Star Charts by Wil Tirion 1.3

This collection of Star Charts exemplifies a serious approach to celestial navigation, distinguishing itself from more casual planetarium-style applications aimed at novices. Compiled by renowned celestial cartographer Wil Tirion, these meticulously crafted charts provide an exhaustive reference for both binocular and telescope users, representing the night sky through 18 detailed diagrams. Sixteen of these charts focus on the equatorial region, with eight positioned on either side of the celestial equator, while the remaining charts address the Polar Regions.

Key features of this comprehensive guide include:

• Stars catalogued down to sixth magnitude, including double and variable stars.
• All Messier objects, alongside numerous entries from the NGC and IC catalogues.
• Automatic detection of user location, facilitating a personalized chart of the sky directly overhead.
• A selection between positive charts (white on black, recommended for preserving night vision) and negative charts (black on white, offering greater readability suitable for daytime use).
• Charts can be oriented with north or south at the top to align with the observer's location.
• A search function that allows users to find specific charts by constellation or prominent star name.

The basic maps offer a foundational understanding of the night sky, displaying only constellation names, lines, and major star designations. However, users can enhance their experience by adding extra layers that reveal:

• The boundaries of all 88 constellations.
• Grid lines and coordinates for every hour of Right Ascension and 10º of Declination.
• The identification numbers for stars and names of deep-sky objects.