Copyright: Copyright © 2000 Celestron International   Thursday, May 04, 2000 10:25:20
Citation: Copyright © 2000 Celestron International


TheSky's Main Window
 Celestron’s TheSky Main Window

Celestron’s TheSky is a powerful tool for learning, enjoying and actively engaging in the hobby and science of astronomy.  The main window contains a caption or title bar, a menu (with all of TheSky’s commands), many toolbars, the Virtual Sky, and a status bar.

For additional information on any of these screen elements, from Celestron’s TheSky, click the What’s This? help button [image] then click on the area of interest.


Altitude or Elevation

An angular measurement of an object's distance above the local theoretical horizon, expressed in degrees.


Apparent Magnitude

The apparent magnitude of an object is a measure of its brightness relative to other objects.  Celestial objects are assigned a magnitude number according to relative brightness; the higher an object’s magnitude, the fainter the object.


Asterism

A common figure in the sky, which is not a constellation. The Big Dipper is an asterism in the constellation Ursa Major.


Azimuth

The angular measurement of an object's distance clockwise from True North, expressed in degrees.  True North is at azimuth 0°, East at 90°, South at 180° and West at 270°.


Chart Mode

Chart Mode simulates a printed star chart on the computer screen.  The background appears white and the stars black, just like many popular books that contain maps of the heavens.


Declination

Declination is the component of an object's celestial coordinates that indicates its position in the north-south direction and is expressed in degrees, minutes and seconds.


Latitude

Latitude is an angular measurement from the equator of the earth to a point on the surface, expressed in degrees North or South.  The equator lies at latitude 0°, the poles at 90°N and 90°S.


Local Sidereal Time

The local sidereal time is equal to the current right ascension of the local meridian.  One sidereal day is equal to the amount of time required for the Earth's rotation to turn it through all 24 hours of right ascension (approximately 23 hours, 56 minutes of calendar time).


Local Meridian

An imaginary line running due North-South, passing through the zenith and bisecting the sky into Eastern and Western hemispheres.


Location Drop-down List
Description list box

Select the name of the location nearest to you.  The earth-based coordinates will be automatically entered in the remaining options.

If the desired location is not listed, try opening a different location file by clicking the Open button.  The default file is United States citites.loc, which contains locations within the United States of America.  Other locations may be found in the file Cities outside USA.loc.

A location may alternatively be defined by entering a unique description along with its latitude, longitude, time zone and elevation.  If you do not know your exact coordinates, use a map and compute them, or use the Internet to look them up!


Location File

A file containing a list of cities and other locations on Earth, complete with latitude, longitude and time zone.  The user may add or remove locations within a location file.


Longitude

The measurement of a location's angular distance from the Central Meridian, expressed in degrees East or West.

For Earth, Greenwich, England marks the Central Meridian (longitude 0°).  The International Date Line lies at longitude 180° (excepting some regional variations).


Right Ascension

The component of an object's celestial coordinates that indicates its position in the east-west direction; expressed in hours, minutes and seconds.


Sky Chart

A Sky Chart is a printed or exported Sky Document.  The Sky Chart contains a graphical representation of the actual sky.


Virtual Sky

The Virtual Sky is the region of TheSky’s main window that shows the stars, planets, galaxies and other celestial objects. The Virtual Sky simulates actual sky in the following modes: Virtual Sky Mode, Chart Mode, 3D Solar System Mode.


Target

An area of the sky defined by its equatorial coordinates (right ascension and declination) for a specific epoch, and its height and width (in arc minutes).  CCDSoft and RealSkyView use these parameters to retrieve an image from the Digitized Sky Survey.


Theoretical Horizon

The horizon as it would appear with no obstructions (mountains, buildings, etc.).  A line formed by the intersection of a plane at the observer's location, oriented perpendicularly to the zenith.


Time Zone

The time zone of a location is the difference of Universal Time (UT) from local time, in hours.  For most locations, this will be equal to the longitude divided by 15 degrees, however regional variations can cause this to differ by plus or minus one hour.


Version

Celestron’s TheSky for Windows 95/98/NT and Macintosh, version 5.0


Pixel

The smallest unit of a digital picture (often called a “bitmap”).  Pixel is short for “picture element.”


Viewing Site

The location and time for which the Virtual Sky is prepared.  Changing the viewing site can affect rise, transit and set times, altitudes and azimuths, horizon, apparent size of the moon, and solar system calculations.


Virtual Sky Mode

The Virtual Sky Mode is used to show a pseudo-realistic representation of the actual sky within the Virtual Sky.  The Chart Mode shows the actual sky as it might appear on a printed star chart.


Zenith

The “zenith” is an imaginary point that is located directly above an observer's location on Earth and intersecting the celestial sphere.  The right ascension of the zenith is equal to the local sidereal time, the declination is equal to the latitude of the viewing site.


Zoom Box

A rectangle that can be drawn on the Virtual Sky to indicate a new field of view.  The angular dimensions of the zoom box are displayed in the Status Bar as it is drawn.

To create a Zoom Box

Click and drag the left mouse button anywhere on the Virtual Sky.

To Zoom In

Once the zoom box is drawn, click anywhere inside the zoom box to zoom in.

To reject (erase) the Zoom Box

Click anywhere outside the zoom box.  The zoom box is erased and no adjustments are made.


Copyright Notices
Celestron’s TheSky Copyright Notices

Celestron retains the ownership of this copy of Celestron’s TheSky.  This copy is licensed to you for use under the following conditions.

The software may be used on any computer provided it is used on only one computer and by one user at a time.  You may not distribute, rent, sub-license or lease the software or documentation.  No part of this software and/or on-line documentation may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or information storage and retrieval systems, for any purpose other than the purchaser's personal use, without the express written permission of Software Bisque.

Copyright © 1984 Celestron and its licensors.  All rights reserved worldwide.

TheSky(tm) Astronomy Software is a trademark of Software Bisque.

TheSky is a trademark of Celestron.

AccuSoft Corporation copyrights portions of the picture displaying technology of TheSky.

All other trademarks referred to in this document, whether registered or not, are owned by their respective manufacturers.


Keyboard Commands

All commands in TheSky are accessible using the keyboard, and many keyboard keys can be used as “shortcuts” to commonly used commands.

The mouse can be controlled using the keyboard by activating options available in the Accessibility Options icon in the Control Panel.  Click Start, Settings, Control Panel, then double-click the Accessibility Options icon.  The Mouse tab on the Accessibility Properties dialog box has options for using MouseKeys.  Use the numeric keypad to move the mouse over any object.  Press the (+) key on the numeric keypad to simulate a left-mouse click.

The following table lists the keyboard keys that can be used to execute commands in TheSky.

 All menu commands can be accessed press the Alt key plus the underlined letter in the menu command.

Keyboard Key	Command
PgUp	PgUp	Increases the field of view of the Virtual Sky.
PgDn	PgDn	Decreases the field of view of the Virtual Sky.
Left Arrow	Left Arrow	Pans the Virtual Sky to the right, as if you were turning your head in this direction to view a different portion of the sky.
Right Arrow	Right Arrow	Pans the Virtual Sky to the left, as if you were turning your head in this direction to view a different portion of the sky.
Up Arrow	Up Arrow	Pans the Virtual Sky down, as if you were moving your head in this direction to view a different portion of the sky.
Down Arrow	Down Arrow	Pans the Virtual Sky up, as if you were moving your head in this direction to view a different portion of the sky.
Home	Home	Zooms to the maximum field of view for the current wide-field projection.
End	End	Zooms to the minimum field of view for the current wide-field projection, one arc-minute.
E	E	Look East.
F	F	Displays the Find dialog box.
I	I	Toggles the Image Link image on and off.
N	N	Look North.
S	S	Look South.
W	W	Look West.
Z	Z	Look Up (at the zenith).
Space Bar	Space Bar	Toggles the Full Screen command on and off.
F4	F4	Removes the current user-added data.
Alt+'='	Command+=	Rotates the Virtual Sky counterclockwise.
Alt+','	Command+,	Begins a time skip animation, moving backwards in time.
Alt+'-'	Command+-	Rotates the Virtual Sky clockwise.
Alt+'.'	Command++	Begins a time skip animation, moving forward in time.
Alt+C	Option+C	Displays the Import dialog box.
Alt+L	Option+L	Displays the Labels Setup dialog box.
Alt+M	Option+M	When a telescope link is currently established, displays the telescope’s motion control window.
Alt+P	Option+P	Displays the Preferences dialog box.
Alt+R	Option+R	Displays the Rotate Tool.
Alt+U	Option+U	Displays the Add User Data dialog box .
Alt+Z	Option+Z	Zooms to a 200-degree field of view.
Alt+[	Command+[	Steps backward in time by one time skip increment.
Alt+]	Command+]	Steps forward in time by one time skip increment.
Ctrl+B	Option+B	Zooms to a 50-degree field of view.
Ctrl+C	Option+C	Copies the current Virtual Sky to the clipboard as a metafile on the PC and as a PICT on the Macintosh.
Ctrl+E	Option+E	Zooms to a 100-degree field of view.
Ctrl+F	Option+F	Zooms to a 10-degree field of view.
Ctrl+N	Command+N	Creates a new Sky Document.
Ctrl+O	Command+O	Displays the Open dialog box.
Ctrl+P	Command+P	Prints the Virtual Sky.
Ctrl+S	Command+S	Saves the current Sky Document.
Ctrl+T	Option+T	Zooms to a 1-degree field of view.
Ctrl+V	Command+V	Pastes the contents of the clipboard at the insertion point.
Ctrl+W	Command+W	Zooms to a 180-degree field of view.
Ctrl+X	Command+X	Cuts the highlighted text to the clipboard.
Ctrl+Z	Command+Z	Undoes the previous move command.
Shift+B	Shift+B	Displays the previous picture in the Slide Show list.
Shift+C	Shift+C	Displays the Create Slide Show List dialog box.
Shift+F	Shift+F	Displays the next picture in the Slide Show List.


What is a Sky Document?

If you have ever used a word processing program to type a document, you are probably familiar with the concepts involved when saving and retrieving your work.  For instance, you normally type the contents of the document, click File, Save then specify a name for the document to save your work to disk.  To retrieve the document at a later time, you click File, Open, then enter its name.

TheSky uses a similar “document-based” concept for saving the current state of TheSky.   In order to view the sky as it appears from a given location and time, many different input parameters are required from the user.  Some of these parameters include the date and time of day or night you want to view the sky, your position on earth, where in the sky you are looking (be it north, south, or straight up) and how much of the sky you are viewing.  (Are you observing with your “unaided-eye,” binoculars, or a telescope?)

The above information is stored in a document called a “Sky Document” file.  When TheSky is first started, a default Sky Document, named “Normal.sky” is loaded.  This is analogous to the “blank piece of paper” that is displayed when you first start your word processor.  When you make changes to Normal.sky, by looking at a different part of the sky or turning on a new reference line, you can save these changes to Normal.sky, save them to a different document name, or discard them.  If you save changes to a new Sky Document file, it will be loaded the next time TheSky is started.

If you move to a different part of the sky, change the field of view by zooming in or out, or change any of the default parameters, you are modifying the current Sky Document.  When you exit TheSky, you are asked if you wish to save the changes to the document, just like in a word processor.  If you do not wish to save your changes, click No.  Click Yes to save all the changes you made since the document was opened.

The name of the current document appears in the caption of the main window.

List of parameters saved in the Sky Document

A Sky Document saves the following parameters relating to the Virtual Sky:

•	The location, date and time settings.

•	The printed output settings, such as the Sky Chart title, legend options and page orientation settings.

•	The current field width, or field of view.

•	The current orientation of the celestial sphere, either Zenith Up, Pole Up or a User-defined orientation.

•	The state of the Status Bar, if it’s visible or hidden.

•	The state of the objects labels and lines, if they are visible or hidden.

•	The state of all object types currently displayed, including magnitude limits and filtering.

•	The status of the field of view indicators.

•	The current stellar options, including brightness, contrast, spectral class, and density.

•	The current wide-field projection.

•	All comet, minor planet, and satellite settings.

•	The current list of user-defined objects.

Sky Databases (SDBs) are not stored as part of the current document.  SDBs are independent of the current document and changes are stored automatically as necessary.


Common Abbreviations and Acronyms

Abbreviation/Acronym	Definition
Alt	Altitude
AU or au	Astronomical unit.  This is the mean distance between the earth and the sun, about 150 million km (93 million miles).
Az	Azimuth
Dec	Declination
GSC	Guide Star Catalog
IAU	International Astronomical Union
IC	Index Catalog
lt-yr	Light year.  The distance light travels in on year’s time.
mas	Milli arcseconds
NGC	New General Catalog
PGC	Principle Galaxy Catalog
RA	Right ascension
SAO	Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory
yr	Year


Upgrading TheSky
Upgrading Celestron’s TheSky

Your copy of Celestron’s TheSky can be upgraded to an advanced edition available from Software Bisque.  For more information, click on the following web link:

www.bisque.com/Products/TheSky.htm.


File menu commands

The File menu offers the following commands:

Open	Open an existing document.
Save	Save the active document.
Save As	Save the active document with a new name.
Print	Print the active document as a star chart.
Print Preview	Preview a star chart.
Print Setup	Change printer and printing options.
1,2,3,4	Open one of the most recently used documents.
Exit   Quit	Quit the application after prompting to save the active document.


Edit menu commands

The Edit menu offers the following commands:

Undo	Reverse the previous move operation.
Copy	Copy the current view to the Clipboard.
Paste	Paste an image from the Clipboard into the document.
Find	Find an object by name or catalog number.


View menu commands

The View menu offers the following commands:

Filters	Select object types and magnitudes to display.
Reference Lines	Select which lines to display (horizon, ecliptic, Milky Way, etc.).
Labels	Select object labels to display.
Mirror Image	Display as a mirror image.
Redraw Screen	Refresh the Virtual Sky.
Full Screen	Show or hide the title bar, menu on the PC, and optionally the toolbars.
Night Vision Mode	Alter screen colors to preserve dark adaptation.
Chart Mode	Toggle between Chart and Virtual Sky modes.
Toolbars	Selectively show or hide the toolbars.
Status Bar	Show, hide or configure the status bar.
Preferences	Change the appearance of objects, lines, and fonts.


Orientation menu commands

The Orientation menu offers the following commands:

Free Rotation	Allow user-defined sky orientation.
Pole Up	North celestial pole (or South celestial pole in the southern hemisphere) is always pointing toward the top of the screen.
Zenith Up	The zenith is always toward the top of the screen.
Look	Change the view to one of the cardinal directions, or overhead.
Zoom To	Quickly change the Virtual Sky’s field of view to one of several standard sizes.
Move To	Quickly center the Virtual Sky on a known position.


Data menu commands

The Data menu offers the following commands:

Site Information	Specify the location, date and time for viewing the sky.
Comets and Minor Planets	Input orbital elements for memory resident comets and minor planets.
File Locations	Display the locations of database files.


Tools menu commands

The Tools menu offers the following commands.

Time Skip	Perform solar system animation’s.
Update Solar System	Recompute the positions of solar system objects.
Planet Report	Show ephemeris for the planets for the current date and time.
Eclipse Finder	Find and display solar and lunar eclipses.
Moon Phase Calendar	Show a monthly calendar with the moon’s phases.
Show Picture	Display pictures from many common picture formats.
Slide Show	Create your own list of pictures to make a custom slide show.
Record Movie	Record your own astronomical movies.


Help menu commands

The Help menu offers the following commands that provide assistance with this application:

Tip of the Day	Show helpful hints and information the software.
Help Topics	Display the Help Topics dialog box to access the help’s Contents, Index and Search capabilities.
Astronomy Tutorial	Displays the astronomy tutorial “Patterns in the Sky.”  This text provides information about many fundamental concepts in astronomy.
About	Display the version number and other important system information.


Open command (File menu)

Use this command to open an existing Sky Document.

Shortcuts

Mouse
Keys	Ctrl+O	• O


Open dialog box (File menu)
Open dialog box (File menu, Open command)

The following options allow you to select a file to open.

Look In

Select the folder to view its contents.

File name

Enter the name of the file to open.

Files of type

Lists the types of files to display.  This is useful for narrowing the list of files displayed to only those files you're interested in.

Eject

Click this button to eject the removable media, such as a CD-ROM or floppy disk.

Desktop

Click this button to display the contents of the desktop.

Cancel

Click this button to close this window and not open any file.

Open

Click this button to open the selected file.

List files of type

Lists the types of files to display.  This is useful for narrowing the list of files displayed to only those files you're interested in.


Save command (File menu)

Use this command to save the current Sky Document.  When you save a document for the first time, the Save As dialog box is displayed so that you can name your document.  If you want to change the name and folder of the currently open document before you save it, click the Save As command on the File menu.

Shortcuts

Mouse
Keys	Ctrl+S	• S


Save As command (File menu)

Use this command to save and name the currently open document.  The Save As dialog box is displayed so you can name your document.

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


File Save As Dialog Box
File Save As dialog box (File menu, Save As command)

The following options allow you to specify the name and location of the file you are about to save.

Look In

Select the folder you want to look in.

File name

Enter the name of the file to save.

Save As Type

Lists the types of files to display.  This is useful for narrowing the list of files displayed to only those files you're interested in.

Eject

Click this button to eject the removable media, such as a CD-ROM or floppy disk.

Desktop

Click this button to display the contents of the desktop.

Cancel

Click this button to close this window and not open any file.

Save

Click this button to save the document with the entered file name.

List Files of Type

Lists the types of files to display.  This is useful for narrowing the list of files displayed to only those files you're interested in.


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

Each time a new document is opened, the previous document’s name is added to the File menu.  If you wish to load a previously opened document, press the number that corresponds with the document, or click the desired file name.

Use the Recent button on the Open dialog box to display a list of documents you have recently opened.


Exit or Quit command (File menu)

Use this command to end your viewing session.  You will be prompted to save any changes to the current document before actually exiting.

Shortcuts

Mouse	Click [image], or double-click the application's Control menu button at the upper left corner of the main window.	Click the Close Box.
Keys	Alt+F4	• Q


Undo command (Edit menu)

Use this command to reverse the last zoom or scroll action.  If there is nothing to undo, this command is dimmed.

Shortcuts

Keys	Ctrl+Z	• Z


Copy command (Edit menu)

Use this command to copy the current Virtual Sky to the Clipboard as a star chart.  This star chart can then be pasted into many graphics applications so that they can be integrated into other documents or publications.

Shortcuts

Mouse
Keys	Ctrl+C	• C


Find Command (Edit menu)

Use this command to quickly locate any celestial object by its name or catalog number.

Note: You can also use this dialog box to zoom to any field of view or any right ascension and declination.

To change the field of view, type in the letter Z (for “zoom”) in the Find edit box, followed by the desired field width (for example, Z 21), then click Find.

To move to a specific right ascension and declination, type in the coordinates, separated by a comma. For example, enter 20.50,-5 to move the center of the Virtual Sky to 20 hours 30 minutes right ascension and 5 degrees South declination.

Shortcuts

Mouse
Keys	F
 Related Topics


Find dialog box (Edit menu, Find command)

Use the options in this dialog box to locate any object by entering its name or catalog number.

To Find an Object by its Common Name

Select the desired object category in the Common Names list.  Then click the name of the object you wish to find in the list on the right.  This displays the selected object in the Find box.  Click Find to display the Object Information dialog box for this object, or Center and Frame to automatically zoom and center this object.

To Find an Object by its Catalog Number

Select the catalog prefix from the Databases group box (for example, NGC).  Then, type in the desired catalog number of the object you wish to locate in the Find box.  You can also use the on-screen number pad to edit the desired catalog numbers. This is handy at the telescope when seeing the keyboard may be difficult.

Note on Cross-References

The core stellar and non-stellar database catalogs include the Hipparcos and Tycho catalogs, the Guide Star Catalog and the Principle Catalog of Galaxies.  Smaller catalogs that are subsets of these larger catalogs (such as the SAO stellar catalog) are all cross-referenced using the Find command.  This means, for example, you can find the star SAO 184014 by entering SAO 184014, GSC 6779:2194, HIP 78401, PPM 264979, HD 143275 or P-22 6106.  See More Find Examples for a table of cross-reference examples.

If you have entered a catalog prefix followed by catalog numbers, clicking on a different catalog prefix replaces the existing prefix in the Find text box.  Double-clicking a catalog prefix will replace the entire Find text with just the catalog prefix.

Entering Catalog Numbers

Catalog or Object	Format	Example
Hipparcos	HIP nnnnn, where nnnnn is the Hipparcos number of the star.	HIP 40990
Tycho	Use the corresponding GSC number.	GSC 6001:510
PPM	PPM nnnnnn, when nnnnnn is the PPM number of the star.	PPM 220006
Guide Star	GSC bbbb.oooo, where bbbb is the guide star block number (1-9537) and oooo is the offset of the object in the block.	GSC 6001:510
SAO	SAO nnnn, where nnnn is the SAO catalog number (1-258997)	SAO 154159
Messier	Mnnn, nnn is the Messier number of the object (1-110)	M31
NGC	NGCnnnn, where nnnn is the NGC catalog number (1-7840).	NGC224
PGC	PGCnnnn, where nnnn is the PGC catalog number.	PGC02557
IC	ICnnnn, where nnnn is the IC catalog number.	IC434
Planetary Nebulae (PLN)	PLN plus the desired number.	PLN 118 +2
Variable Stars	The star designator, followed by the constellation abbreviation.	Enter GCVS RR AND to locate GCVS RR Andromeda,
Uranometria charts	URAnn+, where nn is the chart number desired. The Virtual Sky will be centered on the area covered by this star chart.	URA26+

More Find examples

Stars	Type of query
Polaris	Common name
SAO 308	Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory
GSC 4628:237	Guide Star Catalog number
HIP 11767	Hipparcos ID
PPM 431	Positions and Proper Motions (PPM) number.
HD 8890	Henry Draper number.
B+88 8	Bonner Durchmusterung
C-34 12784	Cordoba Durchmusterung
P-42 7856	Cape Durchmusterung
Flamsteed/Bayer (Abbreviate the constellation)
1 ALPHA UMI	(Alpha Ursae Minoris)
25 PSI 1 ORI	25 Psi 1 Orionis
Non-stellar
Great Nebula in Andromeda
M31	M31 Messier
NGC 224	NGC (New General Catalog)
IC 434	Index Catalog
PGC 18508	Principal Galaxies Catalog
GCVS GK ORI	General Catalog of Variable Stars
NSV	New Suspected Variable catalog
PLN 194+2.1	Planetary Nebula
Solar System Objects
Saturn	Finds Saturn
Wild 4	Finds the comet named “Wild 4”
Ceres	Finds Local Minor Planet named “1 Ceres”
MPL 835 OLIVIA	“MPL” prefix finds Extended Minor Planet named “835 Olivia”.
Uranometria Star Charts
URA 36	Centers on Uranometria star chart number 36
URA 36+	Centers on Uranometria star chart number 36 and sets Uranometria-like chart attributes.
Satellites
SAT COSMOS 100	Searches for the satellite named “Cosmos 100”.
Miscellaneous
ZENITH	Moves to 90 degrees altitude.
AAVSO A	Sets field width to AAVSO type A (accepts a-g).
12.3, 13.4	Moves to RA 12.3 and Dec 13.4
Z2.5	Zooms to 2.5 degree field of view.
Z2.5m	Zooms to 2.5 minute field of view.
Z200s	Zooms to 200 arc-second field of view.
SCALE 2.5	Sets the screen scale to 2.5 arc-seconds per pixel.
Find

Use this text box to enter an object name, catalog number or find command.  The previous ten queries are saved.

Center & Frame

Click this button to automatically center the object and zoom so that the object is visible.

Finding Double Stars

Objects from the Washington Catalog of Double Stars (WDS) cannot be queried using the Find command.  If the star is cross-referenced in the Hipparcos or GSC catalog, search by that number instead.

Automatic Centering

Type a period (.) following any query text to center on the object without displaying the Object Information dialog box.  For example, type Venus., then click Find.  The Virtual Sky will be adjusted so that Venus is centered.


Filters command (View menu)

Use this command to select which objects you want to appear on the Virtual Sky.  By default, sixty different types of objects (including the planets, stars, galaxies, and clusters) can individually or collectively be turned on or off using this command.

