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Messier Observer's Planisphere - Large 18" Star / Constellation Finder

4.9 (13 Reviews) Read Reviews Write Review
Brand Celestial Teapot Designs
Part Number MOP-001
Availability

Product Info

Manufacturer Description

The Messier Observer's Planisphere is the ultimate guide to the night sky! Dial in the date and time, then hold the beautifully drawn sky map up in front of you to see what stars and constellations are currently visible overhead. Galaxies, nebulae, star clusters, and asterisms are clearly shown on the map, making them easy to locate in a telescope or binoculars.

On the Front

  • The large star chart (approx. 18" diameter) is easy to see, even with dark adapted vision.
  • Constellations are drawn with simple figures that are easy to visualize on the sky. Observers can easily identify bright stars and orient themselves to the night sky.
  • Stars are labelled with proper names and Bayer designations for easy reference.
  • All 110 Messier objects are displayed on the star chart, in addition to more than 25 popular NGC objects. An observer can locate and observe all of the Messier objects using this planisphere as their only reference.
  • Coordinate grid makes locating objects by right ascension and declination a snap.
  • Light shading shows the path of the Milky Way across the night sky.
  • Locator charts help observers locate difficult and frequently misidentified objects.
  • Shooting-star icons identify peak dates for meteor showers

On the Back

  • Reference table lists Messier and NGC objects showing object type, description, coordinates, brightness, constellation, and distance.
  • Sun, Moon, and Planet reference shows distance, light travel time, diameter, length of rotation period (day), and length of orbit period (year).
  • Messier Marathon Order table shows optimal sequence for observing during March Messier Marathon.
  • Meteor Shower reference shows peak dates and intensities.
  • Locator charts help observers locate difficult and frequently misidentified objects.
  • Large Virgo locator chart helps observers easily identify Messier galaxies in Virgo.


Reviews

4.9 (Based on 13 Reviews) 100% of reviewers recommended this product.
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    1. Guest

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      Review by Brian B.
      1561172902
      Jun 21, 2019

      5.0 Great observational tool.

      Pros:

      Cons:

      Comments:

      Very nice, large planishere with detail about select Messier objects.

      Bottom Line: Would you recommend this item? Yes
      Was this review helpful? Yes / No

      This review was provided courtesy of AgenaAstro.com

    2. Guest

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      Review by Robert W.
      1548698653
      Jan 28, 2019

      5.0 Messier planispher

      Pros:

      Cons:

      Comments:

      Excellent. High quality, durable.

      Bottom Line: Would you recommend this item? Yes
      Was this review helpful? Yes / No

      This review was provided courtesy of AgenaAstro.com

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      Review by Lori P.
      1543085906
      Nov 24, 2018

      5.0 Great Observing Tool

      Pros:

      Cons:

      Comments:

      The large size shows so much more than regular planispheres. I use it all year round.

      Bottom Line: Would you recommend this item? Yes
      Was this review helpful? Yes / No

      This review was provided courtesy of AgenaAstro.com

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      Review by David N.
      1538316608
      Sep 30, 2018

      4.0 Nicely done - and large.

      Pros:

      Cons:

      Comments:

      This is very nice with the info on the back being very handy. The one downside is that it is big and thus a bit awkward to use at times.

      Bottom Line: Would you recommend this item? Yes
      Was this review helpful? Yes / No

      This review was provided courtesy of AgenaAstro.com

    5. Guest

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      Review by William O.
      1522121335
      Mar 26, 2018

      5.0 Messier finder

      Pros:

      Cons:

      Comments:

      The item was meant as a gift and it's recipient really appreciated it. One negative - shipping. I ordered the object on the 7th and didn't receive it until the 19th. It spent 5 days sitting in CA. Offer a better shipping method. USPS Media it so slow it is pathetic.

