The Sky in North Africa

Abstract

A SECOND edition of the “Star Atlas for the Latitude of Egypt”, compiled by H. E. Hurst, M. R. Madwar and A. H. Samaha, and published by R. Schindler, Cairo, will be welcomed by members of the British forces campaigning in North Africa. It is designed for use in latitude 30° N., but can be employed without difficulty between 20° and 40° N. ; it may therefore be of service in North India, South China, and the southern United States as well. It consists of six circular star charts covering the whole sky visible throughout the year in those latitudes, the centre of each chart being the zenith of the observer and the circumference his horizon. The successive charts represent the appearance of the sky throughout the twenty-four hours of a given day at four-hour intervals, or alternatively throughout the year at a given time of night at two-month intervals. A transparent graticule of the same size of the charts can be used to estimate altitudes and azimuths of the stars.