@database DigitalAlmanac.guide @$VER:DigitalAlmanac.guide 1.8.1 @(c)Achim Stegemann 1997-2000 @author Achim Stegemann @wordwrap @node main @title "Digital Almanac II 1.8.1" @{u}@{b}Welcome to Digital Almanac II 1.8.1@{uu}@{ub} Please read the chapters marked with an asterisk, because they contain important information to ensure a safe working on your Amiga !! Best viewed on a 800*600 resolution. @{" Copyright " link "Copyright"} @{" Registration " link "Registrierung"} @{" Requirements " link "Vorraussetzungen"} ** @{" Introduction " link "Einführung"} @{" Installation " link "Installation"} ** @{" Start program " link "Programmstart"} ** @{" Description " link "Beschreibung"} @{" ARexx " link "ARexx"} @{" Textures " link "Texturen"} @{"Picture support" link "Picturesupport"} @{" Update " link "Update"} @{" History " link "Geschichte"} @{"Troubleshooting" link "Probleme"} ** @{" Bugs ? " link "Bugs"} @{"The RGFX format" link "RGFX"} @{"The GSC catalog" link "GSC"} @{" Author " link "Autor"} @{" Credits " link "Danke"} @endnode @node Copyright @title "Copyright" @{b}Digital Almanac II 1.8.1 © 1997-2000 by Achim Stegemann@{ub} * Digital Almanac is shareware. * Digital Almanac consists of the following archives: + @{fg fill}DAlmanac_Exe.lha@{fg text}: The main archiv (binaries, system files) + @{fg fill}DAlmanac_Data.lha@{fg text}: The basic datas (stars, constellations, cross-indeces) + @{fg fill}DAlmanac_Ast.lha@{fg text}: Asteroid catalog + @{fg fill}DAlmanac_DS.lha@{fg text}: Deep-sky object catalogs + @{fg fill}DAlmanac_Maps.lha@{fg text}: Surface textures + @{fg fill}DAlmanac_Extra.lha@{fg text}: Optional star database with more than one million stars. These archives may be freely copied and spread. No file may be changed or left ! No costs may be raised except costs for materials like disks or CD's !! * If you like to use the program, please register. * Every comment, critics, suggestion, bug report o.a. is welcome ! This helps me, to correct and to improve the program in the future. :-) * The program uses @{"MUI" link "Copyright-MUI"}. * The jpeg.library is copyrighted by Paul Huxam. * The MUI-NList classes are copyrighted by Gilles Masson. @{b}THE AUTHOR OF DIGITAL ALMANAC IS NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY EVENT THAT IS CAUSED DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY BY USING THIS PROGRAM !! @endnode @node Copyright-MUI @title "Copyright MUI" MUI - MagicUserInterface (c) Copyright 1993-2000 by Stefan Stuntz MUI is a system to generate and maintain graphical user interfaces. With the aid of a preferences program, the user of an application has the ability to customize the outfit according to his personal taste. MUI is distributed as shareware. To obtain a complete package containing lots of examples and more information about registration please look for a file called "muiXXusr.lha" (XX means the latest version number) on your local bulletin boards or on public domain disks. If you want to register directly, feel free to send DM 30.- or US$ 20.- to Stefan Stuntz Eduard-Spranger-Straße 7 80935 München GERMANY @endnode @node Registrierung @title "Registration" If you like the program and want to continue using it, you can register at @{"me" link "Autor"}. The shareware fee is * for European citizens (EU countries): @{b}30 DM@{ub} or the equal value of @{b}15 Euro@{ub}. * for other citizens: @{b}20 US$@{ub}. * for citizens of East European countries (e.g. Russia, Poland etc): @{b}5 US$@{ub}. When you have remitted the fee, you will receive a keyfile, which disables all the restrictions. This keyfile is valid for all following versions (no updates needed !!). Don't forget to specify your name, address (and phone number) on the remittance !!. @{b}@{u}Restrictions of the unregistered version:@{ub}@{uu} * Star output limited to the area of Orion. * Data area limited to 01.01.1990 to 01.01.2000. * Deep-sky catalog access limited to the Messier catalog. * All saving and printer functions are disabled. * No changing site to a different planet, only Earth enabled. * No detailed course of eclipses. * No picture galery. * No events in the calendar. * No GSC catalog. * No textured planets. * The program will terminate after 20 min and all 5 min a requester will appear. @endnode @node Vorraussetzungen @title "Requirements" @{b}@{u}Minimum system configuration:@{ub}@{uu} * OS 3.0 + AGA * MC68020/68881 * 6 MB free FastRAM * Harddrive * MUI 3.8 @{b}@{u}Recommended system configuration:@{ub}@{uu} * OS 3.5 * MC68040 or MC68060 * 16 MB FastRAM * Graphic card with CyberGraphX 3.x * Turboprint for improved printer output. To use MPEG support you require the @{fg highlight}ixemul.library@{fg text} V39 or better. @{b}The main program requires at least the data archive @{fg highlight}DAlmanac_Data.lha 1.0@{fg text} !!@{ub} @{b}@{u}Digital Almanac was developed and tested on:@{ub}@{uu} * A4000 with OS 3.5 * Cyberstorm MK-III 68060 at 50 Mhz * 2 MB ChipRAM, 40 MB FastRAM * Cybervision 64 with CyberGraphX V3 (=41.21) * Developed with StormC V3 and PhxAss. @endnode @node Einführung @title "Introduction" Digital Almanac is an astronomy program which offers lots of possibilities. The program is permanantly improved, so that new versions are at your disposal. @{b}@{u}Digital Almanac offers:@{ub}@{uu} * Star database with ca. 500,000 stars up to 16m. * Cross-index for SAO, PPM, HD, YBS und GC catalogs. * About 40000 deep-sky objects (Messier, NGC, IC, UGC, Abell, Zwicky and other misc objects). * More than 56000 minor planets and asteroids as well as the comets Halley, Hyakutake and Hale-Bopp. * Highly accurate calculation of Moon and planets with JPL's integration tables (DE404). Accuracy partly <0.1'' over a period of some thousand years !! * Jovian, Saturnian and Uranian moons. * Textures for all planets and moons. * Milky way structure. * View the sky from any solar system object. * Save animations in IFF-ANIM, QuickTime or MPEG format. * Loading and saving of configuration files. * Highly optimized algorithms for maximum speed, mostly written in assembler. * Lots of configuration possibilities. * Online and menu help with HELP-key and MUI's bubblehelp. * Full Drag&Drop support. * Creation and export of ephemeris tables. * Picture galery creation. * User editable database of orbital elements. * Implemetation of the Hubble GSC star catalog. * Control program with ARexx scripts. @{b}@{u}Supported software:@{ub}@{uu} * CyberGraphX for true/hicolor screens. * Xpk system to store images in IFF-RGFX format. A datatype for this new graphic format is available at @{fg fill}Aminet:util/dtype/rgfx-dt.lha@{fg text}. * Turboprint V3 or higher. @{b}@{u}AGA mode and FBlit:@{ub}@{uu} A very useful tool for all AGA users is @{fg fill}FBlit@{fg text}, which can read and write graphic data from FastRAM with the CPU, to prevent low ChipRAM. To make DA work together with FBlit, you need - in difference to the default prefs - the following settings: * Start @{fg fill}FBlitGUI@{fg text}. * Enter DA's taskname, i.e. @{fg highlight}DigitalAlmanac@{fg text} in @{fg highlight}FAllocBitMap/Lists/Include List@{fg text}. Of course you must activate @{fg highlight}FAllocBitMap@{fg text} and turn on the option @{fg highlight}Include List@{fg text}. * Turn off the switches @{fg highlight}FAreaEnd/Activated@{fg text} and @{fg highlight}FDraw/Activated@{fg text}, to make lines and areas visible. DA runs prefect together with FBLit with these settings. You don't need to close Workbench. Even large pictures from the picture galery cause no more trouble. @endnode @node Installation @title "Installation" Start the installer script and follow the instructions. @{b}If you install Digital Almanac the first time, you require at least the main (exe) and the data archive !!@{ub} The other archives are add-ons. Please use the installer script to install them. To have the correct font in some requesters, please follow these steps: * Start Digital Almanac. * Click the corresponding MUI gadget or menu item for the local MUI settings for Digital Almanac from any of its window. @{b}Do not start MUI preferences manually !!