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AstroSoft Computerized Ephemeris (ACE), Version 1.00
USER'S MANUAL
FOR
ASTROSOFT COMPUTERIZED EPHEMERIS (ACE)
Version 1.00
A General-Purpose Astronomy Software Package
Supporting a Variety of Astronomy-Related Applications
For the IBM Personal Computer and True Compatibles
Copyright 1983, 1984, 1985, 1986 AstroSoft, Inc.
Post Office Box 4451, Hayward, CA 94540-4451
All Rights Reserved.
Page 1
AstroSoft Computerized Ephemeris (ACE), Version 1.00
TABLE OF CONTENTS
-----------------
INTRODUCTION
THE CONFIGURATIONS SUPPORTED
GETTING HARDCOPY
THE ACE DISKETTES
THE ACE INSTALLATION PROGRAM (INSTALL)
THE THREE PARTS OF ACE
PART I: ASTRONOMICAL EPHEMERIS (ACECALC)
General Principles
Options
The Sun
The Moon
The Planets
Eclipses
Astrophotography Exposures
Mean Sidereal Time and Julian Day
Precession of Coordinates
Phases of the Moon
Equinoxes and Solstices
Galilean Satellites of Jupiter
Perpetual Calendar
Polaris
DOS Shell
Exit
PART II: SOLAR SYSTEM DATA (ACESOLAR)
General Principles
Options
Orbital/Physical (Sun/Planets)
Orbital/Physical (Satellites)
Descriptive Data (Sun/Planets)
Observational Data (Sun/Planets)
Music Off/On
Exit
PART III: SKY CATALOG (ACECAT)
General Principles
Search Options
Catalog Number
Name
Starting R.A./Ending R.A.
Starting Declination/Ending Declination
Object Type
Display Commentary
Hardcopy
File Options
Full Catalog
Messier Catalog
Named Objects
Bright Stars
Page 2
AstroSoft Computerized Ephemeris (ACE), Version 1.00
Double Stars
DOS Shell
Exit
APPENDIX A: Input Error Messages
Part I: Astronomical Ephemeris
Part III: Sky Catalog
APPENDIX B: Known Problems and Limitations
APPENDIX C: Technical Information on Part I
The Sun
The Moon
The Planets
Eclipses
Astrophotography Exposures
Mean Sidereal Time and Julian Day
Precession of Coordinates
Phases of the Moon
Equinoxes and Solstices
Galilean Satellites of Jupiter
Perpetual Calendar
Polaris
APPENDIX D: Musical Selections Used in Part II
APPENDIX E: Information Displayed in Part III
Atlas Catalog, Messier Catalog, Named Objects
Bright Stars
Double Stars
APPENDIX F: Acknowledgments
APPENDIX G: The User-Supported Software Concept
APPENDIX H: Limited License
APPENDIX I: How to Register Your Copy for Enhancements and
Support
Page 3
AstroSoft Computerized Ephemeris (ACE), Version 1.00
INTRODUCTION
------------
Welcome to the AstroSoft Computerized Ephemeris, or ACE for
short. ACE is a general-purpose astronomy software package
consisting of three separate parts, each supporting a variety of
astronomy-related applications for the IBM Personal Computer and
true compatibles.
Part I of ACE (Astronomical Ephemeris) performs the most needed
astronomical calculations, involving the sun, the moon, the
planets, eclipses, astrophotography exposures, mean sidereal time
and Julian Day, precession of coordinates, phases of the moon,
equinoxes and solstices, Galilean satellites of Jupiter,
perpetual calendar, and Polaris. It achieves an accuracy in
calculations that is comparable to those contained in the
ASTRONOMICAL ALMANAC and is more comprehensive and convenient,
for astronomical observing purposes, than the FLOPPY ALMANAC.
Part II of ACE (Solar System Data) provides, for all the planets
and satellites of the solar system, orbital and physical data, as
well as descriptive and observational data.
Part III of ACE (Sky Catalog) provides data on over 2000 deep-sky
objects, the entire Messier Catalog, 100 named objects, all
bright stars to magnitude 2.00, and 100 prominent double stars,
with detailed commentary on nearly 400 of these objects. Objects
may be searched for on the basis of one criterion or by a
combination of criteria.
Now, to tell you a little about ourselves. AstroSoft is a
nonprofit, tax-exempt educational and scientific organization,
which includes among its activities the offering of software
intended primarily for educational and scientific institutions.
We are two dedicated amateur astronomers and computer
professionals (a software engineer and a senior systems analyst)
who devote our spare time to this effort.
This version of the AstroSoft Computerized Ephemeris represents
its first public release, and as such it must be considered
somewhat experimental; it certainly is not a finished product.
Improvements and enhancements will be made to the software, bugs
will be fixed, and inconvenient features will be changed.
