DeepMap 600

General information

Orion's DeepMap 600, introduced in 1997, resulted from the collaborative efforts of renowned stellar cartographer Will Tirion and deep-sky observer Steve Gottlieb, both associated with Orion Telescopes and Binoculars. This innovative creation is a foldable, road map-like star chart and reference, expanding beyond the Messier Catalog.

Credit is extended to Steve Peters, the DM600 editor at Orion Telescopes and Binoculars, who not only conceptualized the DeepMap 600 but also oversaw its content, design, and production, even contributing to its written copy. Special thanks to Steve and Orion for granting permission to share the data here.

Orion's DeepMap 600 stands out for several reasons:

• DM600 features a compilation of 85 intriguing double and multiple stars, as well as stars displaying captivating colors.

• DM600 includes a roster of 22 fascinating variable stars.

DM600 exhibits a preference for captivating galaxies and nebulae, aligning with the perspectives of modern observers, rather than focusing on less compelling field galaxies or, in the author's opinion, the relatively mundane open star clusters emphasized in the H400 list. (For those who have pursued star clusters in the H400 list, the experience may have revealed the lackluster and unremarkable nature of many such clusters!)

In the world of astronomy gear, the **Orion DeepMap 600** is a legend for its design as much as its content. Unlike the massive three-volume Burnham encyclopedia or the rigorous Herschel society lists, the DeepMap 600 was built for the "tailgate" astronomer—someone who needs a quick, durable, and comprehensive guide while standing in the dark.

It is famously the first star chart designed to fold exactly like a traditional paper road map, making it the most portable "complete" database in the hobby.

History & Who Made It

The DeepMap 600 was first released in **1997** by **Orion Telescopes & Binoculars**. It was the result of a "dream team" collaboration of three men who wanted to simplify the night sky:

• Steve Peters:** The editor at Orion who conceived the idea. He wanted an indestructible, all-in-one chart that could fit in a jacket pocket.

• Wil Tirion:** The world’s most famous celestial cartographer. He did the actual star plotting, ensuring the map was beautiful and accurate.

• Steve Gottlieb:** One of the world’s elite visual observers. He hand-selected the list of 600 objects to ensure they were actually worth looking at and wrote the concise descriptions for the back of the map.

The Purpose: The "All-In-One" Field Guide

The primary purpose of the DeepMap 600 is **efficiency**. Before this map, observers had to juggle a planisphere (for the time), a star atlas (for the location), and a guidebook (for the object data).

The DeepMap 600 combined all three. It provides a "Quality Filter" for the sky, plotting only the 600 "best" objects visible from the Northern Hemisphere. It’s printed on **dew-proof, tear-resistant plastic**, specifically so it can be used on damp nights without the pages turning to mush.

What Objects Can Be Found In It?

While the map is titled "600," the actual database on the reverse side is slightly more extensive, typically totaling **644 objects**. It covers the sky from the North Pole down to a southern declination of .

The Database Breakdown

• Catalog Name: Orion DeepMap 600

• Total Object Count: 644

• Primary Gear: Binoculars to 8-inch Telescopes

• Format: 33" x 21" folding plastic chart

Object Category: 

• Deep-Sky Objects (Total): 537

• Includes all 109 Messier Objects

• Includes selected NGC Galaxies, Nebulae, and Clusters

• Double and Multiple Stars: 85

• Variable Stars: 22

Notable Features in the Data:

• Color Coding:** Galaxies are marked in red, open clusters in yellow, and nebulae in green, matching the map symbols.

• Descriptions:** Each entry includes a "visual hint" (e.g., "Small, bright, core visible in 4-inch") to help you confirm you’ve found the right target.

• Coordinates:** Each object is listed with its Right Ascension (RA) and Declination (Dec), making it compatible with telescopes that have setting circles or "GoTo" systems.

Why Observers Love It

The DeepMap 600 is essentially the "cheat sheet" of astronomy. It focuses heavily on **Galaxies and Nebulae**, purposely skipping some of the fainter, less-interesting star clusters found in the Herschel 400. It is often cited as the single best gift for a beginner because it bridges the gap between a simple star finder and a professional star atlas.

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