@{ub} * Select @{fg highlight}Windows@{fg text} in the MUI preferences. * Type @{fg fill}Astro/11@{fg text} in @{fg highlight}Fonts/Normal@{fg text}. * Save these prefs. Digital Almanac will now use the Astro font in some error requesters. The global MUI prefs will not be affected ! MUI preferences will create the file in the @{fg fill}ENVARC:MUI/DIGITALALMANAC.prefs@{fg text}. @{b}Very important:@{ub} * Surface textures of Digital Almanac I do NOT work !! You must delete them or install the new archive DAlmanac_Maps.lha !! * It is absolutely necessary to set the flag @{fg highlight}Windows/Refresh@{fg text} in the MUI preferences to @{fg highlight}Smart@{fg text}. Otherwise it is possible, that Digital Almanac refuses to work with your selected menuitems. On the other hand you avoid timeconsuming window refreshing whenever MUI feels to update the windows !! @endnode @node Programmstart @title "Start program" From @{b}CLI@{ub}: @{fg highlight}Template:@{fg text} DigitalAlmanac FILE,HOMENAME=HN/K,HOMECOORDS=HC/K, SCREENMODE=SM/K, CACHE/K/N DSO/K,XPK/K, PICTUREPATH=PP/K, GSCPATH/K, NUMASTEROIDS=NUA/K/N, NOASTEROIDS=NA/S,NOOBJECTS=NO/S,NOSTARTUP=NS/S,NOINTRO=NI/S, CLOSEWB/S,LIKEWB/S,SCREENMODEREQUESTER=SMR/S From @{b}Workbench@{ub}: @{fg highlight}Tooltypes:@{fg text} * HOMENAME=Name of City * HOMECOORDS=Latt. Long. Alt. * SCREENMODE=SUPER72:SuperHighRes Interlace * CACHE=#kBytes for the cache memory (double buffer). * DSO=....... * XPK=Xpk-PackerID * PICTUREPATH=Searchpath for pictures * GSCPATH=Searchpath for GSC files. * NUMASTEROIDS=#Asteroids to be loaded * NOASTEROIDS * NOOBJECTS * NOSTARTUP * NOINTRO * CLOSEWB * LIKEWB * SCREENMODEREQUESTER @{fg highlight}FILE@{fg text} (CLI only) Name of a config file to be loaded at program startup. If you don't supply a filename, Digital Almanac will try to load the file @{fg fill}Projects/Startup@{fg text}. In this case time will be set to current system time. @{fg highlight}HOMENAME@{fg text} Enter the name of observing point. This tooltype will be overwritten, if you have supplied the file @{fg fill}Projects/Startup@{fg text}. @{b}Example:@{ub} New York @{fg highlight}HOMECOORDS@{fg text} Enter the lattitude, longitude in degrees and your altitude in metre. This tooltype will be overwritten, if you have supplied the file @{fg fill}Projects/Startup@{fg text}. @{b}Example:@{ub} 34.5 -64.2 123 @{b}If you start the program from CLI, set the input string in quotes !@{ub} @{fg highlight}SCREENMODE@{fg text} The program tries to use this specified screenmode as you can see in several screenmode requesters. Click @{"here" link "Modusauswahl"} for more information about screenmode handling. @{fg highlight}CACHE@{fg text} Set the size of cache memory in kBytes for the stars and asteroid catalogs. The default is 100 kBytes, the minimum are 8 kBytes. It does not make much sense to use large values for cache memory, because memory consuption is greater than speed gain. Usually values more than 500 kBytes should not be used. @{fg highlight}DSO@{fg text} Combination of 7 characters '0' and '1' to en/disable deep-sky catalogs. For description click @{"here" link "DSO"}. @{fg highlight}XPK@{fg text} To save a picture in the IFF-RGFX format with Xpk compression, you need the ID of an Xpk-Sublibrary. This gives you the default setting. Default is the first packer in the list. @{fg highlight}PICTUREPATH@{fg text} Redirect searchpath for the picture galery. Default is @{fg fill}Pictures@{fg text}. @{fg highlight}GSCPATH@{fg text} Searchpath for GSC files. No default path. @{fg highlight}NUMASTEROIDS@{fg text} If the asteroid database shall be loaded, this parameter limits the number of asteroids to the first n asteroids. @{b}This option has no function, if NOASTEROIDS is set !@{ub} @{fg highlight}NOASTEROIDS@{fg text} Avoid loading of the asteroid data files. Saves up to 3.0 MB of memory. @{fg highlight}NOOBJECTS@{fg text} Avoid loading of the deep-sky object data files. Saves up to 2.9 MB of memory. Overrides DSO@. @{fg highlight}NOSTARTUP@{fg text} Don't load the @{fg fill}Projects/Startup@{fg text} file, but instead use the interal startup settings. HOMENAME and HOMECOORDS stay valid. @{fg highlight}NOINTRO@{fg text} Do not display intro picture during startup. If you do @{b}not@{ub} hve a graphic card, it is recommened to always set this tooltype. @{fg highlight}CLOSEWB@{fg text} Attempts to close the Workbench at startup. This might be interesting for AGA users, as you can save lots of ChipMem. @{b}Note:@{ub} * The Workbench can be closed only, when there is no other program using it. * Changing screenmode or iconification will reopen Workbench. * This option overrides LIKEWB ! @{fg highlight}LIKEWB@{fg text} Opens a screen for Digital Almanac with the Workbench's screen mode. If this option is deactivated, it tries to open an 800x600 or 640x480 screen. @{fg highlight}SCREENMODEREQUESTER@{fg text} Opens a requester where you can select the screen mode at startup. This option overrides LIKEWB ! @endnode @node Modusauswahl @title "Screenmode handling" Digital Almanac uses the following order of priority choosing a screenmode: * Tooltype SCREENMODE * Tooltype SCREENMODEREQUESTER * Tooltype LIKEWB , if Workbench is (still) open. * 800x600x8 screen * 640*480x8 screen If the first item fails by any reason (tooltype is not set or invalid), then the next item downwards will be checked .. and so on. To make the current screenmode the default mode, just choose the menu item 'Save screenmode'. This will write the name of the screenmode directly into the tooltypes of DA's program icon and with the next start of DA, the screen will open in your saved mode. @endnode @node DSO @title "Tooltype DSO" With this tooltype you can load those deep-sky catalogs into the memory you really need. All others won't be loaded. By default all catalogs will be loaded. The character '0' disables, a '1' enables and loads a catalog. The order of catalogs is: * Messier * NGC * IC * UGC * Abell * Zwicky * Misc @{b}Examples:@{ub} DSO=1000000 Only the Messier catalog will be loaded. DSO=1010000 Messier and IC catalogs will be loaded. DSO=0110001 NGC, IC and the misc catalogs will be loaded. Usually the most interesting objects are the Messier and the NGC catalog, so you might want to set the tooltype to DSO=1100000. @endnode @node Beschreibung @title "Description" The program is mostly self explaining. If you have used some other astronomy software in the past, you should have no difficulties using this program. Lots of gadgets have bubblehelp. Online and menu help is available ! Project Windows Map Extras @{"Open" link "Projekt-Öffnen"} @{"Preferences" link "Fenster-Einstellungen"} @{"Planetarium" link "Karte-Planetarium"} @{"Calendar" link "Extras-Kalender"} @{"Save as" link "Projekt-Speichern"} @{"Coordinates" link "Fenster-Koordinaten"} @{"Locale sky" link "Karte-Himmel"} @{"Solar eclipse" link "Extras-SF"} @{"About" link "Projekt-Über"} @{"Telescope" link "Fenster-Teleskop"} @{"Orrery" link "Karte-Orrery"} @{"Lunar eclipse" link "Extras-MF"} @{"MUI Settings" link "Projekt-MUI"} @{"Animation" link "Fenster-Animation"} @{"Redraw" link "Karte-Neu"} @{"Pictures" link "Extras-Bilder"} @{"Screenmode" link "Projekt-Bildschirm"} @{"Tracking" link "Fenster-Spur"} @{"System time" link "Karte-Systemzeit"} @{"Colors" link "Projekt-Farben"} @{"Solar system" link "Fenster-Sonnensystem"} @{"Direction" link "Karte-Richtung"} @{"RGFX XPK Settings" link "Projekt-RGFX"} @{"Asteroids" link "Fenster-Asteroide"} @{"JPEG/PPM Settings" link "Projekt-JPEG"} @{"Stars" link "Fenster-Sterne"} @{"Save map as" link "Projekt-Karte"} @{"DS-Objects" link "Fenster-Objekte"} @{"Export" link "Projekt-Export"} @{"Orbital elements" link "Fenster-Bahnelemente"} @{"Printer" link "Projekt-Drucker"} @{"Reset" link "Projekt-Reset"} @{"Quit" link "Projekt-Beenden"} @endnode @node Projekt-Öffnen @title "Project/Open" Loads a configuration file. The new settings will be immediately displayed. @endnode @node Projekt-Speichern @title "Project/Save as" Saves the current configuration. The icon @{fg fill}Icons/Project.info@{fg text} will be saved with the configuration ! You can replace this icon by a different icon of your choice. @endnode @node Projekt-MUI @title "Project/MUI Settings" Opens the MUI preferences on the Workbench. Here you adjust several local MUI settings, that only affect Digital Almanac. @endnode @node Projekt-Bildschirm @title "Project/Display" Choose a new display resolution for Digital Almanac. @endnode @node Projekt-Farben @title "Project/Colors" Opens a window where you can adjust the most important system colors. @endnode @node Projekt-RGFX @title "Project/RGFX XPK Settings" Choose an XPK-Packer for the IFF-RGFX-Format. @endnode @node Projekt-JPEG @title "Project/JPEG/PPM Settings" Parameters for saving JPEG/PPM pictures, QuickTime and MPEG animations. The flag @{fg highlight}Grayscale@{fg text} is also valid for the PPM and MPEG mode. @endnode @node Projekt-Karte @title "Project/Save map as" * @{fg highlight}ILBM@{fg text} Saves the main window as an IFF-ILBM file. If the icon @{fg fill}ENV:Sys/def_ILBM.info@{fg text} exists, it will be added to the picture. * @{fg highlight}RGFX@{fg text} Saves the main window as an IFF-RGFX file. If the icon @{fg fill}ENV:Sys/def_RGFX.info@{fg text} exists, it will be added to the picture. @{b}Important:@{ub} To use the Xpk support of the new IFF-RGFX format, you require the xpkmaster.library 2.x or better. You can find a datatype for this new format in @{fg fill}Aminet:util/dtype/RGFX_DT.lha@{fg text}. More information in @{fg fill}Aminet:dev/misc/IFF-RGFX.lha@{fg text}. * @{fg highlight}GIF@{fg text} Saves the main window as a GIF file. If the icon @{fg fill}ENV:Sys/def_GIF.info@{fg text} exists, it will be added to the picture. @{b}Important:@{ub} Only 8-bit screens can be saved as GIF. * @{fg highlight}JPEG@{fg text} Saves the main window as a JPEG file. If the icon @{fg fill}ENV:Sys/def_JPEG.info@{fg text} or @{fg fill}ENV:Sys/def_JFIF.info@{fg text} exists, it will be added to the picture. * @{fg highlight}PPM@{fg text} Saves the main window as a PPM file. If the icon @{fg fill}ENV:Sys/def_PPM.info@{fg text}, @{fg fill}ENV:Sys/def_PBM.info@{fg text} or @{fg fill}ENV:Sys/def_PNM.info@{fg text} exists, it will be added to the picture. @endnode @node Projekt-Export @title "Projekt/Export" In this window you find all parameters you need to create an ephemeris table. * Select your starting parameter (location, time) in the window @{fg highlight}Coordinates@{fg text} and the calculation parameters in the window @{fg highlight}Preferences/Accuracy@{fg text}. * Choose the output mode (window, printer or file). * Select the stepsize and the number of outputs. * Open the corresponding window for the object of your choice. * Drag the object with the mouse to the text field of the export window. With the help of the two lists, you tell the program, what datas you want to be calculated. Choose an item in the left list and drag it with the mouse to a position of your choice to the right list. Multiselection is supported. Double inputs will be ignored ! To swap an item within the right list, just drag it to a different position. Only the active item is swapped. To delete an item from the right list, drag it back to the left list. Multiselection is supported. Press the @{fg highlight}Start@{fg text} button to begin calculation. The datas will be printed according the order in the right list ! If calculation does not start, check your inputs (empty list, missing filename etc. ?). Outputs, which don't make any sense, will be automatically filtered by the program. @{b}Example:@{ub} Sun -> Elongation and phase are filtered. @{b}Important:@{ub} To get a formated printer output, you must set a nonproportional font on your printer ! @endnode @node Projekt-Drucker @title "Projekt/Printer" Here you can print the contents of the map window ! {fg highlight}Screen{fg text} Prints the current contents of your screen. {fg highlight}Hires map{fg text} A high-resolution black-white starmap is created in the background with all the settings you have made. The only exceptions are, that all stars are drawn in the area mode (magnitudes are reflected by area size) and that solar system objects are drawn without texture. A color output is currently not supported. @{b}Note:@{ub} This mode needs lots of memory, depending on your printer resolution. Additionally the fonts @{fg fill}Helvetica@{fg text} and @{fg fill}CGTriumvirate@{fg text} are required. These fonts are usually available on every Amiga. @{b}Example:@{ub} In your printer preferences a resolution of 300x300 dpi has been set. After clicking on @{fg highlight}Start@{fg text} a printing size 8*6 inch is shown. The memory amount of the bitmap calculates as following: Amount (kBytes) = (8 inch * 300 dpi) * (6 inch * 300 dpi) / 4096 = 1054 kBytes {b}OS 3.0/3.1 users:{ub} Please remember, that the printer.device from Commodore only can print screens with a depth <= 8 bit (also CyberGraphX screens). For High/Truecolor screens you need the program @{fg fill}TurboPrint@{fg text}, which is supported by Digital Almanac. The program will fall back to original printer.device, if TurboPrint has been selected, but not installed. {b}OS 3.5 users:{ub} The improved printer.device for OS 3.5 now supports all bitmap depth. The TurboPrint support is deaktivated with OS 3.5 (Amiga NDK 3.5). @{b}Note:{ub} The image will be printed according to the printer preferences !! Additionally you can override some printing options with the special-flags. Pressing @{fg highlight}Start@{fg text} the program calculates the size of the image on the paper. Note, that the size information is only a suggestion from the printer.device ! This does not mean, that your print will have this size ! Confirming the following requester starts printing the image. If the image appears distorted on the paper, you need to adjust your printer preferences. Note, that you might need to print the image as a negative, if it appears as a black area on the paper. @endnode @node Projekt-Reset @title "Project/Reset" With this function, you can reset the whole display as described in the file @{fg fill}Projects/Startup@{fg text}. It is recommended, @{b}always@{ub} to support such a startup file, otherwise the reset function will not work. @endnode @node Fenster-Einstellungen @title "Window/Preferences" In this window you can change the most important options of Digital Almanac. The window is divided into three pages: 1. @{b}@{u}Display and Details@{ub}@{uu} @{"Objects" link "Einstellungen-11"} @{"Accuracy" link "Einstellungen-12"} @{"Grid" link "Einstellungen-13"} @{"Display" link "Einstellungen-14"} 2. @{b}@{u}Objects@{ub}@{uu} @{"Solar system" link "Einstellungen-21"} @{"Constellations" link "Einstellungen-22"} @{"Stars" link "Einstellungen-23"} @{"Objectname" link "Einstellungen-24"} 3. @{b}@{u}@{"Magnitudes" link "Einstellungen-3"}@{ub}@{uu} @endnode @node Einstellungen-11 @title "Preferences/Display and Details/Objects" (De-)Activate one of the different categories of objects. @endnode @node Einstellungen-12 @title "Preferences/Display and Details/Accuracy" Select the accuracy of calculation. @{fg highlight}Geocentric parallax@{fg text} Difference between a geocentric (in the centre of the Earth) and a topocentric (on the Earth's surface) observer. Important for Moon (up to 0.5° difference) and near planets. @{fg highlight}Refraction@{fg text} Effect caused by the atmosphere at lower heights. Important for calculation of rises and sets (some minutes difference !). @{fg highlight}Extinction@{fg text} Lightweakening caused by earth's atmosphere depending on the zenith's distance. Usually this option is not needed. @{fg highlight}Precession@{fg text} Difference of coordinates caused by motion of the Earth axis. If this option is disabled, all calculations are referred to the equinox J2000.0. Important for comparison of tables of eohemeris or star maps. @{fg highlight}Nutation@{fg text} Secondary effect caused by motion of the Earth axis. Small effect (some arcseconds). @{fg highlight}Proper motion@{fg text} Consideration of proper motion of the stars. Very small effect. Use only during long time periods. @{fg highlight}Planetary aberration@{fg text} Difference of the position of a planet caused by the time travelling from a planet to Earth. Important during calculations of eclipses or observing details on a planet's surface (deviation of some arcminutes). @{fg highlight}Stellar aberration@{fg text} Deviation caused by Earth orbiting around the Sun. Small effect (max. 20"). @{fg highlight}Daily aberration@{fg text} Deviation caused by the rotation of the Earth. Very small effect (max. 0.3"). @{b}Remark:@{ub} These options have no influence on the calculation in the calendar or eclipse mode !! If you have chosen a position outside Earth, corresponding options will not be recognized during calculations. All coordinates are then calculated for the equinox J2000.0. @endnode @node Einstellungen-13 @title "Preferences/Display and Details/Grid" @{fg highlight}Equator@{fg text} Draws the equator (only when Earth is selected as location). Has no function in orrey mode. @{fg highlight}Ecliptic@{fg text} Draws the ecliptic. @{fg highlight}Horizon@{fg text} Simply plots the horizon with direction labels (only when Earth is selected as location). Has no function in orrey mode. @{fg highlight}Kind@{fg text} Choice of some different coordinate grids. @{fg highlight}Draw as@{fg text} Display either as dots or as a line. @{fg highlight}Distance@{fg text} Distance between grid lines in degree, @{fg highlight}Step@{fg text} Increment in degree. 1 = slow, but accurate -> 90 = very fast, but inaccurate @endnode @node Einstellungen-14 @title "Preferences/Display and Details/Display" @{fg highlight}Map@{fg text} Choose between planetarium and local sky. @{fg highlight}Projection@{fg text} The map will be either displayed on an area or on a sphere. Not used in orrery mode. @{fg highlight}Az/He system@{fg text} There exist two different measuring systems fpr the azimuth angle. The first one starts measuriung from south (default), the second one from north. @{fg highlight}Date@{fg text} Put the date, local, universal und sidereal time in the upper left corner. @{fg highlight}Night palette@{fg text} Switch between normal colors and night colors. @{b}Important:@{ub} * MUI colors are not affected as they are under MUI's control. @{fg highlight}Invert colors@{fg text} Invert all object colors. @{fg highlight}Pixelcheck@{fg text} When the screen is covered all over with stars, it may happen, that bright stars are overwritten by fainter stars. To prevent this, you can enable this mode. When enabled, the program checks the position for an eventually previous star. This will protect bright stars from being overwritten. The speed loss ranges between 5% and 20% (depending on your CPU and screenmode), but you receive a better map at a high star density. @{b}This mode does not work on CyberGraphX hi/truecolor screens !