Help for  WinStars 1.0

Introduction

Presentation

Menus

File

Observation

Calculations

Internet

Telescope

View

Options

Window

? (Help)

Getting started

Using WinStars with the mouse and the keyboard

Using WinStars with a LX200 telescope

Using zoom

Using the solar system mode

Using coordinates

Seeing a picture by connecting a DSS server

Remarks about display

Using WinStars with Seti@Home

Installation of additional files

Installation of a new landscape

Definitions

Definitions

About WinStars

Bugs

History

About the translation

Contact

Disclaimer


Presentation

WinStars is a complete planetarium, showing you the appearance of the sky, as seen from anywhere on Earth, for any date. With a click of the mouse, you will get more information about all objects displayed by the program. WinStars is freeware.

Features :

•	10.000 stars (BSC5 catalogue) in the basic version and more than 2.500.000 stars by downloading Sky2000 and Tycho2 catalogues,

•	more than 10.000 deep sky objects - star clusters, nebulae, galaxies (SAC catalogue),

•	smooth real time navigation with the mouse,

•	displays the accurate position of the Sun, the Moon, the major planets, comets and asteroids,

•	position of the major planetary satellites can be displayed on the map,

•	realistic views of the planets, the Moon, the phases of Mercury and Venus, the horizon and objects of deep sky,

•	calculations of ephemeris,

•	detailed information can be displayed about each object,

•	drives the Meade LX200 (and compatible) telescope.

•	Web resources are available : updated comets and asteroids' elements, pictures from DSS (Digitized Sky Survey) servers, visibility of artificial satellites...

•	WinStars is written in c++.

Requirements :

•	Pentium 150 MHz or faster,

•	Windows 95/98/Me/2000 or NT4,

•	32 Mbytes RAM or more,

•	20 Mbytes free space on the hard disk,

•	video card 800x600 with 32768 colors (15 bits).

•	a wheel mouse is recommended.


Commandes du menu Fichier
File

Open	Open a configuration file.
Save	Save a configuration file.
Print Setup	Printer configuration.
Print	Print a map.
Exit	Exit WinStars.


Observation

Time and location	Enter the date and the location of the observation.
About solar system	Here you can find all information about the planets, the Moon and the Sun.
Searching for object	Use this function to find a star, a planet or a deep sky object.
Looking in a direction	Enter equatorial coordinates. Now, you can look in that direction.
Eyepiece	Add an eyepiece field of view circle on the map.
Quickfinder	Add quickfinder circles on the map.
Telrad	Add Telrad circles on the map.
Animation	Moving the time forward or backward


Calculation

Horizontal coordinates of an object	Computes azimuth and altitude of an object according to date, time and location.
Sidereal time	Shows Julian day number, sidereal time and Universal Time.
Ephemeris	Shows all prominent astronomic events observable from your location .


Internet

Calling a DSS server	To obtain pictures from DSS (Digitized Sky Survey) servers.
Visibility of artificial satellites	Computes times of artificial satellites visibility.
Iridium flares	Date and time of Iridium satellites flares.
Weather reports	About meteorology…
Update comets’ elements	For more accurate predictions concerning comets.
Update asteroids’ elements	For more accurate predictions concerning asteroids.
Update WinStars	Eventual new versions of WinStars.
Visit WinStars homepage	For information about WinStars.


Telescope

RS-232 configuration	Changes serial port parameters.
Open LX 200 connection	Connects your computer to your LX200 telescope.
Close LX200 connection	Breaks the connection with the LX200 telescope


Options

WinStars configuration...	Choose elements to display, the appearance of the charts, and activated catalogues
Fonts and colors	Change fonts and colors used by WinStars.
Zoom setup	Zoom configuration.
Information about catalogues	Information about catalogues used by WinStars.


View

Tools bar	Show/hide tools bar.
Status bar	Show/hide status bar.
Full screen mode	Hides tools bars, status bar, and title of the WinStars’ window.
Night vision	When using WinStars in a dark environment.


Windows

Cascade	Arranges the windows as overlapping tiles.
Tile	Arranges the windows as horizontals tiles.


? (Help)

Help topics	Help index of WinStars program.
About WinStars	Shows version number of the program.


File New command
New command (File menu)

Use this command to create a new document in WinStars.  Select the type of new file you want to create in the File New dialog box.

You can open an existing document with the Open command.

Shortcuts

Toolbar:

Keys:	CTRL+N


File New dialog box


File Open command
Open command (File menu)

Use this command to open an existing document in a new window.  You can open multiple documents at once.  Use the Window menu to switch among the multiple open documents.  See Window 1, 2, ... command.

You can create new documents with the New command.

Shortcuts

Toolbar:

Keys:	CTRL+O


File Open dialog box

The following options allow you to specify which file to open:

File Name

Type or select the filename you want to open.  This box lists files with the extension you select in the List Files of Type box.

List Files of Type

Select the type of file you want to open:

<< List your application's file types here. >>

Drives

Select the drive in which WinStars stores the file that you want to open.

Directories

Select the directory in which WinStars stores the file that you want to open.

Network...

Choose this button to connect to a network location, assigning it a new drive letter.


File Close command
Close command (File menu)

Use this command to close all windows containing the active document.  WinStars suggests that you save changes to your document before you close it.  If you close a document without saving, you lose all changes made since the last time you saved it.  Before closing an untitled document, WinStars displays the Save As dialog box and suggests that you name and save the document.

You can also close a document by using the Close icon on the document's window, as shown below:


File Save command
Save command (File menu)

Use this command to save the active document to its current name and directory.  When you save a document for the first time, WinStars displays the Save As dialog box so you can name your document.  If you want to change the name and directory of an existing document before you save it, choose the Save As command.

Shortcuts

Toolbar:

Keys:	CTRL+S


File Save As command
Save As command (File menu)

Use this command to save and name the active document.  WinStars displays the Save As dialog box so you can name your document.

To save a document with its existing name and directory, use the Save command.


