2 Output of Information
2.1 Input Panel
- Under "Position" the Greenwich Time (UT) is printed when updating a Sky View (typing in doesn't have any effect).
- Under "Date and Time" the Julian Date is printed when updating a Sky View (typing in doesn't have any effect).
2.2 Sky Canvas
- Above the Sky Canvas the type of View (Panorama, a Direction, Zenith, Animation or Zoom) is printed.
- The Sky Canvas plots the starry Sky with Sun, Moon, the Planets and Deep Sky Objects. Object Tracks can be overlayed.
- The Letters "N","E","S" and "W" show where the Directions are.
2.3 Information Panel
- While moving the Mouse Arrow over the Sky Canvas you can see the instant Ephemeris Coordinates
Rectascension and Declination as well as Azimuth and Elevation
and in addition the visual limiting Magnitude.
- A Click on a Star, a Deep Sky Object or on a Planet, Sun or Moon Symbol shows related Information on the bottom (The Ephemeris Coordinates refer to the Topocentric Position = Place of Observer on the Earth).
- For the Stars the Ephemeris Coordinates Rectascension and Declination as well as
Azimuth (measured from South) and Elevation Angles; additional Information
about Astronomic Denomination and special Name, Catalogue Number, Magnitude and Spectral Type.
- For the Deep Sky Objects the Ephemeris Coordinates Rectascension and Declination as well as Azimuth (measured from South) and Elevation Angles; additional Information about Astronomic Denomination and special Name, Catalogue Number, Type (Galaxy, Nebula,...) and Magnitude.
- For the Planets including Sun and Moon the Ephemeris Coordinates Rectascension and Declination as well as Azimuth (measured from South) and Elevation Angles; additional Information about Magnitude.
- If more Objects (Sun, Moon, Planets) overlap each other the Name ComboBox in the Information Panel tells you to choose from "x Objects selected".
- Also in the Zoom View all the Information can be gained.
2.4 Results List
- The Results List shows the data yielded by the calculations (Calculation Panel).
- Special lines can be picked with the Mouse to get the data to the Input Panel or to continue the computations in special functions (see Chapter "Astronomical Calculations").
3 Export and Import of Settings
3.1 Export
- Pressing the Button "Export Settings" above the Calculation Panel the Settings of the Input Panel and the
chosen Language, Place on the Earth and Time Fixing can be saved in a File having a name you can choose;
default extension is (*.cfg).
3.2 Import
- Pressing the Button "Import Settings" above the Calculation Panel you can retrieve the Settings of the Input Panel and the chosen Language, Place on the Earth and Time Fixing from a file with extension (*.cfg).
4 Basis of Data
- 1062 Stars up to Magitude 4.5 from the FK5 (sternef5k.dat) and the PPM Catalogue (sterndePPMd.dat)
- Meta Data to the Stars from the FK5 (metafk5PA.dat) and the PPM Catalogue (metaPPMdPA.dat)
- 136 Deep Sky Objects with Meta Data (deepskyVB.dat,deepskyVBEN.dat)
- Meta Data to the Constellations (metastbVB.dat,metastbVBEN.dat): Abbreviations, Latin Names, German and English Names
- Positions of Constellation Names of the 77 brightest Constellations (sternbildPA.dat)
- Topological Data of the the 77 brightest Constellations (topobildPA.dat)
- Geographic Positions of 3144 Places on the Earth (CITIES.TXT)
- Sample Data of an Object Track of Comets "objecttrack_COM_SYYYYMMDD_No.tck"
- Sample Data of an Object Track of Minor Planets "objecttrack_MIN_SYYYYMMDD_No.tck"
- Sample Data of an Object Track of the ISS "objecttrack_SAT_SYYYYMMDD_No.tck"
- Orbital Elements of the ISS in AMSAT Format (stations.txt); source: http://celestrak.com/NORAD/elements/stations.txt.
- Orbital Elements of (Periodic) Comets (ELEMENTS.COMET); source: http://ssd.jpl.nasa.gov/data/ELEMENTS.COMET.
- Orbital Elements of Minor Planets (ELEMENTS.MINOR); source: http://ssd.jpl.nasa.gov/data/ELEMENTS.NUMBR.