The Filters command also allows you to specify an upper and lower magnitude limit, where applicable, for each object type.  For example, you can filter the stars to show only magnitudes between 6 and 7 or spiral galaxies between 13 and 15 magnitude.

 Related Topics


Filters dialog box (View menu, Filters command)

The options in this dialog box allow you filter on and off the different object types (planets, stars, galaxies, open clusters, images, etc.) and specify an upper and lower magnitude limit for each object type that is displayed.

Celestial Object

This list shows all of the available object types.  Marked objects are visible. You can click and drag multiple object types to quickly turn on, for example, all the planets.

Magnitude Limits

You can specify an upper and lower limiting magnitude for each object type.  For example, if you wish to see all stars between magnitude 4 and 5, first select the object type star then enter 4 in the Brightest text box and 5 Faintest text box.

Brightest

Enter the upper magnitude limit to be displayed.  Objects with a magnitude lower than this number (brighter objects) are not displayed.

Faintest

Enter the lower magnitude limit to be displayed.  Objects with a magnitude higher than this number (fainter objects) are not displayed.

Select Types

Click one of the buttons in this group box to highlight a specific group of celestial objects in the Celestial Object list box.  For example, click the Planets button to highlight all the planets.  This makes turning on and off these commonly used groups of objects much easier.

Note: Objects in the Messier catalog are of type Mixed Deep Sky since the Messier Catalog contains several different types of objects, including clusters, galaxies and nebulae.  If you want to turn on or off the Messier Objects from the filters command, select the Mixed Deep Sky celestial object type and clear its check box.


Reference Lines command (View menu)

Use this command to add reference lines to the Virtual Sky to provide additional information, or to help you visualize your orientation, or reveal at which part of the sky you’re looking.

The View Toolbar contains several buttons that can quickly turn on or off the most commonly used reference lines.  It includes equatorial grid lines [image], horizon-based grid lines [image], constellation lines [image], and the constellation boundary lines [image].

 Related Topics


Reference Lines Dialog Box
Reference Lines dialog box (View menu, Reference Lines command)

Use these options to turn on and off all the different types of reference lines.

General Group

Constellation Figures

Mark this option to turn on the lines that connect stars of each constellation, giving a rough trace of its mythological shape.

Constellation Boundaries

Turns on or off the lines that represent the boundary of each constellation.

Ecliptic

Turns on or off the line that indicates the path of the sun.  In the 3D Solar System Mode, this line is displayed as a plane defined by Earth’s orbit.

Milky Way

Turns on or off the lines that depict the extents of our galaxy, the Milky Way.

Galactic Equator

Turns on or off the line that is drawn along the equator of the Milky Way.

Equatorial Lines Group

Grid

Turns on or off the lines following right ascension and declination.

N/E Indicator

Turns on or off the on-screen North and East direction indicator.

Spacing

Grid spacing represents the increment of right ascension and declination at which lines are drawn and labeled. The three equatorial grid spacing options are described below.

Auto/Wide

Select this option to automatically display wide-spaced grid lines at all fields of view.

Auto/Fine

Select this option to automatically display narrow-spaced grid lines at all fields of view.

User

Draws grid lines at user-defined increments as specified in the RA and Dec. Spacing text boxes.

RA Spacing

Input the spacing increment that specifies where lines of right ascension are displayed.  For example, an RA spacing of 1.0 will show a grid line at every hour of right ascension.

Dec. Spacing

Input the spacing increment that specifies where lines of declination are displayed.  For example, a Dec. spacing of 1.0 will show a grid line at every degree of declination.

Note: The User defined spacing increment is limited by the current field of view to prevent “overcrowding” of the grid lines.  If you enter small increment, say, 0.10, you will not see this coordinate grid spacing until the field of view is smaller than about 5 degrees.

Telescope Limits

Mark the Visible option to display telescope limit lines.

Edit Dec. Limit

The declination limit is an area of the sky that defines where, in declination, a computer-aided telescope cannot slew to.  Click this button to use the Horizon Line Editor to define the declination limit horizon line.

Edit Alt Limit

The altitude limit is an area of the sky that defines where in altitude (or relative to a local horizon) a computer-aided telescope cannot slew to. Click this button to use the Horizon Line Editor to define the altitude limit horizon line.

Horizon Lines Group

Grid

Mark this option to display a horizon-based coordinate grid.

Meridian

Displays a line that runs from due South, through the zenith to due North.  An object “transits,”  or reaches its highest point in the sky, when it passes this imaginary line.


Local

Mark this option to display the local horizon.  The contour of the local horizon can be matched to your location using the Horizon Line Editor.

Refracted

Displays a horizon that takes into account refraction, or the bending of light due to earth’s atmosphere.

Local Horizon Fill

Mark the Transparent option so “see through” the earth and look at what is below the horizon.  Mark the Opaque option to completely blocks out everything below the horizon.

The style, thickness and color of all reference lines can be changed using the Preferences command.

Edit Local

Displays the Horizon Line Editor so that you can draw a custom local horizon.


Labels menu flyout menu (View menu)
Labels flyout menu (View menu)

Common Names	Displays the common names of celestial objects on the screen and on printed star charts.
Extended Labels	Displays labels on the screen and printed star charts based upon database-specific information, such as an object’s magnitude, catalog number, or coordinates.  These labels are only show at fields of view of 50 degrees or less.
Setup	Specify the labeling options for Common Name and Extended labeling.


Common Names command (View menu, Labels flyout menu)

Use this command to label stars, planets, comets and other objects with their common names.  To select which types of objects will be labeled, see the Label Setup command.

 Related Topics


Setup command (View menu, Labels flyout menu)

Use the command to specify the Common Name Labels options and the Extended Labeling options.

Click the Common Name Labels tab to select which objects to label with their common names.  Click the Extended tab to setup the Extended Labeling options.


Common Names tab (View menu, Labels flyout menu, Setup command)

Use these options to specify which object types will appear when Common Names labels are displayed.

Stars

Display the common names for stars.

Non-stellar

Display the common names for non-stellar objects, such as nebulae, galaxies and clusters.

Constellations

Display the names of the 88 constellations.

Messier

Display the Messier catalog numbers.  An M, for example, M51, precedes the Messier catalog numbers.

Sun, Planets, Moons

Display the names of the sun, the Moon, the planets and the planets’ moons.

Bayer Designation

Display a Greek letter designating the relative magnitude of a star in a constellation, called its Bayer Designation.  For example, the brightest star in Orion, Betelgeuse, is labeled alpha (α).

Flamsteed Designation

Display a number next to the brighter stars indicating their relative position (in increasing right ascension) in the sky.

Comets

Turn on and off comet name labeling.  Only the active comets are labeled.

Minor Planets

Turn on or off labeling the minor planets.  Only active minor planets and all current extended minor planets are labeled.

Note: If an option is marked and the label for that type of object does not appear, make sure that the corresponding object type is visible in the Filters dialog box.


Redraw Screen command (View menu)

Use this command to redraw the screen.  You might wish to do this if you interrupt a redraw (by pressing the ESC key) or after a lengthy solar system animation.

Accelerators

Keyboard	F5


Full Screen command (View menu)

Use this command to remove the menu, window borders and optionally all the toolbars to show a “sky only” view.

The menu commands are still accessible in this mode by using the accelerator keystroke commands (ALT+KEYBOARD KEYS).

Toggle on or off the full screen mode by clicking the Full Screen button on the View Toolbar.

To show the toolbars when in full screen mode, mark the Show in Full Screen Mode option in the Toolbars dialog box.

Accelerators

Keyboard	Space Bar


Daytime Sky Mode command (View menu)

Use this command to simulate how the sky looks in the daytime.  Instead of the normal dark background during the daylight hours, the sky is light blue and only the brightest objects, like the sun and moon, are visible.

This mode simulates sunrise and sunsets as well.  For example, set the time to late afternoon and set a 30 second time skip interval and click the Go Forward command.  As dusk approaches, the sky changes from light blue to darker shades of blue.  As the sun slips behind the horizon, a spectacular sunset follows.  Finally, the splendor of the dark night sky is revealed with all the bright stars.


3D Solar System Mode command (View menu)

Use this command to toggle between looking at the sky from Earth and a point in space located anywhere inside our solar system.  When this command is enabled, the starry background is  turned off by default and only the objects in our solar system are displayed.  The default location is an arbitrary point in space.  It’s above the plane of the ecliptic, just inside Pluto’s orbit, looking back at our Sun.

View Point

There are two angles that define your view point for observing the solar system.  These angles are Theta and Phi.  The angle Theta is measured in the plane of the ecliptic from the first point of Aries.  The angle Phi is measured from an axis perpendicular to the plane of the ecliptic through the sun.  Please refer to the figure below for a graphical representation of the angles Theta and Phi.

To change the view point

Use the panning and zooming options to change the view point.  For example, click [image] to move to the right or click [image] to zoom in.

Accessing 3D Solar System Mode commands

Click the right mouse button ( [image] CONTROL+click) to access the following commands.

Find

Click this command to find objects.  For more information about finding objects, see the Find command.

Zoom-to Flyout

Use the commands in this menu to quickly change your location in space.  For example, click the Earth command to zoom to a point of view just outside Earth’s orbit, looking toward the sun.

View From

Use this command to change your view point to one that is on the selected object, looking back at the Sun.  During a time skip animation, you can get the sensation of being on the surface of the object, traveling through space. You must right-click ( [image] CONTROL+click) a solar system object to make this command available.

Lock On

Use this command to center the selected object.  During a time skip animation, this object remains fixed at the center of the screen.  This way you follow its motion through the solar system. You must right-click ( [image] CONTROL+click) a solar system object to make this command available.

Hint:  The View From and Lock On commands can be used simultaneously to create exciting time skip animations.  For example, you could Lock On comet Enke and View From minor planet Ceres!

Show Orbit/Clear Orbits

Use this command to display the orbit of the selected comet or minor planet.  The mouse cursor must be on a comet or minor planet to make this command available.  A partial orbit is displayed for comets (such as Hale-Bopp) having orbits that carry them far outside our solar system.

Preferences

Use this command to display the Preferences dialog box.

Filters

Use this command to display the Filters dialog box.

Ecliptic Grid

Use this command to plot a grid that represents the plane that is created by Earth’s orbit about the Sun, called the plane of the ecliptic.  The size of this grid remains fixed, regardless of the current location in the solar system.

Orbit Depths

Use this command to display a grid the indicates the distance from the ecliptic that a comet or minor planet travels during its orbit around the sun.  There must be at least one comet or minor planet that has been identified an its orbit displayed using the Show Orbit command.

Note that if you are viewing an object perpendicular to its orbit, the orbit depth will not be visible.

Show Background

Use this command to display the Solar System against a starry background.


Night Vision command (View menu)

Use this command to change the screen colors to red to minimize loss of dark adaptation.  This feature is primarily for observers with color monitors who use their computers near their telescopes.

Note: This command changes all the system colors to red so that all applications will have a predominately red appearance when Night Vision is active.

Night Vision on the Macintosh will dim all of the monitors attached to your computer, and it will even dim other applications that are running.  It also remembers its current settings so that you can turn enter Night Vision Mode automatically every time the application is launched.


Chart Mode command (View menu)

Use this command to reformat the Virtual Sky to look more like what you would see in a book of star charts (such as Wil Tirion’s Sky Atlas 2000.0(TM)).  Using the Preference command you can alter the look of the Chart Mode by changing the colors of all the different objects, including the color of the background.


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 Virtual Sky.  To display or hide the status bar, mark or clear the Visible checkbox in the Status Bar dialog box.

The left-hand side 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-hand side of the status bar displays one or more of the following:

Screen Position Group

Equatorial

Shows the right ascension and declination of the center of the Virtual Sky.

Horizon

Shows the local altitude and azimuth of the center of the Virtual Sky.

Cursor Position Group

Equatorial

Shows the right ascension and declination of the mouse pointer's position.

Horizon

Shows the local altitude and azimuth of the center of the mouse pointer's position.

Other Options Group

Earth Location

Shows the latitude and longitude of the viewing site.

Local Sidereal Time

Shows the local sidereal time for the viewing site.

Field Width

Displays the current field angle, in degrees, of the Virtual Sky.

Date

Shows the date for which the Virtual Sky is accurate.

Time

Shows the local time for which the Virtual Sky is accurate.


Preferences command (View menu)

Use this command to change how fonts, lines, background fill colors and object symbols are displayed.

Every symbol, line or font that appears on the Virtual Sky or printed Sky Chart can be changed to suit your preferences.  The following table lists all the available classes of objects that can be changed under the Preferences dialog box.

Object Class	Sample celestial object types	Font	Line	Fill	Symbol
Star	All stars	S/P	P	P	Auto
Planet	Sun, Moon and planets	S/P	S/P	S/P	S/P
Minor Planet- Comet	Minor planets (asteroids) and comets	S/P			S/P
Deep Sky	Nebulas, clusters, galaxies, etc.	S/P	S/P	S/P	S/P
Exotic	Quasars, X-ray and  Radio sources, etc.	S/P			S/P
Point	Reference points	S/P	S/P		S/P
Line	Constellations, grids, ecliptic, meridian, etc.	S/P	S/P
Polygon	Milky Way, extended object shapes		S/P	S/P
Medium	Notes, sound, image, video	S/P			S/P
Chart	Virtual Sky and Chart	S/P	S/P	S/P	S/P

Auto —This property cannot be changed.

S (screen) —This property can be changed for the Virtual Sky's Virtual Sky mode.

P (printer) —This property can be changed for Sky Charts and the Virtual Sky's Chart mode.


Preferences dialog box
Preferences dialog box (View menu, Preferences command)

Use these options to specify how each object type is displayed.

Object Description

Lists the different celestial object types that can be displayed.  This list is sorted by object type.  First the different types of stars are listed, then galaxies, clusters, and so on.  When you highlight an object, you can then specify it preferences.  The preferences for each object type include its Font, Line Style, Fill Color and Symbol.

To access each preference, click the appropriate tab, and a sample of how the preference will appear on the Virtual Sky and on the Sky Chart is shown.

Font

Click this tab to view the Font for the selected object.  To change the font, click the Edit button.

Line

Click this tab to view the Line Style for the selected object.  To change the line style, click the Edit button.

Fill

Click this tab to view the Fill Color for the selected object. To change the Fill Color, click the Edit button.

Symbol

Click this tab to view the Symbol for the selected object. To change the Symbol, click the Edit button.

Virtual Sky Sample

This group box displays the preference for the selected object type as it will appear on the Virtual Sky.  Click the Edit button to change the currently selected preference.

Sky Chart Sample

This group box displays the preference for the selected object type as it will appear on the Printer and in Chart Mode. Click the Edit button to change the currently selected preference.

Add

Adds a new object type to the Object Description list box.  You must enter a unique name for the new object type.  You can associate new object types to new databases added to TheSky with the Database manager.

Remove

Removes the selected object from the Object Description list box.  Note:  You can only remove object types that you have added to the list.  Pre-defined object types cannot be removed.

Open

Allows you to open a different Sky View Preferences file (SVP).  This file saves the state of the current preferences.  All of the preferences that are specified in this dialog box can be saved to and retrieved from SVP files.  The default SVP file name is named Normal.svp.

Save As

Allows you to save the current preference settings under a different name.

Save

Click this button to save preferences under the current Sky View Preferences file name.  This is the name that appears in the caption of the Preferences dialog box.

Preview

Applies the current preference settings to the Virtual Sky without exiting this dialog box.


Symbol Editor dialog box
Symbol Editor dialog box (View menu, Preferences command, Edit button)

Use the Symbol Editor dialog box to draw your own picture (bitmap) that represents an object type on the Virtual Sky.  The 9 pixel by 9 pixel Symbol area is enlarged so that you can easily draw on it using the mouse.  Do this by selecting a color from the 16-color palette at the bottom of the dialog box, then clicking the mouse on the Symbol pixels you want to shade with that color.  The two additional colored squares, to the right of the letters “L” and “R”, show the color that is assigned to the left and right mouse buttons, respectively.

Macintosh users must press the CONTROL key to access the right mouse button commands.

To select a different color, just click on it in the color palette.  Notice that the square to the right of the letter “L” is filled with the color you just clicked.  To add flexibility, both the left and right mouse buttons can be assigned different colors to “paint” the symbol.  Click the right mouse button on the color palette to assign that color for painting with the right mouse button.

Preview

Shows what the symbol looks like in actual size.

Copy

Copies the symbol to the Clipboard as a device-independent bitmap (DIB) under Windows and a PICT using a Macintosh.

Paste

Inserts a DIB (Windows) or PICT (Macintosh) from the Clipboard.  If the bitmap in the Clipboard is larger than 9x9 pixels, only the upper left 9x9 pixels are copied.  This button is only enabled if the Clipboard contains a valid DIB (Windows) or PICT (Macintosh).

Clear

Sets all pixels in the symbol to black.


Add Celestial Object dialog box
Add Celestial Object dialog box (View menu, Preferences command, Add button)

You can define a new celestial object type and add it to the list of Celestial Objects.  If you want to create a database of your own collection of objects, you could define a type called “My Database of Objects” and create a Sky Database of this type.

Please Enter a Unique Description

You must enter a description for a celestial object that does not already appear in the Celestial Object list.


Zenith Up command (Orientation menu)

The orientation of the Virtual Sky can be set to one of three different orientation modes: Zenith Up, Pole Up, or Free Rotation.

Use this command to enter the Zenith Up mode.  The point in the sky that is directly overhead for the current time, called the zenith, is “pinned” to the top of the screen as you look around the sky.  This mode is good for looking at horizon-based or earth-based views of large portions of the sky.

In Pole Up mode, the north celestial pole is always oriented towards the top of the screen.  In Free Rotation mode, the orientation of the Celestial Sphere on the screen is defined by the user.


Pole Up command (Orientation menu)

The orientation of the Virtual Sky is defined by one of three different orientation modes: Zenith Up, Pole Up, or Free Rotation. Use this command to enter the Pole up mode.  In this mode, as you move around the sky, the north celestial pole is always oriented toward the top of the screen.  Stars and other deep-space objects are plotted according to their fixed, equatorial coordinates.  During time skips, the planets will move relative to a fixed starry background.

In Zenith Up mode, the zenith is “pinned” to the top of the screen as you move around the sky.  This is good for looking at horizon- or earth-based views of large portions of the sky.  In Free Rotation mode, the direction of the North celestial pole is defined by the user.

 Related Topics


Look flyout menu (Orientation menu)

Use these commands to adjust the Virtual Sky so that it appears you are looking in a particular compass direction.  The view is oriented such that the local horizon appears at the bottom of the screen, with the field of view approximately equal to what you see with your unaided eye (100 degree field of view).

North	Look to the North from your location.
East	Look to the East from your location.
South	Look to the South from your location.
West	Look to the West from your location.
Zenith	Look straight up to get an “all sky” view.


North command (Look flyout menu, Orientation menu)
North command (Orientation menu, Look flyout menu)

Use this command to place the horizon at the bottom of the screen, with the zenith at the top, looking North.  The field width is set to 100 degrees, which is approximately the field of view as seen with the unaided eye.


East command (Look flyout menu, Orientation menu)
East command (Orientation menu, Look flyout menu)

Use this command to place the horizon at the bottom of the screen, with the zenith at the top, looking East.  The field width is set to 100 degrees, which is approximately the field of view as seen with the unaided eye.


South command (Look flyout menu, Orientation menu)
South command (Orientation menu, Look flyout menu)

Use this command to place the horizon at the bottom of the screen, with the zenith at the top, looking South.  The field width is set to 100 degrees, which is approximately the field of view as seen with the unaided eye.


West command (Look flyout, Orientation menu)
West command (Orientation menu, Look flyout menu)

Use this command to place the horizon at the bottom of the screen, with the zenith at the top, looking West.  The field width is set to 100 degrees, which is approximately the field of view as seen with the unaided eye.


Zenith command (Look flyout, Orientation menu)
Zenith command (Orientation menu, Look flyout menu)

Use this command to adjust the field of view to 225 degrees, with the zenith at the center of the screen.  The view is similar to that of a planisphere, or the monthly star charts published in astronomy magazines.


Zoom To flyout menu (Orientation menu)

Use these menu commands to quickly change the field of view of the Virtual Sky.

Minimum	Zoom to a field width of 1 minute.
Telescope	Zoom to a field width of 1 degree.
Finder	Zoom to a field width of 10 degrees.
Binocular	Zoom to a field width of 50 degrees.
Naked Eye	Zoom to a field width of 100 degrees.
Wide Field	Zoom to a field width of 180 degrees.
Maximum	Zoom to a field width of 235 degrees.


Finder command (Zoom To flyout menu, Orientation menu)
Finder command (Orientation menu, Zoom To flyout menu)

Change the field of view of the Virtual Sky to 10 degrees.  This approximates the field of view as seen through a finder telescope.


Binocular command (Zoom To flyout menu, Orientation menu)
Binocular command (Orientation menu, Zoom To flyout menu)

Change the field of view of the Virtual Sky to 50 degrees.  Although the field of view of most binoculars much smaller (around 15 degrees), this field of view is good for scanning a wide portion of the sky (like with a pair of binoculars).


Naked Eye command  (Zoom To flyout menu, Orientation menu)
Naked Eye command  (Orientation menu, Zoom To flyout menu)

Change the field of view of the Virtual Sky to 100 degrees.  This is approximately the field of view of the unaided eye.


Wide Field command  (Zoom To flyout menu, Orientation menu)
Wide Field command  (Orientation menu, Zoom To flyout menu)

Changes the field of view of the display to 180 degrees.  In the Gnomonic projection this is limited to a maximum field of view of 150 degrees.


Maximum command  (Zoom To flyout menu, Orientation menu)
Maximum command  (Orientation menu, Zoom To flyout menu)

Change the field of view of the Virtual Sky to its maximum.  This value depends upon the current projection.

Projection	Maximum Field of View (degrees)
stereographic	235
orthographic	180
azimuthal equal-area	235
azimuthal equal-distance	300
Gnomonic	150
Mercator	360


Move To command (Orientation menu)

Use this command to center the display on any equatorial or horizon-based coordinate.

When linked to a computerized telescope, use this command to slew the telescope to a specific set of coordinates.

 Related Topics


Move To Dialog Box
Move To dialog box (Orientation menu, Move To command)

Use these options to change where you are looking in the sky, specifically, to position the center of the display to an exact right ascension, declination or altitude, azimuth.

The upper left of the Move To dialog box displays two axes, representing azimuth (horizontal) and altitude (vertical) in Horizon Entry mode, and right ascension (horizontal) and declination (vertical) in Equatorial Entry Mode.  A cross hair shows the current position of the center of the display.  To change the coordinates graphically, click and drag the cross hair to the new location.  When you release the mouse button, the Move To dialog box is closed and the display is updated.

If you begin dragging the mouse and wish to abort this operation, simply move the mouse outside the graph’s boundaries and release the mouse button.

Entry Mode

Select either the Equatorial (right ascension-, declination-based coordinates) or Horizon-based (altitude-, azimuth-based) Entry mode.

Current

Shows the approximate location of the center of the display, in numerical format.

Destination

Shows the approximately where the display will be centered as you drag the mouse, in numerical format.

Right Ascension

Manually enter the hours, minutes and seconds of right ascension.  This is will be the new center of the display in right ascension.

Declination

Manually enter the degrees, minutes and seconds of declination, then click North or South to select the desired hemisphere.  This is will be the new center of the display in declination.

Epoch

Type in the epoch of the coordinates you are entering.  “Current” indicates that the coordinates you have entered are precessed to the current date (that is, the date displayed in the Site Information dialog box).  “2000.0” indicates the coordinates are for Epoch 2000.0.


Site Information command (Data menu)

Site Information includes all the data required to compute the horizon-based coordinates of objects in the sky.  It is broken into two separate parts: your location on earth (including longitude, latitude, elevation and time zone) and the date and time (including local daylight saving time options).  You can input any location on earth and any date between 4712 B.C. to 10,000 A.D.

There are a few restrictions to the date and time input.  The dates between October 4, 1582, and October 15, 1582, do not exist in the Gregorian calendar.  Also, if you select the daylight saving adjustment option, entering a time between 1 a.m. and 2 p.m. may require further clarification.  For example, when we “spring forward,” this hour does not exist, but when we “fall back,” this hour is repeated and you must specify which hour you want.