Send command (File menu)

Use this command to send the active document through electronic mail.  This command presents a mail window with the active document attached to it.  You may then fill out the To: field, Subject: field, etc., and add text to the body of the message if you wish.  When you are finished you may click the "Send" button to send the message.


File Save As dialog box

The following options allow you to specify the name and location of the file you're about to save:

File Name

Type a new filename to save a document with a different name.  WinStars adds the extension you specify in the Save File As Type box.

Drives

Select the drive in which you want to store the document.

Directories

Select the directory in which you want to store the document.

Network...

Choose this button to connect to a network location, assigning it a new drive letter.


File 1, 2, 3, 4 command
1, 2, 3, 4 command (File menu)

Use the numbers and filenames listed at the bottom of the File menu to open the last four documents you closed.  Choose the number that corresponds with the document you want to open.


File Exit command
Exit command (File menu)

Use this command to end your WinStars session.  You can also use the Close command on the application Control menu.  WinStars prompts you to save documents with unsaved changes.

Shortcuts

Mouse:	Double-click the application's Control menu button.

Keys:	ALT+F4


Undo/Can't Undo command (Edit menu)

<< Your application's user interface for Undo may differ from the one described below.  Modify this help text accordingly. >>

Use this command to reverse the last editing action, if possible.   The name of the command changes, depending on what the last action was.  The Undo command changes to Can't Undo on the menu if you cannot reverse your last action.

Shortcuts

Toolbar:

Keys:	CTRL+Z or

ALT-BACKSPACE


Redo command (Edit menu)


Cut command (Edit menu)

Use this command to remove the currently selected data from the document and put it on the clipboard.  This command is unavailable if there is no data currently selected.

Cutting data to the clipboard replaces the contents previously stored there.

Shortcuts

Toolbar:

Keys:	CTRL+X


Copy command (Edit menu)

Use this command to copy selected data onto the clipboard.  This command is unavailable if there is no data currently selected.

Copying data to the clipboard replaces the contents previously stored there.

Shortcuts

Toolbar:

Keys:	CTRL+C


Paste command (Edit menu)

Use this command to insert a copy of the clipboard contents at the insertion point.  This command is unavailable if the clipboard is empty.

Shortcuts

Toolbar:

Keys:	CTRL+V


View Toolbar command
Toolbar command (View menu)

Use this command to display and hide the Toolbar, which includes buttons for some of the most common commands in WinStars, such as File Open.  A check mark appears next to the menu item when the Toolbar is displayed.

See Toolbar for help on using the toolbar.


Toolbar

The toolbar is displayed across the top of the application window, below the menu bar.  The toolbar provides quick mouse access to many tools used in WinStars,

To hide or display the Toolbar, choose Toolbar from the View menu (ALT, V, T).

<< Add or remove toolbar buttons from the list below according to which ones your application offers. >>

Click	To

Open a new document.

Open an existing document.  WinStars displays the Open dialog box, in which you can locate and open the desired file.

Save the active document or template with its current name.  If you have not named the document, WinStars displays the Save As dialog box.

Print the active document.

Remove selected data from the document and stores it on the clipboard.

Copy the selection to the clipboard.

Insert the contents of the clipboard at the insertion point.

Reverse the last editing.  Note:  You cannot undo some actions.

Go to the first record in the current selection.

Go to the previous record in the current selection.

Go to the next record in the current selection.

Go to the last record in the current selection.


View Status Bar Command
Status Bar command (View menu)

Use this command to display and hide the Status Bar, which describes the action to be executed by the selected menu item or depressed toolbar button, and keyboard latch state. A check mark appears next to the menu item when the Status Bar is displayed.

See Status Bar for help on using the status bar.


Status Bar

The status bar is displayed at the bottom of the WinStars window.  To display or hide the status bar, use the Status Bar command in the View menu.

The left area of the status bar describes actions of menu items as you use the arrow keys to navigate through menus.  This area similarly shows messages that describe the actions of toolbar buttons as you depress them, before releasing them.  If after viewing the description of the toolbar button command you wish not to execute the command, then release the mouse button while the pointer is off the toolbar button.

The right areas of the status bar indicate which of the following keys are latched down:

Indicator	Description

CAP	The Caps Lock key is latched down.

NUM	The Num Lock key is latched down.

SCRL	The Scroll Lock key is latched down.


New command (Window menu)

Use this command to open a new window with the same contents as the active window.  You can open multiple document windows to display different parts or views of a document at the same time.  If you change the contents in one window, all other windows containing the same document reflect those changes.  When you open a new window, it becomes the active window and is displayed on top of all other open windows.


Cascade command (Window menu)

Use this command to arrange multiple opened windows in an overlapped fashion.


Tile command (Window menu)

Use this command to arrange multiple opened windows in a non-overlapped fashion.


Tile Horizontal command (Window menu)

Use this command to vertically arrange multiple opened windows in a non-overlapped fashion.


Tile Vertical command (Window menu)

Use this command to arrange multiple opened windows side by side.


Window Arrange Icons Command

Use this command to arrange the icons for minimized windows at the bottom of the main window.  If there is an open document window at the bottom of the main window, then some or all of the icons may not be visible because they will be underneath this document window.


Split Command (Window menu)

Use this command to split the active window into panes.  You may then use the mouse or the keyboard arrows to move the splitter bars.  When you are finished, press the mouse button or enter to leave the splitter bars in their new location.  Pressing escape keeps the splitter bars in their original location.


1, 2, ... command (Window menu)

WinStars displays a list of currently open document windows at the bottom of the Window menu.  A check mark appears in front of the document name of the active window.  Choose a document from this list to make its window active.


Index command (Help menu)

Use this command to display the opening screen of Help.  From the opening screen, you can jump to step-by-step instructions for using WinStars and various types of reference information.

Once you open Help, you can click the Contents button whenever you want to return to the opening screen.


Using Help command (Help menu)

Use this command for instructions about using Help.


About command (Help menu)

Use this command to display the copyright notice and version number of your copy of WinStars.