Astronomical Calculations
- The Astronomical Calculations are based on the Algorithms from "Astronomy with the Personal Computer" by Oliver Montenbruck and Thomas Pfleger as well as on "Astronomical Algorithms" by Jean Meeus.
- The four Headers "Planets", "Moon", "Orbit" and "Calendar" contain logically orderd 24 Subroutines to calculate the most important Astronomical Phenomenons.
- The Position and Time Information is taken from the Settings in the Input Panel of the Planetarium.
- It is recommended to choose Fixed Time during the Calculations.
- Picking in a line of the Results List with upper case letters as DATE, TIME, POS,... lets you take the Date and Time resp. Position Information into the Input Panel of the Planetarium an then update the Sky Canvas.
- The Calculations are usually possible with good Accuracy between -2000 B.C.
and 4000 A.D.
- The following parts of this Chapter explain the Calculations in detail.
1 Planets
1.1 Conjunction and Opposition
- For a Month and Year the next Instants of Conjunction and Opposition for the outer Planets resp. Upper and Lower Conjunction and Elongations with Angles for the inner Planets.
- Clicking on a DATE line puts the Date and Time Information into the Input Panel of the Planetarium.
1.2 Time of Rise, Set and Culmination
- For a Date and Position the Instant of Rising, Culmination, and Setting for all Planets and the Sun.
1.3 Physical Ephemeris
- For a Date and Time the Physical Ephemeris for all Planets (without the Earth) and the Sun.
- Of ordinary interest are the visual Magnitude, the Phase Angle and the Apparent Diameter.
- Of special interest are the Positional Angles of the Axis and the Sun and the Parameters of the Rotational Systems.
1.4 Planets' Ephemeris
- For a Date and Time and Position the equatorial Coordinates
reduced to the Topocenter
(Rectascension, Declination, Distance in Astronomical Units)
and the Coordinats of the Horizontal System (Azimuth, Elevation)
for all Planets and the Sun.
1.5 Apsides and Knots
- For a Month and Year the next Instants of Perihel, Aphel as well as of Ascending and Descending Knots with according Distance in Astronomical Units (AU) for all Planets besides Pluto.
- Clicking on a DATE line puts the Date and Time Information into the Input Panel of the Planetarium.
1.6 optical Meetings
- For a Date and Position the next Instants (within an Intervall of 31 days) of optical Meetings between the Naked Eye Planets with each other and with the Moon. Given are the rough Direction (N,NE,E,SE,S,SW,W,NW) and the Angular Distance in Degrees.
- Clicking on a DATE line puts the Date and Time Information into the Input Panel of the Planetarium.
1.7 Moons of Jove
- For a Date and Time the relative Positions of the 4 big Moons of Jove (Io, Europa, Ganymed, Callisto) in rectangluar Coordinates of equatorial Radii of Jove.
1.8 Moons of Saturn
- For a Date and Time the relative Positions of the 8 big Moons of Saturn (Mimas, Enceladus, Tethys, Dione, Rhea, Titan, Hyperion, Iapetus) in rectangluar Coordinates of equatorial Radii of Saturn.
2 Moon
2.1 Moon Phases
- For a Year the next 13 Instants
of New Moon, First Quarter, Full Moon and Last Quarter.
- Clicking on a DATE line puts the Date and Time Information into the Input Panel of the Planetarium.
2.2 Time of Rise, Set and Culmination
- For a Date and Position the Instants
of Rising and Setting for Sun and Moon as well as
Starting and Ending Instants of Twilight.
2.3 Physical Ephemeris
- For a Date and Time the Physical Ephemeris of the Moon.
- Of ordinary interest are the the visual Magnitude, the Age of Moon (Days since New Moon), the Phase Angle and the Apparent Diameter.
- Of special interest are the Positional Angle of the Axis
and the Parameters of the Librations.
2.4 Moon Ephemeris
- For a Date and Time and Position the Position of the Moon
in equatorial Coordinates reduced to the Topocenter
(Rectascension, Declination, Distance in equatorial Radii of the Earth)
and the Coordinates of the Horizontal System (Azimuth, Elevation).
