Customizable Planisphere

Customizable Planisphere - Home

Generate two PDF files, one at a time, using the exact same settings in the form.

One file is a star chart, and the other is a transparency.

The default form shows a working example. Overwrite it with your own values.

Year*:		The year for which the planisphere will be generated.
Location*:		The name of the location where the planisphere will be used.
Latitude*:		The latitude of the location. Decimal degrees, negative for south.
Longitude*:		The longitude of the location. Decimal degrees, negative for west.
Hours offset from UT*:		The whole number of hours the location is from Greenwich. Negative for west.
Declination gap*:		Decimal degrees of declination to chop off in the south (or north).
Grey for alt-az lines*:		0..128, grey value for alt-az lines.
1. Generate 1st file:		Downloads a PDF file containing the star chart.
2. Generate 2nd file:		Downloads a PDF file containing the transparency.

print the generated PDF files on a high-resolution printer (you may need to use a commercial print shop for best results).
print the starchart.pdf file on card stock (thick paper). One page, double-sided.
print the transparency.pdf file on a transparency. One page, single-sided.

make the star chart square, by cutting the star chart along the indicated horizontal lines above and below the star chart.
make the transparency circular, by cutting just outside the outermost circular border
carefully puncture with a needle the transparency and the start chart, using the affordances at the position of the celestial pole. Do them separately. Use a needle to make the initial holes, and widen them carefully. It's important to be as precise as possible!
attach the transparency to the star chart using a pin, rivet, or something similar. The outermost circular borders need to line up as precisely as possible.

See the main documentation for further information.