      Bottom Line: Would you recommend this item? Yes
      Was this review helpful? Yes / No

      This review was provided courtesy of AgenaAstro.com

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      Review by Rick G.
      1516161754
      Jan 16, 2018

      5.0 Worth every penny

      Pros:

      Cons:

      Comments:

      I can't say enough good things about this planisphere. It's large size is a major plus. The plastic construction lessens the wear and tear you usually get with a cardboard planisphere.
      The star field is impressive and makes finding the Messier objects already printed on it easy.
      I wish I had this a long time along.

      Bottom Line: Would you recommend this item? Yes
      Was this review helpful? Yes / No

      This review was provided courtesy of AgenaAstro.com

    7. Guest

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      Review by Mark G.
      1511673060
      Nov 25, 2017

      5.0 18" Planisphere

      Pros:

      Cons:

      Comments:

      Great size, good list of Messier objects

      Bottom Line: Would you recommend this item? Yes
      Was this review helpful? Yes / No

      This review was provided courtesy of AgenaAstro.com

    8. Guest

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      Review by Dan K.
      1509707908
      Nov 3, 2017

      5.0 Messier Planisphere

      Pros:

      Cons:

      Comments:

      Perfect size and easy to read. Packed with useful information especially on reverse side. Well thought out design.

      Bottom Line: Would you recommend this item? Yes
      Was this review helpful? Yes / No

      This review was provided courtesy of AgenaAstro.com

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      Review by Gary K.
      1507640269
      Oct 10, 2017

      5.0 Right Size, Right Features

      Pros:

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      Comments:

      I bought the "Messier Observer's Planisphere - Large 18" Star / Constellation Finder" to help identify alignment starts for my Dobsonian telescope, plus locate DSOs for observation. Not only does this planisphere work well but the extra large size is just what these old eyes need. Made of plastic I know it won't get soggy like my paper planispheres have in the past. And all the extra tables & charts make this useful for many more reasons. Should have bought this a long tine ago.

      Bottom Line: Would you recommend this item? Yes
      Was this review helpful? Yes / No

      This review was provided courtesy of AgenaAstro.com

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      Review by Todd F.
      1499267401
      Jul 5, 2017

      5.0 Loved it

      Pros:

      Cons:

      Comments:

      Loved it

      Bottom Line: Would you recommend this item? Yes
      Was this review helpful? Yes / No

      This review was provided courtesy of AgenaAstro.com

    11. Guest

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      Review by James C.
      1497012580
      Jun 9, 2017

      5.0 Just the thing for old school navigation

      Pros:

      Cons:

      Comments:

      With the advent of go-to mounts the skill of star hopping is being lost but w/ this simple device it is much easier to recover the lost technique.....

      Bottom Line: Would you recommend this item? Yes
      Was this review helpful? Yes / No

      This review was provided courtesy of AgenaAstro.com

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      Review by Michael G.
      1483472457
      Jan 3, 2017

      5.0 best I've ever seen

      Pros:

      Cons:

      Comments:

      this thing is BIG! and being big, there is plenty of room for extra maps showing detailed locations for more popular Messiers. lots of good information on the back as well. the only downside is its BIG and needs a big flat place to sit when not in your hands.

      Bottom Line: Would you recommend this item? Yes
      Was this review helpful? Yes / No

      This review was provided courtesy of AgenaAstro.com

    13. Guest

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      Review by Kenneth A.
      1483033818
      Dec 29, 2016

      5.0 Messier Planesphere

      Pros:

      Cons:

      Comments:

      Contains all the M objects and some brighter NGC (Caldwell objects). Has a closeup of the Virgo cluster with all M galaxies labeled and other non-M galaxises shown for reference but unlabeled. Some of the other M-objects have closeups where there may be confusion. First time this was done in planesphere format, which helps show which M objects are currently up, at/near zenith or near southern horizon, and about to set or rise for planning purposes). It is large for easy reading, but that implies it needs a larger case (original box etc) to keep it from bending/cracking, etc, Strongly recommended for manual visual observers.

      Bottom Line: Would you recommend this item? Yes
      Was this review helpful? Yes / No

      This review was provided courtesy of AgenaAstro.com

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