2.5 Apsides and Knots
- For a Year the next 14 Instants of Perigee and Apogee as well as of Ascending and Descending Knots of the Moon with according Distance in Kilometers.
- Clicking on a DATE line puts the Date and Time Information into the Input Panel of the Planetarium.
2.6 Maximum Declinations
- For a Year the next 14 Instants
and Angles of maximum Northern and Southern Declination of the Moon.
- Clicking on a DATE line puts the Date and Time Information into the Input Panel of the Planetarium.
2.7 Solar and Lunar Eclipses
- For a Year the next Instants
of Solar and Lunar Eclipses with Information about
the Type of Eclipse (partial / total / annular / penumbra).
- Clicking on a DATE line puts the Date and Time Information into the Input Panel of the Planetarium and calculates for Solar Eclipses the Phases in Progress (see next Point 2.7.1).
2.7.1 Phases in Progress of a Solar Eclipse
- For a Date and Time from the Results List calculated above (Point 2.7) and an Intervall of 2 Minutes the Progress of the Eclipse over the Earth in Geographic Coordinates with Information about the Phase (partiall / total / annular / penumbra).
- Clicking on a DATE line puts the Date and Time Information as well as the Position and Time Zone Information (where POS is given) into the Input Panel of the Planetarium and calculates the Contacs and the Maximum of the Eclipse (see next Point 2.7.2).
2.7.2 Contacts and Maximum of a Solar Eclipse
- For a Date and Time and Position (where POS is given) from the Results List calculated above (Point 2.7.1) the precise Instants of the four possible Contacts and of the Maximum.
- Clicking on a DATE line puts the Date and Time Information into the Input Panel of the Planetarium.
- Clicking on a POS line puts the Position and Time Zone Information into the Input Panel of the Planetarium.
2.8 Star Occultations
- For a Date and Position and an Intervall of 31 Days the next Instants of Star Occulations through the Moon.
- Even the rare Occultations of Planets are calculated.
- Given are Instants of Entering and Leaving as well as
the Positional Angles.
- Clicking on a DATE line puts the Date and Time Information into the Input Panel of the Planetarium.
3 Orbit Calculation
3.1 ISS (Satellite) Orbit Calculation
- For a Date and Time and Position as well as the Orbital Elements of the ISS (from a special file) the next Positions in Coordinates of the Horizon System (Azimuth, Elevation).
- The default file containing the Orbital Elements is "stations.txt".
- The Orbital Elements are imported from a file containing
the AMSAT Data of the ISS (Satellites) in Format of NORAD;
this AMSAT Data file should be downloaded each week
because Osculating Elements are used;
source for the appropriate Text Format is
http://celestrak.com/NORAD/elements/stations.txt.
At the NORAD Web Portal there are other Satellites available but this Function is only for the ISS.
Open your Internet Connection and use the 'Update' Button at the right side of the 'ISS Visibility' Button to download the current file. - The Instants each Minute in Modified Julian Date (MJD) and equatorial Coordinates reduced to the Topocenter (Observer Position on the Earth) are exported in Object Track Files having extension "*.tck".
- For each appearance an extra Track Files ist generated; so there may be more Track Files with the same Date; the last number in the File Name gives the number of the appearance (Track Number).
- With Function 3.2 (Object Tracks) these Track Data can be displayed and overlayed in the Sky Canvas (Interpolation).
- The Instants are reduced to the Time of the Time Zone.
- Only visual Positions are given (usually the Twilights in the evening and morning).
3.2 Visualization of a Object Tracks
- The Object Tracks of ISS (Satellite), Comets and Minor Planets can be temporary overlayed over any Sky View.
- The Object Track Files have the Format "objecttrack_Type_SYYYYMMDD_No.tck" where
- "Type" can be SAT (ISS,Satellite), COM (Comets) or MIN (Minor Planets);
- "SYYYYMMDD" is the Calendar Date (S=sign/YYYY=year/MM=month/DD=day);
- "No" is either the Track Number (ISS,Satellite) or the Comet resp. Minor Planet Number in the Data File.