Help Using Help Command
Context Help command

Use the Context Help command to obtain help on some portion of WinStars.  When you choose the Toolbar's Context Help button, the mouse pointer will change to an arrow and question mark.  Then click somewhere in the WinStars window, such as another Toolbar button.  The Help topic will be shown for the item you clicked.

Shortcut

Keys:	SHIFT+F1


Title Bar

The title bar is located along the top of a window.  It contains the name of the application and document.

To move the window, drag the title bar.  Note: You can also move dialog boxes by dragging their title bars.

A title bar may contain the following elements:

Application Control-menu button

Document Control-menu button

Maximize button

Minimize button

Name of the application

Name of the document

Restore button


Scroll bars

Displayed at the right and bottom edges of the document window.  The scroll boxes inside the scroll bars indicate your vertical and horizontal location in the document.  You can use the mouse to scroll to other parts of the document.

<< Describe the actions of the various parts of the scrollbar, according to how they behave in your application. >>


Size command (System menu)

Use this command to display a four-headed arrow so you can size the active window with the arrow keys.

After the pointer changes to the four-headed arrow:

1.	Press one of the DIRECTION keys (left, right, up, or down arrow key) to move the pointer to the border you want to move.

2.	Press a DIRECTION key to move the border.

3.	Press ENTER when the window is the size you want.

Note:  This command is unavailable if you maximize the window.

Shortcut

Mouse:	Drag the size bars at the corners or edges of the window.


Move command (Control menu)

Use this command to display a four-headed arrow so you can move the active window or dialog box with the arrow keys.

Note:  This command is unavailable if you maximize the window.

Shortcut

Keys:	CTRL+F7


System Minimize Command
Minimize command (application Control menu)

Use this command to reduce the WinStars window to an icon.

Shortcut

Mouse:	Click the minimize icon [image] on the title bar.

Keys:	ALT+F9


Maximize command (System menu)

Use this command to enlarge the active window to fill the available space.

Shortcut

Mouse:	Click the maximize icon [image] on the title bar; or double-click the title bar.

Keys:	CTRL+F10 enlarges a document window.


Next Window command (document Control menu)

Use this command to switch to the next open document window.  WinStars determines which window is next according to the order in which you opened the windows.

Shortcut

Keys:	CTRL+F6


Previous Window command (document Control menu)

Use this command to switch to the previous open document window.  WinStars determines which window is previous according to the order in which you opened the windows.

Shortcut

Keys:	SHIFT+CTRL+F6


Close command (Control menus)

Use this command to close the active window or dialog box.

Double-clicking a Control-menu box is the same as choosing the Close command.

Note:  If you have multiple windows open for a single document, the Close command on the document Control menu closes only one window at a time.  You can close all windows at once with the Close command on the File menu.

Shortcuts

Keys: 	CTRL+F4 closes a document window

ALT+F4 closes the window or dialog box


Restore command (Control menu)

Use this command to return the active window to its size and position before you chose the Maximize or Minimize command.


Switch to command (application Control menu)

Use this command to display a list of all open applications.  Use this "Task List" to switch to or close an application on the list.

Shortcut

Keys:	CTRL+ESC

Dialog Box Options

When you choose the Switch To command, you will be presented with a dialog box with the following options:

Task List

Select the application you want to switch to or close.

Switch To

Makes the selected application active.

End Task

Closes the selected application.

Cancel

Closes the Task List box.

Cascade

Arranges open applications so they overlap and you can see each title bar.  This option does not affect applications reduced to icons.

Tile

Arranges open applications into windows that do not overlap.  This option does not affect applications reduced to icons.

Arrange Icons

Arranges the icons of all minimized applications across the bottom of the screen.


View Ruler Command
Ruler command (View menu)


Choose Font Dialog
Choose Font dialog box


Choose Color Dialog
Choose Color dialog box


Edit Find Command
Find command (Edit menu)


Find Dialog
Find dialog box


Edit Replace Command
Replace command (Edit menu)


Replace Dialog
Replace dialog box


Edit Repeat Command
Repeat command (Edit menu)

Use this command to repeat the last editing command carried out.  The Repeat menu item changes to Can't Repeat if you cannot repeat your last action.

Shortcut

Key:	F4


Edit Clear Command
Clear command (Edit menu)


Edit Clear All
Clear All command (Edit menu)


Next Pane Command
Next Pane


Prev Pane Command
Prev Pane


Modifying the Document


No Help Available

No help is available for this area of the window.


No Help Available

No help is available for this message box.


Using WinStars with the mouse

With the mouse, it is possible to perform all functions :

•	To move the map around the sky, move the mouse with left button down.

•	To display information about an object, double click on it with the right mouse-button.

•	Double clicking an object with the left button centers it on the screen.

•	The mouse wheel controls the zoom value.

Using WinStars with the keyboard

•	The ‘Esc’ key stops the current animation or cancels the follow function,

•	The ‘z’ key restores the zoom value (1 x),

•	The direction keys (arrows) modify the direction view,

•	‘-‘ and ‘+’ keys change the zoom value,

•	Need help with the dialogs, press ‘F1’ key when dialog-box is displayed.


Full screen mode

This option hides tools bars, status bar and title bar. It allows to display some wide maps.


Using the zoom function

To change the zoom value, press on ‘-‘ or ‘+’ keys or use the wheel mouse.

You might obtain a narrow view of deep sky objects, planets, comets, etc…

For example :

Saturn

M 51 galaxy


Time and location box

Use this box to change location, date and time of the observation :

First, enter the local time is zone number 1 (it’s the legal time displayed by your watch.)

Use the Now button for using the internal computer time and for changing the date and the time.

Change the time zone (2). It’s the observer’s time zone, note that the time information is entered in hours ahead (+) of or behind (-) UT (Greenwich Mean Time). If you are in the western hemisphere (e.g. the USA) your local time will be behind UT (you must enter a negative number); if you are in the eastern hemisphere your local time will a ahead of UT (you must enter a positive number).

This number must be between –12 and +12.

You can calculate your time zone by dividing your longitude by 15 and taking the whole part.

