SKY MAP V3.2
( skymap.exe 1.7mb file. )
SkyMap is a "Planetarium" program for Microsoft
Windows 95 or Windows NT 4. It will display a map of the sky as
seen from any point on Earth for any date between 4000BC and
8000AD. Two different types of map can be drawn - a
"Horizon" map showing the observer's local horizon, and
an "Area" map showing a detailed view of a small area
of the sky. You can get information about any object displayed on
the map by simply pointing at the object with the mouse and
clicking the button. The display of additional information, such
as constellation figures or star labels can be switched on and
off with a click of the mouse button, making it easy to see
exactly what you want without being overwhelmed by unwanted
information. When you have the map just as you want it, you can
print it on any printer supported by Windows, in either black and
white or colour.
SkyMap can also display photographic images. Thousands of such
images are widely available on CD-ROM collections, Internet FTP
and WWW sites, bulletin boards and commercial information systems
such as CompuServe. This allows you to build up your own personal
library of astronomical photographs which, coupled with the map
displays, really helps to bring the sky to life!
There are a number of planetarium programs available today.
Unlike some of these, SkyMap makes no claims of blindingly fast
calculation speeds. Instead, what SkyMap concentrates on is
accuracy. When writing SkyMap I've used the most accurate methods
available to me for all the calculations. This accuracy makes
SkyMap equally suited for both the novice astronomer who just
wants to know "what's that bright object up there?" and
the serious amateur or professional astronomer who wants a
detailed "finder chart" for a faint galaxy. SkyMap
carries out its calculations in as efficient as manner as
possible, but it never compromises accuracy for the sake of
speed. An increase in speed can always be achieved by using a
faster computer!
Whilst developing SkyMap I've received the help and encouragement
of a number of people. I'd especially like to thank David Webber
for many useful suggestions and help with the mathematical
problems I encountered, and Steve Moshier for generously
consenting to allow me to use many of his coding ideas for
various astronomical calculations. I'd also like to thank the
Saguaro Astronomy Club for giving me permission to use their
excellent deep sky object database in this program. Finally, I'd
like to thank Jean Meeus for writing the book "Astronomical
Algorithms" (Willman-Bell, 1991), without which this program
could never have existed.
Copyright © C.A.Marriott 1992-1996. All rights reserved.
Version: 3.2.1 Minimum requirements: Windows 95/98/NT. SkyMap for Windows 95/NT is an excellent astronomy program for both the novice and professional astronomer. It will display a map of the sky as seen from any point on Earth for any date between 4000BC and 8000AD. You can easily select your observing location from the included list, or you can enter your latitude and longitude. Two different types of maps can be drawn, which include a "Horizon" map showing the observer's local horizon, and an "Area" map showing a detailed view of a small area of the sky.