How do you make a star map?

Question

How does one make a star map.

I would like some instructions, helpful book titles or very detailed links please. Best answer gets 5 stars (no pun intended).

Answer 1

Are you sure you want to make it from scratch?

First star atlas was made about 2000 years ago.

Modern atlases are made by plotting position of each object very carefully and there are millions of them to plot!

But if you want a star map just for helping observation,you can get it free from Net.

Answer 2

Well making one yourself is unnecessary as any computer programme which displays stars (eg TheSky6) can give you a star map to print out for any area you wish.

It also depends upon the type of projection you want to use, of which there are many.

Answer 3

I use cartes du ciel

Answer 4

why not have a look at the introductory matter in some of the classic star atlases, like sky atlas 2000, uranometria or msa? they discuss how they did it.

you need accurate star positions, then you need to plot them.