@{ub} @{fg highlight}Fast SinCos@{fg text} (MC68040 and MC68060 only) In astronomical calculations the sinus/cosinus functions require the most time. Is this option disabled, all these functions are executed by their corresponding FPU command. Is this option enabled, then the sinus/cosinus functions are replaced in all functions. Calculation speed increases up to 15% where accuracy of the fastfunctions is still 10 to 12 digits ! @{b}Please use this option only when absolutely necessary ! Inaccuracy can increases a lot and can lead in some cases to strange side effects in display !@{ub} @{b}This option is only available on MC68040 or MC68060 CPUs.@{ub} @{b}Developer info:@{ub} The FPU commands fsin, fcos and fsincos usually need about 400 bis 600 cycles on all FPUs. As the fastfunctions only need additions and multiplications, they are very fast on 040/060 CPUs and only need about 80 (sin, cos) or 200 (sincos) cycles, so they are about 4 to 5 times faster. On an MC68882 the FPU commands are faster, as additions and multiplications need 5 to 10 (!!) times more cycles then on 040/060 CPUs (lots of FPU commands only need 2 to 4 cycles here !!). @{fg highlight}ObtainPen@{fg text} With this gadget you can change the color remapping behaviour. If you are a programmer, you know these values for sure. The remapping quality ranges from @{fg highlight}GUI@{fg text} (=not so well) to @{fg highlight}EXACT@{fg text} (=best). The better the value, the more exact the colors will be remapped to the current color palette. At the same time, they allocate more pens, so that following remapping procedures will be less exact. Before drawing a map, all old, allocated pens will be released and can be overwritten by new colors. Usually you don't want to change the default value @{fg highlight}IMAGE@{fg text}, as this is the best compromise between allocation and quality. @{b}Important:@{ub} Only surface textures and pictures from the galery are affected by this gadget. True/hicolor screens are not affected. @endnode @node Einstellungen-21 @title "Preferences/Objects/Solar system" @{fg highlight}Planetname / Asteroidname / Orbitname@{fg text} Kind of name. @{fg highlight}# Asteroids@{fg text} To shorten the number of asteroids that you want the program to calculate, you can enter a limiting number. Only the first x asteroids then will be calculated. @{fg highlight}Show phase@{fg text} Draw phase of moons and planets. @{fg highlight}Show grid@{fg text} Draw a planetographic coordinate grid. @{fg highlight}@{"Texture" link "Texturen"}@{fg text} Show planets and moons with a surface texture. @{fg highlight}Autozoom@{fg text} Enlarge a selected object when centering. @endnode @node Einstellungen-22 @title "Preferences/Objects/Constellations" @{fg highlight}Lines@{fg text} Draw constellation figures. @{fg highlight}Limits@{fg text} Draw constellation borders. @{fg highlight}Names@{fg text} Choice of language. @endnode @node Einstellungen-23 @title "Preferences/Objects/Stars" @{fg highlight}Names@{fg text} Draw names of stars. @{fg highlight}Symbol@{fg text} Draw greek letter of stars. @{fg highlight}Flamsteed@{fg text} Draw Flamsteed number of stars. @{fg highlight}Plotting mode@{fg text} Here you can select four different modes for the stars. * @{fg highlight}Graylevel Pixel@{fg text} * @{fg highlight}Graylevel Area@{fg text} * @{fg highlight}Spectra Pixel@{fg text} * @{fg highlight}Spectra Area@{fg text} In the area modes, bright stars will be drawn as little circle areas. @{fg highlight}Mag factor@{fg text} With this factor you can take influence on the size of a star begin plotted. Actually this factor works like a filter to avoid that stars are drawn too bright. The greater the value the darker a star appears. @{b}Note:@{ub} Currently only stars are influenced with it !! @endnode @node Einstellungen-24 @title "Preferences/Objects/Objectnames" @{fg highlight}Messier / NGC /IC / UGC / Abell / Zwicky / Misc@{fg text} Draw objectnames from the catalogs. @{fg highlight}Mark@{fg text} * @{fg highlight}Simple@{fg text} The object will be marked with a little cross and its size in the sky will be displayed. * @{fg highlight}Picture@{fg text} You can fill the sky area of an object with its picture from your galery. When using an 8-bit screen, areas are displayed only grey-leveled. @endnode @node Einstellungen-3 @title "Preferences/Magnitudes" @{fg highlight}Min. mag. stars@{fg text} Minimum magnitude for the star catalog. @{fg highlight}Min. mag. Objects@{fg text} Minimum magnitude for planets, asteroids and deep-sky object catalogs. @{fg highlight}Darkest pen@{fg text} Darkest colors that is used during drawing. Serves to make dark object more visible. @{b}Note:@{ub} When zooming at an object, the object will become brighter !! Actually it is: The half field angle increases the magnitude by factor four. @endnode @node Fenster-Koordinaten @title "Window/Coordinates" Input of location, time and environmental parameters of the observer. This window is divided into two groups. Location and Date. In the location group you choose you observing location on Earth. In the date group you enter the date and time for any calculation you wish to do. * @{b}Geogr. latitude and longitude@{ub} Enter angles either in decimal (XX.YYY) oder in hexagesimal (DD°MM'SS") format. Southern latitudes or western longitudes must be entered as negative angles. * @{b}Elevation above sea@{ub} This parameter is used for topocentric coordinates (geocentric parallax). The elevation must be given in metres above sea. * @{b}Temperature@{ub} and @{b}Air pressure@{ub} This parameter is used in refraction calculations. The temperature must be given in deg Celsius, the air pressure in mbar. * @{b}Meridian shift@{ub} Adjust the meridian shift for the corresponding location. Locations with a western longitude have a negative value, such with an eastern longitude have a positive value. Example: MET=1, MEST=2 Default is the value defined in the @{fg fill}SYS:Prefs/Locale@{fg text}. * @{b}TDT - UT@{ub} Astronomy does not use the "normal" time for calculation, but the "Terrestric Dynamic Time" (ephemeris time) is used. This value gives the difference between the ephemeris time und the universal time in seconds. Because of steady fluctuations of Earth's orbit, it is impossible to give an exact value for a certain time. However, the program gives you a quite accurate estimate for a period of some centuries. So usually this value should not be changed. * @{b}Automatic update@{ub} Here you can adjust the time intervall (minutes) in which the map should be recalulated with the current preferences. Using a '0' will deactivate this option. @{b}How to handle different locations ?@{ub} * Enter your geogr. lattitude, longitude etc. in the left column. CyberGraphX users also can click on the little popup button to choose a location. A window with a world map opens. With a mouse click the selected location will be copied into the string gadgets. @{b}Because if the limited chip memory, this button is not visible when using AGA !!@{ub} * Press the @{fg highlight}Add@{fg text} button. The paramters from the left side will be added to the list. * To save the list, press the @{fg highlight}Save@{fg text} button. The list will be saved as @{fg fill}Data/place.data@{fg text}. * To delete an entry from the list, press the @{fg highlight}Del@{fg text} button. The currently activated entry will be deleted. * The list is always sorted in alphabetical order. @{b}Note:@{ub} Enter negative values for western/southern positions ! The coordinates format is XX.YY° or DD°MM'SS". @endnode @node Fenster-Teleskop @title "Window/Telescope" The handling of the gadgets in locale sky and planetarium mode is different than when being in orrery mode. @{u}@{b}Locale sky and planetarium mode:@{ub}@{uu} * The string gadgets shows you the center coordinates and the angle-of-view corresponding to the current active coordinate system. * With the arrow-buttons, you can move in longitude and latitude in steps of 1/4th of the angle-of-view. * The zoom-buttons will zoom in or out by doubling (halfing) the angle-of-view. * The reset button in the middle of the arrows will reset your center angles. * Dragging a solar system body (planet, moon, asteroid or orbital-element object) to the textfield will show you the sky as seen from this selected object. * Pressing the button left to the textfield will reset your position to Earth. @{u}@{b}Orrery mode:@{ub}@{uu} * The string gadgets shows you the heliocentric polar coordinates of your position (note the difference to above !) from a center, which is by default the sun. * With the arrow-buttons, you can move in longitude and latitude in steps of 10° around the center. * The zoom-buttons will zoom in or out by doubling (halfing) the angle-of-view. * The reset button in the middle of the arrows will reset your position. Because you have more animation possibilites in orrery mode, handling an animation is a bit more complex than in the other two modes. @{b}Single map:{ub} The map is drawn with your position shown in the string gadgets, no matter what is in the textfield set as observing position !! To set yourself to the position of solar system body, just drag the object to the string gadgets, not to the textfield !! @{b}Animation mode:{ub} 1. View from a fixed position: Unselect the checkmark right to the textfield. The program will use the coordinates below like an a single map. 2. View from a solar system body. Drag the desired object above the textfield next to the checkmark. Select the checkmark. When you start the animation, you will fly at the selected body in the textfield through the solar system. For a better understanding there are two project files (animations). 