Daylight Saving Adjustment Option

There are many countries that use different starting and ending dates for daylight saving time.  If you are uncertain about which region to select, see the International Daylight Saving table for a list of these regions and the daylight saving dates.

Choose the No Adjustment option if daylight saving is not applicable at your location.

 Related Topics


Location tab (Site Information dialog box)
Location tab (Data menu, Site Information command)

Use these options to enter a location on earth from which to view the sky.

Description

Enter the name of the location from which to view the sky.  For example, type the name of your city and state.

Longitude

Enter the longitude of the location, in degrees, minutes and seconds.  Don’t forget to specify East or West of Greenwich or you could end up on the wrong side of the earth!  You might need to refer to a map if your city is not included in the provided list of locations.

Latitude

Enter the latitude of the location, in degrees, minutes and seconds.  Also specify the northern or southern hemisphere.

Time Zone

Enter the time zone of this location.

Elevation

Enter the elevation, in meters, of the location.

Add

Adds the current location to the list of locations.

Remove

Removes the current location from the list of locations.

Open

Allows you to load a different list of locations.  Four separate lists of locations are provided.  You may want to load different lists to see what the sky looks like from different parts of the world.

Location File Name	Description
United States cities.loc	List of many cities in the USA.
German cities.loc	List of many cities in Germany.
Cities outside USA.loc	List of many cities located outside the USA.
World Observatories.loc	Locations of many famous (and some not-so-famous) observatories around the world.


Date & Time tab (Site Information dialog box)
Date & Time tab (Data menu, Site Information command)

Use these options to enter the date and time you want to view the sky.

Use the computer’s clock

Check this option to use the date and time of your computer’s internal clock when computing the positions of the stars and planets.

Date

Enter the month, day and year to view the sky.

Time

Enter the time, in hours, minutes, seconds.  For hours after 12:00 p.m. be sure to add twelve hours to the time.  For example, 4:00 p.m. should be entered as 16 hours, 0 minutes and 0 seconds.

Daylight Saving Adjustment Option

Enter the appropriate daylight saving option for your location.


Comets and Minor Planets command (Data menu)

Use this command to add, edit and display comets and minor planets.  Before the position of comet or minor planet can be computed, its current orbital element information must be entered.  Click Add to enter this information about a new object, or click Edit to change and existing object’s data.  When the check box next to the object’s name is checked, this object will be visible on the Virtual Sky.

 Related Topics


Comets tab (Data menu, Comets and Minor Planets dialog box)
Comets tab (Data menu, Comets and Minor Planets command)

Click this tab to show the current list of comets and to activate, add or remove comets from the list.  Mark the check box next to comet name to make it visible on the Virtual Sky.

Name

Lists the names of comets that can be viewed.

Edit

Click this button to display the Comet Input dialog box.  This dialog box allows you to modify the orbital elements for the selected comet.

Add

Click this button to display the Comet Input dialog box.  This option adds a new comet to the list.

Remove

Click this button to remove the selected comet.

Import

Click this button to import one or more comets from a formatted text file that contains comet orbital element data.

Number of Comets

Displays the number of comets that are currently loaded.  A maximum of 100 comets can be displayed at once.

From the Web Group

This group box contains options that retrieve timely information directly from the World Wide Web.

Observable

Click this button to retrieve the list of comets that are observable today, directly from the IAU web site on the Internet.  You must have access to the Internet to use this option.


Minor Planets tab (Comets and Minor Planets dialog box)
Minor Planets tab (Data menu, Comets and Minor Planets command)

Click this tab to display a list of the minor planets that are currently in memory. Up to 100 local minor planets can be displayed at once.  If you want to display a large number of minor planets, limited only by the amount of computer memory, use the Extended Minor Planets command.

Name

Lists the names of minor planets that can be viewed.

Edit

Click this button to display the Minor Planet Input dialog box.  This allows you to change the orbital elements for the selected minor planets.

Add

Displays the Minor Planet Input dialog box.  This allows you to add a description and the orbital elements for a minor planet.

Remove

Removes the selected minor planet.

Number of Minor Planets

Displays the number of minor planets that are currently loaded.  A maximum of 100 local minor planets can be displayed at once.  See the Extended Minor Planets command for displaying more than 100 minor planets.

From the Web Group

This group box contains options that retrieve timely information directly from the World Wide Web.

Distant

Click this button to retrieve the list of distant minor planets from the IAU web site.

Critical

Click this button to retrieve the list of critical minor planets from the IAU web site.  These minor planets have orbits that intersect the earth’s.

Unusual

Click this button to retrieve the list of unusual minor planets from the IAU web site.


Comet Input dialog box
Comet Input dialog box (Data menu, Comets and Minor Planets command, Comet tab, Edit/Add button)

Use this dialog box to add orbital data for a comet.

Name

This is a name you assign to the comet for identification purposes.

Orbital elements

Eccentricity (a'/a)

The measure of an ellipse's distortion from a circle.  This defines the shape of the comet's orbit.

Perihelion distance (P-Sun)

The distance, in astronomical units, of the comet's closest approach to the Sun.

Orbital inclination (i)

The tilt of the comet's orbital plane relative to the plane of the ecliptic

Longitude of the ascending node (arc YN)

The angle, as viewed from the Sun, between the comet and the first point of Aries, when the comet passes through the plane of the ecliptic from below.

Argument of perihelion (arc NP)

The angle, as viewed from the Sun, between the comet's perihelion position (closest approach to the Sun) and the point of its ascending node.

Ecliptic epoch

The standard year (1950 or 2000) to which the orbital elements refer.

Absolute magnitude

The brightness of the comet as seen by a viewer at a standard distance.

Magnitude constant

A value which represents the change in the comet's brightness during its orbit.

Date of Perihelion (Epoch of the Elements)

The date at which the object is closest to the Sun.

Computed position

As an aid in quickly verifying the accuracy of your data entry, click the Compute button to see the position of the comet as calculated for the Site's Date and Time.

Import button

This command is used to add a comet whose orbital elements are already specified in a compatible file format.


Minor Planet Input dialog box
Minor Planet Input dialog box (Data menu, Comets and Minor Planets command, Minor Planet tab, Edit/Add button)

Use this dialog box to add orbital element data for a minor planet.

Orbital elements

Name

This is a name you assign to the minor planet for identification purposes.

Eccentricity (a'/a)

The measure of an orbit's distortion from circular.

Semi-major axis (a)

The radius of the minor planet's orbit, as measured at its greatest width.

Orbital inclination (i)

The tilt of the minor planet's orbital plane relative to the plane of the ecliptic.

Longitude of the ascending node (arc YN)

The angle, as viewed from the Sun, between longitude 0° (vernal equinox) and the minor planet, as it passes through the plane of the ecliptic from below.

Argument of perihelion (arc NP)

The angle, as viewed from the Sun, between the minor planet's perihelion position (closest approach to the Sun) and the point of its ascending node.

Ecliptic epoch

The standard year (1950 or 2000) to which the orbital elements refer.

Mean anomaly (arc PX)

The angle, as viewed from the Sun, between the minor planet's mean and perihelion positions.

Absolute magnitude

The brightness of the minor planet as seen by a viewer at a standard distance.

Magnitude slope

A value which represents the rate of change in the minor planet's brightness during its orbit.

Date of Perihelion (Epoch of elements)

The date at which the object is closest to the Sun.

Computed position

As an aid in quickly verifying the accuracy of your data entry, click the Compute button to see the position of the minor planet as calculated for the Site's Date and Time.

Import button

This command is used to add a minor planet whose orbital elements are already specified in a compatible minor planet file format.


Select Comet/Minor Planet Name dialog box
Import Comet or Minor Planet Name dialog box (Data menu, Comets and Minor Planets command, Import button)

Use this dialog box to select the name of the comet or minor planet you want to import.  Select or double-click the name from the list to automatically fill the orbital element information in the comet or minor planet orbital element dialog box.


File Locations command (Data menu)

Use this command to change where the program looks for database and other application related files.  TheSky uses different types of files to store and retrieve information about celestial objects.

You should not need to change these options unless you have copied database files or pictures from your CD-ROM to your hard disk.

Files tab	Specify the locations of databases and pictures.


TheSky tab (Data menu, File Locations command)

Use the options in this dialog box to modify the location of TheSky’s core database files, picture files and multimedia files.

Note:  These settings should not be altered unless you are changing the locations of your database files (for example, copying them from TheSky CD-ROM to the hard drive) or adding your own multimedia files (pictures, video, etc.).

Database or Multimedia files	Description
Guide Star Catalog	Guide Star Catalog database files.  These files reside in the GSC folder within the LargeSDB folder on TheSky CD-ROM. They may have been copied to the hard disk during installation.
Hipparcos/Tycho Catalogs	Hipparcos and Tycho catalog database files. These files reside in the HipTyc folder within the LargeSDB folder on TheSky CD-ROM.  They are typically copied to the hard disk during installation.
Non-stellar Databases	All non-stellar database files (objects such as galaxies, open clusters and nebulae).  These files reside in the NST folder within the LargeSDB folder on TheSky CD-ROM.  They may have been copied to the hard disk during installation.
Sky Databases (SDBs)	Sky Database files are user-defined databases to augment databases supplied with TheSky.
Pictures	Specifies the folder where TheSky looks for pictures that are associated with an object.
AAO Pictures	Specifies the folder where TheSky looks for pictures from the Anglo- Australian Observatory (AAO).
IC Thumbnail Pictures	Specifies the folder where TheSky looks for thumbnail pictures from the Index Catalog.
NGC Thumbnail Pictures	Specifies the folder where TheSky looks for thumbnail pictures from the New Guide Catalog.
PGC Thumbnail Pictures (Level IV only)	Specifies the folder where TheSky looks for thumbnail pictures from the Principle Galaxy Catalog.
Solar System Pictures	Specifies the folder where TheSky looks for pictures of the solar system objects.
Video	Specifies the folder where TheSky looks for video associated with an object.
Notes	Specifies the folder where TheSky looks for additional text associated with an object.
Sound	Specifies the folder where TheSky looks for sound associated with an object.
Astronomy Tutorial “Patterns in TheSky”	Specifies the location of “Patterns in TheSky,” the tutorial on astronomy provided with TheSky. This is configured during installation and should not be changed.

Folder

Displays the folder for the selected file.  Click the (…) button to select a different folder for the selected fil


Time Skip flyout menu (Tools menu)

Use these commands to perform time skip simulations.  TheSky can speed up time to animate celestial motion, letting you observe the paths of celestial objects over long periods.  Just few of the possible time-skip animation simulations are listed below.

•	View the retrograde motion of the outer planets.

•	Watch solar or lunar eclipses and occultation’s.

•	Plot comet and minor planet paths.

•	Watch your favorite constellation rise or set.

•	Create the sun’s analemma.  (Try looking South, at noon, and skipping one day for an entire year with the Record Trails button on.  This shape is called the sun’s analemma.)

•	When you record time skip trails, you can also add custom labels to the object’s trails by identifying the object, then clicking the Label button on the Object Information dialog box.

•	Watch a comet stream through the solar system in the 3D Solar System Mode.

Time Skip Command	Description
Go Forward	Begin a time skip simulation and go forward in time.
Go Backward	Begin a time skip simulation and go backward in time.
Step Forward	Step forward in time, one time skip increment.
Step Backward	Step backward in time, one time skip increment.
Stop	End the time skip simulation.
Reset Date and Time	Set the date and time back to the beginning of the time skip.
Set Increment	Set the length of time to skip.
Tracking Setup	Specify which solar system objects to display during a time skip.
Record Trails	Plot and save the solar system objects’ previous positions.  Note: Only solar system objects are displayed in when in Zenith Up mode.
 Related Topics


Go Forward command (Tools Time Skip menu)

Use this command to begin a continuous time skip simulation, moving forward in time.  If your field of view is greater than 50 degrees in the Zenith Up orientation, all objects move relative to your local horizon.  In Free Rotation or Pole Up orientation, at all fields of view, solar system objects move relative to a fixed, starry background.

To view the motion of solar system objects from any point in space, select the 3D Solar System Mode on the View menu.

 Related Topics


Go Backward command (Tools Time Skip menu)
Go Backward command (Tools menu, Time Skip flyout menu)

Use this command to begin a continuous time skip simulation, moving backward in time.  If your field of view is greater than 50 degrees, in the Zenith Up orientation, all objects move relative to your local horizon.  In Free Rotation or Pole Up orientation, at all fields of view, solar system objects move relative to a fixed, starry background.

To view the motion of solar system objects from any point in space, select the 3D Solar System Mode on the View menu.

 Related Topics


Step Forward command (Tools Time Skip menu)
Step Forward command (Tools menu, Time Skip flyout menu)

Use this command to step forward in time by one time skip increment.

 Related Topics


Step Backward command (Tools Time Skip menu)
Step Backward command (Tools menu, Time Skip flyout menu)

Use this command to step backward in time by one time skip increment.

 Related Topics


Stop command (Tools Time Skip menu)
Stop command (Tools menu, Time Skip flyout menu)

Use this command to end the time skip simulation.

 Related Topics


Reset Date and Time command (Tools Time Skip menu)
Reset Date and Time command (Tools menu, Time Skip flyout menu)

Use this command to set TheSky’s date and time (as specified in the Site Information dialog box) to the beginning of the time skip simulation.

Note: When you perform a time skip simulation, the Use computer’s clock is automatically unchecked, and the Virtual Sky will not be automatically updated until this option is checked again.

 Related Topics


Time Skip Increment command (Tools Time Skip menu)
Time Skip Increment command (Tools menu, Time Skip flyout menu)

Use this command to enter the length of time between successive time skip computations.

 Related Topics


Time Skip Increment dialog box

Use these options to specify the interval of time that is skipped when animating the motion of celestial objects.  For solar system objects, you may wish to skip days, hours or minutes to see their relative motion, while with stars, you might want to skip hundreds of years to watch stellar proper motion.

Input Time Skip Increment

Select from the pre-defined time skip increments in the list box, or enter any increment.  The time skip increment can be varied from as little as 0.01 seconds to as many days as you want.  The default time skip increment is 1 day.  The list box offers five default increments.

Default Increments
1 second
1 minute
1 hour
1 day (diurnal day)
Sunrise	Displays the sky at sunrise each day.  The actual time of sunrise occurs at a different time each day.
Sunset	Displays the sky at sunset each day.  The actual time of sunset occurs at a different time each day.
23h 56m 04 s (1 sidereal day)	The rotational period of a body relative to the stars.  Useful for Earth-based studies of celestial motion.
27d 07h 43m 15s	Moon’s Synodic Period (see below for a definition of “synodic.”)

Select one of these increments, or enter any time value you want.  Type the time value, followed by the letter representing the time unit — d for days, h for hours, m for minutes, s for seconds.  Case in insignificant.  Fractional values, like 24.6668h, are okay.  Units can also be combined, such as 3d 4h 22m 1s.

Example Increments	Resulting time skip increment
4h 22 m 1 s	Skips 4 hours, 22 minutes and 1 second
100 d	Skips 100 days
24.6668 h	Skips 24 hours,  40 minutes and 48 seconds
Other Interesting Increments	Description
Saros Lunar Cycle 6585d 08h 30m (Saros Lunar Cycle)	Useful for studying repetitive lunation cycles, especially eclipses
Sidereal Year	The orbital period of a body relative to the stars. Useful for Earth-based and 3D Solar System studies.
87d 23h 14m 30s	Mercury’s Sidereal Year
224d 16h 42m	Venus’ Sidereal Year
365d 05h 49m 12s	Earth’s Sidereal Year
686d 22h 34m	Mars’ Sidereal Year
4330.75d	Jupiter’s Sidereal Year
10748d	Saturn’s Sidereal Year
30688.5d	Uranus’ Sidereal Year
59820d	Neptune’s Sidereal Year
90708d	Pluto’s Sidereal Year
Synodic Period	The mean period of repeating Earth-Sun-object alignment.  Useful for primarily Earth-based observations, but good for 3D Solar System studies also.
27d 07h 43m 15s	Moon’s Synodic Period
115d 21h 07m	Mercury’s Synodic Period
583d 22h 16m	Venus’ Synodic Period
779d 22h 48m	Mars’ Synodic Period
398.9d	Jupiter’s Synodic Period
378.1d	Saturn’s Synodic Period
369.7d	Uranus’ Synodic Period
367.5d	Neptune’s Synodic Period
366.7d	Pluto’s Synodic Period
 Related Topics


Tracking Setup command (Tools Time Skip menu)
Tracking Setup command (Tools menu, Time Skip flyout menu)

Use this command to select which solar system objects will be displayed during a time skip animation.  You can also specify a particular object to “lock on” to.  This means that the object will remain fixed at the center of the screen.  If you want to watch the Moon as it traverses the sky, but have the Moon stay stationary while all the other objects pass by, use the Lock On option in the Tracking Setup dialog box.

To “break” a lock on the object, click any of the move buttons ( [image], [image], [image], [image]) on the View toolbar.

Recording Trails

You can also specify what type of trail the object’s leave when the Record Trails button is pressed.  The choices include the Object Trails, where the complete object is shown at each increment; Dot Trails show a small circle at each increment; the Connected option draws a line between each time skip position.

To view the motion of solar system objects from any point in space, click the 3D Solar System Mode command on the View menu.  In this mode, use the right-mouse button (CONTROL+mouse click on the Macintosh) to View From a particular object.  For example, suppose you wish to view the motion of a comet as it orbits the sun.  To do so, place the mouse cursor over the desired comet, then right-click the View From command in the pop-up menu (CONTROL+mouse click on the Macintosh).   The view point is adjusted as if you were on the surface of the comet, looking back towards the sun.

 Related Topics


Tracking Setup dialog box (Tools menu, Time Skip flyout menu)

Use these options to select the solar system objects that will appear during a time-skip animations.

Sun, Planets, Earth’s Shadow

Select the object(s) that you want to display during the time-skip animation.

Note: When the Earth’s Shadow option is marked, the shadow that is cast by the earth at the distance of the moon is shown on the Virtual Sky.  This “object” can be used to simulate lunar eclipses.

Trails

This option defines how each time skip position is drawn when the Record Trails command is active.

Object Trails

Select this option to display the object’s symbol at each time skip increment.

Dot Trails

Plots a small filled circle at each time skip increment.

Connected

Draws a line between successive time skip increment.  This option is very useful to plot the position of a planet or comet over a long period.

Lock On

Use this option to select a solar system object to fix to the center of the screen during a time skip simulation.  In this mode, the solar system object remains stationary and is plotted against the moving background.  Only the selected solar system objects appear in this list.

View From

Use this command to change your view point to one that is on the selected object, looking back at the Sun.  During a time skip animation, the selected object remains fixed to the center of the screen.  The motion of the other solar system objects gives the feeling that you are actually sitting on the surface of the object, orbiting the sun. Only the selected solar system objects appear in this list.

Note:  When you are “locked on” an object or are “viewing from” an object, or both, and attempt to move to a different part of the sky, the message “Break lock on object?” is displayed.  Click Yes to break the lock.

 Related Topics


Record Trails command (Tools Time Skip menu)
Record Trails command (Tools menu, Time Skip flyout menu)

Select this command or click [image] to mark the incremental positions of solar system objects during a time skip animation. Only the solar system objects and the local horizon are displayed when this option is selected in Zenith Up orientation, so don’t be alarmed if the stars and other deep-sky objects suddenly disappear.  They are supposed to!

 Related Topics


Time Skip Label dialog box
Time Skip Label dialog box (Object Information dialog box, Utility tab)

Use these options to place a label next to a recorded time skip trail.

Label

Enter the text that you want to display next to the selected time-skip object.

Add Date

Click this button to add the date of the recorded time skip trail to the time skip label text box.

Add Time

Click this button to add the time of the recorded time skip trail to the time skip label text box.

Clear

Click this button to clear the contents of the time skip label text box.

Right, Left, Top, Bottom

Click where you want the label to appear relative to the time skip trail.

Apply To Full Path Group

Use the options in this group to automatically label a time skip path with the date and time at a selected frequency.  For example, you can label every third time skip object by entering a three in the text box below, then clicking the Add Every button.  These options do not use the contents of the Label text box for the time skip label.

Add Every

Enter a frequency to add labels in the text box to the right, then click this button to add a date and time label to the time skip objects.

Enter the number zero (0) and click the Add Every button to remove the current date and time labels.


Eclipse Finder command  (Tools menu)

Use this command to display a list of solar and lunar eclipses over a ten year period, starting from the current date.  The date of each eclipse, as well its type, is displayed in the list.

To view the eclipses over any ten year span, adjust the starting date using options in the Date and Time tab from the Site Information command.

Note on Lunar Eclipses

Lunar eclipses occur whenever the moon passes through the shadow cast by Earth.  The Earth’s shadow consists of two components, called the penumbra and the umbra.  The penumbra is a partial shadow from Earth cast into space where light from the Sun is only partially blocked by our atmosphere.  The umbra is the shadow cast by the Earth where light from the Sun is completely blocked.

The Earth’s shadow is displayed as an object in TheSky.  To turn it on and off, use the Tracking Setup command in the Time Skip flyout on the Tools menu.

Display

Click this button to display the selected.  The Virtual Sky is automatically adjusted to show the Sun and Moon for a solar eclipse, or the Earth’s shadow and the Moon for a lunar eclipse.  Click the Go Forward command to watch the eclipse.

Show Path of Totality

Check this option to display a map of the earth with the path of totality.  This line represents the best locations to watch the eclipse.


Jupiter's Moons

Viewing Jupiter’s Moons

The positions of Jupiter's four largest moons, Io, Europa, Ganymede and Callisto are displayed on the Virtual Sky when the field of view is less than about 2 degrees.  To watch the motion of these moons over time, lock on Jupiter from the Tracking Setup dialog box, then click the Go Forward command on the Time Skip flyout menu in the Tools menu.


Moon Phase Calendar command (Tools menu)

Use this command to display a calendar of the current month with Moon's phases shown for each day of the month.  You can view any month of the year by clicking the Previous or Next buttons.

Printing Options Group

Displays options when printing the Moon Phase Calendar.

Moon Rise/Set

Check the option to print the rise and set times of the Moon each day of the month.

Sunrise/set

Check the option to print the rise and set times of the Sun each day of the month.

Print

Prints the Moon Phase Calendar on the selected output device.

Previous

Show the calendar for the previous month.

Next

Show the calendar for the next month.

To view the moon’s phases for a different year, use the Date and Time tab on the Site Information dialog box to change the date.


Show Picture command (Tools menu)

Use this command to display pictures.  On the Open dialog box, enter the name of the desired picture file and click OK.  TheSky can display many popular image formats, including TIF, GIF, and JPEG.


Slide Show flyout menu
Slide Show flyout menu (Tools menu)

Use these commands to create list of pictures that you can scroll through, either manually or automatically, to simulate a slide show.

Create List	Build a list of pictures for the Slide Show.
Forward	Advance to the next picture in the list.
Backward	Go to the previous picture in the list.
Stop	Stop the slide show.


Forward command (Tools menu, Slide Show fly out)
Forward command (Tools menu, Slide Show flyout menu)

Use this command to display the next picture in the Slide Show List.  If you have selected the Automatic Browse option, pictures in the list are displayed in succession.

To Exit the Automatic Slide Show

Click any keyboard button or click the mouse to exit the Slide Show.  You can also choose the Tools Slide Show Stop command to exit.

 Related Topics


Backward command (Tools menu, Slide Show fly out)
Backward command (Tools menu, Slide Show flyout menu)

Use this command to display the previous picture in the Slide Show List.  If you have selected the Automatic Browse option, pictures in the list are displayed in succession.

This command is dimmed when the Automatic Browse option in the Create Slide Show dialog box is marked.

 Related Topics


Stop command (Tools menu, Slide Show flyout)

Use this command to halt the automatic Slide Show.

Shortcuts

Mouse	Click the left mouse button.	Click the mouse button
Keys	Press any key to stop.	Press any key to stop.


Record Movie flyout (Tools menu)
Record Movie flyout menu (Tools menu)

Use the commands in this menu to create movies by recording the graphical output from TheSky.  This powerful feature allows you to capture a series of screens generated by TheSky, then display the screens in rapid succession, just like a movie.


Start Recording command (Tools menu, Record Movie flyout menu)

Use this command to display the Start Recording dialog box to specify recording movie options.  Once these options are specified, the QuickTime Compression Settings dialog box offers options for selecting the compression technique used to save the movie.

