took my tried and proven pristine 10-inch "Miller" planisphere as part of my wares for sale. Tom English saw the deal on the planisphere for (I think) $5.00 bucks ... again what was I thinking? I should have just given it to Tom for all the things that he has done for me and replaced with another "Miller". I just wanted to try another brand...unfortunately ithout a little research and careful evaluation before my purchase. 
 
I finally got around to replacing the David Levey planisphere yesterday with another another "Miller".
 
I really don't use a planisphere that much during an observing session. I use them more at my desk for planning future observing sessions...sometimes up to six month's or longer. I want to determine the best time for an object and begin my observing agenda. 
 
I also use it for "what if" I get up at 3:00 AM, what can I see?
 
David Levey 16-inch "Guide to The Stars" - Cons:
 
1. Too large. I always like to have one in my field bag, along with all the other stuff that I take. I can't do without extra red lights, pencils of every hardness, clipboards, sketch pads, note cards, a reference book or two, a compact star atlas, and the list is endless. And the most important thing...my observing agenda for the evening. 
 
2. It does not have a latitude scale.
 
3. Does not have a right ascention scale. 
 
4. If you should pull this "monster" of a planisphere out with a group of experinced observers, you would surely not impress anyone. Someone might think that you are trying for your Boy Scout Merit Badge for sure. It just does not have that professional look and slip case of the "old" classic...the "Miller". I know that this is a subjective reason, but not everything in life is objective. If you would think real hard, you might be able to come up with a few things yourself that would not "justify" themselves on a spreedsheet.
 
David Levy - Pro's
 
1. White background with black stars 
 
The Miller provides all of the above items that are missing from the Levy model. I only wish that it had a white background and black stars. I do like this feature better on the Levy.
 
Hope this information is beneficial if you don't own a planisphere, and desire to purchase one.
 
The price of both is very near $10.00 at most any place of purchase. You can buy a Miller at Astronomics, and Scope City.


Roger 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
    The moon and stars to govern the night; his love endures forever.   Psalm 136:9





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