We encourage you to participate in this process by relaying to us
your comments, criticisms, and suggestions. We especially
welcome your reports of any problems, your suggestions for
improvements, and your recommendations for enhancements. We
would also like you to advise us of any errors you notice in the
datafiles for Parts II and III. We have made every effort to
proofread these files, but undoubtedly a few errors have escaped
our notice.
Finally, we ask that you respect the generosity of those generous
publishers (acknowledged in Appendix F) who have given their
Page 4
AstroSoft Computerized Ephemeris (ACE), Version 1.00
permission to include certain copyrighted materials, by
refraining from using, copying, or distributing any of the
datafiles or any other individual files apart from the whole
software package, in accordance with the legal limitations of the
Limited License.
We are pleased to offer to you what we believe is the most
comprehensive astronomy package currently available from any
source, and we are planning new releases to make ACE even more
comprehensive and useful.
Jerry Gardner
Martin Morrison
AstroSoft, Inc.
Post Office Box 4451
Hayward, CA 94540-4451
Page 5
AstroSoft Computerized Ephemeris (ACE), Version 1.00
CONFIGURATIONS SUPPORTED
------------------------
ACE runs on any IBM Personal Computer (PC, XT, or AT) or true
compatible with the following minimum configuration:
128 kilobytes of Random Access Memory (RAM)
1 double-sided floppy diskette drive
Monochrome monitor with monochrome display adapter (MDA)
or color monitor with color graphics adapter (CGA)
PC-DOS version 2.10 or above
Epson FX-80-compatible Parallel Printer
ACE may run on other configurations of IBM Personal Computers and
compatibles, but we have not tested it thoroughly on any other
configurations.
A special version of ACECALC is available for those systems with
a Mathematics Co-Processor. For further information about this
special version, you are invited to write to AstroSoft, Inc.
Page 6
AstroSoft Computerized Ephemeris (ACE), Version 1.00
GETTING HARDCOPY
----------------
With a few exceptions, the ACE displays do not have a specific
print option. If you wish to print a screen to the printer you
designated during the ACE installation process, use one of the
shift keys in combination with the PrtSc key. Those displays
that have specific print options are mentioned in this
documentation at the appropriate point.
Page 7
AstroSoft Computerized Ephemeris (ACE), Version 1.00
THE ACE DISKETTES
-----------------
ACE is distributed on two double-sided, double-density diskettes
as follows:
Volume ACE1
ACECALC 000 Overlay file (ACECALC)
ACECALC COM The Astronomical Ephemeris Program
ACESOLAR EXE The Solar System Data Program
ASPECT DAT Planetary observational data (ACESOLAR)
DESCRIP DAT Planetary descriptive data (ACESOLAR)
HELP TXT Help screens (ACECALC)
INSTALL COM The Installation Program
PLAINF DAT Orbital/physical of planetary data (ACESOLAR)
SATINF DAT Orbital/physical satellite data (ACESOLAR)
SITE DAT User's Site Descriptor File
SUBMOD CHN Overlay file (ACECALC)
ACE DOC The ACE User's Manual (this file)
Volume ACE2
ACECAT COM The Sky Catalog Program (ACECAT)
DBLCAT DAT Double-star catalog (ACECAT)
DBLCOM DAT Double-star commentary (ACECAT)
DBLCOM NDX Double-star commentary index (ACECAT)
DEEPCAT DAT Deep-sky catalog (ACECAT)
DEEPCOM DAT Deep-sky commentary (ACECAT)
DEEPCOM NDX Deep-sky commentary index (ACECAT)
DEEPMES DAT Messier catalog (ACECAT)
DEEPNAM DAT Named objects catalog (ACECAT)
HELP2 TXT Help screens (ACECAT)
README Information about ACE
SITE DAT User's Site Descriptor File (ACECAT)
STARCAT DAT Bright-star catalog (ACECAT)
STARCOM DAT Bright-star commentary (ACECAT)
STARCOM NDX Bright-star commentary index (ACECAT)
Page 8
AstroSoft Computerized Ephemeris (ACE), Version 1.00
THE ACE INSTALLATION PROGRAM
(INSTALL)
----------------------------
Before you begin using ACE, you must install it for your
particular observing site and computer equipment by entering
INSTALL at the DOS prompt and responding to the questions. Be
sure that the current drive/directory contain the INSTALL program
and the Site Descriptor File (SITE.DAT).
The Site Descriptor File, when installed, contains the following
information on your observing site and computer equipment:
longitude, latitude, time zone name, time zone, availability of a
printer, number of columns on printer, and installation name.
Once you have installed ACE for your particular observing site,
the Site Descriptor File is customized for your observing site.
You do not have to install ACE again, unless you wish to change
your local time from standard time to daylight-saving time or
vice versa. ACE assumes that your system clock is set to the
local time you enter.
If your system uses only a floppy diskette drive(s), after you
install (or reinstall) the Site Descriptor File, you must use the
DOS COPY command to copy the SITE.DAT file from volume ACE1 to
volume ACE2, as the programs on ACE2 must also have access to
this file. If your system uses a happlicable.
