Dear valued Star Atlas:PRO user,
SKY:Lab Astronomy Software has released the STAR Atlas:PRO Version 5.0 Upgrade!
STAR Atlas:PRO Version 5 delivers a substantial range of new features that will upgrade your current version of STAR Atlas:PRO into a full featured Planetarium, introducing new Horizon and All-Sky star charts, a greatly improved Planetary database, and the new Jovian Events feature. Version 5 also includes a new Instruction Manual (in HTML Web Browser format) that replaces the existing help system.
There are also many other improvements to STAR Atlas:PRO. For example, the [Chart Prefs] screen is entirely revised, and each Astronomical Object now displays the object's Altitude, Azimuth, Rise, Set, and Transit times in the object's information window. In fact there are so many improvements it may take some time to re-familiarise yourself with STAR Atlas:PRO.
Before releasing STAR Atlas:PRO Version 5.0 software, considerable time was spent testing and re-testing the software to expel any errors. However, as always, should you uncover an undetected problem, then you are urged to report a description of it using the Support Form located at http://www.skylab.com.au/support_request.html. Such submissions permit legitimate problems to be resolved in future upgrades.
Regrettably, STAR Atlas:PRO Version 5.0 concludes the period of free major upgrades. However there is still good news. Future Maintenance Upgrades will still be provided to you free of charge!
Maintenance Upgrades describe minor software upgrades that are released after the release of a new major version of STAR Atlas:PRO. Upgrade Versions 4.1 and 4.2 are examples of Maintenance Upgrades that are freely available.
Version Upgrades describe major releases such as STAR Atlas:PRO Version 4 and STAR Atlas:PRO Version 5. In the future, registered STAR Atlas:PRO Users will still have the opportunity to upgrade to the latest major version for a modest upgrade price. Future Version Upgrades will be provided only on CD-ROM.
The SKY:Lab Astronomy Software Newsletter will continue to be sent to you periodically, and it is anticipated that the Newsletter will grow in content with hints, tips, and how-to information.
Finally, I hope you enjoy using STAR Atlas:PRO Version 5.
Clear Skies!
- Paul Mayo
- SKY:Lab® Astronomy Software
- Web: http://www.skylab.com.au
- E-mail: info@skylab.com.au
STAR Atlas:PRO Version 5.0 Upgrade Instructions
Before you Install the Upgrade.
IMPORTANT: The STAR Atlas:PRO Version 5 Upgrade is provided under the same Terms and Conditions of the STAR Atlas:PRO License Agreement that accompanies your copy of STAR Atlas:PRO. By proceeding to download and install the STAR Atlas:PRO Version 5 Upgrade you acknowledge your re-acceptance of the Software License Terms and Conditions under which this Upgrade is provided to you.
The STAR Atlas:PRO Version 5 Upgrade requires that you have STAR Atlas:PRO Version 4.20 already installed on your computer.
Make sure you are not running STAR Atlas:PRO while installing the new Upgrade.
The new instruction Manual requires that you have a Web Browser program installed on your computer, such as Internet Explorer, Netscape Navigator or Mozilla.
What Does the Download Package contain ?
The Download Package is a WinZip compressed file that contains a program file called 'setup.exe', the new HTML Instruction Manual, and a number of other support files required for installation.
How big is the Download ?
Approximately 7.62 Megabytes (or 7,991,258 bytes).
How to Install the Upgrade
Use Winzip to extract the contents of the Upgrade package to a temporary location on your computer.
IMPORTANT: When prompted by the Install Wizard, make sure you install the Upgrade into the same location as your existing installation of STAR Atlas:PRO ( by default this is the STARPRO folder on drive C: ).
Locate the files you extracted from the Upgrade Package and then Run the Version 5 Upgrade Install program called setup or setup.exe (the file name depends on your Windows Folder View settings). You can run the setup program by double-clicking on it from Windows Explorer or by choosing your Windows Start Button->Run, then use the [Browse] button to the locate the setup program.
When the Upgrade Wizard is completed, start STAR Atlas:PRO as you would normally. The following message will appear, "Welcome to the STAR Atlas:PRO Upgrade Version 5.0. Continue with Upgrade?" , Answer [YES].
The upgrade is then performed in a few seconds and upon its completion you are then returned to your Windows Desktop.
Now, Start STAR Atlas:PRO again, and welcome to STAR Atlas:PRO Version 5.0.
- The new instruction Manual may now be accessed from the User Manual Icon in the STAR Atlas PRO program group or from the [HELP] button (F5 key) when at the STAR Atlas:PRO desktop.
What do I need to do after completing the Upgrade?
New STAR Atlas:PRO Planetarium features require that your Geographical Location and the new Height Above Sea Level values to be set correctly in [CHART PREFS]->[REGIONAL SETTINGS] (or press E on the keyboard, and then E again from the STAR Atlas:PRO desktop).
The only change to the Telescope Control System is noted when you are running STAR Atlas:PRO in Horizon (Planetarium) Mode, you can no longer Slew your telescope to objects below the Horizon.
Simple! Go to the [CHART PREFS] screen (E key from STAR Atlas:PRO desktop). At the top right corner of the Chart Preferences and Program Settings screen, select the [HORIZON] button, then [REDRAW] button. STAR Atlas:PRO displays a default Horizon Chart. Use the [HORIZON] button on the floating toolbar to select any of the four Horizon Views. Use the new [SKY CHART] button on the floating toolbar too draw a chart of your entire Sky.
You can switch STAR Atlas:PRO back to Polar Charting (Star Atlas) Mode by returning to the [CHART PREFS] screen and changing the Chart Mode to [POLAR].
This concludes the STAR Atlas:PRO Version 5.0 Upgrade Instructions.