For example, if your longitude is 118.4° West :

we have : 118.4/15 =7.893333

Take 7 only.

Here, we have in the western hemisphere (118.4° W). So, use a negative value of this number.

So, the time zone is equal to -7

For the Daylight saving time, you must add one hour to the time zone.

In this example, for the daylight saving time we must enter -7+1 = -6  in the box n°2

Attention : If the time zone number is wrong, WinStars will deliver wrong information about positions of planets and stars.

Select your location. If it doesn’t exist in the list; enter your geographic coordinates (latitude and longitude) and click on the “Add” button. You can also use the “delete” button for removing a location.

You could use the map function for changing your locality or use the button “coordinates ?” in order to find your geographic position with Internet.

Data about pressure and temperature are used for calculation of atmospheric effects on altitude objects. These parameters will be used only if you check the refraction effect in the Configuration of WinStars box.


Information box

This dialog displays information about an object:

The button Follow allows keeping an object in the center of the screen during an animation (it’s better for seen an eclipse, satellites rotation around a planet, etc…). This button also allows following an object with a compatible telescope with the LX200 protocol.

For system solar objects, the computer indicates geocentric longitude and latitude, distance objects-Sun and objects-Earth, apparent diameter, magnitude, and its equatorial coordinates.

For a star, WinStars displays its identification numbers in  Bright Star and Henry Draper (HD) catalogues, magnitude, right ascension, declination, color index and spectral type. Azimuth and elevation are calculated with parameters of the observation. For brightest stars, the computer shows Bayer letter and Flamsteed number.

For deep sky object, WinStars indicates apparent diameter, the surface magnitude and description.

Signification of abbreviation used for this descriptions (Burnham method) :

!	remarkable object	!!	very remarkable object

am	among	n	north

att	attached	N	nucleus

bet	between	neb	nebula, nebulosity

B	bright	P w	paired with

b	brighter	p	pretty (Before F,B,L or S)

C	compressed	p	preceding

c	considerably	P	poor

Cl	cluster	R	round

d	double	Ri	rich

def	defined	r	not well resolved, mottled

deg	degrees	rr	partially resolved

diam	diameter	rrr	well resolved

dif	diffuse	S	small

E	elongated	s	suddenly

e	extremely	s	south

er	easily resolved	sc	scattered

F	faint	susp	suspected

f	following	st	star or stellar

g	gradually	v	very

iF	irregular figure	var	variable

inv	involved	nf	north following

irr	irregular	np	north preceding

L	large	sf	south following

l	little	sp	south preceding

mag	magnitude	11m	11th magnitude

M	middle	8...	8th magnitude and fainter

m	much	9...13	9th to 13th magnitude

Some examples :

Objet NGC numéro	Description	mean…

214	pF, pS, lE, gvlbM	pretty faint, pretty small, little elongated

gradually very little brighter in the

middle

708	vF, vS, R	very faint, very small, round

891	B, vL, vmE	bright, very large, very much elongated

7009	!, vB, S	remarkable object, very bright, small

2099	!  B, vRi, mC	remarkable object, bright, very rich,

much compressed

6643	pB,pL,E50,2 st p	pretty bright, pretty large,

elongated in position angle 50 degrees,

two stars preceding


Animation box

With this dialog, you can define animation parameters.

Number of frames by second determines the quality of the animation. For a cinema quality, please enter 25 frames by second (with a powerful computer, of course!).

Time between two frames defines the period added to each frame for the animation generation.

For example, if we enter 5 minutes in “time between two frames” and 1 in “Number of frames by second”, we have (if the animation starts the 2001/21/10 at 10h00).

•	First picture, the sky (2001/21/10 at 10h00)

•	Second picture (1 second after the first) : the sky (2001/21/10 at 10h05)

•	Third picture (1 second after the second) : the sky (2001/21/10 at 10h10)

•	Etc...

By checking “Automatic”, the pictures are generated automatically. Else, you must click on the “Sky rotation” button to view the next picture.

By checking “Real time” option, the computer uses the real time clock to make animation.

After have creating an animation, please click on the “Sky rotation” button to play animation.

Use the “Stop animation” button or use the “ESC” key for stop an animation.


Searching for objects

If you are searching a star, you have four possibilities :

1)- you can indicate the popular name of the star. Examples : Betelgeuse, Rigel etc…

2)- you can designate a star by using its Bayer’s letter and its constellation

      Examples :  (alpha, Andromeda) for Alpheratz   –    (Beta, Hunter) for Rigel   etc…

3)- use its Henry Draper number ,

4)- use its SAO number.

To find a deep sky object, you must indicate the type of catalogue and the number.

For example: M 42 for the great nebulae in the Hunter (M for Messier catalogue),

or NGC 4388 for a galaxy in the Virgin (here, we use the le New General Catalogue of Nebulae).

Use the third section to find a solar system object.

You can find the position of the current work unit from seti@home by entering the word “seti” in the Deep Sky section.

Finally, use the last sections to find a comet or an asteroid…

Note : if the object exists and if it is above horizon line, so it will be center in the screen.


Configuration of WinStars...

Constellations section :

•	Names of the constellations : displays short names, or full names in Latin or English.

•	Borders : draws the constellations borders (by default).

•	Figures : draws the constellation figures (by default).

Star section :

We can display the names of the brightest stars by checking the first line of this section.

The “realistic” option improves stars representation.

The “color” option represents stars with their true color.

•	Use Sky2000 : check this option for displaying sky2000 catalogue’s stars (warning : this catalogue must be present in the same directory than WinStars. See Installation of Sky2000 module)

•	Use Tycho2 : check this option for displaying Tycho catalogue’s stars (warning : this catalogue must be present in the same directory than WinStars. See. Installation of Tycho module)

Modify size of all stars by changing the diameter (in pixels) of a star with a zero magnitude.

You can indicate the limit magnitude limit.