Once these options are selected, TheSky enters the movie recording mode.  In this mode, you can use all of the normal functionality, such as zooming or scrolling, viewing and animating a solar eclipse, or watching the sun set during a time skip animation.  In this manner, you can recreate an event, such as an upcoming lunar eclipse, then record the event as a movie.  This movie could then be sent to a friend for viewing!

To exit the movie recording mode, click the Stop Recording command on the Record Movie flyout menu from the Tools menu.


Start Recording dialog box (Tools menu, Record Movie command)

Use these options to specify which portion of the screen to record and the frame size of the movie.

Area to Record Group

Use the options in this group to specify what portion of the Virtual Sky to record, either the entire Virtual Sky, or the selected portion.

Entire Screen

Mark this option to record the output from the entire Virtual Sky.

Selected Area

Mark this option to record the output from only the selected area of the screen.  See the Zoom Box command for information on selecting an area of the screen.

Recording Size

Select the output size of the movie from the list.  Larger sizes produce better output but occupy more disk space.


Compression Settings dialog box (Tools menu, Record Movie flyout menu, Record movie dialog box, Start Recording button)

This standard QuickTime dialog box provides options to specify movie output quality, compression technique and frame rate for creating a movie.

Compressor

Specify the type of compression to use when creating the movie.  Refer to the QuickTime documentation for information about the different compression techniques offered here.

Color Depth

Select the desired number of colors to use when displaying the movie.  A higher color depth results in better quality output.

Quality

Use the slider to select the quality of the movie output.  Depending on the Compressor and Motion settings, Quality may be limited to Medium or lower setting.

Motion

Use the options in this group to specify how motion is recorded in the movie.

Frames Per Second

Specify the rate, in frames per second, that the movie is recorded.

Key Frame Every

Enter a number to specify the key frame.  This option is only available for certain compression techniques.

Limit Data Rate To

Enter the maximum number of kilobytes per second to acquire movie frames.  This option is only available for certain compression techniques.


Pause Recording command (Tools menu, Record Movie flyout menu)

Use this command to temporarily halt recording a movie.


Stop Recording command (Tools menu, Record Movie flyout menu)

Use this command to end recording the movie.  In the Stop Recording dialog box, the movie can be viewed


Stop Recording dialog box (Tools menu, Stop Recording command)

Use these options to preview and save the movie that was just recorded.  This movie can also be previewed by clicking the Play button.

Playback Speed

Select the speed at which the saved movie will be played.

Looping Options Group

Select the looping option for the saved movie.

None

When the movie is played, only show the movie once, from beginning to end.

Continuously

When the movie is played, show the movie from beginning to end, then repeat this until play is stopped.

Back and Forth

When the movie is played, show the movie from beginning to end, then from the end to the beginning, and repeat this until play is stopped.

Save Movie

Click this button to save the recorded movie with an input file name.

Delete Movie

Click this button to delete the recorded movie.

Continue Recording

Click this button to dispense this dialog box and continue recording the current movie.


Tip of the Day command (Help menu)

The Tip of the Day offers insight to little known facts about TheSky.  Reading the Tip of the Day each time TheSky begins will help you learn more about the application.


Tip of the Day dialog box

This dialog contains tips and tricks for using TheSky.

Show Tips on Start up

Check this option to have TheSky offer a tip each time that it begins.

Next Tip

Displays the next “Tip of the Day.”


Help Topics command (Help menu)

Use this command to display the Help Topics dialog box.  From this window, you can browse the help contents to get step-by-step instructions for using TheSky.  Additionally, for various types of reference information, click the Index tab to view the help index, or click the Find tab to search for words that appear in help.


Astronomy Tutorial command (Help menu)

Use this command to display the on-line tutorial on astronomy called Patterns in TheSky.  It contains many interesting and informative discussions for the beginning to intermediate astronomer.


Using Help command (Help menu)

Use this command for instructions about using Help.


About Celestron's TheSky command (Help menu)
About TheSky command (Help menu)

Use this command to display the copyright notice, version number, serial number and level of your copy of TheSky, and other system information.


About Celestron's TheSky dialog box
About TheSky dialog box (Help menu, About TheSky command)

Use this command to display the copyright notice, version number, serial number and level of your copy of TheSky, and other system information.


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


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

2.	Click 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.

Shortcuts

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

Shortcuts

Keys	Ctrl+F7	N/A


System Minimize Command
Minimize command (application Control menu)

Use this command to reduce TheSky window to an icon.

Shortcuts

Mouse	Click the minimize icon [image] on the title bar.	None.
Keys	Alt+F9	None.


System Maximize Command
Maximize command (System menu)

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

Shortcuts

Mouse	Click the maximize icon [image] on the title bar; or double-click the title bar.	None.
Keys	Ctrl+F10	None.


Close command
Close command (Control menu)

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	Alt+F4	None.


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.


Choose Color dialog box
Choose Color dialog box (Edit buttons, View menu, Preferences command)

You can select any color from the list of basic colors, or create you own custom color for the selected preference.

Basic Colors

These color blocks represent the solid colors that are available.  Click the color you want, then click OK.  This color is transferred to the Preferences dialog box.

Custom Colors

These color blocks show the currently defined custom colors.

Define Custom Colors

Click this button to display the custom color palette.  Drag the mouse on the color palette to select a desired custom color, or type in the Hue, Saturation and Luminosity or Red, Green and Blue color values.

Add to Custom Colors

Click this button to add the current custom color to the Custom Colors blocks.  These colors are saved with the Sky Document.


 No Help Available

No help is available for this area of the window.


No Help Available

No help is available for this item.


Preparing TheSky for Your Viewing Site
To set your viewing location

The first step you’ll want to take is to enter your location on earth so TheSky can correctly plot the stars and other objects as you see them.

1.	On the Data menu, click Site Information.

2.	On the Location tab, enter the location using one of two methods:

a)	Select a city by name from the Description list box.
b)	Enter the latitude, longitude and time zone information.
3.	Click the Apply button to accept the new location.  You should see the stars and other objects “shift” to reflect this new information.

   Related Topics


To set the date and time to view the sky

1.	On the Data menu, click Site Information.

2.	Click the Date and Time tab.

3.	Enter the date and time by using one of three methods:

•	Check the Use Computer's Clock option to use your computer’s current date and time settings.

Or

•	Enter the desired date and time information.

4.	Click OK.


To draw a local horizon

1.	On the View menu, click Reference Lines.

2.	In the Horizon Lines group box, check the Local option to display the local horizon line.

3.	Click the Edit Local button to edit a local horizon.

4.	From the Horizon Editor, enter a description for your horizon.

5.	Click and drag the pencil icon to draw your horizon.

6.	Once you have finished drawing your horizon, click OK.


Viewing Tonight's Sky
To view tonight's sky

1.	On the Data menu, click Site Information.

2.	Click the Date and Time tab.

3.	Enter the time of day you wish to see the sky.

4.	Click OK.

5.	Click the Zenith button on the toolbar [image] to see an “all sky” view of tonight’s sky.


Showing Constellation Lines and Borders
To show constellation lines and boundaries

1.	On the View menu, click Reference Lines.

2.	In the General group box, check the Constellation Figures and Constellation Boundaries options.

3.	Click OK.

   Related Topics


To label celestial objects with their common names

1.	On the View menu, click Labels, then Common Names.

You can specify the types of common name object labels that appear using the Label Setup command.

   Related Topics


To label objects that have pictures

By default, the pictures databases are active and the camera icon symbols [image] are displayed.  Click on the camera symbol to display the picture.  To activate or deactivate these databases, follow the procedure below.

1.	From the Data menu, click Sky Database Manager.

2.	In the Sky Database Manager dialog box, mark or clear the AAO Malin Pictures or the Solar System Pictures check boxes.

3.	Click OK.

TheSky CD-ROM also contains a folder of Hubble Space Telescope pictures and their associated press releases, which are not active by default.  To add these pictures and notes, do the following:

1.	From the Data menu, click Sky Database Manager.

2.	In the Sky Database Manager dialog box, click Add/Remove.

3.	In the Add/Remove Sky Databases dialog box, navigate to the Hubble folder in the Pictures folder on TheSky CD-ROM.

4.	Highlight HubPicts.SDB and click Add.

5.	Highlight HubNotes.SDB and click Add.

6.	Click OK.

Hint: To make the camera icons more easily visible, try turning off the stars and other objects.


To find an object

1.	On the Edit menu, click Find.

2.	Enter the name of the object you wish to locate in the Find edit box.  It can be any name of any object (Andromeda Galaxy, Cassiopeia, M42, Jupiter, etc.).

3.	Click OK.

If the object is located in one of TheSky’s databases, the Object Information dialog box is displayed to provide further information.

   Related Topics


To identify a celestial object

1.	On the Virtual Sky, click on the object you want to learn more about.  The Object Information dialog box is displayed to provide information about the object.

   Related Topics


To view different parts of the sky

1.	From the View menu, click Toolbars.

2.	Check the Orientation option to turn on the Orientation Toolbar, if it is not already on.

3.	Click the direction arrow on the Orientation Toolbar in the direction you wish to look.

   Related Topics


To perform a time skip

1.	On the Tools menu, click Time Skip, then Set Increment.

2.	Type the time skip increment into the Enter Time Skip Increment combo box, then click OK.

3.	On the Tools menu, click Go Forward.

The mouse cursor changes from an arrow pointer to the time skip pointer during time skip animations.

   Related Topics


Zooming In or Out
To Zoom In or Out

To Zoom In

1.	Click [image] to decrease the current field of view, or zoom in.

To Zoom Out

2.	Click [image] to increase the current field of view, or zoom out.

   Related Topics


Printing a Sky Chart
To print a Sky Chart

1.	Orient the Virtual Sky to show the part of the sky to print.

2.	On the File menu, click Print.

3.	Choose the printer that is currently connected to your computer, then click OK.

 Related Topics


To view a Sky Chart before printing

1.	Orient the Virtual Sky to show the part of the sky you want to print.

2.	On the File menu, click Preview.

3.	A window showing a “virtual printed Sky Chart" shows you what the chart looks like before you actually print it to paper.

   Related Topics


To change preferences

1.	On the View menu, click Preferences.

2.	Select an object from the Object Description list to change its preferences.

3.	Click the Font, Line, Fill or Symbol tab to change the selected object’s font style, line style, fill color, or symbol.

4.	Click OK.


To show stars' spectral colors
To show stars’ spectral colors

1.	On the View menu, click Spectral Colors.

Stars are plotted with different colors according to their spectral class.


Comet and Minor Planet Input

TheSky now has easy-to-use input screens for all orbital element data.  Just type in the orbital element into the appropriate edit box, or click the Import button to have this work done for you, automatically.  Then, quickly display and check the computed coordinates with a click of the Compute button.

 Related Topics


Displaying Different Types of Objects

You can quickly turn on or off different types of objects using the buttons located on the Objects Toolbar.

Click	To
	Toggle on or off all stars, excluding double stars and variable stars.
	Toggle on or off all double stars.
	Toggle on or off all variable stars.
	Toggle on or off all galaxies, including type C, elliptical, lenticular, spiral, irregular and clusters of galaxies.
	Toggle on or off all clusters, including open clusters, globular clusters and clusters plus nebulosity.
	Toggle on or off all nebulae, including bright, dark and planetary nebulae.


Moving Around the Sky
To move around the sky

The Orientation Toolbar contains several options to help you quickly and easily change where you’re looking in the sky.  It also include options for increasing the magnification to zoom in to a particular part of the sky to see fainter objects.  This is similar to looking through a telescope with “adjustable power.”

Click	To
	Simulates moving your head directly upward while viewing the sky.  Notice that the local horizon (if it’s visible) moves downward.
	Simulates moving your head downward while viewing the sky.  Notice that the local horizon (if it’s visible) moves upward.
	Simulates moving your head to the left while viewing the sky.  Notice that the display moves to the right.
	Simulates moving your head to the right while viewing the sky.  Notice that the display moves to the left.
	Simulates increasing your magnification, such as looking through a telescope.
	Simulates decreasing your magnification, like switching from a telescope to a pair of binoculars.


Spectral Class

A classification of a star based on the analysis of the spectrum of emitted light.  Stars can be naturally grouped into ten different classes and are designated by the letters O, B, A, F, G, K, M, R, N, S.  The surface temperature and color of the star is directly related to the spectral class letter.

Spectral Class	O	B	A	F	G
Temperature (in degrees K)	25,000	23,000	10,000	7,000	6,000
Color	very blue	Blue-white	White	yellow-white	yellow
Spectral Class (continued)	K	M	R	N	S
Temperature (in degrees K)	5,000	3,200	<3,200	<3,200	<3,200
Color	Orange	reddish	Yellow-red	very red	red

To view spectral colors

1.	On the View menu, click the Stellar Options command.

2.	On the Options tab, click Use Spectral Colors.

3.	Click OK.

The stars are now displayed using their spectral class information.  Remember, the different colors represent the different temperature of the stars.


General tab (Large Object Information dialog box)

Use these options to view information about a particular object.

Type

Displays the object’s type, such as star, open cluster or galaxy.

Magnitude

Displays the object’s apparent magnitude, if it has one.

Right Ascension

Displays the right ascension of the object.

Declination

Displays the declination of the object.

Altitude

Displays the altitude of the object.

Azimuth

Displays the azimuth of the object.

List of Information

This text box displays a variety of information about the object.  This information is tabulated below for several types of objects.  You can copy this information to the Clipboard and paste it into any text editor.  In Windows, highlight the text, right-click, then click Copy.  On the Macintosh, highlight the text, then on the Edit menu, click Copy.

Object Type	Information Displayed About the Object
Star	Common name.
	Catalog number (including cross-references to the SAO, Hipparcos, GSC, PPM, HD and other catalogs).
	Flamsteed-Bayer designation, if applicable.
	Spectral class.
	Proper motion, in milliarc-seconds per year.
	Spectral magnitudes, including Bt and Vt.
	Parallax, in milliarc-seconds and parsecs.
	Distance from earth, in light-years and astronomical units.
	Catalog-specific magnitude.
	Right ascension-declination coordinates for the current epoch.
	Right ascension-declination coordinates for the Epoch 2000.
	Azimuth-altitude coordinates for the current epoch.
	Rise/Transit/Set times.
	GSC position error, in milliarc-seconds, if applicable.
	The angular separation from the previous object, if more than one object has been identified.
	The position angle from the previous object.  This angle is measured counter-clockwise from North.
Non-stellar object (galaxy, cluster, nebula, etc.)	Common name, if it has one.
	Catalog number (including cross-references to other non-stellar catalogs, such as the PGC, CGCG, MCG, and others).
	Right ascension-declination coordinates for the current epoch.
	Right ascension-declination coordinates for the Epoch 2000.
	Azimuth-altitude coordinates for the current epoch.
	Rise/Transit/Set times.
	The angular separation from the previous object, if more than one object has been identified.
	The position angle from the previous object.  This angle is measured counter-clockwise from North.
	Angular size, in arc-minutes.
Planets	Name
	Rise/Transit/Set times.
	Right ascension-declination and azimuth-altitude coordinates (with refraction) for the current epoch and Epoch 2000.
	Phase.
	Apparent magnitude.
	The planet’s heliocentric (or sun-centered) ecliptical coordinates.
	The planet’s geometric geocentric ecliptical coordinates.
	The planet’s heliocentric ecliptical coordinates.
	The planet’s mean geometric ecliptical coordinates.
	The planet’s true equatorial coordinates.
	Its apparent angular diameter.
Moon	Earth-Moon distance, in kilometers and miles.
	True Equatorial coordinates.
	Topocentric coordinates.
	Rise/Transit/Set times.
	Angular diameter.
	Altitude and azimuth coordinates.
	Phase, phase angle and the position angle of the bright limb.
	True ecliptical coordinates in Lambda, Beta, and parallax.
	Geocentric angular diameter.
	Optical libration.
	Total libration.
	Physical libration.
	Position angle.
Comets/Minor Planets	Name
	Distance from the Earth and the Sun, in astronomical units.
	Heliocentric coordinates, l and r.
	Computed magnitude.
	Right ascension-declination coordinates for the current epoch.
	Right ascension-declination coordinates for the Epoch 2000.
	Azimuth-altitude coordinates for the current epoch.
	Rise/Transit/Set times.
Artificial Satellite	Name.
	Latitude and Longitute.
	Height, in kilometers.
	Range and range rate.
	Phase angle.
	Right ascension-declination coordinates for the current epoch.
	Right ascension-declination coordinates for the Epoch 2000.
	Azimuth-altitude coordinates for the current epoch.
	Rise/Transit/Set times.


Multimedia tab (Object Information dialog box)

This tab displays a picture of the selected object if it has one.  If the object is a star, its spectral class is displayed.

If there is more than one picture, or an additional text file associated with an object, its file name is listed on the right.  Click the file name to view its contents.


International Daylight Saving Time

The following table lists the international Daylight Saving Time starting and ending dates.

Zone	DST Starts	DST Ends	Adopting countries
Australia-NSW	Last Sun Oct	1st Sun Mar	Australia (Australian Capitol Territory, Lord Howe Island, New South Wales)
Australia-South	Last Sun Oct	Last Sun Mar	Australia (Broken Hill NSW, South Australia, Victoria)
Brazil	3rd Sun Oct	3rd Sun Feb	Brazil
Chile	2nd Sun Oct	2nd Sun Mar	Chile
China	3rd Sun Apr	2nd Sun Sep	China
Cuba	1st Sun Apr	2nd Sun Oct	Cuba
Egypt	1st Day May	1st Day Oct	Egypt
Europe	Last Sun Mar	Last Sun Sep	Albania, Andorra, Austria, Belarus, Belgium, Bosnia Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Faroe Island, Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, Gibraltar, Greece, Greenland (Scoresbysund), Hungary, Italy, Kazakhstan, Latvia, Lebanon, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Macedonia, Malta, Monaco, Mongolia (Ulan Bator), Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russian Federation, San Marino, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, Ukraine, Yugoslavia
Falkland Is.	2nd Sun Sep	3rd Sun Apr	Falkland Islands
Greenland	Last Sun Mar	4th Sun Sep	Greenland (except Scoresbysund and Thule)
Iran	21st Day Mar	21st Day Sep	Iran
Israel	Last Fri Mar	Last Sun Aug	Israel
Jordan	1st Fri Apr	3rd Fri Sep	Jordan
Kyrgyzstan	2nd Sun Apr	Last Sun Sep	Kyrgyzstan
Moldova	1st Sun Mar	Last Sun Sep	Moldova
Namibia	1st Sun Sep	1st Sun Apr	Namibia
New Zealand	1st Sun Oct	3rd Sun Mar	New Zealand
N. America	1st Sun Apr	Last Sun Oct	Bahamas, Bermuda, Canada, Greenland (Thule), Mexico, St. Pierre and Miquelon, Turks and Caicos Islands, United States of America
Paraguay	1st Sun Oct	Last Sun Feb	Paraguay
Syrian	1st Day Apr	1st Day Oct	Iraq, Syria
Tasmania	1st Sun Oct	Last Sun Mar	Tasmania
United Kingdom	4th Sun Mar	4th Sun Oct	England, Ireland, Isle of Man, Scotland, Wales


Font dialog box

Use this dialog box to select a font.  You can specify the typeface name, size, color and other font specific options.

Font

Lists the fonts that are currently installed on your system.  We recommend using True Type fonts for most screens and printers.  True Type fonts appear with a “TT” next to them in this list.

Font Style

Select the font style.  Most fonts styles include Regular, Italic, Bold and Bold Italic.

Size

Specify the size of the font, in points.  One point equals 1/72 inches.

Color

Select the color of the font.

Sample

Displays what the font looks like using the selected options.  Note that a white font color will not appear in the sample box.


Line dialog box

Use this dialog box to select different line styles, colors and thicknesses.

Style

Select from five different line styles: solid, dashed, dotted, dash-dotted and dash-dot-dot.

Color

Select the color of the line.

Weight

Select the thickness, or weight, of the line in pixels.

Note: There are restrictions to different combinations of line options.  If the weight is greater than one, only a solid style may be selected.

Preview

Shows an ellipse drawn using the above options.


Sky Chart Symbol dialog box

Use the options in this dialog box to change the size of the symbol that appears on a printed Sky Chart and on the Virtual Sky when in Chart Mode.

Metafile name

Displays the name of the Windows Metafile (WMF) that is used to represent a symbol on a star chart.

Preview

Shows the actual size of the metafile.

Printed size (mm)

Enter the height and width of the metafile in millimeters.

Select...

Click this button to display a list of metafiles that can be assigned to celestial objects.

Preview

After you have changed the printed size of the metafile, click this button to update the Preview group box window.


Select Metafile dialog box
Select Metafile dialog box (File menu, Export command)

Use this dialog box to assign a metafile (WMF) to a celestial object.  This metafile will appear on printed star charts and in Chart Mode for objects of this type.

Metafiles that reside in the Symbols folder under TheSky folder are listed here.  If you create your own metafile and want to assign an object type to it, you must first copy your new metafile to the Symbols folder, then select its name from this list.


Line Editor dialog box
Horizon Line Editor dialog box (View menu, Reference Lines command, Edit Local button)

Use this dialog box to draw horizon lines.  Horizon lines can be defined for your local horizon, as well as for telescope altitude and declination limit lines.  This same dialog box is used to draw each type.  The dialog box title displays the name of the horizon file you are editing and which type of horizon line you are editing.  “Local” means you are editing a local horizon line, “Altitude” means you are editing a telescope altitude limit horizon and “Declination” means you are editing a telescope declination limit line.

The x-axis represents the azimuth of the horizon line and the y-axis represents the altitude of the horizon line.  Zero degrees azimuth is due North.

Local Horizons

If you want to create a line that best replicates the horizon from your location, start by looking North and estimating the altitude of objects that you see as you rotate Eastward.  Once you have drawn the “first draft” of your local horizon, refine it by using your telescope to look at small sections of the horizon and compute the altitude and shape of objects at given azimuths.

If you really want an accurate local horizon, you can use your computer-controlled telescope to map out the local horizon line using TheSky and the telescope interface.  See the Horizon Editor command under the Telescope menu for more information on how to do this.

Telescope Altitude and Declination Limit Lines

Due to limitations in telescope mounting hardware, you may wish to define regions of the sky that a computer-controlled telescope cannot slew to.  Do this by defining altitude limit and declination limit lines with the Horizon Editor.  For example, suppose your fork-mounted, computer-driven, equatorial telescope cannot slew to declinations above 70 degrees.  You can define a declination limit line at 70 degrees.  During a telescope link session, if you have the Impose slew limits option checked under the Telescope Setup dialog box, TheSky will warn you if you attempt to slew to an area of the sky above 70 degrees declination.

Note: Safe operation of computer-driven telescopes is solely the responsibility of the telescope operator!  Software Bisque provides the above telescope limit lines as a matter of convenience only.  Software Bisque is not responsible for any accidents or damage that may occur while TheSky is linked to computer driven telescopes.  Always use extreme caution while operating expensive telescope equipment.

Open

Load a Sky Horizon that is stored on disk.

Save

Saves the current Sky Horizon.

Save As

Saves the current Sky Horizon with the name you supply.

Copy

Copies the current line to the Clipboard.

Paste

Pastes a Sky Horizon line from the Clipboard to the Editor window.

Altitude

Displays the current altitude of the drawing pencil icon for Local and Azimuth Limit Horizons.

Azimuth

Displays the current azimuth of the drawing pencil icon for Local and Azimuth Limit Horizons.

Declination

Displays the current declination of the drawing pencil icon for Declination Limit Horizons.

Right Ascension (degrees)

Displays the current right ascension of the drawing pencil icon for Declination Limit Horizons.


Displaying pictures

TheSky can display pictures a number of different ways.  You can:

•	Identify any object that has a picture and click the Multimedia tab on the large Object Information dialog box.

•	Use the Show Pictures command on the Tools menu to view a picture.

•	Create a list of pictures that can be displayed as a slide show using the Slide Show command.


Improved 3D Solar System Mode

The new interactive 3D Solar System Mode allows you to put yourself on any planet, comet or minor planet with a single click of the mouse.  Start a time-skip simulation and sit back to watch as you zoom through the solar system.

Other new features include the ability to display a comet’s or minor planet’s orbit around the sun and show so-called “orbit-depths” which give a clear view of how far an object migrates from the plane of the ecliptic.