1. @{fg fill}Hale-Bopp-Flight@{fg text} shows you a flight of comet Hale-Bopp through our solar system as seen from the comet's point-of-view. 2. @{fg fill}Hale-Bopp-Fix@{fg text} shows the same flight as seen from a fixed point in the solar system. Watch the differences of the telescope window settings. @endnode @node Fenster-Animation @title "Window/Animation" Set the parameter of an animation. Animations on true/high color screens can only be saved in QuickTime or MPEG format. An animation will only be saved when the option @{fg highlight}Save@{fg text} is activated. @{fg highlight}# Frames@{fg text} This limits the number of frames of an animation (0 = no limit). E.g you wnt to make an animation over a period of 24 h with a 5 min step, then simply set this parameter to the value 1440 min/5 min = 288 frames. @{fg highlight}Follow telescope@{fg text} The telescope will stay at the selected coordinates during the whole animation. @{fg highlight}Follow object@{fg text} The telescope centers a chosen object during animation. The field-of-view has to be adjusted first. With this option you can e.g. watch a planet rotating or trace eclipses ! Simply drag any object from any list to the text field. It is recommended to reduce the screen resolution if you want to save an animation. Use for example DblPAL-Lores or CyberGraphX 320x240. If the icon @{fg fill}ENV:Sys/def_ANIM.info@{fg text}, @{fg fill}ENV:Sys/def_QuickTime.info@{fg text} or @{fg fill}ENV:Sys/def_MPEG.info@{fg text} exists, it will be added to the animation ! @endnode @node Fenster-Spur @title "Window/Tracking" With this window you set the parameters for object tracking. This means you can view the position of an object for different dates within one map. * Select your starting parameter (location, time) in the window @{fg highlight}Coordinates@{fg text} and the calculation parameters in the window @{fg highlight}Preferences/Accuracy@{fg text}. * Select the stepsize and the number of steps. * Drag as many objects you want to track to the list as you like. Only planets, asteroids and orbital element objects are allowed ! Press the @{fg highlight}Start@{fg text} button to start calcluation. At first the program draws a map according to your setting as usual. Then it will calculate the positions from all objects in the list - regardless whether they are activated or not in the @{fg highlight}preferences@{fg text} window - from the initial date, and will draw their positions in the map. This feature is very useful to watch the movement of a comet or other objects with unusual orbits. To delete objects in the list, simply select them (multiselection is support) and press the @{fg highlight}Delete@{fg text} button. @endnode @node Fenster-Sonnensystem @title "Window/Solar system" In this window you can choose several actions that refer to objects of the solar system. The objects in the list are draggable. See also @{"Export" link "Projekt-Export"}, @{"Coordinates" link "Fenster-Koordinaten"}, @{"Animation" link "Fenster-Animation"} and @{"Orbital elements" link "Fenster-Orbit"}. Actions are: @{fg highlight}Look for@{fg text}, @{fg highlight}Center@{fg text} and @{fg highlight}Ephemeris@{fg text}. @endnode @node Fenster-Asteroide @title "Window/Asteroids" In this window you can choose several actions that refer to minor planets and asteroids. The objects in the list are draggable. See also @{"Export" link "Projekt-Export"} ,@{"Coordinates" link "Fenster-Koordinaten"}, @{"Animation" link "Fenster-Animation"} and @{"Orbital elements" link "Fenster-Orbit"}. Actions are: @{fg highlight}Look for@{fg text}, @{fg highlight}Center@{fg text} and @{fg highlight}Ephemeris@{fg text}. If you want to search the list for a name, simply enter the name in the string gadget. All names matching your input will be shown in an extra window. @{b}Example:@{ub} Enter 'Cer' and all matching names are displayed. The entries of this created list are draggable and you can perform the same actions as above. @endnode @node Fenster-Sterne @title "Window/Stars" In this window you can choose several actions that refer to stars The objects of all lists except constellations and the string gadget @{fg highlight}Star@{fg text} (click at the frame !!) are draggable. See also @{"Export" link "Projekt-Export"} and @{"Animation" link "Fenster-Animation"}. Actions are: @{fg highlight}Look for@{fg text}, @{fg highlight}Center@{fg text} and @{fg highlight}Ephemeris@{fg text}. If you want to search the lists for a name, simply enter a text in the string gadget. All names matching your input will be shown in an extra window. @{b}Example:@{ub} Enter 'Sir' and all matching names are displayed. The entries of this created list are draggable and you can perform the same actions as above. @endnode @node Fenster-Objekte @title "Window/Deep-Sky Objects" In this window you can choose several actions that refer to objects outside the solar system. The objects of all lists are draggable. See also @{"Export" link "Projekt-Export"}. Actions are: @{fg highlight}Look for@{fg text}, @{fg highlight}Center@{fg text} and @{fg highlight}Ephemeris@{fg text}. If you want to search the lists for a text, simply enter the text in the string gadget. All object that contain your input will be shown in an extra window. Not only names are searched but aLso decription and note texts. @{b}Example:@{ub} Enter 'And' and all objects containing this word are displayed. The entries of this created list are draggable and you can perform the same actions as above. You can create your own table of common object names with a text editor. Each entry constists of two lines. The first one is the common name, the second its internal name. The file name is @{fg fill}User/ngcnames.data@{fg text}. @{b}Example:@{ub} Great Nebula in Orion M42 @endnode @node Fenster-Orbit" @title "Window/Orbital elements" Here you can create your own database of solar system bodies, as long as you have the orbital elements. First choose the type of object: @{fg highlight}Asteroid@{fg text} or @{fg highlight}Comet@{fg text}. When you have chosen @{fg highlight}Asteroid@{fg text} you have to know the mean anomaly at a given time (epoche) and the semi major axis. If you have selected @{fg highlight}Comet@{fg text}, you need the perihelion time and the periheion distance. @{fg highlight}JD Epoche@{fg text} Julian date of the epoche of the orbital elements at @{fg highlight}Asteroid@{fg text}. @{fg highlight}JD Perihelion@{fg text} Julian date of the perihelion at @{fg highlight}Comet@{fg text}. @{fg highlight}Mean anomaly@{fg text} Mean anomaly at epoche time. Only used for @{fg highlight}Asteroid@{fg text}. @{fg highlight}Eccentricity@{fg text} Also values >=1 (parabel, hyperbel) are allowed !! For @{fg highlight}Asteroid@{fg text} you should avoid values >0.9. @{fg highlight}Mag. Parameter H@{fg text} Describes the absolute magnitude of the object in standard distance of 1 AU. Is often called V(1,0). @{fg highlight}Mag. Parameter G@{fg text} This is a phase-depending parameter of the magnitude. Is currently not used and may be supported in the future ! @{b}Note:@{ub} All parameters must refer to the equinox J2000.0 !! The objects of the list are draggable. See also @{"Export" link "Projekt-Export"} ,@{"Coordinates" link "Fenster-Koordinaten"} and @{"Animation" link "Fenster-Animation"}. Actions are: @{fg highlight}Look for@{fg text}, @{fg highlight}Center@{fg text} and @{fg highlight}Ephemeris@{fg text}. All other gadgets are self-explaining. This window also offers three special drag&drop features: 1. Make a copy of an asteroid's elements. Simply drag an object from the asteroid window to the list here. All parameters are copied into the list. For example you now can alter these parameters. 2. Calculate the current osculating elements of a planet for J2000.0. Just drag a planet from the window @{fg highlight}Solar system@{fg text} to the list. The program will then calculate its orbital elements. You can do this to speed up some planet-relating calculations. You can only drag planets, no Sun or moons ! 