SkyEye

About the Sky Charts

The charts in SkyEye were created using PGPLOT, a graphics subroutine library called from Fortran programs. In each chart, the zenith is located in the centre of the chart and all of the stars are projected from this point. As a result, objects near zenith are as they appear in the sky but objects nearer to the horizon circle are considerably more distorted. Since it is difficult if not impossible to observe things close to the horizon, it is hoped that this distortion will not cause undue problems.

The charts are drawn in colour. Blue circles of varying radius are used to represent stars. The larger the circle, the brighter the star. The limiting stellar magnitude of the charts is +4.5 although a few fainter stars have been included in order to make sensible constellation shapes. Binary and multiple star systems that appear as a single object to the naked eye are represented by their combined magnitude.

A selection of other interesting objects are drawn in red. Spirals are galaxies, squares are nebulae, circles are globular clusters, and triangles are open clusters. Any other type of object is denoted with an asterisk. The radiants of several major meteor showers are also shown. There is no limiting magnitude on these objects but most are visible only through a telescope. The green lines represent the outlines of the constellations. The black cross at the centre of the chart marks the zenith and the heavy circle outlining the chart is the horizon line.

To use the sky chart, turn it around until the direction you are facing is located at the bottom. The usable part of the chart ranges from the lower horizon circle to the zenith.

All positions are given in epoch 2000 coordinates.

Sky Charts

Twenty-four charts, twelve for each hemisphere, are available. The times across the top of the tables represent your local time. Subtract one hour from your local time if daylight savings time is in effect. Therefore, 1830 hours daylight savings time would be 1730 hours on the tables listed below. The months are listed vertically. The charts are approximately correct for the given local time during the middle of the selected month.

Northern Hemisphere : 45° North

Month/Time	1730	1930	2130	2330	0130	0330	0530
Jan	Chart 1	Chart 3	Chart 5	Chart 7	Chart 9	Chart 11	Chart 13
Feb	Chart 3	Chart 5	Chart 7	Chart 9	Chart 11	Chart 13	Chart 15
Mar	Chart 5	Chart 7	Chart 9	Chart 11	Chart 13	Chart 15	Chart 17
Apr	Chart 7	Chart 9	Chart 11	Chart 13	Chart 15	Chart 17	Chart 19
May	Chart 9	Chart 11	Chart 13	Chart 15	Chart 17	Chart 19	Chart 21
Jun	Chart 11	Chart 13	Chart 15	Chart 17	Chart 19	Chart 21	Chart 23
Jul	Chart 13	Chart 15	Chart 17	Chart 19	Chart 21	Chart 23	Chart 1
Aug	Chart 15	Chart 17	Chart 19	Chart 21	Chart 23	Chart 1	Chart 3
Sep	Chart 17	Chart 19	Chart 21	Chart 23	Chart 1	Chart 3	Chart 5
Oct	Chart 19	Chart 21	Chart 23	Chart 1	Chart 3	Chart 5	Chart 7
Nov	Chart 21	Chart 23	Chart 1	Chart 3	Chart 5	Chart 7	Chart 9
Dec	Chart 23	Chart 1	Chart 3	Chart 5	Chart 7	Chart 9	Chart 11

Southern Hemisphere : 30° South

Month/Time	1730	1930	2130	2330	0130	0330	0530
Jan	Chart 1	Chart 3	Chart 5	Chart 7	Chart 9	Chart 11	Chart 13
Feb	Chart 3	Chart 5	Chart 7	Chart 9	Chart 11	Chart 13	Chart 15
Mar	Chart 5	Chart 7	Chart 9	Chart 11	Chart 13	Chart 15	Chart 17
Apr	Chart 7	Chart 9	Chart 11	Chart 13	Chart 15	Chart 17	Chart 19
May	Chart 9	Chart 11	Chart 13	Chart 15	Chart 17	Chart 19	Chart 21
Jun	Chart 11	Chart 13	Chart 15	Chart 17	Chart 19	Chart 21	Chart 23
Jul	Chart 13	Chart 15	Chart 17	Chart 19	Chart 21	Chart 23	Chart 1
Aug	Chart 15	Chart 17	Chart 19	Chart 21	Chart 23	Chart 1	Chart 3
Sep	Chart 17	Chart 19	Chart 21	Chart 23	Chart 1	Chart 3	Chart 5
Oct	Chart 19	Chart 21	Chart 23	Chart 1	Chart 3	Chart 5	Chart 7
Nov	Chart 21	Chart 23	Chart 1	Chart 3	Chart 5	Chart 7	Chart 9
Dec	Chart 23	Chart 1	Chart 3	Chart 5	Chart 7	Chart 9	Chart 11

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