Uninstalling TheSky

To completely remove TheSky from your hard disk, click Start, Settings, Control Panel, then double-click the Add/Remove Programs icon.  On the Add/Remove Programs Properties window, scroll to the program labeled Software Bisque TheSky (Remove only) then click the Add/Remove button.

The uninstall program is started and removes all the files that were copied to the hard drive during the initial installation.  The uninstall program only removes files and folders that it installed.  Any files or folders created subsequently must be manually deleted.  Click the Details button to view a list of these files and folders.

To completely removed TheSky, drag TheSky folder to the trash.


Adding Sounds

TheSky can give audio feedback when certain program specific events occur.  For example, a sound can be played when the mouse is clicked in the Virtual Sky.

To assign sounds to events, or change the sound settings for TheSky, click Start, Settings, Control Panel, then double-click the Sounds icon.  On the Sounds Properties window, scroll to the application named “Sky” in the Events list.  Events that can have sounds assigned to them are listed below.

Note: If you do not wish to associate a sound with a particular event, select the (None) option in the Sound List.

Use TheSky’s Sound options to assign sounds to the events below on the Macintosh.

Event Name	Event Description
Background	This event occurs at random intervals while TheSky is running.  By default, the background sound is a cricket.
End	TheSky is exited.
Identify	A user clicks the mouse on the Virtual Sky.
ImageLink	A successful Image Link is performed.
SlewAbort	A telescope slew is aborted.
SlewDuring	The time that a telescope is in motion, or slewing.  The sound that is assigned to this event is played continuously during telescope slews.
SlewEnd	A telescope slew is finished.
SlewStart	A telescope slew is started.
Start	TheSky is launched.
TelescopeEstablish	Communications with the telescope are established successfully.
TelescopeSuspend	Communications with the telescope are temporarily suspended.
TelescopeTerminate	Communications with the telescope are terminated.


Observer Log dialog box (Object Information dialog box)

Use this dialog box to create a log of the objects that are observed during a viewing session.  By default, a text file named Log.txt is created and the information about the current object is added to the this file.  You can also add your observations to the text box.

Subsequent observations are appended to the end of the current log file.

File

Lists the file name of the observer log.

Browse

Click this button to create a new observer log file.


What's This? Help

Click the What’s This? button [image] on the Standard Toolbar or in the caption of any dialog box [image] to enter the What’s This? help mode.  Then, click on any screen element (such as menu commands, buttons or options) to get help on that topic.  Press ESCAPE to exit What’s This? help.

What’s This pop-up help can also be accessed by right-clicking the mouse over any option in a dialog box and clicking the What’s This? command.


Print dialog box
Print dialog box (File menu, Print command)

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

This option is disabled because TheSky does not support multiple-page documents.

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
Print Progress Dialog (Displayed during printing)

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

To abort printing, click Cancel.


Print Preview command (File menu)

Use this command to display the 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 the page will be displayed in its printed format.  The print preview toolbar offers you options to move back and forth through the document; zoom in and out; 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.


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
Print Setup dialog box (File menu, Print Setup command)

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.


Lists version and copyright and other important information about this software. Click OK to close this window.


Displays the amount of physical memory in the computer.


Displays the approximate amount of free hard disk space in the computer.


Displays the current version.


Displays the amount of unused physical memory in the computer.


Displays the current version of TheSky's document files.


Lists database Level (I, II, III or IV).


Displays the current operating system.


Displays the serial number.  You must have a valid serial number to obtain technical support.


Displays the current video resolution and maximum number of colors that can be displayed.


Displays the color used when the left mouse button is clicked inside the symbol.


Displays the color used when the right mouse button is clicked inside the symbol.


Copies the symbol to the Clipboard as a device-independent bitmap (DIB).


Inserts a device-independent bitmap (DIB) from the Clipboard.  If the bitmap in the Clipboard is larger than 9x9, only the upper left 9x9 pixels are copied.  This button is only enabled if the Clipboard contains a valid Windows DIB.


Clears the current symbol by setting all pixels to black.


Closes this dialog and saves any changes you have made.


Closes this dialog without saving any changes you have made.


Displays an expanded view of the symbol for the celestial object.  Use the mouse to draw a different shape for the object.


Displays the actual size of the symbol.


Enter a description for the new celestial object. It must be different from all existing celestial object names (Star,  Variable Star, Galaxy, etc.).


Closes this dialog and saves any changes you have made.


Closes this dialog without saving any changes you have made.


Lists objects near the cursor or that match the text entered into the Find dialog.  Select the desired object from the list to display its information.


Displays the object type (star, open cluster, galaxy, etc.) of the selected object.


Displays the magnitude of the object currently selected in the list.


Displays the right ascension of the object currently selected in the list.


Displays the declination of the object currently selected in the list.


Displays the azimuth of the object currently selected in the list.


Displays the azimuth of the object currently selected in the list.


Displays the altitude of the object currently selected in the list.


Displays the altitude of the object currently selected in the list.


Displays detailed information about the object currently selected in the list box.


Displays the object type (star, open cluster, galaxy, etc.) of the selected object.


Displays the magnitude of the object currently selected in the list.


Displays the right ascension of the object currently selected in the list.


Displays the declination of the object currently selected in the list.


Lists objects near the cursor or that match the text entered into the Find dialog.  Select the desired object from the list to display its information.


Displays the object type (star, open cluster, galaxy, etc.) of the selected object.


Displays the magnitude of the selected object.


Displays the right ascension of the selected object.


Displays the declination of the selected object.


Displays the azimuth of the selected object.


Displays the azimuth of the selected object.


Displays the altitude of the selected object.


Displays the altitude of the selected object.


Click this button to synchronize the telescope's control system to the Virtual Sky.


Click this button to use the object that is selected in the list box as an alignment star.


Click this button to set the park position of the telescope.


Click this button to park the telescope.


Displays the right ascension of the selected object.


Displays the object's type.


Displays the declination of the selected object.


Displays options for starting up the telescope.


Displays options for shutting down the telescope.


Displays the magnitude of the selected object.


Click this button to make your choice.


Click this button to make your choice.


Click this button to make your choice.


Lists objects near the cursor or that match the text entered into the Find dialog.  Select the desired object from the list to display its information.


Displays the object type (star, open cluster, galaxy, etc.) of the selected object.


Displays the magnitude of the selected object.


Displays the right ascension of the selected object.


Displays the declination of the selected object.


Displays the azimuth of the selected object.


Displays the azimuth of the selected object.


Displays the altitude of the selected object.


Displays the altitude of the selected object.


Displays the object type (star, open cluster, galaxy, etc.) of the selected object.


Click this button to display the Preferences dialog box so that the display properties of this type of object can be changed.


Click this button to display the Filters dialog box so that the filtering properties for this type of object can be changed.


Click this button to "lock on" to the selected object.  During time skip simulations, this object remains fixed to the center of the Virtual Sky.


Click this button to "hop on" this object and view the solar system.


Click this button to add a label to the selected time skip position.  This button is dimmed if the current object is not a time skip position.


Displays the right ascension of the selected object.


Displays the object's type.


Displays the declination of the selected object.


Displays options for setting the properties (Font, Line, Fill and Symbol) and Filtering of the current object type.


Click this button to show the orbit of the selected comet or minor planet.


Click this button to copy the selected extended minor planet to the local group of minor planets so that its coordinates are computed more accurately.  This button is dimmed if the current object is not an extended minor planet.


Click this button to turn off the selected object.


Displays the magnitude of the selected object.


Lists objects near the cursor or that match the text entered into the Find dialog.  Select the desired object from the list to display its information.


Displays a picture of the selected object, if one is present.  When the current object is a star, its spectral class is displayed.


Click this button to display the picture in its own window.


Click this button to display text notes for this object.


Click this button to display a video clip for this object.


Click this button to display a sound clip for this object.


Displays the pictures, text files or other multimedia files related to the selected object. Choose an item from the list to view.


Displays the file name associated .


Select this check box to automatically display pictures in succession during a slide show.


Check your desired options.


Enter the length of time, in seconds, that a picture is displayed before the next picture is displayed. This time is independent of the time required to load the image into memory.


Enter the length of time, in seconds, that a picture is displayed before the next picture is displayed. This time is independent of the time required to load the image into memory


Use the arrows to select the length of time a picture is displayed.


Closes this dialog and saves any changes you have made.


Closes this dialog without saving any changes you have made.


Check this to use Software Bisque's Remote Astronomy Network (RAN) for remote version checking and observatory access.


Enter the name of the user to grant access to your telescope.


Enter the name of the user to grant access to your telescope.


Enter a password that the remote client will use to remotely access your telescope.


Enter a password that the remote client will use to remotely access your telescope.


Enter the name of the server computer.  Typically this is the IP address of the machine.


Enter the name of the server computer.  Typically this is the IP address of the machine.


Closes this dialog and saves any changes you have made.


Closes this dialog without saving any changes you have made.


Check this option to use a local network connection.


Enter your input in this field.


Enter your input in this field.


Closes this dialog and saves any changes you have made.


Closes this dialog without saving any changes you have made.


Click this button to make your choice.


Click this button to make your choice.


Click this button to make your choice.


Closes this dialog and saves any changes you have made.


Closes this dialog without saving any changes you have made.


Check your desired options.


Click this button to make your choice.


Click this button to make your choice.


Closes this dialog and saves any changes you have made.


Closes this dialog without saving any changes you have made.


Select this option to use objects on the current Virtual Sky as the source of exported data.


Select this option to use the selected catalogs as the source of exported data.


Select this option to use User Data objects as the source of exported data.


Select this option to use objects within the selected Mosaic Area as the source of exported data.


Select this option to use objects within the currently loaded Sky Databases as the source of exported data.


Select this check box to use the New General Catalog (NGC) as a source of exported data.


Select this check box to use the Index Catalog (IC) as a source of exported data.


Select this check box to use the Principle Galaxy Catalog (PGC) as a source of exported data.


Select this check box to use the Messier Catalog as a source of exported data.


Select this option to save exported data in the specified text file. Click the Browse button to select the text file name.


Select this option to export data to the clipboard.


Select this option to export data to the printer.  In other words, the exported data will be printed.


Displays the text file name where exported data is saved.


Click this button to select the text file name to export data.


Displays options for specifying the source of the exported data.


Displays options for specifying the destination of the exported data.


Displays the file name where exported data will be saved.


Check your desired options.


Check your desired options.


Displays the height of the FOVI.


Displays the height of the FOVI.


Displays the width of the FOVI.


Displays the width of the FOVI.


Displays the selected Field of View Indicator's type.


Click this button to edit the selected Field of View Indicator.


Click this button to add a new Field of View Indicator.


Click this button to remove the selected Field of View Indicator(s).


Closes this dialog and saves any changes you have made.


Closes this dialog without saving any changes you have made.


Click this button display the Preferences dialog to change the color and line style for Field of View Indicators.


This group displays the size of the selected Field of View Indicator.


This group displays the selected Field of View Indicator's type.


Lists the currently defined Field of View Indicators (FOVIs).  Select the check box to display the FOVI on the Virtual Sky.  Double-click the description to edit its properties. The description will appear below the FOVI.


Enter the apparent field width (in degrees) for the eyepiece.  This information is available from the manufacturer of the eyepiece.


Enter the focal length (in millimeters) of the eyepiece.  This information is available from the manufacturer of the eyepiece.


Enter the focal length of your telescope.


Displays the field of view (in arc-minutes) computed from the above values.


Displays the field of view (in arc-minutes) computed from the above values.


Displays the field of view (in arc-minutes) computed from the above values.


This group contains options for specifying the focal length of your telescope.


Select this option if the focal length is expressed in millimeters.


Select this option if the focal length is expressed in inches.


Click this button to compute the field of view for the input parameters.


Select from the pre-defined time skip increments in the drop-down list box, or type in an increment.  The time skip increment can be varied from as little as 0.01 seconds to 100,000 days.  The default increment is one day.  The list box offers other increments.

1 day (diurnal day)

23h 56m 04s (1 Sidereal Day)

27d 07h 43m 15s (Moon Synodic Period)

1 minute

1 second

Sunrise

Sunset

Choose any of these, or enter any time value you want.  Type the time value, followed by the letter representing the time unit [image] d for days, h for hours, m for minutes, s for seconds.  Case does not matter.  Fractional values, like 24.6668h, are okay.  Units can also be combined, such as 3d 4h 22m 1s.


Closes this dialog and saves any changes you have made.


Closes this dialog without saving any changes you have made.


Displays the text file from which a Sky Database will be created.


Click this button to specify the text file from which a Sky Database (SDB) will be created.


Enter a unique identifier, up to 49 characters long, for the Sky Database (SDB). This name will appear in the list of Sky Databases in the Sky Database Manager dialog box.


Lists the data classes for the Sky Database (SDB).  Choose the class of the data in the text file specified above.


Lists the types of objects available for display. Choose the object type for the data in the above text file.


Enter the Epoch of the coordinates in the text file.


Specifies that the coordinates in the text file are horizon-based; that is, they are given in altitude and azimuth.


Specify that the new Sky Database (SDB) will be loaded directly into the computer's memory, rather than remain on disk.


Click this button to make your choice.


Click this button to define the location of the information in the text file so that a Sky Database (SDB) can be created. This button is dimmed if no text file has been specified.


Click this button to create the Sky Database (SDB) from the text file specified in the Text File group (above). This should be done only after specifying the Identifier, Data Class, Object Type, Epoch, Horizon coordinates option and defining the database fields in the text file (by clicking the Define Fields button).


Lists the total number of lines compiled, the number of objects imported as well as a graphical display of the position of the objects in the Sky Database.


Closes this dialog and saves any changes you have made.


Closes this dialog without saving any changes you have made.


This group contains options for specifying the text file from which to create a Sky Database (SDB).


This group displays the compilation status for the Sky Database.  Lists the total number of lines compiled, the number of objects imported as well as a graphical display of the position of the objects in the Sky Database.


Select this check box to label the common stars.


Select this check box to label the common non-stellar objects (Whirlpool Galaxy, Horsehead Nebula, etc.).


Select this check box to label the constellations.


Select this check box to label objects from the Messier Catalog (M1, M2, etc.).


Select this check box to label the Sun, Moon, Planets and the Planet's moons.


Select this check box to label stars with their Bayer Designation (a Greek letter denoting a stars relative brightness within a constellation).


Select this check box to label stars with the Flamsteed Designation.


Select this check box to label comets.


Select this check box to label minor planets..


Click this button to turn on all common name labels.


Click this button to turn off all common name labels.


Lists the available serial ports used to communicate with the telescope.  Make sure the device is plugged into the correct serial port. Note: The Telescope Simulator uses this dialog but does not require a COM port to be selected.


Lists the available baud rates used to communicate with the telescope.  Typically, telescopes communicate at 9600 baud.  Note: The Telescope Simulator uses this dialog but does not require a baud rate to be selected.


Enter the maximum velocity (in degrees per second) to slew the telescope.


Enter the acceleration (in degrees per second per second) when beginning and ending telescope slews.


Closes this dialog and saves any changes you have made.


Closes this dialog without saving any changes you have made.


Lists the available serial ports used to communicate with the telescope.  Make sure the device is plugged into the correct serial port. Note: The Telescope Simulator uses this dialog but does not require a COM port to be selected.


Enter the object name (like Andromeda Galaxy) or catalog number (like M31 or NGC224) then click the Find button to search for any object. See the Find dialog box topic in the main help file for a complete reference.

Catalog or Object	Entry Format	Example

Hipparcos 	HIP nnnnn, where nnnnn is the Hipparcos number of the star. 	HIP 40990

Tycho	Use the corresponding GSC number.	GSC 6001:510

PPM	PPM nnnnnn, when nnnnnn is the PPM number of the star.	PPM 220006

Guide Star	GSC bbbb.oooo, where bbbb is the guide star block number 	GSC 6001:510

(1-9537) and oooo is the offset of the object in the block.

SAO	SAO nnnn, where nnnn is the SAO catalog number (1-258997)	SAO 154159

Messier 	Mnnn, nnn is the Messier number of the object (1-110)	M31

NGC	NGCnnnn, where nnnn is the NGC catalog number (1-7840).	NGC224

PGC	PGCnnnn, where nnnn is the PGC catalog number.	PGC02557

IC	ICnnnn, where nnnn is the IC catalog number.	IC434

Planetary Nebulae (PLN)	PLN plus the desired number.  	PLN 118 +2

Variable Stars 	The star designator, followed by the constellation abbreviation.  	Enter GCVS RR AND to locate GCVS RR Andromeda,

Uranometria charts	URAnn+, where nn is the chart number desired. 	URA26+

Stars	Type of query

Polaris	Common name

SAO 308	Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory

GSC 4628:237	Guide Star Catalog number

HIP 11767	Hipparcos ID

PPM 431	Positions and Proper Motions (PPM) number.

HD 8890	Henry Draper number.

B+88 8	Bonner Durchmusterung

C-34 12784	Cordoba Durchmusterung

P-42 7856	Cape Durchmusterung

Flamsteed/Bayer (Abbreviate the constellation)

1 ALPHA UMI	(Alpha Ursae Minoris)

25 PSI 1 ORI	25 Psi 1 Orionis

Non-stellar objects

Great Nebula in Andromeda

M31	M31 Messier

NGC 224	NGC (New General Catalog)

IC 434	Index Catalog

PGC 18508	Principal Galaxies Catalog

GCVS GK ORI	General Catalog of Variable Stars

NSV	New Suspected Variable catalog

PLN	194+2.1	Planetary Nebula

Solar System Objects

SATURN	Finds the planet Saturn

WILD 4	Finds the comet named "Wild 4"

CERES	Finds Local Minor Planet named "1 Ceres"

MPL 835 OLIVIA	"MPL" prefix finds Extended Minor Planet named "835 Olivia".

Uranometria Star Charts

URA 36	Centers on Uranometria star chart number 36

URA 36+	Centers on Uranometria star chart number 36 and sets Uranometria-like chart ttributes.

Satellites

SAT COSMOS 100	Searches for the satellite named "Cosmos 100".

Miscellaneous

ZENITH	Moves to 90 degrees altitude.

AAVSO A	Sets field width to AAVSO type A (accepts a-g).

12.3, 13.4	Moves to RA 12.3 and Dec 13.4

Z2.5	Zooms to 2.5 degree field of view.

Z2.5m	Zooms to 2.5 minute field of view.

Z200s


Click this button find the object.


Click this button to center the object on the Virtual Sky and change the field of view to match the object's field of view.


Closes this dialog without searching for any object.


Lists different categories of objects that have common names.


Lists the common names for the selected object category.


Lists the prefix for database catalogs to search.  The selected prefix is automatically entered in the Find list box. To find a Guide Star Catalog star, for example, select GSC then enter the star's catalog number in the Find list box.


Click this button to add a period (.) to the end of the text entered in the Find list box.


Click this button to add the number 0 to the end of the text entered in the Find list box.


Click this button to add the number 1 to the end of the text entered in the Find list box.


Click this button to add the number 2 to the end of the text entered in the Find list box.


Click this button to add the number 3 to the end of the text entered in the Find list box.


Click this button to add the number 4 to the end of the text entered in the Find list box.


Click this button to add the number 5 to the end of the text entered in the Find list box.


Click this button to add the number 6 to the end of the text entered in the Find list box.


Click this button to add the number 7 to the end of the text entered in the Find list box.


Click this button to add the number 8 to the end of the text entered in the Find list box.


Click this button to add the number 9 to the end of the text entered in the Find list box.


Click this button to move the insertion point back one character (similar to pressing the BACKSPACE key).


Click this button to move the insertion point forward one character (similar to pressing the SPACE bar).


Check your desired options.


This group displays the common names of objects.  Select the type of object you wish to find from the list box on the left, then double-click the name of the object in the list box on the right to find it.


This group displays the prefixes of databases.  Select the database prefix from the list box on the left, then enter the catalog number of the object using the numeric keypad or the buttons on the right, then click the Find button.


Select this check box to use the computer's clock to set the date, time and daylight saving time option for which to display the sky.


Lists the months of the year.


Lists the months of the year.


Enter the day of the month to display the stars, etc.


Enter the day of the month to display the stars, etc.


Use the arrows to select the day.


Enter the year to display the stars, etc.


Enter the year to display the stars, etc.


Use the arrows to select the year.


Enter the hour for the time to display the stars, etc.


Enter the hour for the time to display the stars, etc.


Use the arrows to select the hours.


Enter the minutes for the time to display the stars, etc.


Enter the minutes for the time to display the stars, etc.


Use the arrows to select the minutes.


Enter the seconds for the time to display the stars, etc.


Enter the seconds for the time to display the stars, etc.


Use the arrows to select the seconds.


Lists the Daylight Saving Adjustments.  Select the your location if applicable.


Click this button to set the computer clock very accurately using a time service via modem.


Closes this dialog and saves any changes you have made.


Closes this dialog without saving any changes you have made.


Displays options for setting the date.


Displays options for setting the time.


Lists the available serial ports used to communicate with the device.  Make sure the device is plugged into the correct serial port.


Lists the available baud rates used to communicate with the device.  Typically, telescope-related devices communicate at 9600 baud.


Lists the available baud rates used to communicate with the device.  Typically, telescope-related devices communicate at 9600 baud.


Closes this dialog and saves any changes you have made.


Closes this dialog without saving any changes you have made.


Enter a description for the field of view indicator. For example, "30 mm Nagler on my C-8".


Choose the type of field of view indicator. It can be rectangular, elliptical, or the shape of a Telrad® finder.  For ST-7 and ST-8 cameras, the auto-guider's field of view can be included by selecting the SBIG ST-7 with ST-4X auto-guider or SBIG ST-8 with ST-4X auto-guider option.


Enter the height of the field of view indicator.


Enter the width of the field of view indicator.


Click this button to compute the size of the field of view indicator. You'll need to know the focal length of your eyepiece and telescope for elliptical shapes, or your CCD detector and telescope's focal length for rectangular shapes.


Closes this dialog and saves any changes you have made.


Closes this dialog without saving any changes you have made.


This group contains options for setting or computing the field of view indicator's size.


Lists common CCD detectors and the camera model number(s) that uses this detector.


Enter your telescope focal length.  Consult your telescope's documentation for this information.


Displays the height (in arc-minutes) of the CCD field of view.


Displays the width (in arc-minutes) of the CCD field of view.


Displays the computed field of view for the specified camera and telescope focal length.


Displays the height (in arc-minutes) of the CCD field of view.


Displays the width (in arc-minutes) of the CCD field of view.


Displays the height (in arc-minutes) of the CCD field of view.


Displays the width (in arc-minutes) of the CCD field of view.


Click this button to add a new detector to the list.


Click this button to remove the selected detector from the list.


Select this option if the focal length is expressed in millimeters.


Select this option if the focal length is expressed in inches.


Click this button to compute the field of view for the input parameters.


Enter a name of the comet for identification purposes.


The measure of an ellipse's distortion from a circle.  This defines the shape of the comet's orbit.


The distance, in astronomical units, of the comet's closest approach to the Sun.


The tilt of the comet's orbital plane relative to the plane of the ecliptic.


The angle, as viewed from the Sun, between the comet and the First point of Aires, when the comet passes through the plane of the ecliptic from below.


The angle, as viewed from the Sun, between the comet's perihelion position (closest approach to the Sun) and the point of its ascending node.


he standard year (1950 or 2000) to which the orbital elements refer.


The brightness of the comet as seen by a viewer at a standard distance.


A value which represents the change in the comet's brightness during its orbit.


Enter the month of the date for which the orbital elements are accurate.


Use the arrows to change the month.


Enter the day of the date for which the orbital elements are accurate.


Enter the year of the date for which the orbital elements are accurate.


Use the arrows to change the year.


Displays the computed coordinates for the comet.


Click this button to compute the comet's coordinates from the input data.


Closes this dialog and saves any changes you have made.


Closes this dialog without saving any changes you have made.


Click this button to import a comet data from a properly formatted text file (.cmt).


This group contains options entering orbital element information and computing the comet's position based on this information.


Check this option to show ToolTips, a small pop-up window that shows information about a button when the mouse is placed over it.


Check this option to show ObjectTips, a small pop-up window that shows the name of a celestial object when the mouse is placed over it.


Closes this dialog and saves any changes you have made.


Closes this dialog without saving any changes you have made.