Deep sky section :

•	If you don’t want to display deep sky objects, uncheck the first option,

•	You can show/hide the names of these objects,

•	The third option can improve the Messier objects representation by using pictures ( it’s necessary to download and install the Messier module)

Milky way section :

•	Show /Hide Milky way. (this option doesn’t work with the Projection n°1. You must download and install the Milky way module for using this option.)

•	Luminosity : for changing the Milky Way luminosity.

Planets section :

•	Show names : shows planets’ names on the map.

•	Show comets : shows comets on the map (warning, this option decreases computer performances.)

•	Show asteroids : shows asteroids on the map (warning, this option decreases computer performances.)

Coordinates section :

•	Show coordinates : draws two rules, horizontal and vertical, graduated in degrees (see also Use coordinates).

•	Show grids : draws grids in RA/Dec and Alt/Az on the map.

•	Show celestial equator.

•	Show ecliptic.

Seti@home section :

•	Current path of the seti@home client. Use the Browse button and select the seti@home.exe file.

•	Show the current work unit (if this option is uncheck, it’s impossible to find the work unit with the “find a object” box.

(For more information, read the Using WinStars with Seti@home section.)

Various section :

•	Show landscape : shows mountains (only with projection n°2 – warning : this option decreases computer performances).

•	Show status line : displays time, date and zoom value.

•	Refraction effects : calculation of the atmospheric effects on the altitude of the stars.

•	Sky colors : this option tries to render natural sky colors according to the time.

•	Landscape : select a “.cfg” file (example : paris.cfg or mountains.cfg)

(See Installation of a new landscape)

Projections section : You have three different projections.


Ephemeris box :

This dialog allows you to know all remarkable astronomic phenomenon visible from your location.

Select a month or a period and click on Compute button.

By checking Planets Rise-Set, you will obtain rise and set of all planets in the solar system for each day.

Attention : WinStars use only Universal Time in this box.

See also Ephemeris display box.


Ephemeris display box

This box regroups all events (oppositions, conjunctions, occultation, etc…)  find by WinStars on the period indicated by the user.

See also Ephemeris box.


Position/direction box

With this box, you can :

•	Look in a direction by entering equatorial coordinates,

•	Compute altitude and azimuth of a star by using observation parameters.


Left button

Scroll the map viewpoint to the left.


Right button

Scroll the map viewpoint to the right.


Up button

Scroll the map viewpoint upwards.


Down button

Scroll the map viewpoint downwards.


Zoom + button

Increase zoom value.


Zoom - button

Decrease zoom value.


Zoom 1 button

Fix zoom value to 1 x.


North button

Display a view of northern sky.


East button

Display a view of eastern sky.


South button

Display a view of southern sky.


West button

Display a view of western sky.


Zenith button

Display a view of sky centered at the Zenith.


Altitude and azimuth box

Enter right ascension and declination of a star. The computer will compute altitude and azimuth by using time, date and location of the observation.


Looking in a direction…

Enter right ascension and declination of the center of a part of sky. The computer will display a view of the sky in this accurate direction.


Sky rotation button

By clicking on this button, you can start/stop an animation.

For define an animation, please use the Animation configuration box.


Invert sky rotation button

By clicking on this button, you can display an inverted animation.

For define an animation, please use the Animation configuration box.


Stop animation button

You can stop an animation by clicking on this button.


Sidereal time

The sidereal time, the Julian day and the Universal Time will be displayed. This information will be compute by using the observation parameters.


Information about catalogues

This option shows the catalogues used by WinStars at the present time.


Constellations figures

This option draws lines between stars.


Constellations names

This option allows to show/hide constellationsnames.


Stars names

This option allows to show/hide brightest stars names.


Deep sky objects

This option allows to show/hide deep sky objects (nebulae, globular clusters, open clusters…)


Deep sky objects names

This option allows to show/hide deep sky object names.


Planets names

This option allows to show/hide planet names.


Asteroids names

This option allows to show/hide asteroid names.


Rule

This option allows to show/hide coordinates.

See also : Use coordinates


Landscape

This option allows to show/hide landscape.


Milky Way

This option allows to show/hide Milky Way. (attention, this option uses the Milky Way module.)


Equator and ecliptic

This option allows to show/hide the equator and the ecliptic.


Comets

This option allows to show/hide comets.


Map

Click on the map for define your localization.


Update WinStars

Use this function for update your current version of WinStars. You can download the update file called “updatewinstars.exe”.

Run this program file and click on “UnZip” button. Change directory installation only if necessary (c:\winstars by default.)

Restart WinStars.


Visit WinStars’ homepage

If you want visit the WinStars homepage.


Comets’ elements

This option uses Internet for updated information about comets.


Asteroids’ elements

This option uses Internet for updated information about asteroids.


Selection box

If your selection is ambiguous (for example, if you click on a star in a nebula. What is your choose ? the star or the nebula ?), the computer asks you to specify your choose :

Click on the desired object.


Eyepiece field

This function draws the field of an eyepiece on the map.

Enter the focal length (mm) and apparent field (degrees) of an eyepiece, and the focal length of your telescope (mm).

The program displays the magnification and the field of view of this optical montage and draws a circle on the map. This circle has the diameter of the field of view.


Calling a DSS server

You can obtain a picture of the part of sky displayed by WinStars with this function. WinStars calls a DSS server (Digitized Sky Survey) for this operation.

Select DSS address, choose DSS1 mode for a picture in medium quality and DSS2 mode for better quality.

Attention : DSS2 pictures are three times bigger than DSS1 pictures.  98 % of the sky is available in DSS2-red, 45 % in DSS2-blue and only 27 % in DSS2-infrared.

To be able to use this function, you must have a picture editor like “Windows Imaging” installed on your computer.

Progression of the operation :

An example :

M104 galaxy on the screen

when you call the function.

This is the picture you will get.


Night vision

Use this option to decrease screen luminosity for using WinStars by night.


Zoom setup

Configure the increase/decrease factor of the zoom function.


Printer setup

For a better visibility of stars on paper, you can increase the size of stars by checking second option.


RS-232 configuration

This dialog allows you to configure the serial port used for communicate with your LX200 telescope.