3. Drag the @{fg highlight}Julian date@{fg text} gadget from the coordinates window over the corresponding "JD ..." gadget to copy its value (and vice versa !). @endnode @node Karte-Planetarium @title "Map/Planetarium" Draws the map in the RA/Dec system. @endnode @node Karte-Himmel @title "Map/Locale sky" Draws the map in the Azimuth/Altitude system. This map is only available, when Earth is chosen as observing position. @endnode @node Karte-Orrery @title "Map/Orrery" This mode shows a view of the planet constellations and their orbits from a free to choose point inside or outside of our solar system. For a better look, the orbit above the ecliptic is drawn in white color, below in gray color. @{b}@{u}Orbit projection of other bodies:@{ub}@{uu} This mode is getting interesting, when you like to watch the orbit of e.g. a comet or an asteroid. This is also very simple to realize. As an example, we want to display the orbit of comet Hale-Bopp. * Open the tracking window and the orbital-element window * Drag the list entry "Hale-Bopp" to the list of the tracking window. * Redraw the map. Now with the help of the telescope window and its possibilities you can watch the comets's orbit from all the different view positions. The same procedures are with asteroids. When you set the time parameters in the tracking window and start tracking from this window, you can also watch, how the comet will move trough the solar system ! @{b}Note:@{ub} No matter what entries are in the tracking window, only asteroids and orbit-element objects will additionally be displayed with their orbits. All other will not be read. Asteroids and comets are only plot from the tracking window, even if their display flags are set globally. This avoids the window to be filled with thoussands of ellipses. Please also read the chapter @{"telescope window" link "Fenster-Teleskop"}, because handling of the telescope is different than in the other viewmodes !! @endnode @node Karte-Neu @title "Map/Redraw" Redraws the map according to the current settings. @endnode @node Karte-Systemzeit @title "Map/System time" Updates time to current system time and redraws the map. @endnode @node Karte-Richtung @title "Map/Direction" Move the telescope to a direction. @endnode @node Extras-Kalender @title "Extras/Calendar" In this window you can inform yourself of some different events at a certain day or month. @{fg highlight}Events of the day@{fg text} Select a day of the month. The apparent positions of Sun and Moon at 0h GMT and their time of rise and set will be displayed. Special events of the Sun or the Moon will be also shown. @{fg highlight}Events of the month@{fg text} Press the button @{fg highlight}Events@{fg text}. The program will calculate for each day of the month special events of Sun, Moon, planets and asteroids (if activated !) and displays them. Depending on your hardware, this may take some time !! @endnode @node Extras-SF @title "Extras/Solar eclipse" If you know the date of a solar eclipse, for example with the help of the calendar, you can trace the course of the eclipse. 1. Input the date of the solar eclipse. Input a time two to three hours before the center of the eclipse. 2. Input the number of steps and the step size in the window @{fg highlight}Solar eclipse@{fg text} and start calculation. In the listview below you can see the course of the solar eclipse: - Local time of the observer - Geographic lattitude and longitude of the main shadow - Duration and phase of the eclipse The example file @{fg fill}Projects/SolarEclipse1999@{fg text} shows the total solar eclipse at 11-Aug-1999 over Middle Europe. You can immediatly watch an animation of this eclipse. Currently only a minor graphical output the course is supplied. Only when there is a total solar eclipse, the course of the umbra will be diplayed as a black line. The area of the penumbra will currently not be displayed. @endnode @node Extras-MF @title "Extras/Lunar eclipse" If you know the date of a lunar eclipse, for example with the help of the calendar, you can trace the course of the eclipse. 1. Input the date of the lunar eclipse. Input a time two to three hours before the center of the eclipse. 2. Input the number of steps and the step size in the window @{fg highlight}Lunar eclipse@{fg text} and start calculation. In the listview below you can see the course of the lunar eclipse: - Local time of the observer - Phase of the eclipse The example file @{fg fill}Projects/LunarEclipse1997@{fg text} shows the total lunar eclipse at 16-Sep-1997 over Middle Europe. You can immediatly watch an animation of this eclipse. @endnode @node ARexx @title "ARexx" Since Digital Almanac II the ARexx language is supported. To make use of ARexx with Digital Almanac, your Amiga must be configured for ARexx. * The command @{fg fill}RexxMast@{fg text} must be already executed. * The command @{fg fill}RX@{fg text} must be located in the @{fg fill}REXX:@{fg text} directory. By default all ARexx macros are stored in the @{fg fill}ARexx@{fg text} subdirectory. Following menu commands are for your useage: @{fg highlight}Execute macro@{fg text} Opens a filerequester for direct selection and execution of a macro. @{fg highlight}Configure macros@{fg text} Define up to 10 different macros. Select a macro and enter a name that is to appear in the ARexx menu bar. @{"List" link "ARexxCommands"} of all ARexx commands. @endnode @node ARexxCommands @title "ARexx Commands" Here are listed all the ARexx commands, that Digital Almanac currently understands: The format is: @{fg highlight}Command@{fg text} @{fg fill}[DOS-Template]@{fg text} The name of the ARexx port is @{fg highlight}DIGITALALMANAC@{fg text}. The commands and parameters are case-insensitive. All BOOL options are 0 (off) or 1 (on). @{fg highlight}Quit@{fg text} Quit the program. @{fg highlight}Hide@{fg text} Iconifies the program. @{fg highlight}Show@{fg text} Reactivate the iconfied program. @{fg highlight}Help@{fg text} @{fg fill}FILE/A@{fg text} Dumps all ARexx commands of Digital Almanac into a file. @{fg highlight}Info @{fg text} @{fg fill}ITEM/A@{fg text} Returns some MUI application information. Read the MUI.guide for more information. @{fg highlight}@{"Open" link "Projekt-Öffnen"}@{fg text} @{fg fill}FILE/A@{fg text} @{fg highlight}@{"Save" link "Projekt-Speichern"}@{fg text} @{fg fill}FILE/A@{fg text} @{fg highlight}@{"SaveMap" link "Projekt-Karte"}@{fg text} @{fg fill}FILE/A,FORMAT/A@{fg text} FORMAT is CLIP, ILBM, RGFX, GIF, JPEG, or PPM. @{fg highlight}Reset@{fg text} @{fg fill}ITEM/A@{fg text} ITEM is one of: * ALL = @{"Reset" link "Projekt-Reset"} the whole configuration. * TIME = Set the time back to @{"system time" link "Karte-Systemzeit"}. * TELESCOPE = Reset the @{"telescope" link "Fenster-Teleskop"} to full view and initial angles. @{fg highlight}SetTime@{fg text} @{fg fill}HOUR/A/N,MIN/A/N,SEC/A/N@{fg text} Example: 'SetTime 12 40 30' @{fg highlight}SetDate@{fg text} @{fg fill}DAY/A/N,MONTH/A/N,YEAR/A/N@{fg text} Example: 'SetDate 10 4 1996' @{fg highlight}SetJulia@{fg text} @{fg fill}JD/A@{fg text} Set the julian date. @{fg highlight}SetShift@{fg text} @{fg fill}SHIFT/A/N@{fg text} Set the @{"meridian shift" link "Fenster-Koordinaten"} from -12 (W) to 12 (E). @{fg highlight}SetLocation@{fg text} @{fg fill}NAME/F@{fg text} Set the name of your location. @{fg highlight}SetLatitude@{fg text} @{fg fill}LAT/A@{fg text} Set your @{"latitude" link "Fenster-Koordinaten"}. In decimals only !! @{fg highlight}SetLongitude@{fg text} @{fg fill}LON/A@{fg text} Set your @{"longitude" link "Fenster-Koordinaten"}. In decimals only !! @{fg highlight}@{"SetAltitude" link "Fenster-Koordinaten"}@{fg text} @{fg fill}ALT/A/N@{fg text} @{fg highlight}@{"SetTemperature" link "Fenster-Koordinaten"}@{fg text} @{fg fill}TEMP/A@{fg text} @{fg highlight}@{"SetPressure" link "Fenster-Koordinaten"}@{fg text} @{fg fill}PRESS/A@{fg text} @{fg highlight}SetObjects@{fg text} @{fg fill}SUN/S,MO/S,PL/S,AS/S,OR/S,GSC/S,ST/S,MW/S,M/S,NGC/S,IC/S,UGC/S,AB/S,ZW/S,MI/S@{fg text} (De-)activate a group of @{"objects" link "Einstellungen-11"}. Each category named will be activated, not named will be deactivated. Example: 'SetObjects SUN MO ST' This will activate only the sun, the moon and the stars. All others are off. @{fg highlight}SetPrecision@{fg text} @{fg fill}GP/S,RF/S,EX/S,PR/S,NU/S,PM/S,PA/S,SA/S,DA/S@{fg text} Set the @{"precision flags" link "Einstellungen-12"}. The order is as they appear in the preferences window. Each flag named will be activated, not named will be deactivated Example: 'SetPrecision GP PR' This will activate geocentric parallaxe and precession. All others are off. @{fg highlight}@{"SetEcliptic" link "Einstellungen-13"}@{fg text} @{fg fill}BOOL/A/N@{fg text} @{fg highlight}@{"SetEquator" link "Einstellungen-13"}@{fg text} @{fg fill}BOOL/A/N@{fg text} @{fg highlight}@{"SetHorizon" link "Einstellungen-13"}@{fg text} @{fg fill}BOOL/A/N@{fg text} @{fg highlight}@{"SetGrid" link "Einstellungen-13"}@{fg text} @{fg fill}MODE/A/N@{fg text} Grid mode from 0 (=Off) to 4 (=Galactic). @{fg highlight}@{"SetGridSteps" link "Einstellungen-13"}@{fg text} @{fg fill}STEP1/A/N,STEP2/A/N@{fg