Click this button to display all toolbars.


Click this button to hide all of the toolbars.


Select a toolbar to show or hide.


Check this option to display the toolbars when in Full Screen Mode.  Otherwise, toolbars will not be displayed.


Click this button after the columns that hold the right ascension hours coordinate data have been selected.  If the RA hours are in decimal form, the entire number should be highlighted (RA minutes and RA seconds are not used).  If Horizon Coordinates option is checked in the Create Sky Database dialog, this button is labeled "Azm Deg" and corresponds to the azimuth degrees. Press SHIFT+click this button to display the current column settings in the Column Selection group.


Click this button after the columns that hold the right ascension minutes coordinate data have been selected.  If the RA minutes are in decimal form, the entire number should be highlighted  (RA seconds are not used).  If Horizon Coordinates option is checked in the Create Sky Database dialog, this button is labeled "Azm Min" and corresponds to the azimuth minutes. Press SHIFT+click this button to display the current column settings in the Column Selection group.


Click this button after the columns that hold the right ascension seconds coordinate data have been selected.  If Horizon Coordinates option is checked in the Create Sky Database dialog, this button will be labeled "Azm Sec" and corresponds to the azimuth seconds. Press SHIFT+click this button to display the current column settings in the Column Selection group.


Click this button after the columns that hold the sign (+ for North, - for South) of the declination coordinate data have been selected. If Horizon Coordinates option is checked in the Create Sky Database dialog, this button is labeled "Alt Sign" and corresponds to the sign of the altitude coordinates. Press SHIFT+click this button to display the current column settings in the Column Selection group.


Click this button after the columns that hold the Declination degrees coordinate data have been selected.  If the Declination degrees are in decimal form, the entire number should be highlighted (Dec minutes and Dec seconds will not be used).  If Horizon Coordinates option is selected in the Create Sky Database dialog, this button is labeled "Alt Deg" and corresponds to altitude degrees. Press SHIFT+click this button to display the current column settings in the Column Selection group.


Click this button after the columns that hold the Declination minutes coordinate data have been selected.  If the Declination minutes are in decimal form, the entire number should be highlighted (Dec seconds will not be used).  If Horizon Coordinates option is selected in the Create Sky Database dialog, this button is labeled "Alt Deg" and corresponds to altitude degrees. Press SHIFT+click this button to display the current column settings in the Column Selection group.


Click this button after the columns that hold the Declination seconds coordinate data have been selected.  If Horizon Coordinates option is selected in the Create Sky Database dialog, this button is labeled "Alt Sec" and corresponds to altitude seconds. Press SHIFT+click this button to display the current column settings in the Column Selection group.


Click this button after the columns that hold the magnitude data have been selected. Only databases that are of type Star will use this magnitude field to plot the various magnitudes with relative brightness.


Click this button after the columns have been selected that contain information about the type of object on the corresponding database text line. This function is only used when the SDB you are compiling contains multiple object types and you wish to have the software determine the object types from the text in the field. See Advanced Compile Options dialog for more information.


Click this button after the columns that hold the Alias identifier have been selected.  Object aliases are alternate names for an object. TheSky uses this information to perform cross references when a query is performed on the object using the Find command.

The use of the alias field partly depends on the Class of the database. In all cases, the alias is expected to be in the "resident" databases of TheSky and not in other Sky Databases (SDBs).  Resident databases include the Guide Star Catalog, the Hipparcos and Tycho star catalogs, the Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory (SAO) star catalogs, the NGC, IC deep sky catalogs. TheSky also includes the PGC galaxy catalog, PK planetaries, the GCVS and NSV variable star catalogs.  Find the "Field Definition dialog box" from the Help Topics command for more information.


Click this button after the columns have been selected that contain the major axis of the object in arc-minutes. If the major axis and minor axis of an object are specified, the object will show extent once the Virtual Sky has reached a high enough magnification. If the major axis is specified on the text file in units other than arc-minutes, the Advanced Compile Options dialog contains an entry for applying a multiplication factor to the field.


Click this button after the columns that should be searched when the SDB is selected for search from the Find dialog have been highlighted.  Only SDBs that have the search field defined can be searched.  Also, the Find Dialog will list each SDB in the Databases group list box that has a search field.  The search is performed by typing the identifier of the SDB followed by the text you are looking for.  For example, if the unique identifier for a database is CALDWELL, and you are looking for an object in this database named NGC1976, enter CALDWELL NGC1976 into the Find text box.


Click this button after the columns that contain the minor axis of the object in arc-minutes have been selected. If the major axis and minor axis of an object are specified, the object will show extent once the field of view of the Virtual Sky is small enough. If the minor axis is specified on the text file in units other than arc-minutes, the Advanced Compile Options dialog contains an entry for applying a multiplication factor to the field.


Click this button after the columns that hold the Labeling text that should appear on the Virtual Sky have been highlighted. This text will also appear in the Common Names list box in the Find dialog when this Sky Database is highlighted in Common Names list.


Click this button after the columns that contain the position angles of the object in degrees have been selected. The position angle is measured from North in a counter-clockwise fashion and should always be between zero and 180 degrees. If the major axis is specified on the text file in units other than arc-minutes, the Advanced Compile Options dialog contains an entry for applying a multiplication factor the field.


This group displays the columns that are currently selected that define database fields in the text file.


Click this button after the columns that contain user-defined information in the text file have been selected. This text will appear in the Object Information dialog when objects from this Sky Database are identified.


Enter the text to associate with the User Field number 1.


Click this button after the columns that contain user-defined information in the text file have been selected. This text will appear in the Object Information dialog when objects from this Sky Database are identified.


Enter the text to associate with the User Field number 2.


Click this button after the columns that contain user-defined information in the text file have been selected. This text will appear in the Object Information dialog when objects from this Sky Database are identified.


Enter the text to associate with the User Field number 3.


Click this button after the columns that contain user-defined information in the text file have been selected. This text will appear in the Object Information dialog when objects from this Sky Database are identified.


Enter the text to associate with the User Field number 4.


Click this button after the columns that contain user-defined information in the text file have been selected. This text will appear in the Object Information dialog when objects from this Sky Database are identified.


Enter the text to associate with the User Field number 5.


Click this button after the columns that contain user-defined information in the text file have been selected. This text will appear in the Object Information dialog when objects from this Sky Database are identified.


Enter the text to associate with the User Field number 6.


Click this button after the columns that contain user-defined information in the text file have been selected. This text will appear in the Object Information dialog when objects from this Sky Database are identified.


Enter the text to associate with the User Field number 7.


Click this button after the columns that contain user-defined information in the text file have been selected. This text will appear in the Object Information dialog when objects from this Sky Database are identified.


Enter the text to associate with the User Field number 8.


Scroll left and right in the text file.


Scroll up and down in the text file.


Click this button to display the Advanced Compile Options dialog.  It is used for specifying multiple object types from one text file and applying multiplication factors to numeric fields contained in the text file.


Closes this dialog and saves any changes you have made.


Closes this dialog without saving any changes you have made.


This group contains options for specifying the location of the equatorial or horizon-based coordinates in the text file. This information is required for an Sky Database to be created from a text file.


This group contains options for specifying the location of optional fields in the text file.


This group displays eight "User Fields" that can be used to display other pertinent information from the text file database.  Select the desired additional information field, then click one of the buttons numbered 1 through 8.  The Object Information dialog will display this information about the object; the text entered in the edit box will appear, followed by the text file information from the highlighted columns.


Displays the version of your communications device.  Click Cancel to close this dialog.


Check this option to display the constellation figures.


Check this option to display the constellation boundaries.


Check this option to display the path of the ecliptic.


Check this option to display the Milky Way.


Check this option to display the equatorial coordinate grid.


Lists the different coordinate grid line spacing options.


Enter the value for the spacing (in degrees) of right ascension equatorial grid lines.


Enter the value for the spacing (in degrees) of right ascension equatorial grid lines.


Enter the value for the spacing (in degrees) of declination equatorial grid lines.


Enter the value for the spacing (in degrees) of declination equatorial grid lines.


Specify that telescope limit lines are visible on the Virtual Sky.


Click this button to draw the declination telescope limit line for your telescope.


Click this button to draw the altitude telescope limit line for your telescope.


Check this option to display the horizon-based coordinate grid line.


Specify to show the local meridian. When this check box is selected, the Meridian is shown on the Virtual Sky.


Specify to show your local "refracted horizon" which is the result of bending of light through the atmosphere. When this check box is selected, the refracted horizon is shown on the Virtual Sky.  Refraction allows us to see the sun, for example, about 30 minutes before its actually above the horizon!


Specify to show your local horizon. When this check box is selected, the local horizon is shown on the Virtual Sky.


Mark this option to make the local horizon "see-through" to allow objects below the horizon to be visible.


Mark this option so that objects below the horizon will not be visible.


Click this button to draw a customized local horizon.


Closes this dialog and saves any changes you have made.


Closes this dialog without saving any changes you have made.


Check this option to display the galactic equator.


Displays options to show different types of reference lines on the Virtual Sky.


Displays options for displaying equatorial coordinate grid lines.


Displays options for displaying and editing the telescope limit lines.


Displays options for displaying horizon-based lines.


Check this option to display the North/East indicator on the Virtual Sky.


Displays the name of the Sky Chart symbol.


Enter the height (in millimeters) of the metafile symbol.


Enter the height (in millimeters) of the metafile symbol.


Click this button to preview the new height and width changes.


Displays the metafile using the input height and width.


Click this button to select a new Sky Chart Symbol.


Closes this dialog and saves any changes you have made.


Closes this dialog without saving any changes you have made.


Displays options for changing the printed size (in millimeters) of the metafile.


Displays the name of the Sky Chart symbol.


Lists the different celestial objects that can be shown on the Virtual Sky.


Select the celestial object property to edit (Font, Line, Fill, or Symbol).


Click this button to edit the selected celestial object's property.


Click this button to make your choice.


Closes this dialog and saves any changes you have made.


Closes this dialog without saving any changes you have made.


Add a new celestial object type.


Remove the selected celestial object type. Only object types manually added by the user may be removed.


Open an existing Sky View Preferences (.svp) file.


Save the current Sky View Preferences (.svp) file with a new name.


Save the current Sky View Preferences (.svp) file .


Apply changes to the Virtual Sky without closing this window.


Displays the ACL status for this item (read only items are in dimmed).


Displays the ACL status for this item (read only items are in dimmed).


Displays the ACL status for this item (read only items are in dimmed).


Displays the ACL status for this item (read only items are in dimmed).


Displays the ACL status for this item (read only items are in dimmed).


Displays the ACL status for this item (read only items are in dimmed).


Displays the ACL status for this item (read only items are in dimmed).


Displays the ACL status for this item (read only items are in dimmed).


Displays the ACL status for this item (read only items are in dimmed).


Displays the ACL status for this item (read only items are in dimmed).


Displays the ACL status for this item (read only items are in dimmed).


Displays the ACL status for this item (read only items are in dimmed).


Displays the ACL status for this item (read only items are in dimmed).


Displays the ACL status for this item (read only items are in dimmed).


Displays the ACL status for this item (read only items are in dimmed).


Displays the ACL status for this item (read only items are in dimmed).


Displays the ACL status for this item (read only items are in dimmed).


Displays the ACL status for this item (read only items are in dimmed).


Displays the ACL status for this item (read only items are in dimmed).


Displays the ACL status for this item (read only items are in dimmed).


Displays the ACL status for this item (read only items are in dimmed).


Displays the ACL status for this item (read only items are in dimmed).


Displays the ACL status for this item (read only items are in dimmed).


Displays the ACL status for this item (read only items are in dimmed).


Displays the ACL status for this item (read only items are in dimmed).


Displays the ACL status for this item (read only items are in dimmed).


Displays the ACL status for this item (read only items are in dimmed).


Displays the ACL status for this item (read only items are in dimmed).


Displays the ACL status for this item (read only items are in dimmed).


Displays the ACL status for this item (read only items are in dimmed).


Displays the ACL status for this item (read only items are in dimmed).


Displays the ACL status for this item (read only items are in dimmed).


Closes this dialog and saves any changes you have made.


Dimmed options cannot be altered.


Displays the gear ratio for the right ascension axis.  This value cannot be changed.


Displays the gear ratio for the declination axis.  This value cannot be changed.


Specifies the right ascension forward direction.


Specifies the declination's forward direction.


Enter the tracking rate for the right ascension axis.

The tracking rate is determined using the following formula:

Rate = arc-seconds per Sidereal second = 1292461 / P

Where:

Sidereal second is the number of arc-seconds moved at the Sidereal rate during one second of time; equal to 1.0027378 arc-seconds.

1292461 is the number of seconds of time in one revolution at the Sidereal rate.

P is the period of the desired tracking rate, in seconds of time.  P should be negative for Northern Hemisphere operation, positive for Southern Hemisphere operation.

Here are some standard tracking rates which may be desired (negative values shown are for Northern Hemisphere operation):

Sidereal: -15.0000 (86164.09 sec. period)

King:     -14.9940 (86130.52 sec. period)

Solar:    -14.9590 (86400.00 sec. period)

Lunar:    -14.4041 (82967.73 sec. period)


Enter the tracking rate for the declination axis.

The tracking rate is determined using the following formula:

Rate = arc-seconds per Sidereal second = 1292461 / P

Where:

Sidereal second is the number of arc-seconds moved at the Sidereal rate during one second of time; equal to 1.0027378 arc-seconds.

1292461 is the number of seconds of time in one revolution at the Sidereal rate.

P is the period of the desired tracking rate, in seconds of time.  P should be negative for Northern Hemisphere operation, positive for Southern Hemisphere operation.

Here are some standard tracking rates which may be desired (negative values shown are for Northern Hemisphere operation):

Sidereal: -15.0000 (86164.09 sec. period)

King:     -14.9940 (86130.52 sec. period)

Solar:    -14.9590 (86400.00 sec. period)

Lunar:    -14.4041 (82967.73 sec. period)


Enter the maximum acceleration for slewing.


Enter the maximum slewing speed (in degrees per second).


Enter the value for the slow focus rate duration time.


Enter the value for the fast focus rate duration time.


Enter the value for the power that will be applied to an auxiliary dew heater.


Closes this dialog and saves any changes you have made.


Closes this dialog without saving any changes you have made.


Click this button to set the default values.


Displays options for the right ascension and declination gear ratios.


Displays options for the right ascension and declination tracking rates.  These rates are expressed in arc-seconds per sidereal-second.  The tracking rate is determined using the following formula:

Rate = arc-seconds per Sidereal second = 1292461 / P

Where:

Sidereal second is the number of arc-seconds moved at the Sidereal rate during one second of time; equal to 1.0027378 arc-seconds.

1292461 is the number of seconds of time in one revolution at the Sidereal rate.

P is the period of the desired tracking rate, in seconds of time.  P should be negative for Northern Hemisphere operation, positive for Southern Hemisphere operation.

Here are some standard tracking rates which may be desired (negative values shown are for Northern Hemisphere operation):

Sidereal: -15.0000 (86164.09 sec. period)

King:     -14.9940 (86130.52 sec. period)

Solar:    -14.9590 (86400.00 sec. period)

Lunar:    -14.4041 (82967.73 sec. period)


Displays options for the maximum acceleration and speed of the telescope mount.


Displays options for controlling a motorized focuser.


Enter the update period for Local Sidereal Time, in milliseconds.


Units for maximum slew speed.


Enter a smaller number for greater acceleration.


Displays the conversion factor between sidereal seconds and temporal seconds.


Enter the lower limit for the focus control.  The focuser cannot be moved below this value.


Enter the upper limit for the focus control.  The focuser cannot be moved above this value.


Lists the databases that contain extended labeling information. Select the database for which you want to display extended labels.


Enter the limiting magnitude for extended labels.  For example, if you only want objects fainter than 10 magnitude to have extended labeling, enter the number 10.


Click this button to remove the checks from all the extended labeling options.


Select this check box to display this information in the extended label.


Select this check box to display this information in the extended label.


Select this check box to display this information in the extended label.


Select this check box to display this information in the extended label.


Select this check box to display this information in the extended label.


Select this check box to display this information in the extended label.


Select this check box to display this information in the extended label.


Select this check box to display this information in the extended label.


Select this check box to display this information in the extended label.


Select this check box to display this information in the extended label.


Select this check box to display this information in the extended label.


Select this check box to display this information in the extended label.


Select this option to perform no sorting when data is exported.


Select this option to sort the exported data by its right ascension coordinates.


Select this option to sort the exported data by its declination coordinates.


Select this option to sort the exported data's coordinates in ascending order .


Select this option to sort the exported data's coordinates in descending order .


Select this option so that the data is exported independent of the path of a robotic telescope would use to view the objects.


Select this option so that the data is sorted such that the path a robotic telescope would use to view each of the objects would be optimized.


Select this option so that the data is sorted such that the path a robotic telescope would take to view each of the objects in the exported list would be the minimized using the first object in the list as the starting point.


Displays options for sorting exported data.


Displays options for optimizing the time that a robotic telescope would require to slew to each of the objects in the exported list.


Enter your input in this field.


Select this option to create a simple ASCII text file that lists the exported data.


Select this option to create an Orchestrate Script file that can be loaded into Software Bisque's Orchestrate Scripting software.


Select this option to export coordinates in a decimal number format (for example, right ascension 24.344444).


Select this option to export coordinates in a degrees, minutes, seconds format.


Check your desired options.


Select this option to export non-stellar objects.


Select this option to export minor planets.


Select this option to export stars.


Select this option to export satellites.


Select this option to export telescope mapping points to use for creating a TPoint telescope model.


Click this button to create the list of exported data using the current settings from all the tabs in the Export window.  The status of the exported data is displayed in the box below.


Select this check box to display an explanation of why objects have been filtered.


Select this check box to show a "connect-the-dots" path on the Virtual Sky between the objects in the exported list.


Displays the results of the export query.


Click this button to save the current export settings to an Export Definition (.exp) file with the input file name.


Click this button to open an existing Export Definition (.exp) file.


Displays options for specifying the type of list to generate when exporting data.


Displays options for specifying the numerical format for exported coordinates.


Displays options for specifying the object type to export.


Check your desired options.


Lists the commands from the Orchestrate Scripting software that are used to slew a telescope.  These commands can be added to an exported script to quickly create a night's viewing schedule.


Lists the Orchestrate commands that are available once the telescope is slewed to an object.


Enter the arguments for the Orchestrate commands. For example the TakeImage command requires one arguments, the length of the exposure. See the Orchestrate documentation for a list of available commands.


Click this button to add the selected option to the exported script.


Click this button to clear all operations from the exported script.


Displays commands that will be added after each object in an exported list.


Enter the number of seconds for a complete cycle of a telescope slew and CCD exposure.


Displays options for adding commands after each telescope slew.


Enter the exposure time to be used in the Orchestrate "ImageThenSlewTo" command.


Lists objects near the cursor or that match the text entered into the Find dialog.  Select the desired object from the list to display its information.


Displays detailed information about the selected object.


Lists descriptions of pre-defined locations to select.  Select a location near you, or enter a description for your location.


Displays options for setting the longitude of your location.


Enter the degrees of longitude for your location.


Enter the degrees of longitude for your location.


Use the arrows to select the degrees of longitude for your location..


Enter the minutes of longitude for your location.


Enter the minutes of longitude for your location.


Use the arrows to select the minutes of longitude for your location.

.


Enter the seconds of longitude for your location.


Enter the seconds of longitude for your location.


Use the arrows to select the seconds of longitude for your location..


Select this option to specify that the longitude is West of Greenwich England.


Select this option to specify that the longitude is East of Greenwich England.


Displays options for setting the latitude of your location.


Enter the degrees of latitude for your location.


Enter the degrees of latitude for your location.


Use the arrows to select the degrees of latitude for your location.


Enter the minutes of latitude for your location.


Enter your input in this field.


Use the arrows to select the minutes of latitude for your location.


Enter the seconds of latitude for your location.


Enter your input in this field.


Use the arrows to select the seconds of latitude for your location.


Select this option for locations in the northern hemisphere.


Select this option for locations in the southern hemisphere.


Enter your time zone.  This is the typically the number of hours from Greenwich Mean Time.


Enter your time zone.  This is the typically the number of hours from Greenwich Mean Time.


Enter the elevation (in meters) of your location.


Enter the elevation (in meters) of your location.


Click this button to add a city.


Click this button to make remove the selected city.


Click this button to open a different list of locations.  This information is stored in Locations Files.


Choose an item from the list.


Choose an item from the list.


Enter your input in this field.


Closes this dialog and saves any changes you have made.


Closes this dialog without saving any changes you have made.


Displays the list of Sky Databases to be can be viewed.  Select the SDB files listed above and click the Add button to add them to the list.


Click this button to remove the selected databases.  If no databases are selected, clicking this button removes all of them.


Click this button to add the selected databases to the File List.


Closes this dialog and saves any changes you have made.


Closes this dialog without saving any changes you have made.


Displays the list of pictures in the slide show.  Select the pictures listed above, then click the Add button to add them to the Slide Show list.


Click this button to remove files from the slide show list.


Click this button to add the selected files to the slide show list.


Click this button to display the Slide Show Options dialog box.


Closes this dialog and saves any changes you have made.


Closes this dialog without saving any changes you have made.


Click this button to make your choice.


Click this button to make your choice.


Click this button to make your choice.


Click this button to make your choice.


Click this button to make your choice.


Closes this dialog and saves any changes you have made.


Enter your input in this field.


Enter your input in this field.


Enter your input in this field.


Enter your input in this field.


Select your preferred option.


Select your preferred option.


Enter your input in this field.


Enter your input in this field.


Enter your input in this field.


Enter your input in this field.


Enter your input in this field.


Click this button to make your choice.


Enter your input in this field.


Select your preferred option.


Select your preferred option.


Enter your input in this field.


Select your preferred option.


Select your preferred option.


Enter your input in this field.


Enter your input in this field.


Enter your input in this field.


Enter your input in this field.


Enter your input in this field.


Enter your input in this field.


Enter your input in this field.


Enter your input in this field.


Enter your input in this field.


Enter your input in this field.


Enter your input in this field.


Click this button to make your choice.


Click this button to make your choice.


Click this button to make your choice.


Click this button to make your choice.


Choose an item from the list.


Enter your input in this field.


Enter your input in this field.


Enter your input in this field.


Enter your input in this field.


Enter your input in this field.


Enter your input in this field.


Enter your input in this field.


Enter your input in this field.


Click this button to make your choice.


Closes this dialog and saves any changes you have made.


Closes this dialog without saving any changes you have made.


Lists the Sky Databases currently loaded.


Displays the properties for the selected Sky Database.


Click this button to add or remove Sky Databases.


Click this button to make your choice.


Click this button to make your choice.


Displays the number of Sky Databases currently loaded.


Click this button to make your choice.


Click this button to make your choice.


Closes this dialog and saves any changes you have made.


Closes this dialog without saving any changes you have made.


Displays options for displaying, activating and deactivating Sky Databases (SDBs) and listing the their properties.


Click this button to make your choice.


Displays information about the Sky Database.


Click this button open a new horizon file.


Click this button to save the existing horizon file.


Click this button to save the existing horizon file with a new name.


Enter a description for the horizon, such as "The horizon from my backyard."


Displays the current altitude of the cursor.


Displays the current azimuth of the cursor.


Closes this dialog and saves any changes you have made.


Closes this dialog without saving any changes you have made.


Click this button to copy the current line to the Clipboard.


Click this button to paste a line from the Clipboard.


Lists the different telescope control systems supported by TheSky.


Select this check box so that the user must confirm each telescope slew.


Select this check box so that the user must confirm each telescope synchronization.


Select this check box so that the user must confirm each telescope map point.


Select this check box so that TheSky will attempt to prohibit the telescope from slewing into the specified telescope limits.


Select this check box so that TheSky will attempt to stop the telescope from slewing when it detects that the telescope has entered a telescope limit region.


Select this check box to automatically switch to Night Vision mode when a telescope link is established.


Select this check box so that the communication status (number of information packets, software retries and failures) are display.  This information can be useful if you are having difficulty communicating with the device.


Select this check box to automatically close the Object Information window when the telescope is slewed.


Select this check box to enable telescope error modeling using TPoint Telescope Pointing Analysis Software.  A TPoint model will automatically be inserted into the current Sky document when this option is selected.