Select first the serial port number (COM1, 2, 3 or 4) plugged to your telescope.

Change the connection parameters.

For a LX 200 telescope, use 9600 bauds, not parity (N), 8 bits data and 1 bits stop.


Open LX 200 connection

Use this option to connect computer to your LX 200 telescope. If the connection is possible, the computer shows this dialog box :

(“Telescope mode” must appear in the status line.)

The option “Close LX200” breaks the connection.

See also : Use LX200 telescope with WinStars.


Using LX200 telescope with WinStars

WinStars can help you drive your LX 200 telescope.

Very important : To connect a telescope or digital setting circle (DSC) device to the PC, you will need the correct type of cable between your PC's serial port and the device that is to be controlled. Details about the required cable will usually be supplied in the telescope's manual, and the cable itself should be obtainable from your telescope dealer.

Before connecting the cable, SWITCH OFF BOTH YOUR PC AND THE TELESCOPE OR DSC. This is very important - never plug in a cable when a device is switched on, or you run the risk of doing severe damage to the device. Plug one end of the cable into the serial port of the PC, and the other end into the appropriate connector of the device (the Autostar connector). Make certain that the cable is plugged into the correct connector (the Autostar connector) before switching the device on, and then switch on both the PC and the device.

•	Carry out the usual "alignment" process for the device. On the Meade LX200 range of telescopes, for example, carry out the standard one or two star alignment process using the hand controller.

•	Configure the serial port used to connect your telescope (see rs-232 configuration).

•	Choose the option  connect LX200 in the “telescope” menu (“Telescope mode” must appear on the screen.)

•	Double click with the right mouse-button on the object that you want to observe :

•	In the object’s information box, click on the “Follow” button.

•	The telescope must center the object.

•	Use direction buttons (N,E,S,W) to correct telescope orientation.

•	If you want to stop the follow function, press the “ESC” key.

If you have problems with this LX200 module (impossible to connect, bad orientation of the telescope, etc…), please, send me a message with the telescope.log file attached. (telescope.log and WinStars.exe must be in the same directory.) Thanks.


Show/Hide the LX 200 module

Show/hide the LX200 module dialog when an LX200 telescope is connected.


Weather reports

This site proposes many links about weather.


Artificial satellites visibility

Show times of visibility of artificial satellites brighter than magnitude of 4,5.

Select your country :

You will obtain daily predictions for these satellites :

Satellite	Starts	Max. Altitude	Ends
Name	Mag	Time	Alt.	Az.	Time	Alt.	Az.	Time	Alt.	Az.
Cosmos 2151	4.2	22:12:17	10°	N	22:16:51	89°	SSE	22:21:19	10°	S
ISS	-0.4	22:27:39	10°	SW	22:30:39	46°	SE	22:33:39	10°	ENE
SOYUZ TM-32	3.1	22:27:40	10°	SW	22:30:40	46°	SE	22:33:40	10°	ENE
Okean-O	3.5	22:31:37	10°	SSE	22:36:08	82°	ENE	22:40:42	10°	NNW

Click on the time of maximum altitude of a satellite to obtain trajectories on charts.


Invert chart

Flip the chart vertically

“Invert vertic” appears in the status line.


Invert chart

Flip the chart horizontally

“Invert horiz” appears in the status line.


Natural sky colors

This option tries to render the natural sky colors according to the time and the date.


Solar system mode

This function presents a view of the solar system :

The positions of the planets are calculated in function of the parameters of the dialog box “Time and location".

In this mode, you could use the functions of animation, the option « Time and location » and the « About solar system » menu only.

It is also possible to modifying the zoom value (keys « + » or « - » ) and the direction view of the observer (by using the mouse with the left button down or the direction keys).

See also the Planetarium mode


Planetarium mode

This mode presents a view of the sky visible from a locality :

The positions of the planets and the stars are calculated in function of the parameters of the « Time and location » dialog box.

See also the Solar system mode


Definitions :

A

Altitude

The direct angular distance between the celestial object and the horizon, measured vertically.

Asteroid

A small rocky object in the solar system.

Azimuth

The bearing of an object measured as an angle round the horizon eastwards starting from the north as the zero point.

B

Bayer letters

The letters of the Greek alphabet used in conjunction with constellation names (as in Alpha Leonis) to identify the brighter stars.

Bright Star Catalogue

A star catalogue published by Yale University Observatory. The fourth edition appeared in 1982, compiled by Dorrit Hoffleit with Carlos Jaschek. It contains entries for all stars included in the 1908 Harvard Revised Photometry catalogue, a total of 9096.

C

Celestial equator

The great circle on the celestial sphere marking the boundary between the northern and southern hemispheres, and acting as the zero-mark for declination. It is the projection into space of the Earth’s equatorial plane.

Color index

The difference between the magnitude of a star measured in one wavelength band and its magnitude in another.

When first conceived, the term normally referred to the difference between photographic and visual magnitudes, which were different because the types of photographic plate then used were predominantly sensitive to the blue end of the spectrum, whereas the eye’s sensibility peaks around green-yellow part. Since the introduction of more precisely defined photometric systems using filters, such as the UBV photometry system, color indices have been formed from different pairs of magnitude.

Conjunction

An alignment of two bodies in the solar system with the Earth, so that they appear to be at the same place (or nearly so) in the sky as seen from the Earth.

Constellation

One of the 88 designated areas in the sky or the pattern of stars within it.

Comet

An icy body orbiting in the solar system, which partially vaporizes when it nears the Sun, developing a diffuse envelope of dust and gas and, normally, on or more tails.

D

Declination

On of the coordinates used to define position on the celestial sphere in the equatorial coordinate system. Declination is the equivalent of latitude on the Earth. It is the angular distance, measured in degrees, north or south of the celestial equator. Northerly declinations are positive and southerly ones negative.

E

Ecliptic

The mean plane of the Earth’s orbit around the Sun. The name arises because eclipses of the Sun or Moon can occur only when the Moon passes through this plane.

Eyepiece

A combination of small lenses mounted in a tube, used to magnify and focus the image formed by a telescope or other optical instrument.

