Tirion Double-Sided Multi-Latitude Planisphere

Based in the Netherlands, Wil Tirion has been creating star maps since the 1970s. He became a professional uranographer following the release of his highly acclaimed Sky Atlas 2000.0 in 1981, which remains a cornerstone reference for amateur and professional astronomers alike.

1. Rotate the upper disk until your local date and time align.
   • If daylight saving time is in effect, subtract one hour from your local time.
2. Choose the side of the planisphere that matches the direction you’re facing:
   • One side shows objects visible above the southern horizon
   • The other shows objects above the northern horizon
3. Select the horizon line closest to your latitude (for example, use 40°N if you’re at 37°N).

The double-sided layout reduces the heavy distortion that occurs near the edges of polar-projection star maps. Objects shown closer to the celestial equator appear with less distortion when viewed on the appropriate side.

• The brown dashed line marks the ecliptic, the Sun’s yearly path through the stars. Bright planets—Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, and Saturn—always appear near this line.
• The faint blue band represents the Milky Way.
• Symbols indicate deep-sky objects such as galaxies, nebulae, and star clusters.
• On the southern-facing map, the Small and Large Magellanic Clouds (SMC & LMC) are visible—satellite galaxies of the Milky Way.