MNASSA Download Page

Monthly Notes of the Astronomical Society of Southern Africa

(ISSN 0024-8266)

Published by the Astronomical Society of Southern Africa

MNASSA is published every second month. The nominal publication dates are the first days of the even months of the year. For more information, please see the inside front cover page of a recent issue as listed below.

Downloadable issues from June 2010 on have colour illustrations.

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The Mag-7 Star Atlas Project

Astronomy observation help

What is it?

This project is my attempt to produce a free, downloadable set of high-quality star charts -- the Mag-7 Star Atlas -- capable of being printed at reasonable resolutions on the average home printer.

The Mag-7 Star Atlas plots stars down to Magnitude 7.25, with double / multiple stars indicated by a thin horizontal bar. Plotted DSO's (Deep Sky Objects) include all objects on the Messier list, the RASC's finest NGC list, and the Herschell 400 list --- more than 550 DSO's in total.

Now that this project is also being hosted by the kind folks at CloudyNights, availability shouldn't be an issue and it will be more convenient and reliable to make reference to the charts in forum posts (no need to worry about an external site being down when linking to or referring to a chart). It will also relieve some of the bandwith load on my website, for which I am certainly grateful.

I hope beginner's and experienced observers alike might find some use in these charts -- as a first atlas, as a bridge atlas between planishere and a deeper atlas, as a binocular atlas, as printable charts for outlining observing plans and/or recording small field notes, or to make wallpaper for your outhouse. At the very least, when you take family or friends on an observing outing it is easy (and affordable) to ensure everyone has an atlas of their own to refer to. The free licencing (see below) makes these charts an open resource for teachers and astronomy outreach programs. But, you don't have to be an association -- go ahead and print one off for your neighbor, and the kid down the street, and ...

But Free? Really?

Yes. And not just free of charge -- you have other freedoms as well. This work is licenced under a Creative Commons License. Basically you are free to download, use, and or distribute this work for non-commercial purposes with appropriate attribution. You can create and distribute derived works if they follow the same licence. 

• The Mag-7 Star Atlas Project    
  
• Deluxe milky way version 
     
• Online Map

Night-Sky Objects for Southern Observers

Astronomy observation help

Night-Sky Objects for Southern Observers is a collection of maps, objects and data that highlight each constellation. Most of the well known visual objects for southern observers have been included. In particular, maps have been designed to be the "right way up" for observers facing north at southern latitudes. The limit of observation to the north is declination +55 degrees.

Each map and its object data has been formatted to print on an A4 page with a minimum of colour printing. All maps have a white background.

To encourage education and interest in astronomy, the document may be freely reproduced but without modification.

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Where is M13? — A Three Dimensional Galactic Atlas!

Astronomy observation help

Hier is `n oulike stukiie sagteware om te kyk waar die Messier-voorwerpe in ons galaksie geleë is. En dit is gratis (No cosmic strings attached!) - Hannes Pieterse, ASSABFN.

 We all have our favorite deep sky objects that we've looked at hundreds and hundreds of times. We know where to find them in the night sky, but most of us have little idea where they lie in the three-dimensional space around our Galaxy. Isn't that just a bit strange?

Where is M13? is a unique application that helps you visualize the locations and physical properties of deep sky objects in and around the Galaxy.

At home, Where is M13? serves as a reference you will frequently turn to when you read about an object and become curious where it is with respect to our galaxy. In the field, the program will enhance your observing experience by allowing you to get an intuitive sense of the physical location, size, luminosity, and distance of the object you are viewing. You will find Where is M13? a great educational and outreach tool as well. 

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