F

Flamsteed numbers

Identification numbers assigned to stars listed in Historia coelestis Britannica by John Flamsteed (1646-1719). In the official version of the catalogue, published posthumously in 1725, the numbers are not included explicitly. However, they do appear in a preliminary version published by Edmond Halley and Isaac Newton in 1712 without Flamsteed’s approval.

G

Galaxy

A family of stars, together by their mutual gravitational attraction, and with a distinct identity separating it from other galaxies.

Galaxies cover a huge range of size and mass as well as exhibiting a variety of structures and properties.

Globular clusters

A roughly spherical, densely packed cluster of hundreds of thousands or even millions of stars. The brightest globular cluster in the sky is Omega Centauri, which has a diameter of 620 light years.

H

Henry Draper Catalogue

A catalogue of stellar spectra, compiled at Havard College Observatory. The work was made possible through funds donated by the pioneering astrophysicist Henry Draper (1837-1882), and the catalogue was named as a memorial to him.

M

Magnitude

A measurement of the brightness of a star or other celestial object. On the magnitude scale, the lowest numbers refer to objects of greatest brightness.

N

Nebula

A cloud of interstellar gas and dust. The term was formerly also used for objects now know to be galaxies (e.g. the “great nebula” in Andromeda, now usually called the Andromeda Galaxy).

O

Occultation

The passage of one astronomical object directly in front of another so as to obscure it from view as seen by a particular observer

Open cluster

A type of star cluster containing several hundred to several thousand stars distributed in a region a few light years across.

Opposition

The position of one of the superior planets when it is opposite the Sun in the sky, that is, when its elongation is 180°.

R

Right ascension (RA)

On of the coordinates used to define position on the celestial sphere in the equatorial coordinate system. It is equivalent of longitude on the Earth but is measured in hours, minutes and seconds of time eastwards from the zero point, which is taken as the intersection of the celestial equator and the ecliptic, know as the first point of Aries.

S

SAO catalogue

Abbreviation of Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory Star Catalogue. This general catalogue contains 259000 stars down to an approximate magnitude limit of 9. It was published in 1966, the epoch of the positions given is 1950.0.

Sidereal time

Time measured by the rotation of the Earth with respect to the stars (rather than the rate relative to the Sun, which is this basis for civil time). Local sidereal time at a particular place is given by the right ascension of the meridian.

Spectral type

A classification assigned to a star according to the appearance of its spectrum. The spectral type is based primary on a temperature sequence; a luminosity class may also be specified. Additional information about star’s spectrum, such as the appearance of emission lines or unusually strong metal lines, may also be indicated.

The classes originally designated A-Q, were subsequently rationalized and re-ordered as a temperature sequence, resulting in the final basic types still used : O, B, A, F, G, K, M.

Spectral type	Temperature

O5	35 000 K
B0	21 000 K
B5	13 500 K
A0	9 700 K
A5	8 100 K
F0	7 200 K
F5	6 500 K
G0	6 000 K
G5	5 400 K
K0	4 700 K
K5	4 000 K
M0	3 500 K
M5	2 600 K

U

Universal time

A measure of time that relates closely to the Sun’s daily apparent motion and serves as the basis for civil timekeeping. It is formally defined by a mathematical formula that links it to sidereal time, and is thus determined from observations of the stars.

Z

Zenith

The overhead point.


Contact

You can send me your ideas if you find that a useful functionality is missing or if you find an error. But, you can also mail me to tell what you think about this program.

Best regards,

Franck RICHARD.

•	WinStars homepage : http://winstars.free.fr/english

•	E-mail address : franck.richard@free.fr

See also about translation.


Bugs

WinStars contains some bugs (alas) :

•	The LX200 interface is not tested...

Please send me a message if you find new bugs.


Use coordinates

The coordinates allow you to have a better orientation in stars fields. Two rules graduated in degrees indicate azimuth and altitude of objects.

For example :

If you want to know the value of the altitude of Venus, rotate the celestial sphere until the planet is on the vertical axis. So, you can read the altitude : ~ 38.5 °

For the azimuth, you can read on vertical axis  : ~ 139 °


Colors and fonts

You can use this dialog to define texts color and font used on maps.

Use left section to define colors, right section to define fonts…


About display

Recommendation : Use WinStars on a screen configured in 32768 colors (15 bits) or 65535 colors (16 bits).

It’s not recommended to use WinStars with 24 or 32 bits (16 million) colors, this will decrease video performance.

(If the display rate is slow, consider update your video driver.)


Installation of additional modules

•	Installation of satplanet module for WinStars :

The satplanet module computes the satellite positions of  Mars, Jupiter, Saturn and Uranus. You must unzip it in the directory where WinStars is installed. (satplanet.dll and winstars.exe must be in the same directory.)

Restart WinStars. Center a planet in the screen and use the zoom button (‘+’) until you can see planet and satellites.

Note : satplanet is an adaptation of satxy program from J-E Arlot, Ch. Ruatti, D.T. Vu and W. Thuillot (Bureau des longitudes/Observatoire de Paris.)

•	Installation of Sky2000 catalogue :

This catalogue contains more than 300.000 stars.

You must unzip it in the install directory of WinStars.(the sky2000 directory must be in the same directory as  WinStars.exe.)

Restart WinStars.

In the WinStars configuration box, check the option “Use Sky2000 catalogue”.

For a magnification of 4 x and more, you will see more stars.

•	Installation of Tycho2 catalogue :

This catalogue contains more than 1.500.000 stars.

You must unzip it in the install directory of WinStars. (the Tycho2-1 (downloadable file 15 Mbyte) and eventually tycho2-2 (downloadable file 24 Mbyte) directories must be in the same directory as WinStars.exe)

Restart WinStars.

In the WinStars configuration box, check the option Use Tycho2 catalogue.

For a magnification of 10 x and more, you will see more stars

•	Installation of Messier catalogue pictures :

This module contains 30 pictures about the Messier catalogue.