Enter the update frequency (in milliseconds) for the telescope cross hair on the Virtual Sky.


Click this button to close this window.


Click this button to display additional settings for the selected control system.


Displays options for controlling the telescope through TheSky software.


Check this option force the telescope's cross hair to be visible on the screen.  If this option is clear, when linked to the telescope, the telescope's cross hair can move off the screen but the Virtual Sky will not automatically update to follow it.


Click this button to make your choice.


Check this option to display the status bar at the bottom of the Virtual Sky.


Select this check box to display the equatorial coordinates (right ascension and declination) of the center of the Virtual Sky in the status bar.


Select this check box to display the horizon-based coordinates (altitude and azimuth) of the center of the Virtual Sky in the status bar.


Select this check box to display the equatorial coordinates (right ascension and declination) of the mouse cursor in the status bar.


Select this check box to display the horizon-based coordinates (altitude and azimuth) of the mouse cursor in the status bar.


Select this check box to display your location on Earth (as specified in the Location tab on the Site information dialog from the Data menu) on the in the status bar.


Select this check box to display the Local Sidereal Time (LST) in the status bar.


Select this check box to display the width of the current Virtual Sky field in the status bar.


Select this check box to display the equatorial coordinates (right ascension and declination) of the telescope in the status bar.


Select this check box to display the date in the status bar. Remember, this is the date specified on the Date and Time tab in the Site Information dialog from the Data menu, not necessarily today's date.


Select this check box to display the time in the status bar. Remember, this is the time specified on the Date and Time tab in the Site Information dialog  from the Data menu, not necessarily the actual time of day.


Closes this dialog and saves any changes you have made.


Closes this dialog without saving any changes you have made.


Displays options for displaying the coordinates of the center of the Virtual Sky in the status bar.


Displays options for showing the coordinates of the mouse in the status bar.


Displays options for showing miscellaneous information in the status bar.


Lists the serial (or COM) ports to connect the device. Make sure you have the device connected to the correct serial port before attempting to establish communications.


Lists the serial (or COM) ports to connect the device. Make sure you have the device connected to the correct serial port before attempting to establish communications.


Lists the baud rate used to connect the device. Typically, this is 9600 baud for telescope-type devices.


Lists the baud rate used to connect the device. Typically, this is 9600 baud for telescope-type devices.


Enter the declination (in degrees) to point the telescope. The first step in the encoder control system alignment procedure is to point the telescope at this declination and the meaning of this input depends upon the type of telescope you are using.  For example, if this number is 90 degrees and your telescope is polarly aligned, then point your telescope at 90 degrees declination.  If your telescope is an altitude/azimuth type telescope then point it at 90 degrees altitude (at the zenith).


Enter the declination (in degrees) to point the telescope. The first step in the encoder control system alignment procedure is to point the telescope at this declination and the meaning of this input depends upon the type of telescope you are using.  For example, if this number is 90 degrees and your telescope is polarly aligned, then point your telescope at 90 degrees declination.  If your telescope is an altitude/azimuth type telescope then point it at 90 degrees altitude (at the zenith).


Enter the encoder counts per revolution in right ascesion/azimuth for the communications device.


Enter the encoder counts per revolution in right ascesion/azimuth for the communications device.


Enter the encoder counts per revolution in declination/altitude for the communications device.


Enter the encoder counts per revolution in declination/altitude for the communications device.


Select clockwise or counterclockwise to indicate how the software interprets increasing encoder counts.  When you rotate your telescope in decreasing right ascension(or increasing azimuth) the encoder counts should increase.  If they decrease with this test, select the counterclockwise option.  You should not have to change this option for most telescope/encoder mounts.

When performing the above test with a German Equatorial Mount (GEM), make sure that the optics are on West side of a polarly aligned mount.


Select clockwise or counterclockwise to indicate how the software interprets increasing encoder counts.  When you rotate your telescope in decreasing right ascension(or increasing azimuth) the encoder counts should increase.  If they decrease with this test, select the counterclockwise option.  You should not have to change this option for most telescope/encoder mounts.

When performing the above test with a German Equatorial Mount (GEM), make sure that the optics are on West side of a polarly aligned mount.


Select clockwise or counterclockwise to indicate how the software interprets increasing encoder counts.  When you rotate your telescope from zero degrees to 90 degrees declination the encoder counts should increase.  If they decrease with this test, select the counterclockwise option.  You should not have to change this option for most telescope/encoder mounts.


Select clockwise or counterclockwise to indicate how the software interprets increasing encoder counts.  When you rotate your telescope from zero degrees to 90 degrees declination the encoder counts should increase.  If they decrease with this test, select the counterclockwise option.  You should not have to change this option for most telescope/encoder mounts.


Displays options for selecting your telescope type and configuring the communications box.


Lists the telescope types that have standard encoder mounting kits.  If your telescope is not listed, manually enter the encoder information.


Click this button to configure the BBox using the current telescope/encoder data.


The number of encoder counts per revolution in right ascension/azimuth for the telescope.


The number of encoder counts per revolution in right ascension/azimuth for the telescope.


The number of encoder counts per revolution in declination/altitiude for the telescope.


The number of encoder counts per revolution in declination/altitiude for the telescope.


Closes this dialog and saves any changes you have made.


Closes this dialog without saving any changes you have made.


Displays options for the selected communication box.


Once the telescope is aligned, closes the dialog ends the telescope alignment procedure.


Closes this dialog and cancel the telescope alignment procedure.


Follow these instructions to align the telescope.


Follow these instructions to align the telescope.


Follow these instructions to align the telescope.


Follow these instructions to align the telescope.


Follow these instructions to align the telescope.


Follow these instructions to align the telescope.


Closes this dialog and saves any changes you have made.


Closes this dialog without saving any changes you have made.


Select this check box to show the Sun during a time skip animation.


Select this check box to show Mercury during a time skip animation.


Select this check box to show Venus during a time skip animation.


Select this check box to show Earth during a time skip animation.


Select this check box to show Mars during a time skip animation.


Select this check box to show Jupiter during a time skip animation.


Select this check box to show Saturn during a time skip animation.


Select this check box to show Uranus during a time skip animation.


Select this check box to show Neptune during a time skip animation.


Select this check box to show Pluto during a time skip animation.


Select this check box to show the Moon during a time skip animation.


Select this check box to show comets during a time skip animation.


Select this check box to show minor planets during a time skip animation.


Click this button to select all of the solar system objects.


Click this button to select none of the solar system objects.


Lists the type of time skip trails for objects during a time skip session.


Lists the objects that can be "locked on to" during a time skip session.  This object will remain fixed at the center of the Virtual Sky, with the starry background in motion behind it.


Lists solar system objects that can be used to change the viewing perspective.  For example, selecting Pluto lets you view the solar system as it might appear from this planet.


Select this check box to show display the shadow cast by the earth, at the distance of the moon, on the Virtual Sky.  Lunar eclipses occur when the moon passes through this shadow.


Displays the raw encoder values in right ascension or azimuth.


Displays the raw encoder values in declination or altitude.


Displays the string that is returned from the communications device.


Displays status information about the BBox.


Closes this dialog and saves any changes you have made.


Click this button to retrieve the version number from the communications device.


Click this button to make your choice.


This group displays the raw encoder values from the communications device.


This group displays the text string received by the communications device.


Displays the right ascension of the device.


Displays the declination of the device


Click this button to close the window.


Displays the current position of the telescope relative to the desired destination.  Match the sweeping line to the fixed line using the right ascension axis.


Displays the current position of the telescope relative to the desired destination.  Match the sweeping line to the fixed line using the right ascension axis.


Displays the current position of the telescope relative to the desired destination.  Match the sweeping line to the fixed line using the declination axis.


Lights when the telescope is near its destination.


Lights when the telescope is near its destination.


Lights when the telescope is near its destination.


Click this button to cancel the guide to operation.


Lights when the telescope is near its destination.


Lights when the telescope is near its destination.


Lights when the telescope is near its destination.


Lights when the telescope is near its destination.


Lights when the telescope is near its destination.


Lights when the telescope is near its destination.


Lights when the telescope is near its destination.


Lights when the telescope is near its destination.


Lights when the telescope is near its destination.


Lights when the telescope is near its destination.


Lights when the telescope is near its destination.


Lights when the telescope is near its destination.


Lights when the telescope is near its destination.


Lights when the telescope is near its destination.


Lights when the telescope is near its destination.


Lights when the telescope is near its destination.


Lights when the telescope is near its destination.


Lights when the telescope is near its destination.


Lights when the telescope is near its destination.


Lights when the telescope is near its destination.


Lights when the telescope is near its destination.


Lights when the telescope is near its destination.


Lights when the telescope is near its destination.


Lights when the telescope is near its destination.


Lights when the telescope is near its destination.


Lights when the telescope is near its destination.


Lights when the telescope is near its destination.


Lights when the telescope is near its destination.


Lights when the telescope is near its destination.


Select this check box to make this window smaller or larger.


Enter a name of the minor planet for identification purposes.


The measure of an orbit's distortion from circular.


The radius of the minor planet's orbit, as measured at its greatest width.


The tilt of the minor planet's orbital plane relative to the plane of the ecliptic.


The angle, as viewed from the Sun, between longitude 0° (Vernal Equinox) and the minor planet, as it passes through the plane of the ecliptic from below.


The angle, as viewed from the Sun, between the minor planet's perihelion position (closest approach to the Sun) and the point of its ascending node.


The standard year (1950 or 2000) to which the orbital elements refer.


The angle, as viewed from the Sun, between the minor planet's mean and perihelion positions.


The brightness of the minor planet as seen by a viewer at a standard distance.


A value which represents the rate of change in the minor planet's brightness during its orbit.


Enter the month of the date for which the orbital elements are accurate.


Use the arrows to select the month.


Enter the day of the date for which the orbital elements are accurate.


Enter the year of the date for which the orbital elements are accurate.


Use the arrows to select the year.


Displays the computed right ascension and declination for the input minor planet orbital element data.


Computes the minor planet's position from the input data.


Click this button to import orbital element data from a properly formatted text file (.mpl).


Closes this dialog and saves any changes you have made.


Closes this dialog without saving any changes you have made.


This group contains options entering orbital element information and computing the comet's position based on this information.


Displays the number of comets in the list. A maximum of 100 comets can be displayed.


Click this button to edit the selected comet.


Click this button to add a new comet to the list.


Click this button to remove the selected comet(s) from the list.


Click this button to import one or more comets from a text file that contains properly formatte comet orbital elements.


This group contains options for importing orbital element data directly from the worldwide web.


Click this button to obtain the orbital elements for the observable comets directly from the worldwide web.  This button will automatically launch your Internet browser if you are not already connected to the Internet.


Lists the names of the comets that can be displayed.


Lists the number of minor planets currently loaded.


Click this button to edit the selected minor planet's orbital elements.


Click this button to add a new minor planet.


Click this button to remove the selected minor planet.


Click this button to import one or more minor planets from a properly formatted text file, called a Minor Planet File (mpl) .


Displays options for importing minor planet orbital elements directly from the worldwide web.


Click this button to display a list of the latest distant minor planets from the worldwide web.


Click this button to display a list of the International Astronomical Union's (IAU) critical minor planets from the worldwide web.


Click this button to display a list of the International Astronomical Union's (IAU) unusual minor planets from the worldwide web.


Lists the currently loaded minor planets.


Telescope is currently slewing.


Click this button to cancel the telescope slew.


Indicates that the telescope is currently slewing.


Indicates that the telescope is currently slewing.


Indicates that the telescope is currently slewing.


Indicates that the telescope is currently slewing.


Indicates that the telescope is currently slewing.


Indicates that the telescope is currently slewing.


Indicates that the telescope is currently slewing.


Lists the different line styles that can be drawn on the Virtual Sky.


Displays the color of the current line.


Click this button to change the color of the line.


Lists the different weight, or thickness, for the line.


Displays an example of the line.


Closes this dialog and saves any changes you have made.


Closes this dialog without saving any changes you have made.


Click this button to move the telescope North the selected angular distance.


Click this button to move the telescope East the selected angular distance.


Click this button to move the telescope West the selected angular distance.


Click this button to move the telescope South the selected angular distance.


Choose the angular distance to slew the telescope.


Choose the angular distance to slew the telescope.


Select equatorial coordinates (right ascension and declination) to slew the telescope.


Select horizon-based coordinates (altitude and azimuth) to slew the telescope.


Choose an item from the list.


Displays the date for the telescope.


Displays the time for the telescope.


Displays the latitude for the telescope.


Displays the longitude for the telescope.


Displays the Greenwich Mean Time for the telescope.


Click this button to set the telescope's date.


Click this button to set the telescope's time.


Click this button to set the telescope's latitude.


Click this button to set the telescope's longitude.


Click this button to set the telescope's Greenwich Mean Time.


Closes this dialog and saves any changes you have made.


Displays the date for the telescope.


Displays the time for the telescope.


Displays the latitude for the telescope.


Displays the longitude for the telescope.


Displays the Greenwich Mean Time for the telescope.


Check your desired options.


Click this button move the focus control inward.


Click this button move the focus control outward.


Moves the focuser at its slowest rate.


Moves the focuser at its fastest rate.


Displays the relative position of the motorized focuser.


Click this button to make your choice.


Click this button to make the illuminated reticle brighter.


Click this button to make the illuminated reticle dimmer.


Select this option to uses the B0 reticle flash mode.


Select this option to uses the B1 reticle flash mode.


Select this option to uses the B2 reticle flash mode.


Select this option to uses the B3 reticle flash mode.


Closes this dialog and saves any changes you have made.


Specify equatorial coordinates (right ascension and declination) to move to.


Specify horizon-based coordinates (altitude and azimuth) to move to.


Displays the current coordinates (equatorial or horizon-based, depending upon the Entry Mode) of the center of the Virtual Sky.


Displays the current coordinates (equatorial or horizon-based, depending upon the Entry Mode) of the center of the Virtual Sky.


Displays the destination coordinates of the mouse cursor. Click and drag in the window above to change these coordinates.


Displays the destination coordinates of the mouse cursor. Click and drag in the window above to change these coordinates.


Displays the right ascension coordinates for Equatorial Entry Mode or azimuth coordinates for Horizon entry mode.


Enter hours of right ascension (or degrees of azimuth) to move to.


Enter minutes of right ascension (or minutes of azimuth) to move to.


Enter seconds of right ascension (or seconds of azimuth) to move to.


Displays the declination coordinates for Equatorial Entry Mode or altitude coordinates for Horizon entry mode.


Enter degrees of right ascension (or degrees of altitude) to move to.


Enter minutes of right ascension (or minutes of altitude) to move to.


Enter seconds of right ascension (or seconds of altitude) to move to.


Specify that the declination (or altitude) coordinates are in the northern hemisphere.


Specify that the declination (or altitude) coordinates are in the southern hemisphere.


Enter the Epoch of the coordinates to move to.


Click this button to make your choice.


Closes this dialog and saves any changes you have made.


Closes this dialog without saving any changes you have made.


Displays the current coordinates (equatorial or horizon-based, depending upon the Entry Mode) of the center of the Virtual Sky.


Displays the destination coordinates of the mouse cursor. Click and drag in the window above to change these coordinates.


Enter the title for the printed star chart.


Enter the title for the printed star chart.


Lists the different star chart formats that can be printed.


Options for the legend on printed star charts.


Lists the type of legend that will appear on the printed star chart.


Lists the type of legend that will appear on the printed star chart.


Enter the height of the legend (in inches).


Enter the height of the legend (in inches).


This group displays options for printing a selected area or "inset" on a star chart. A zoom box must be present on the Virtual Sky before these options are undimmed.


Lists the print options for the selected area of the star char.  This option is only available when a Zoom Box is on the Virtual Sky.


Lists the print options for the selected area of the star char.  This option is only available when a Zoom Box is on the Virtual Sky.


Displays the origin of the selected area in gray. This option is only available when a Zoom Box is on the Virtual Sky.


Enter the size of the left margin; that is, the distance from the left edge of the page (in inches) to the star chart.


Enter the size of the right margin; that is, the distance from the right edge of the page (in inches) to the star chart.


Enter the size of the top margin; that is, the distance from the top edge of the page (in inches) to the star chart.


Enter the size of the bottom margin; that is, the distance from the bottom edge of the page (in inches) to the star chart.


Enter the text prefix that will appear before Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory (SAO) stars' catalog numbers on printed star charts.


Enter the text prefix that will appear before New General Catalog (NGC) objects' catalog numbers on printed star charts.


Enter the text prefix that will appear before Index Catalog (IC) objects' catalog numbers on printed star charts.


Enter the text prefix that will appear before Uppsula General Catalog of Galaxies (UGC) objects' catalog numbers on printed star charts.


Enter the text prefix that will appear before Catalog of Galaxies and Clusters of Galaxies (CGCG) objects' catalog numbers on printed star charts.


Enter the text prefix that will appear before General Catalog of Variable Stars (GCVS) stars' catalog numbers on printed star charts.


For the "Feature Object" star chart format, this box displays information about the previously identified object. Enter additional or different information if desired.


For the "Feature Object" star chart format, this box displays information about the previously identified object. Enter additional or different information if desired.


Closes this dialog and saves any changes you have made.


Closes this dialog without saving any changes you have made.


Displays options for changing the size of the margins on the printed star chart.


Displays options for changing the text prefix that appears before celestial object catalog numbers on printed star charts.


Lists the Field of View Indicators (FOVIs).  Select the FOVI for the field to mosaic.


Enter the amount of overlap (as a percentage of the image frame) for each field in the mosaic.


Computes the height and width of the mosaic field.  Also draws the fields on the Virtual Sky.


Displays the number of image frame rows for the selected area of the Virtual Sky.


Displays the number of image frame columns for the selected area of the Virtual Sky.


Click this button to reset the fields that have been marked as "slewed to" by the telescope (the numbers at the center of each field change colors after the telescope has been slewed there).


Removes the mosaic frames from the Virtual Sky.


Check this option if the mosaic is of the Moon.


Click this button to close the window.


Displays options for computing the image frames that make up the mosaic field.


Closes this dialog without saving any changes you have made.


Displays information about the auto-synch progress.


Displays information about the auto-synch progress.


Displays information about the auto-synch progress.


Lists the comets or minor planets to be imported. Select the name(s) of the objects to import.


Choose an item from the list.


Closes this dialog and saves any changes you have made.


Closes this dialog without saving any changes you have made.


Lists the available object types. For databases that contain multiple types of objects, first select the type of object, then specify the character(s) that identify this type of object in the Object Type Identifier box.


Enter the character(s) that identify this Object Type in the source text file.


Lists the available object types. For databases that contain multiple types of objects, first select the type of object, then specify the character(s) that identify this type of object in the Object Type Identifier box.


Enter the character(s) that identify this type of object in the source text file.


Lists the available object types. For databases that contain multiple types of objects, first select the type of object, then specify the character(s) that identify this type of object in the Object Type Identifier box.


Enter the character(s) that identify this type of object in the source text file.


Lists the available object types. For databases that contain multiple types of objects, first select the type of object, then specify the character(s) that identify this type of object in the Object Type Identifier box.


Enter the character(s) that identify this type of object in the source text file.


Lists the available object types. For databases that contain multiple types of objects, first select the type of object, then specify the character(s) that identify this type of object in the Object Type Identifier box.


Enter the character(s) that identify this type of object in the source text file.


Lists the available object types. For databases that contain multiple types of objects, first select the type of object, then specify the character(s) that identify this type of object in the Object Type Identifier box.


Enter the character(s) that identify this type of object in the source text file.


Lists the available object types. For databases that contain multiple types of objects, first select the type of object, then specify the character(s) that identify this type of object in the Object Type Identifier box.


Enter the character(s) that identify this type of object in the source text file.


Lists the available object types. For databases that contain multiple types of objects, first select the type of object, then specify the character(s) that identify this type of object in the Object Type Identifier box.


Enter the character(s) that identify this type of object in the source text file.


Enter the number to multiply each right ascension entry by when creating the Sky Database from a raw text file.


Enter the number to multiply each declination entry by when creating the Sky Database from a raw text file.


Enter the number to multiply each magnitude entry by when creating the Sky Database from a raw text file.


Enter the number to multiply each major axis entry by when creating the Sky Database from a raw text file.


Enter the number to multiply each minor axis entry by when creating the Sky Database from a raw text file.


Enter the number to multiply each position angle entry by when creating the Sky Database from a raw text file.


Closes this dialog and saves any changes you have made.


Closes this dialog without saving any changes you have made.


This group contains options for multiplying fields in the text file by a constant number.


Lists all the celestial objects.


Displays the magnitude limits for the selected Celestial Object.


Enter the upper magnitude limit; objects brighter than this magnitude are not shown.


Enter the upper magnitude limit; objects brighter than this magnitude are not shown.


Enter the lower magnitude limit; objects fainter than this magnitude are not shown.


Enter the lower magnitude limit; objects fainter than this magnitude are not shown.


Click this button to select all the celestial objects.


Click this button to select the celestial objects that are stars.


Click this button to select the celestial objects that are galaxies.


Click this button to select the celestial objects that are clusters.


Click this button to select the celestial objects that are nebulas.


Click this button to select the celestial objects that are planets.


Closes this dialog and saves any changes you have made.


Closes this dialog without saving any changes you have made.


Displays buttons for selecting different types of objects from the list.


Lists the celestial objects that can be filtered by magnitude.


Choose the non-stellar fill option.  The Color option uses the object's fill color as specified in the Preferences dialog box to shade the object.  The Transparent option shows only the outline of the extended object, with no fill color.  The Transparent when Image is Present option shows only the outline of the extended object when an Image Link image is displayed, otherwise, the object is filled with color.


Enter the length of time (in hours) for which extended minor planet's positions are valid and displayed.


Check this option to display objects that appear in both the New Guide Catalog and the Principle Galaxy Catalog as two distinct objects.  Otherwise, these objects are plotted as one object and cross-referenced when the object is identified or either catalog number is searched using the Find command.


Mark this option to compute the positions of minor planets with extreme accuracy (+ or - 1 arc-second) for occultation work.  This option is computationally intensive and may slow redraws.


Mark this option to plot a "see through" Sun and Moon so that objects behind them are visible.


Enter the length of time that must pass before TheSky re-computes and re-plots the positions of the solar system objects (Sun, Moon, planets, comets, and local minor planets).


Choose an item from the list.


Choose the length of time that must pass before TheSky re-computes and re-plots the positions of the stars.  This option is only available if the Use Computer's Date and Time option is checked in the Date and Time tab of the Site Information dialog box on the Data menu.


Choose the length of time that must pass before TheSky re-computes and re-plots the positions of the stars.  This option is only available if the Use Computer's Date and Time option is checked in the Date and Time tab of the Site Information dialog box on the Data menu.


Closes this dialog and saves any changes you have made.


Closes this dialog without saving any changes you have made.


The options is this group specify the length of time for which extended minor planet's positions are valid and displayed.


Use the options in this group to specify how frequently the positions of the solar system objects are updated.


Click this button to remove extended minor planets from the Virtual Sky.


Select this option to edit the horizon line using a telescope as the guide.


Select this option to edit the Altitude Limit Line using the telescope as the guide.


Select this option to edit the Declination Limit Line using the telescope as the guide.


Click this button to specify a new point on the horizon or telescope limit line from the telescope's current coordinates.


Click this button close this window.


Displays options for which type of telescope limit line to edit.


Check this option so that as you move the telescope, the horizon line is drawn automatically.


Enter a label (any text) for the object.


Closes this dialog and saves any changes you have made.


Closes this dialog without saving any changes you have made.


Displays the computer's date.


Displays the computer's time.


Displays the Local Sidereal Time.


Closes this dialog and saves any changes you have made.


Displays the computer's date.


Displays the computer's time.


Displays the Local Sidereal Time.


Enter the command to send to the device.  For example, sending a query command (by entering a capital "Q" and clicking Send) to a BBox should respond the current encoder positions.


Displays the response from the device.


Click this button to send the Command string to the device.


Closes this dialog and saves any changes you have made.


Displays the response received from the communications device through the COM port.


Select this option to attach text notes to the object.


Select this option to attach a picture to the object.


Select this option to attach sound to the object.


Select this option to attach video to the object.


Click this button to select the file name for the multimedia medium: notes (.txt file), picture (.bmp, or other picture format), sound (.wav file), video (.avi file).


Displays the file name for the selected multimedia medium.