text} Set the step rate when drawing the grid. STEPs are from 0 (1°) to 10 (90°). @{fg highlight}@{"SetMap" link "Einstellungen-14"}@{fg text} @{fg fill}MODE/A/N@{fg text} MODE is 0 (Planetarium) or 1 (Local sky). @{fg highlight}@{"SetProjection" link "Einstellungen-14"}@{fg text} @{fg fill}MODE/A/N@{fg text} MODE is 0 (Area) or 1 (Sphere). @{fg highlight}@{"SetAHSystem" link "Einstellungen-14"}@{fg text} @{fg fill}MODE/A/N@{fg text} MODE is 0 (S=0°) or 1 (N=0°). @{fg highlight}@{"SetObtainPen" link "Einstellungen-14"}@{fg text} @{fg fill}PRECISION/A/N@{fg text} PRECISION from 0 (GUI) to 3 (EXACT). @{fg highlight}@{"SetShowDate" link "Einstellungen-14"}@{fg text} @{fg fill}BOOL/A/N@{fg text} @{fg highlight}@{"SetNightPalette" link "Einstellungen-14"}@{fg text} @{fg fill}BOOL/A/N@{fg text} @{fg highlight}@{"SetInvertColors" link "Einstellungen-14"}@{fg text} @{fg fill}BOOL/A/N@{fg text} @{fg highlight}@{"SetPixelCheck" link "Einstellungen-14"}@{fg text} @{fg fill}BOOL/A/N@{fg text} @{fg highlight}@{"SetFastSC" link "Einstellungen-14"}@{fg text} @{fg fill}BOOL/A/N@{fg text} @{fg highlight}@{"SetPlanetNames" link "Einstellungen-21"}@{fg text} @{fg fill}MODE/A/N@{fg text} @{fg highlight}@{"SetAstNames" link "Einstellungen-21"}@{fg text} @{fg fill}MODE/A/N@{fg text} MODE from 0 (Off) to 2 (Names). @{fg highlight}@{"SetOrbitNames" link "Einstellungen-21"}@{fg text} @{fg fill}MODE/A/N@{fg text} MODE is 0 (Off) or 1 (Names). @{fg highlight}@{"SetNumAst" link "Einstellungen-21"}@{fg text} @{fg fill}LIMIT/A/N@{fg text} @{fg highlight}@{"SetPhase" link "Einstellungen-21"}@{fg text} @{fg fill}BOOL/A/N@{fg text} @{fg highlight}@{"SetShowGrid" link "Einstellungen-21"}@{fg text} @{fg fill}BOOL/A/N@{fg text} @{fg highlight}@{"SetTexture" link "Einstellungen-21"}@{fg text} @{fg fill}BOOL/A/N@{fg text} @{fg highlight}@{"SetAutoZoom" link "Einstellungen-21"}@{fg text} @{fg fill}BOOL/A/N@{fg text} @{fg highlight}@{"SetShadow" link "Einstellungen-21"}@{fg text} @{fg fill}BOOL/A/N@{fg text} @{fg highlight}@{"SetConstFigures" link "Einstellungen-22"}@{fg text} @{fg fill}BOOL/A/N@{fg text} @{fg highlight}@{"SetConstBorders" link "Einstellungen-22"}@{fg text} @{fg fill}BOOL/A/N@{fg text} @{fg highlight}@{"SetConstNames" link "Einstellungen-22"} @{fg text} @{fg fill}MODE/A/N@{fg text} MODE from 0 (Off) to 3 (Abbreviation). @{fg highlight}@{"SetStarNames" link "Einstellungen-23"}@{fg text} @{fg fill}BOOL/A/N@{fg text} @{fg highlight}@{"SetStarSymbol" link "Einstellungen-23"}@{fg text} @{fg fill}BOOL/A/N@{fg text} @{fg highlight}@{"SetStarFlamsteed" link "Einstellungen-23"}@{fg text} @{fg fill}BOOL/A/N@{fg text} @{fg highlight}@{"SetStarMode" link "Einstellungen-23"}@{fg text} @{fg fill}MODE/A/N@{fg text} MODE from 0 (Graylevel Pixel) to 3 (Spectra Area). @{fg highlight}SetStarFactor@{fg text} @{fg fill}FACTOR/A/N@{fg text} FACTOR from 1 (very bright) to 20 (very faint). @{fg highlight}SetDSNames@{fg text} @{fg fill}M/S,NGC/S,IC/S,UGC/S,AB/S,ZW/S,MI/S@{fg text} (De-)activate drawing names of deep-sky objects. Each categorie named will be activated, not named will be deactivated. Example: 'SetDSNames M NGC' This will activate Messier and NGC names. All others are off. @{fg highlight}@{"SetDSMark" link "Einstellungen-24"}@{fg text} @{fg fill}MODE/A/N@{fg text} MODE from 0 (Off) to 2 (Image). @{fg highlight}@{"SetMagStars" link "Einstellungen-31"}@{fg text} @{fg fill}MAG/A/N@{fg text} Maximum magnitude of stars to draw. MAG from 0 to 16. @{fg highlight}@{"SetMagObjects" link "Einstellungen-31"}@{fg text} @{fg fill}MAG/A/N@{fg text} Maximum magnitude of all other objects to draw. MAG from 0 to 100. @{fg highlight}@{"SetDarkPen" link "Einstellungen-31"}@{fg text} @{fg fill}PEN/A/N@{fg text} Darkest pen to take. PEN from 0 (brightest) to 31 (darkest). @{fg highlight}@{"SetTelRA" link "Fenster-Teleskop"}@{fg text} @{fg fill}ANGLE/A@{fg text} @{fg highlight}@{"SetTelDec" link "Fenster-Teleskop"}@{fg text} @{fg fill}ANGLE/A@{fg text} @{fg highlight}@{"SetTelView1" link "Fenster-Teleskop"}@{fg text} @{fg fill}ANGLE/A@{fg text} Set the center coordinates and field-of-view of planetarium mode. In decimals only !! @{fg highlight}@{"SetTelAz" link "Fenster-Teleskop"}@{fg text} @{fg fill}ANGLE/A@{fg text} @{fg highlight}@{"SetTelAlt" link "Fenster-Teleskop"}@{fg text} @{fg fill}ANGLE/A@{fg text} @{fg highlight}@{"SetTelView2" link "Fenster-Teleskop"}@{fg text} @{fg fill}ANGLE/A@{fg text} Set the center coordinates and field-of-view of local sky mode. In decimals only !! @{fg highlight}@{"SetTelLon" link "Fenster-Teleskop"}@{fg text} @{fg fill}ANGLE/A@{fg text} @{fg highlight}@{"SetTelLat" link "Fenster-Teleskop"}@{fg text} @{fg fill}ANGLE/A@{fg text} @{fg highlight}@{"SetTelView3" link "Fenster-Teleskop"}@{fg text} @{fg fill}ANGLE/A@{fg text} Set the center coordinates and field-of-view of heliocentric mode (when location is not Earth). In decimals only !! @{fg highlight}@{"SetTelOrreryLon" link "Fenster-Teleskop"}@{fg text} @{fg fill}ANGLE/A@{fg text} @{fg highlight}@{"SetTelOrreryLat" link "Fenster-Teleskop"}@{fg text} @{fg fill}ANGLE/A@{fg text} @{fg highlight}@{"SetTelOrreryAE" link "Fenster-Teleskop"}@{fg text} @{fg fill}DIST/A@{fg text} @{fg highlight}@{"SetTelOrreryView" link "Fenster-Teleskop"}@{fg text} @{fg fill}ANGLE/A@{fg text} Set the observer position coordinates and field-of-view of orrery mode in heliocentric coordinates. In decimals only !! @endnode @node Texturen @title "Surface textures" Starting with Digital Almanac II the concept of surface textures has been redesigned. Before: * Static size of textures (640*320) at only 32 colors. * No CGX support. * The user couldn't replace these textures by his own. @{b}This all now belongs to the past !@{ub} New is: * Texture can have any size and color depth, also truecolor !! * CGX support. * The user can replace the default textures by his own. @{u}How does Digital Almanac distinguish between truecolor and 'normal' textures ?@{uu} This is done by the file extension. Truecolor textures end with '.map24', all others with '.map'. @{b}Important:@{ub} Truecolor textures only can be used on true/hicolor screens, the others on all types of screens ! @{u}How do I create my own textures ?@{uu} In theory every picture can be converted into a texture. For a real planetary texture following conditions must be fulfilled: * The picture must be a simple cylindric projection of the planet's surface. * The coordinates (0°/0°) must be located in the picture's centre. To convert a picture into a texture, you must use the little CLI tool @{fg fill}Bin/DT2Map@{fg text}. With its help you can convert any picture with datatypes into a texture. The picture.datatype V43 is supported of course. Template: DT2Map FROM/A,TO/A,W=WIDTH/K/N,H=HEIGHT/K/N FROM: Filename of the picture. TO: Filename of the texture. @{b}Important:@{ub} Don't use the fileextension !! This is added by the tool itself !! W,H: Scales the picture to this size. @{b}Example@{ub}: DT2Map Work:Graphics/Moon.jpg Work:DigitalAlmanac/Data/Map/Moon W 1024 H 512 @{b}Hint:@{ub} Usually you do not need a 24-bit texture, because the difference to a texture with 256 colors is almost not visible to your eyes, but they are three times as big. If you own CGX, please do not forget to deactivate the 24-bit mode of the corresponding datatype preferences. Otherwise you will receive a 24-bit texture. The default textures mostly have a size of 720*360 with 256 colors. @{u}Connection between objectname and filename (without fileextension !)@{uu} Objekt Name ---------------- Sun Sun Mercury Mercury Venus Venus Earth Earth Moon Moon Mars Mars Jupiter Jupiter Io Io Europa Europa Ganymed Ganymed Callisto Callisto Saturn Saturn Mimas Mimas Enceladus Enceladus Tethys Tethys Dione Dione Rhea Rhea Titan Titan Hyperion Hyperion Iapetus Iapetus Uranus Uranus Ariel Ariel Umbriel Umbriel Titania Titania Oberon Oberon Miranda Miranda Neptune Neptune Pluto Pluto @endnode @node Picturesupport @title "Picture support" Create your own picture galery ! To view a picture simply select the name of the picture in the listview from the new menu item @{fg fill}Extras/Pictures@{fg text} or from the ephemeris window. The program loads the pictures via datatypes. The picture.datatype 43.x is supported ! From version 1.7 the connetion between filenames, filenotes and the appearance in the list has been easified. @{b}Important:@{ub} A filename extension will be cut off, i.e. "Jupiter.png" is internally treated as "Jupiter". @{b}Rules:@{ub} * The filename should always match the internal name. Example: "Sun.png", "M42.ilbm", "NGC7010.jpg", "Venus" etc. The name of the file without extension will appear in the list. If the filename doesn't match an internal name, the ephemeris window wom't be able to display the picture. * If you specify a file comment, then the file comment will appear in the list @{b}Examples:@{ub} You have a picture for the object "Messier 42" (The Great Orion Nebula). Its internal name is "M42". @{b}Example 1:@{ub} Your picture is called "M42" or "M42.jpg" and no file comment is specified. Then "M42" will appear in the list. @{b}Example 2:@{ub} Your picture is called "M42" or "M42.png" and you specify "Orion" as file comment. Then "Orion" will appear in the list. @{b}Example 3:@{ub} Your picture is called "Orion.iff". That doesn't work. You must rename it and proceed as decribed. @{b}Important:@{ub} If you use CGX V2 on your system, you must have cybergraphics.library 40.113 or higher installed, otherwise pictures on true/hicolor screens won't be scaled ! If you use CGX V2 in true/hicolor mode, it may happen, that non-24-bit pictures are displayed corrupt ! When using CGX V3, there are no problems. @endnode @node Update @title "Update" The directory @{fg fill}User@{fg text} contains all the files, that can be altered by you. @{b}User files:@{ub} * @{fg fill}User/place.data@{fg text} Here are stored the list with your favorite locations. * @{fg fill}User/ngcnames.data@{fg text} This is the textfile with the list of common names of deep-sky objects. * @{fg fill}User/orbit.data@{fg text} This file contains the list with your orbital elements created. Deselect the corresponding flags in the installation process when updating ! @endnode @node Geschichte @title "History" @{fg fill}07-Jan-00 @{fg highlight}V1.8.1@{fg text} * Fixed a little bug in calculation of solar eclipse duration. Stack was not cleaned up correctly and could therefore lead to wrong results. * Program is now completely developed with StormC. * CPU specific exectuables for 020/030 and 040/060 processors. * Star database will be automatically converted to a faster format during first program start. This increases speed of drawing stars. * Output in search list of deepsky-objects was unreadable. * Location altitude value was sometimes wrong translated by string input. Could cause wrong calculations using parallaxe option. * Fixed a bug in documentation. ARexx commands were not displayed. * Fixed a very stupid bug in orbital element window. The field "JD" was handled as a float value instead double value. So the number was handled correct but displayed wrong. If you have created your own database, then all entries are invalid, because it was stored wrong. I am sorry for that !! Send me your file via email for conversion !! @{fg fill}03-Jan-00 @{fg highlight}V1.8.0@{fg text} * Added Italian catalog. @endnode @node Probleme @title "Troubleshooting" This program is designed to work on all those different Amigas that fulfill the hard- and software requirements. However, it is possible, that on some systems the program crashes or shows an unexpected behaviour. @{b}This is not a mistake of Digital Almanac !!@{ub} Because of those many different hardware configurations and background patches being installed, it can happen, that Digital Almanac does not work correctly. In this case, you should check your system configuration. Degrade your system (deactivate all those utilities you do not need) and restart Digital Almanac. This will work in most cases. @{b}Known problems and their solution:@{ub} @{fg highlight}Problem:@{fg text} Digital Almanac won't start. There is even no error requester. Most times the computer crashes. @{fg highlight}Solution:@{fg text} Digital Almanac makes intensive use of the FPU. If you negate one of the following statements, itis possible, that the program will not run on your Amiga !! * I run a MC68040 and I have installed the original 68040.library from Commodore. * I run a MC68060 and I have installed the latest 68060.library. * I have installed the original math-libs from Commodore, i.e I do not use any replacement libs or patches concerning these math-libs. @{fg highlight}Problem:@{fg text} I have problems running Digital Almanac with CyberGraphX. Sometimes the computer even crashes. With AGA I have no problems. @{fg highlight}Solution:@{fg text} Digital Almanac has some problems with CyberGraphX, if the flag PLANES2FAST is deactivated. Maybe because of an internal mistake of CyberGraphX, the animation mode shows a strange behaviour, which may lead into a guru. To avoid those problems it is recommended to set the PLANES2FAST flag to TRUE (1) !! It is also reported, that their might be problems with CybervisionPPC cards ! @{fg highlight}Problem:@{fg text} Sometimes the menu freezes for a short time. @{fg highlight}Solution:@{fg text} This behaviour can be caused by some menu patches (Magic Menu usw). I myself do not have any problems with Magic Menu 2.21. Deactivate those patches. @{fg highlight}Problem:@{fg text} Digital Almanac doesn't react on chosen menu items and drawing is extremly slow. @{fg highlight}Solution:@{fg text} Set the flag @{fg highlight}Windows/Refresh@{fg text} of the MUI prefs to @{fg highlight}Smart@{fg text}. @{fg highlight}Problem:@{fg text} Digital Almanac calculates very slow, though I run a MC68060. @{fg highlight}Solution:@{fg text} It seems you have on older version of the 68060.library and running Cyberpatcher with it in the background. Install by all means the latest 68060.library from Aminet and deaktivate Cyberpatcher as this is obsolete with it. This 68060.library emulates all missing FPU commands correctly and very fast. The latest version is 68060.library 46.6. @{fg highlight}Problem:@{fg text} In AGA mode I often cannot run any animations or some textures are not loaded. @{fg highlight}Solution:@{fg text} Well... I cannot help you, because your RAM (chip or fast) is too small. Buy a graphic card and some RAM modules ! @{fg highlight}Problem:@{fg text} Digital Almanac doesn't start and I get an error message from the locale.library. @{fg highlight}Solution:@{fg text} It seems you use a different language than those being supported by Digital Almanac. Start the prefs program @{fg fill}SYS:Prefs/Locale@{fg text} and add the installed language of Digital Almanac. If you should detect any bug, strange behaviour etc., please report this to @{"me" link "Autor"} with a detailed description of your system (hardware, background patches etc.). @endnode @node Bugs @title "Bugs ?" @endnode @node RGFX @title "The IFF-RGFX format" @{b}@{u}What is IFF-RGFX ?@{ub}@{uu} The IFF-RGFX format is a new image format to save images efficiently und up-to-date. It was designed by Andreas Kleinert to replace the old and obsolete IFF-ILBM format. The IFF-RGFX format offers following features; * Saving of images as chunky pixels up to 24 bit depth. * Xpk compression. * Saving of display ID's from AGA, CyberGraphX and Picasso96. Depending on the packer, these files are often smaller than corresponding GIF or PNG files !! Because of its IFF design, the user still has got all advantages of IFF like the possibility of extension. @{b}@{u}Where can I get the RGFX datatype ?@{ub}@{uu} Currently, there exist only one datatype to read the IFF-RGFX format. It is available on the Aminet in @{fg fill}util/dtype/rgfx-dt.lha@{fg text} and was also written by me. This archive also contains a Datatype->RGFX converter. @endnode @node GSC @title "The GSC catalog" Since version 1.7, the program can read and display the Hubble GSC star catalog. Because of speed reasons, the original format has been changed to make possible a fast display. Each star contains the position and magnitude. Because of space reasons, more data has not been included. The size of the catalog is about 250 MB and contains about 25 million stars up to +16m. The Hubble GSC star catalog for DA II can be ordered directly from me on a CD-ROM. The price is 20 DM or 10 Euro for countries of the European Community or 20 US$ for all other countries and includes material and transportation costs. @endnode @node Autor @title "Author" You can contact me at one of these addresses: @{fg highlight}S-Mail@{fg text} Achim Stegemann Kirschgartenstr. 69 69126 Heidelberg Germany Tel.: +49-6221-315360 @{fg highlight}E-Mail@{fg text} astegema@ix.urz.uni-heidelberg.de achimste@gmx.de @{fg highlight}Internet@{fg text} http://www.rzuser.uni-heidelberg.de/~astegema Here you can read the latest developer news of Digital Almanac. @{fg highlight}Bank account@{fg text} Badische Beamtenbank Heidelberg (Germany) BLZ 66090800 Accountnr. 2740605 @{b}Important:@{ub} * Cheques in foreign currency will not be accepted, except euro-cheques !! * If you send me a letter, make sure you provide your address, phone number and your hardware configuration !! @endnode @node Danke @title "Credits" Following people helped me developing DA or the program supports their work. * Peter Knight Milky way structure and mathematical help. * Andreas Kleinert RGFX graphics format * Alex Kazik The 'Jpeg2Mov' utility. * Uwe Pannecke Preview in the Aminet online-magazine. * Olaf Köbnik Support of DA in his Amiga-Arena. * Gilles Masson Author of MUI_NList classes. * Linus McCabe Author of MUI_TransferAnim class. * Gilles Francois Bug preports, suggestions and beta testing. * Virgino Savani Italian catalog. Many thanks also to all registered users, who give me the possibility to continue developing this program by their support and ideas. @endnode