- Clicking on a DATE line puts the Date and Time Information into the Input Panel of the Planetarium.
- Clicking on a POS line puts the Position and Time Zone Information into the Input Panel of the Planetarium.
- Clicking on a AZ and ELE data line shows the equatorial topocentric Coordinates (Rectascension, Declination) in the Information Panel of the Planetarium.
3.3 Comet's Ephemeris from Orbital Elements
- For a Date and Time and Position as well as the Orbital Elements of a (Periodic) Comet (from a special file) the next Positions in Coordinates of the Horizon System (Azimuth, Elevation) incl. Distance in Astronomical Units (AU).
- The default file containing the Orbital Elements is "ELEMENTS.COMET".
- Select a Comet from the Results List; some Comets have the designations "P", "C" or "D", so also look under these letters.
- The Orbital Elements are imported from a file containing the Data Set for Comets; this Data file should be downloaded each year because the Osculating Elements may differ in meantime; source for the appropriate Text Format is at JPL of the NASA http://ssd.jpl.nasa.gov/data/ELEMENTS.COMET
- Instants with a 1 Day Intervall in MJD and equatorial Coordinates reduced to the Topocenter (Observer Position on the Earth) are exported in Object Track Files having extension "*.tck".
- With Function 3.2 (Object Tracks) 15 Instants with a 10 Days Intervall can be displayed and overlayed in the Sky Canvas.
- The Instants are reduced to the Time of the Time Zone.
3.4 Minor Planet's Ephemeris from Orbital Elements and Numeric Integration
- For a Date and Time and Position as well as the Orbital Elements (from a special file) of Minor Planet the next Positions in Coordinates of the Horizon System (Azimuth, Elevation) incl. Distance in Astronomical Units (AU).
- The default file containing the Orbital Elements is "ELEMENTS.NUMBR".
- Select a Minor Planet from the Results List.
- The Orbital Elements are imported from a file containing the Data Set for Minor Planets; this Data file should be downloaded each year because the Osculating Elements may differ in meantime; source for the appropriate Text Format is at JPL of the NASA http://ssd.jpl.nasa.gov/data/ELEMENTS.NUMBR
- Instants with a 1 Day Intervall in MJD and equatorial Coordinates reduced to the Topocenter (Observer Position on the Earth) are exported in Object Track Files having extension "*.tck".
- With Function 3.2 (Object Tracks) 15 Instants with a 10 Days Intervall can be displayed and overlayed in the Sky Canvas.
- The Instants are reduced to the Time of the Time Zone.
4 Calendar
4.0 Monatsvorschau
- For a Month and Year the Astronomical Phenomenons within 31 days in temporal order (as well output in HTML File "monthpreview.htm"):
- Planets: Conjunctions and Oppositions resp. Upper and Lower Conjunctions, maximum Elongations, Apsides, Knots, optical Meetings, Saturn Rings
- Moon: Phases, Apsides, Knotes, maximum Declinations, Eclipses, Star Occultations
- Calendar: Solstitias and Equinoxes, Meteor Showers
4.1 Solstitias and Equinoxes
- For a Year the Instants of the Astronomical Beginnings of the Seasons (Spring, Summer, Autumn and Winter); limitation on the Years -1000 B.C. up to 2400 A.D.
- Clicking on a DATE line puts the Date and Time Information into the Input Panel of the Planetarium.
4.2 World Calendars, Year Characteristics and Date of Easter
- For a Year the Instants of the Islamic, Yewish and Chinese New Year in the Gregorian Calendar as well as the Year (and Cycle) of these Calendars; limitation on the Years 1683 up to 2400.
- For a Year as well the Date of Easter and
the Year Characteristics Sonnenzirkel, Mondzirkel (Goldene Zahl), Epakte,
Sonntagsbuchstabe and Indiktion (Römerzinszahl).
- Clicking on a DATE line puts the Date and Time Information into the Input Panel of the Planetarium.
4.3 Meteor Showers
- For a Year the Instants of the Maxima the 9 brightest Meteor Showers.
- Clicking on a DATE line puts the Date and Time Information into the Input Panel of the Planetarium.
State: April 2011 for Version 1.0.3