Closes this dialog and saves any changes you have made.


Closes this dialog without saving any changes you have made.


This group contains options specifying the type of multimedia attachment.


This group contains options for selecting the file to associate with the multimedia medium.


Enter a label for the time skip object.


Click this button to add the date of the time skip position to the Label string.


Click this button to add the time of the time skip position to the Label string.


Click this button to clear the Label string.


Select this option to display the time skip label to the left of the time skip object.


Select this option to display the time skip label above the time skip object.


Select this option to display the time skip label to the right of the time skip object.


Select this option to display the time skip label above the time skip object.


Closes this dialog and saves any changes you have made.


Closes this dialog without saving any changes you have made.


Displays options for positioning the Time Skip Label relative to the time skip object.


First enter a number into the text box to the right, then click this button to automatically add a time skip label to every n time skip positions, where n is the number you entered.


Enter a number that indicates an increment to add time skip labels.  For example, say you perform a time skip animation and record the the position of the Sun each day for one year (365 different positions).  To label the Sun's position every 5 days, enter 5, then click the Add Every-> button.


This group contains options for automatically adding a time skip label to time skip objects.


Displays the name of the text file to save the Observer Log.


Click this button to specify the name of the text file to save the Observer Log.


Displays the contents of the Observer Log.


Closes this dialog and saves any changes you have made.


Closes this dialog without saving any changes you have made.


Lists the position on the Virtual Sky to snap to.  When adding objects to the Virtual Sky, by pressing CONTROL+left mouse-click, the new object will be placed at the selected snap to position.


Displays the properties of the user data.


Specifies the entry number of the selected object and the total number of added objects.


Displays the name of the object that the user data is "snapped to." The user data point will appear at the same coordinates as this object.


Lists the different classes of user data that can be added to the Virtual Sky.


Lists the different types of objects that can be added to the Virtual Sky.  Select the User Data object type you wish to add from this list.


Enter the text label to appear next to this object on the Virtual Sky.


Lists the graphics drawing commands for Lines/Polygons. These allow you to manipulate a "graphic pen" to draw shapes on the Virtual Sky.


Enter the magnitude of the user data object.


Specify that the coordinates of user data are given in right ascension and declination.


Specify that the coordinates of user data are given in altitude and azimuth.


Enter the hours of right ascension or degrees of azimuth for this user data object.


Enter the hours of right ascension or degrees of azimuth for this user data object.


Enter the minutes of right ascension or minutes of azimuth for this user data object.


Enter the seconds of right ascension or seconds of azimuth for this user data object.


Enter the degrees of declination or degrees of altitude for this user data object.


Enter the minutes of declination or minutes of altitude for this user data object.


Enter the seconds of declination or seconds of altitude for this user data object.


Click this button to display the Precess dialog box. This allows you to precess coordinates from a given year to any other year.


Specify that the user data is in the northern hemisphere.


Specify that the user data is in the southern hemisphere.


Once you have entered all the information for one user data object, click this button to add it to the list of user data.


Deletes the selected user data.


Centers the selected user data on the Virtual Sky.


Removes all the currently entered user data.


Click this button to specify the name of the text file to export the user data.


Enter a comment that will be added to the exported text file.


Select this check box to export the user data in polygon format, rather than coordinates of individual points.


Click this button to export the user data to the specified text file. A text file name must be specified by clicking the Browse button and entering a text-file name before user data can be exported.


Click this button to close this window.


This group contains options for adding new user data to the Virtual Sky.


This group contains options for exporting the current user data to a text file.


Displays the name of the object that the user data is "snapped to." The user data point will appear at the same coordinates as this object.


Click this button to make your choice.


Displays a text report that contains useful information about the planets.


Enter the time frame (year) of the coordinates.


Enter the time frame (year) to which the coordinates will be precessed.


Closes this dialog and saves any changes you have made.


Closes this dialog without saving any changes you have made.


Lists database and other files used by TheSky and their locations (a folder on the hard drive or CD-ROM drive).


Enter your input in this field.


Click this button to make your choice.


Click this button to edit the selected file.


Lists the metafiles located in the Symbols folder.  Select the desired metafile name.


Closes this dialog and saves any changes you have made.


Closes this dialog without saving any changes you have made.


Display the image transparently.  All objects on the Virtual Sky will be visible "through" the image.


Display the image opaquely.  Any objects on the Virtual Sky will be hidden by the image.


Specifies that the image is linked to the current position on the Virtual Sky. The image will be displayed whenever the center of the Virtual Sky is at its current coordinates.


Enter the size (as a percentage of the current Virtual Sky) of the Image Link image.


Select this option if the scale of your image (in arc-seconds per pixel) is not known.  Image Link will attempt to locate a match within the input search radius.


Click this option to enter the scale of the image in arc-seconds per pixel.  Image scale depends upon the focal length of your telescope and the CCD detector.


Enter the scale of the image in arc-seconds per pixel.  Image scale depends upon your optical system (telescope aperture, focal length) and CCD detector.


Enter the radius, in arc-minutes, to search for an image link.  The larger the radius, the longer the search will take.


Draws a frame around the Image Link image.


Draws a frame where the telescope is actually pointing.


Closes this dialog and saves any changes you have made.


Closes this dialog without saving any changes you have made.


Displays the Image Link Display options.  These affect how an image is shown on the Virtual Sky.


Displays options for the Image Link Wizard when searching for an image match.


Enter the scale of the image in arc-seconds per pixel.  Image scale depends upon your optical system (telescope aperture, focal length) and CCD detector.


Use the selected serial port (COM) to communicate with the Paramount GT-1100.


Use the selected serial port (LPT) to communicate with the Paramount GT-1100.


Choose the port to which the mount is connected.


Choose the port to which the mount is connected.


Choose the baud rate for the serial communications.


Choose the baud rate for the serial communications.


Closes this dialog and saves any changes you have made.


Closes this dialog without saving any changes you have made.


Click this button to set the parallel port address. This is only required if your are encountering difficulties communicating with the device through a parallel port and the cause is an incorrect parallel port address.


Choose an item from the list.


Displays the communication device options for the Paramount GT-1100.


Select your preferred option.


Enter the width (in arc-minutes) of the field of view to search.


Enter the width (in arc-minutes) of the field of view to search.


Enter the speed of the telescope slew during a star search.


Click this button to close this window.


Click this button to start the telescope slewing in a outwardly spiraling search pattern.  Click this button again to end the search.


Displays options for setting the field of view of the telescope for a spiral star search.


Click this button to close this window.


Enter notes about the object here.


Enter the right ascension tracking speed.


Enter the declination tracking speed.


Closes this dialog and saves any changes you have made.


Closes this dialog without saving any changes you have made.


Displays the base address for the first parallel port.

Note: You should only make changes to the base address when you are certain that the parallel port address list is incorrect.  To determine the actual base address for a parallel (LPT) port, read the following procedure for your operating system.

Windows 95

1. On the Task bar, click Start, then Settings, then the Control Panel command.

2. On the Control Panel window, double-click the System Folder.

3. From the System Folder, click the Device Manager tab.

4. Open ports, then select the appropriate LPT port.

5. Click the Properties button, then click the Resource tab and record the first listed base address.

Windows NT 4.0

1. On the Task bar, click Start, then Run.

2. Enter WINMSD.EXE, then click OK.

3. In the Windows Diagnostics window, click the Resource tab.

4. On the Resources tab, click the Devices button.

5. Select the Parport device.

6. Click the Properties button, and record the base address.


Displays the base address for the second parallel port.

Note: You should only make changes to the base address when you are certain that the parallel port address list is incorrect.  To determine the actual base address for a parallel (LPT) port, read the following procedure for your operating system.

Windows 95

1. On the Task bar, click Start, then Settings, then the Control Panel command.

2. On the Control Panel window, double-click the System Folder.

3. From the System Folder, click the Device Manager tab.

4. Open ports, then select the appropriate LPT port.

5. Click the Properties button, then click the Resource tab and record the first listed base address.

Windows NT 4.0

1. On the Task bar, click Start, then Run.

2. Enter WINMSD.EXE, then click OK.

3. In the Windows Diagnostics window, click the Resource tab.

4. On the Resources tab, click the Devices button.

5. Select the Parport device.

6. Click the Properties button, and record the base address.


Displays the base address for the third parallel port.

Note: You should only make changes to the base address when you are certain that the parallel port address list is incorrect.  To determine the actual base address for a parallel (LPT) port, read the following procedure for your operating system.

Windows 95 or later

1. On the Task bar, click Start, then Settings, then the Control Panel command.

2. On the Control Panel window, double-click the System Folder.

3. From the System Folder, click the Device Manager tab.

4. Open ports, then select the appropriate LPT port.

5. Click the Properties button, then click the Resource tab and record the first listed base address.

Windows NT 4.0 or later

1. On the Task bar, click Start, then Run.

2. Enter WINMSD.EXE, then click OK.

3. In the Windows Diagnostics window, click the Resource tab.

4. On the Resources tab, click the Devices button.

5. Select the Parport device.

6. Click the Properties button, and record the base address.


Enter your input in this field.


Closes this dialog and saves any changes you have made.


Closes this dialog without saving any changes you have made.


Click this button to make your choice.


Displays the base address for the first parallel port.


Displays the base address for the second parallel port.


Displays the base address for the third parallel port.


Select this option to automatically attempt to move the telescope from its physical limit.


Select this option to manually move the telescope from its physical limit.


Displayed when the Paramount GT-1100 is attempting to move out of a telescope limit region.


Lists the update frequencies for satellites.  Relative to the stars and the planets, many satellites move very rapidly through the sky; thus their positions must be frequently updated in order to be correct.  Select how often you would like satellite positions to be recomputed.  You may notice a decrease in performance by selecting a high update frequency.


When this check box is selected, satellites will be labeled with their names.  This option is only available when the Use Computer's Clock option is not selected on the Date and Time tab in the Site Information command in the Data menu.


When this check box is selected, TheSky will use the specified dynamic-link library (DLL) to compute the positions of satellites.  This option is only required for custom applications and typically should not be selected.


Displays the name of the custom orbital propagator currently in use.


Click this button to load a file containing two line element information.  This data is used to compute the positions of satellites.


Click this button to remove all satellites from the Virtual Sky.


Displays the number of satellites currently loaded.


Enter the number of increments for the input Compute Frequency for which the satellite's path is displayed.  The greater the number of increments, the longer the satellites' path.


Enter the frequency (in minutes) for which successive satellite paths are displayed.


Click this button to compute and display the satellies' paths.


Enter the frequency to display the time next to a satellite's position.


Places the time label to the right of the satellite.


Places the time label above the satellite.


Places the time label to the left of the satellite.


Places the time label below the satellite.


Closes this dialog and saves any changes you have made.


Closes this dialog without saving any changes you have made.


Displays options for loading two-line element data that is used to compute the positions of satellites.


Displays options for plotting the path of satellites.


Displays options for labeling the time of a satellite's position during a Time Skip Session.


Use the arrows to change the path length.


Enter the frequency (in minutes) to display the time next to a satellite's position.


Displays the number of satellites whose orbital element information is out of date.  These satellites will not displayed.


Check your desired options.


Enter the minimum right ascension of the filtered objects.


Enter the maximum right ascension of the filtered objects.


Enter the minimum declination of the filtered objects.


Enter the maximum declination of the filtered objects.


Enter the minimum telescope hour angle of the filtered objects.


Enter the maximum telescope hour angle of the filtered objects.


Enter the minimum altitude of the filtered objects.


Enter the maximum altitude of the filtered objects.


Enter the minimum azimuth of the filtered objects.


Enter the maximum azimuth of the filtered objects.


Enter your input in this field.


Enter your input in this field.


Enter the minimum angular size of the filtered objects.


Enter the maximum angular size of the filtered objects.


Displays options for filtering objects by using the settings from the Filters command in the View menu.


Select this check box to use the specific object type defined in the Filters dialog.  For example, your if search criteria is only Spiral Galaxies, click Sky Filters, then select just Spiral Galaxies in the Celestial Object list and unselect all other types of galaxies.


Click this button to display the Filters dialog.


Enter the minimum magnitude of the filtered objects.


Enter the maximum magnitude of the filtered objects.


Click this button to set the default filtering values. No objects will be filtered from the exported data.


Enter the maximum coordinates of the filtered objects.


Displays options for filtering objects by their horizon-based coordinates (altitude and azimuth).


Enter the minimum coordinates of the filtered objects.


Displays options for filtering objects by their magnitude.


Enter the maximum coordinates of the filtered objects.


Displays options for filtering objects by their angular size.


Displays options for filtering objects according to the properties in the Filters dialog.


Displays options for filtering objects by ther equatorial coordinates (right ascension and declination).


Enter the minimum coordinates of the filtered objects.


Enter your input in this field.


Enter your input in this field.


Enter your input in this field.


Closes this dialog and saves any changes you have made.


Closes this dialog without saving any changes you have made.


Enter the Uniform Resource Locator (URL) for Sky Documents for the file transfer protocol (FTP).


Enter the identifier for Sky Documents.


Enter the Uniform Resource Locator (URL) for Sky View Preference files for the file transfer protocol (FTP).


Enter the identifier for Sky View Preference files.


Enter the Uniform Resource Locator (URL) for TheSky's horizon line files (hrz) for the file transfer protocol (FTP).


Enter the identifier for horizon line files.


Enter the Uniform Resource Locator (URL) for TheSky's altitude limit line files (hrz) for the file transfer protocol (FTP).


Enter the identifier for altitude line files.


Enter the Uniform Resource Locator (URL) for TheSky's declination limit line files (hrz) for the file transfer protocol (FTP).


Enter the identifier for declination line files.


Closes this dialog and saves any changes you have made.


Closes this dialog without saving any changes you have made.


Displays the locations of TheSky-related files that can be transferred via file-transfer protocol (ftp) to remote machines.


The URL identifier.


Lists the U.S. Naval Observatory (USNO) Zones that can be displayed by TheSky. The folder that contains the files for the zone is listed after the zone name.


Select this check box to plot data from the USNOA-1.0 version CD-ROM.


Displays the folder to associate with the selected zones in the Zone list box.


Click this button to attach the folder to the selected USNO Zones.


Select the desired zones from the Zones list box.


Select the folder that contains the corresponding USN0 files by clicking the ... button.


Click the Set Selected Zones button to associate the folder to the zone.


Click this button to select the folder for the selected USNO zones.


Check your desired options.


Enter the Uniform Resource Locator (URL) of the local horizon file.  This horizon will be displayed for Remote Astronomy Software clients when controlling a telescope remotely.


Allows remote clients to synchronize the telescope.


Allows remote clients to slew the telescope.


Allows remote clients to adjust motorized focusers.


Allows remote clients to set the telescope's park position.


Allows remote clients to park the telescope.


Allows remote clients to map the telescope using Software Bisque's Orchestrate scripting software.


Allows remote clients to use Orchestrate's scripting command named "ImageThenSlewTo."  This command slews the telescope immediately a CCD exposure is taken.


Logs the telescope's current position (right ascension and declination coordinates) to the selected text file.


Logs the telescope's current position (right ascension and declination coordinates) to the selected text file.


Click this button to specify the name of a text file to export the telescope's position.


Closes this dialog and saves any changes you have made.


Closes this dialog without saving any changes you have made.


Displays options that give remote clients permission to rights to access specific telescope control.  You may wish to deny access to certain telescope control by clearing the option.


Lists an example Uniform Resource Locator (URL).


Allows remote clients to set the telescope's tracking rate.


Check your desired options.


Closes this dialog without saving any changes you have made.


Displays the results of the Link Wizard search.


Click this button to make your choice.


Closes this dialog and saves any changes you have made.


Display the celestial sphere using a stereographic projection.


Display the celestial sphere using an orthographic projection.


Display the celestial sphere using an azimuthal equal-area projection.


Display the celestial sphere using an azimuthal equal-distance projection.


Display the celestial sphere using a gnomonic projection. This projection is useful for plotting the paths of meteor showers.


Display the celestial sphere using a Mercator projection.


Closes this dialog and saves any changes you have made.


Closes this dialog without saving any changes you have made.


The above projections are only displayed when the field of view of the Virtual Sky is 50 degrees or greater.


Displays the region of the sky over which map points are generated.  Click and drag the circles to change the starting and ending altitude; click and drag the triangles to change the starting and ending azimuth.  Drag the slider below to change the density of the map points.


Move the slider to change the density of map point in the defined map region.


Displays the starting azimuth for the exported map points.


Displays the ending azimuth for the exported map points.


Displays the starting altitude for the exported map points.


Displays the ending altitude for the exported map points.


Displays the number of map points that will be exported.


Displays the beginning and ending azimuth and altitude for the mapping list.


Displays the starting azimuth for the exported map points.


Displays the ending azimuth for the exported map points.


Displays the starting altitude for the exported map points.


Displays the ending altitude for the exported map points.


Displays the number of map points that will be exported.


Displays the relative stellar brightness level.


Drag the slider to select the desired stellar brightness level.


Displays a bar graph of stellar brightness versus field of view.


Displays the relative stellar contrast level.


Drag the slider to select the desired stellar contrast value.


Displays a bar graph of stellar contrast versus field of view.


Displays the field of view at which the brightness and contrast settings take effect.


Drag the slider to select the field of view over which the brightness and contrast adjustments are applied.


Displays a preview of the relative brightness and contrast for the stars of different magnitude.


Select this option to adjust the stellar brightness and contrast settings for the screen.


Select this option to adjust the stellar brightness and contrast settings for printed star charts.


Click this button to set the default stellar brightness and contrast settings.


Displays stars between magnitude -1 and 6.


Displays stars between magnitude 7 and 15.


Displays stars between magnitude 16 and 23.


Displays the field of view at which the brightness and contrast settings take effect.


Displays a preview of the relative brightness and contrast for the stars of different magnitude.


Select this check box to show stars red when in Night Vision mode.


Select this option to show non-stellar objects from the Guide Star Catalog as stars, not as symbols.


Select this option to show non-stellar objects from the Guide Star Catalog as non-stellar symbols, not as stars.


Displays the fewest number of stars.


Displays a greater number of stars than the Low density option.


Displays the greatest number of stars for a given field of view.  You may notice that updating the screen takes longer using this option.


Select this check box to use the stars spectral color on the Virtual Sky.


Displays the color palette that is used for spectral colors.


Drag the slider to select the color saturation for spectral colors.


Check this option to compute proper motion for the Hipparcos Tycho stars.


Enter the length of the stars' proper motion vector (in years).  The proper motion vector shows each stars relative motion, in both direction and angular distance, over time.


Check this option to display stars from the Guide Star Catalog (GSC).


Check this option to display stars from the Hipparcos and Tycho Catalogs.


Displays options for how non-stellar objects from the Guide Star Catalog appear on the Virtual Sky.


Displays options for changing the density of stars shown on the Virtual Sky.


Displays options for displaying the spectral color for stars.


Displays the proper motion density options.


Displays options for changing the density of stars shown on the Virtual Sky.


This read-only text box displays the status of stellar database files.


Choose the film format of your camera.


Enter the focal length of your telescope.


Select this option if the focal length is expressed in millimeters.


Select this option if the focal length is expressed in inches.


Displays the computed field of view for the specified film format and telescope focal length.


Displays the height (in arc-minutes) of the selected film format's field of view.


Displays the height (in arc-minutes) of the selected film format's field of view.


Displays the height (in arc-minutes) of the selected film format's field of view.


Displays the width (in arc-minutes) of the selected film format's field of view.


Displays the width (in arc-minutes) of the selected film format's field of view.


Displays the width (in arc-minutes) of the selected film format's field of view.


Click this button to compute the field of view for the input parameters.


This group contains options for specifying the focal length of your telescope.


Enter a description for the new detector, for example, the manufacturer's model number.


Enter the height, in millimeters, of the detector.  Consult your CCD camera's documentation for this information.


Enter the width, in millimeters, of the detector.  Consult your CCD camera's documentation for this information.


Closes this dialog and saves any changes you have made.


Closes this dialog without saving any changes you have made.


Click this button to print the current Moon Phase Calendar.


Click this button to display a Moon Phase Calendar for the previous month.


Click this button to display a Moon Phase Calendar for the next month.


Check this option to print the moon's rise and set times for each day of the month on the Moon Phase Calendar.


Check this option to print the sun's rise and set times for each day of the month on the Moon Phase Calendar.


Click this button to close this window.


Displays a list of solar and lunar eclipses.


Click this button display the selected eclipse on the Virtual Sky.


Displays the magnitude of the selected eclipse.


Displays the beginning, maximum and endiing times of the selected eclipse.


Check this option to display a map of the earth showing the path of totality of the selected solar eclipse.  This path indicates the locations on earth where an observer would see the moon pass directly in front of the sun.


Displays a map of the earth with the line of totality for the selected eclipse.


Check your desired options.


Select this option to record the entire screen.


Select this option to record only the selected area of the screen.  Note: you must drag a Zoom Box on the Virtual Sky before this option is accessible.


Choose the size of the recorded movie.


Click this button to begin recording a movie.


Closes this dialog without saving any changes you have made.


Select the area of the screen to record.


Drag the slider to select the speed at which the movie is played.


Click this button to save the movie.


Click this button to delete the movie.


Click this button to continue recording the movie.


Specify the relative speed at which the movie is played.


Select this option to only show the movie once, from beginning to end.


Select this option to show the movie continuously from begining to end.


Select this option to show the movie continuously from beginning to end, then from end to beginning and so on.


Specify the looping options of the movie.


Drag the slider to select the speed at which the movie is played.


Drag the slider to select the speed at which the movie is played.


Enter your input in this field.


Enter your input in this field.


Enter your input in this field.


Enter your input in this field.


Enter your input in this field.


Enter your input in this field.


Enter your input in this field.


Enter your input in this field.


Enter your input in this field.


Enter your input in this field.


Enter your input in this field.


Enter your input in this field.


Enter your input in this field.


Click this button to make your choice.


Click this button to make your choice.


Enter your input in this field.


Select your preferred option.


Select your preferred option.


Enter your input in this field.


Click this button to make your choice.


Check your desired options.


Check your desired options.


Check your desired options.


Check your desired options.


Enter your input in this field.


Click this button to make your choice.


Closes this dialog and saves any changes you have made.


Closes this dialog without saving any changes you have made.


Select your preferred option.


Select your preferred option.


Select your preferred option.


Closes this dialog and saves any changes you have made.


Closes this dialog without saving any changes you have made.


Choose an item from the list.


Click this button to make your choice.


Enter your input in this field.


Closes this dialog and saves any changes you have made.


Closes this dialog without saving any changes you have made.


Choose an item from the list.


Click this button to make your choice.


Choose an item from the list.


Click this button to make your choice.


Click this button to make your choice.


Click this button to make your choice.


Enter your input in this field.


Enter your input in this field.


Closes this dialog and saves any changes you have made.


Closes this dialog without saving any changes you have made.


Enter your input in this field.


Use the arrows to select your preferred value.


Enter your input in this field.


Use the arrows to select your preferred value.


Enter your input in this field.


Use the arrows to select your preferred value.


Choose an item from the list.


Drag the slider to select your preferred value


Select your preferred option.


Select your preferred option.


Select your preferred option.


Select your preferred option.


Check your desired options.


Check your desired options.


Closes this dialog and saves any changes you have made.


Closes this dialog without saving any changes you have made.


Enter your input in this field.


Choose an item from the list.


Click this button to make your choice.


Select your preferred option.


Select your preferred option.


Click this button to make your choice.


Choose an item from the list.


Choose an item from the list.


Check your desired options.


Enter your input in this field.


Use the arrows to select your preferred value.


Click this button to make your choice.


Click this button to make your choice.


Choose an item from the list.


Choose an item from the list.


Enter your input in this field.


Check your desired options.


Choose an item from the list.


Closes this dialog and saves any changes you have made.


Closes this dialog without saving any changes you have made.


Click this button to make your choice.


Click this button to make your choice.


Enter your input in this field.


Use the arrows to select your preferred value.


Click this button to make your choice.


Click this button to make your choice.


Click this button to close this window.


Check this option to show the Tip of the Day window each time TheSky is started.


Click this button to show the next Tip of the Day.


Displays the Tip of the Day.


Check your desired options.


Click this button to make your choice.


Click this button to make your choice.


Enter your input in this field.


Choose an item from the list.


Enter your input in this field.