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README
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1991-06-07
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June 7, 1991
Distribution notes for SKYMAP Version 2.3 by Rob Matson
-------------------------------------------------------
1. This is a preliminary release of SKYMAP. The program is still in the
development phase and the documentation may be incomplete. Please report
any problems or bugs; comments and suggestions may be sent to the author
at the RPV ASTRONOMY BBS (see below).
2. The star catalogs, STARSnn.DAT, are the default 28 byte format NOT the
49 byte format. These star catalogs are NOT included in the distribution
file for SKYMAP and must be downloaded separately. They are on the RPV
ASTRONOMY BBS as files SMSTARS1.PAK through SMSTARS6.PAK. Users who have
already downloaded the compressed binary files SAOM8nn.CSC (which use the
49 byte format) may generate the 28 byte format using program 49TO28.EXE.
SKYMAP only requires the information in the 28 byte format and those
catalogs are significantly smaller. SEE ALSO PARAGRAPH 6 BELOW.
3. You may request a satellite using EITHER the NASA/NORAD number or by
name. Note, however, that if you use 2-line elements which include a new
satellite (such as a space shuttle mission), you should edit file
SATNAMES.DAT to add the appropriate information.
4. The program has been tested with the program PRINTGL, available as file
PRTGL117.PAK on the RPV ASTRONOMY BBS, as well as several other HPGL
print programs. File ORION.PLT is a sample HPGL output of a star map and
file STS37.PLT shows a sky plot of the space shuttle Atlantis on a pass
over Los Angeles on 4/10/1991.
5. File F77L.EER contains contains runtime error messages for SKYMAP. The
program will execute without the file, but error conditions will simply
generate a message that this file is missing.
6. Beginning with Version 2.3, SKYMAP uses a single composite star catalog
and companion index file. This significantly decreases both the number
of files "on line" as well as the catalog access time. If you already
have the 22 original 28-byte catalogs, they may be converted into the new
composite file format by using the program BIGSTAR (included in the dis-
tribution files). Rob has also generated a smaller file of SAO stars to
magnitude 6 which may be used directly with SKYMAP Version 2.3. This new
catalog is on the RPV ASTRONOMY BBS as file STARMAG6.PAK.
7. To distinguish the planets from the stars on the hardcopy, they are plotted
as open circles with a one-letter abbreviation of the planet name under-
neath (m,V,M,J,S,U,N,P). On the screen, they are plotted as filled,
colored circles: Mercury brown, Venus bright blue, Mars bright red, Jupiter
magenta, Saturn yellow, Uranus dark green, Neptune dark blue, and Pluto
dark purple.
9. The current version of SKYMAP is posted on the RPV ASTRONOMY BBS at (213)
541-7299. The BBS has a power controller; if it hasn't answered after the
fourth ring, hang up and call back in two minutes.
Dave Ransom, Sysop
RPV ASTRONOMY BBS