You must unzip it in the install directory of WinStars.(the CP directory must be in the Images directory)

Restart WinStars.

In the WinStars configuration box, check the option Show pictures..

•	Installation of Milky way module :

This module contains information about Milky Way.

You must unzip it in the install directory of WinStars. (the “voie-lactee” directory must and winstars.exe must be in the same directory.)

Restart WinStars.

In the WinStars configuration box, check the option Show in the Milky way section.

•	Installation of a new landscape :

Download a new landscape from the WinStars homepage. You must unzip it in the install directory of WinStars. The pictures of the new landscape (example : paris.jpg, paris_2.jpg, paris_3.jpg, paris2.jpg, paris.cfg for the Paris landscape) must be in the Images directory.

Restart WinStars.

In the WinStars configuration box, in the “various” section, use the “select a landscape” button and select the correct “*.cfg” file of the new landscape (example : Paris.cfg).


Using WinStars with Seti@Home

SETI@home is a scientific experiment that uses Internet-connected computers in the Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence (SETI). You can participate by running a free program that downloads and analyzes radio telescope data. You can learn more about Seti@home by clicking on this link : http://setiathome.ssl.berkeley.edu

WinStars is able to show the exact location of the current work unit on the charts.

In a first time, you must indicate to WinStars the location of the Seti@home client on your hard drive.

In the « WinStars configuration » box :

•	Use the “Browse” button for indicate the current path of the program seti@home.exe

•	Check the “Show the current work Unit” option.

So, you can search the position of the current work unit :

In the  « Find a object» box, enter the word « seti » in the « Deep sky » section.

WinStars will center the work unit object on the screen.


History

06/06/2002

WinStars version 1.030 R0. The program contains more than 300 asteroids. It's possible to change the landscape (see the download section). The program represents the colors of the stars according to their B-V color index. WinStars is compatible with Seti@Home.

01/25/2002

WinStars version 1.029 . The "Time and location" box was modified in order to add (or remove) your own entries to the location list. A representation of the heliocentric positions of the planets was added. The calculation on the effects of the atmospheric refraction was improved. A full screen mode is now available.

10/10/2001

WinStars version 1.028 . A more realistic projection is available. New dialogs boxes. WinStars can compute the ephemeris 10x faster than the last version. Betters results with printing. Quickfinder and Telrad circles can be added on the maps. RA/Dec and Az/Alt grids were added. New LX200 interface.

08/29/2001

WinStars version 1.026 . English version of WinStars.


About the translation

My english is very very bad. I would like to present apologies about that. Therefore, if you want to help me, send me an email please.

Thanks.


Disclaimer

The WinStars software is provided as is without any warranty of any kind. To the maximum extent permitted by applicable law, Franck RICHARD further disclaims all warranties, including without limitation any implied or stated warranties of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose, and noninfringement. The entire risk arising out of the use or performance of this product and documentation remains with recipient. To the maximum extent permitted by applicable law, in no event shall program WinStars or its suppliers be liable for any consequential, incidental, direct, indirect, special, punitive, recursive, or other damages whatsoever (including, without limitation, damages for loss of business profits, business interruption, loss of business information, personal injury, disruption of family life, or other pecuniary loss) arising out of this agreement or the use of or inability to use the product, even if program WinStars has been advised of the possibility of such damages. Because some states/jurisdictions do not allow the exclusion or limitation of liability of consequential or incidental damages, the above limitation may not apply to the recipient.


File Print command
Print command (File menu)

Use this command to print a document.   This command presents a Print dialog box, where you may specify the range of pages to be printed, the number of copies, the destination printer, and other printer setup options.

Shortcuts

Toolbar:

Keys:	CTRL+P


Print dialog box

The following options allow you to specify how the document should be printed:

Printer

This is the active printer and printer connection.  Choose the Setup option to change the printer and printer connection.

Setup

Displays a Print Setup dialog box, so  you can select a printer and printer connection.

Print Range

Specify the pages you want to print:

All	Prints the entire document.
Selection	Prints the currently selected text.
Pages	Prints the range of pages you specify in the From and To boxes.
Copies

Specify the number of copies you want to print for the above page range.

Collate Copies

Prints copies in page number order, instead of separated multiple copies of each page.

Print Quality

Select the quality of the printing.  Generally, lower quality printing takes less time to produce.


Print Progress Dialog

The Printing dialog box is shown during the time that <<YourApp>> is sending output to the printer.  The page number indicates the progress of the printing.

To abort printing, choose Cancel.


File Print Preview command
Print Preview command (File menu)

Use this command to display the active document as it would appear when printed.  When you choose this command, the main window will be replaced with a print preview window in which one or two pages will be displayed in their printed format.  The print preview toolbar offers you options to view either one or two pages at a time; move back and forth through the document; zoom in and out of pages; and initiate a print job.


Print Preview toolbar

The print preview toolbar offers you the following options:

Print

Bring up the print dialog box, to start a print job.

Next Page

Preview the next printed page.

Prev Page

Preview the previous printed page.

One Page / Two Page

Preview one or two printed pages at a time.

Zoom In

Take a closer look at the printed page.

Zoom Out

Take a larger look at the printed page.

Close

Return from print preview to the editing window.


File Print Setup command
Print Setup command (File menu)

Use this command to select a printer and a printer connection.  This command presents a Print Setup dialog box, where you specify the printer and its connection.


Print Setup dialog box

The following options allow you to select the destination printer and its connection.

Printer

Select the printer you want to use.  Choose the Default Printer; or choose the Specific Printer option and select one of the current installed printers shown in the box.  You install printers and configure ports using the Windows Control Panel.

Orientation

Choose Portrait or Landscape.

Paper Size

Select the size of paper that the document is to be printed on.

Paper Source

Some printers offer multiple trays for different paper sources.  Specify the tray here.

Options

Displays a dialog box where you can make additional choices about printing, specific to the type of printer you have selected.

Network...

Choose this button to connect to a network location, assigning it a new drive letter.


File Page Setup Command
Page Setup command (File menu)

<< Write application-specific help here. >>