@ou copy
both volumes ACE1 and ACE2 to one directory, this procedure is
not applicable.
Detailed help on the installation process is provided within the
program itself.
Page 9
AstroSoft Computerized Ephemeris (ACE), Version 1.00
THE THREE PARTS OF ACE
----------------------
Each of ACE's three parts has its own menu. To select one of
these menus, enter the name of the main program at the DOS
prompt.
If your system uses only a floppy diskette drive(s), be sure that
the current drive contains the main program you select and all
associated files listed in "The ACE Diskettes" supra. You must
leave the appropriate volume in the current drive while the
program is running, so that ACE may have continuous access to the
files.
If your system uses a hard disk drive, you should copy both
volumes ACE1 and ACE2 to one directory. Be sure that this
directory is the current directory whenever you use ACE.
Part Name Main Program Volume
---- ---- ------------ ------
I Astronomical Ephemeris ACECALC ACE1
II Solar System Data ACESOLAR ACE1
III Sky Catalog ACECAT ACE2
When you enter the program name at the DOS prompt, ACE displays
the user-supported software screen, the title screen, and the
menu for the part of ACE you selected.
Page 10
AstroSoft Computerized Ephemeris (ACE), Version 1.00
PART I: ASTRONOMICAL EPHEMERIS
(ACECALC)
-------------------------------
The Part I menu displays the Universal Time; the local date,
time, and time-zone name; the Julian Day; the Local Mean Sidereal
Time; and the installation name you designated during the ACE
installation process. The time displays are updated every second
and are accurate only to the degree that you set the system time.
Use the menu to select one of the options or an exit to the DOS
level. The options are:
The Sun Phases of the Moon
The Moon Equinoxes and Solstices
The Planets Galilean Satellites of Jupiter
Eclipses Perpetual Calendar
Astrophotography Exposures Polaris
Mean Sidereal Time and Julian Day DOS Shell
Precession of Coordinates Exit
Use the Spacebar or the Arrow Keys to move the shaded bar to
select an option; then hit the Enter key. ACE then displays the
screen for the option you select have selected. If at the menu
level you need a description of any of the options, hit the H key
for help.
General Principles
------------------
1. ENTER THE FULL YEAR. Be sure to enter all the digits of the
year you choose. For example, if you intend 1985, enter "1985";
the "19" is NOT assumed.
Enter years A.D. without a sign or with a plus-sign (+). Enter
years B.C. with a minus-sign (-). If you enter the non-existent
year 0, ACE displays an error message and allows you to correct
your entry.
2. OBSERVE THE "WAIT" MESSAGE. ACE displays a "WAIT" message in
the upper right corner of the screen during long calculations.
Avoid hitting any keys while ACE displays this message.
3. HIT THE ENTER KEY AT THE FIRST ENTRY FIELD TO RETURN TO THE
MENU. Return to the menu by hitting the Enter key when the
cursor is positioned at the first entry field.
4. YOU DON'T HAVE TO LINE UP ENTRIES UNDER THE FIELD HEADINGS.
Just leave at least one space between each field, enter the
fields in the order indicated in the headings, and hit the Enter
key after the last field. ACE allocates your entries to the
appropriate field for you.
Page 11
AstroSoft Computerized Ephemeris (ACE), Version 1.00
5. USE DEFAULTS TO SPEED ENTRIES. For most options, ACE stores
the values you entered for the previous set of calculations.
When you enter a new set, you need only enter values (in the
order of the headings) up to the point when the rest are the same
as in the previous set. Then hit the Enter key, and ACE
automatically supplies the previous values for the rest of the
fields.
6. YOU DON'T HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT CASE. ACE doesn't check input
for case. Therefore, you are allowed to make entries in any
combination of uppercase and lowercase characters. For example,
"MARS", "mars", or "Mars" are equivalent.
7. NAMES OF PLANETS MAY BE ABBREVIATED. When you enter the name
of a planet, you need only enter enough of the name to
distinguish it from the name of any other planet. For example,
"Me" is sufficient to distinguish Mercury from Mars.
8. CTRL/R MAY BE USED TO RETRIEVE THE PREVIOUS ENTRY. When ACE
returns the cursor to the entry area after displaying one set of
calculations under an option, you may hit Ctrl/R to retrieve the
entry you previously made. You may then edit the entry and/or
hit Enter.
9. DO NOT USE THE NUMERIC KEYPAD FOR ENTRY. To enable use of the
arrow keys in the menu, the numeric keypad is disabled for
numeric entry. Use of the numeric keypad generates spurious
characters.
Options
-------
The Sun
-------
Use this option to find, for the date and time you enter, the
sun's position (right ascension and declination), altitude and
azimuth, nutation in longitude and obliquity, times of sunrise
and sunset, and times of beginning and ending of morning and
evening astronomical twilight (the time when the upper limb of
the sun is 18 degrees bel Z ┐3