Tirion "Sky Atlas 2000" Sky Publishing Corp. & Cambridge University Press, 1989

This is a minimum set of sky charts usuful for both visual observing as well as for locating CCD imaging targets. On 26 large format maps, it shows the location of thousands of deep sky objects and stars down to about 8th magnitude.

Tirion, Rappaport and Lovi "Uranometria 2000 (vol. I and II)" Wilmann-Bell Inc., 1992

A huge step up from Sky Atlass 2000, Uranometria 2000 is composed of 473 maps displaying stars down to magnitude 9.5 as well as all NGC/IC and many other deep sky. This atlas is indispensable for location of faint targets.

Guide 7.0, Project Pluto, 1998

None of the printed sky maps can match functionality of electronic star atlases. I use Guide 7.0 to located really faint deep sky objects. Of course computer is recquired to acces that information - obviously one is always at hand in the case of CCD imaging.

Kepple and Sanner "The Night Sky Observer's Guide (vol. I and II)" Wilmann-Bell Inc., 1999

It is important to know what to expect from the object you are planing to find and image. For that this guide is truly indispensable, even if it was written with visual observers in mind. Descriptions as well as numerous images and drawings are helpful in deciding on new imaging targets - after all there is no reason to image Messier objects over and over again.

Lunginbuhl and Skiff "Observing Handbook and Catalogue of Deep Sky Objects" Cambridge University Press, 1990

Like the one above, this is also a great guide to deep sky. Only a few images deep sky images are included, however descriptions of thousands deep sky objects are highly informative.

Burnham "Burnham's Celestial Handbook. An Observer's Guide to the Universe Beyond Solar System (vol. I, II and III)" Dover, 1978

This is a highly usefull guide to observing stars and deep sky objects. While only a few brightest and most interesting objects are discussed in each constellation, each one is described in great detail.

Clark "Visual Astronomy of the Deep Sky" Cambridge University Press, 1990

This book includes in depth discussion on the physiology of night vision which is priceless for visual observers. If you wonder why others seem to see faint galaxies while you could not notice anything there - read this chapter!

It also contains a catalogue of bright deep sky objects and compares their images with detailed sketches made at the telescope. Great for learning what to expect visually!

O'Meara "The Messier Objects" Sky Publishing Corp., 1998

Vividly written and extremely usefull guide to observing the most popular deep sky objects.