STAR Atlas:PRO NEWSLETTER No. 8
 

SKY:Lab ASTRONOMY SOFTWARE


Welcome to the latest Edition of the STAR Atlas:PRO Newsletter, issued periodically to keep you in touch with the latest STAR Atlas:PRO software releases.

Quickly following the huge success of the recently released STAR Atlas:PRO Version 5 is the next upgrade, Version 5.1, intended to deliver new functionality and repair certain errors inadvertently introduced in version 5.

I hope you enjoy the latest edition of STAR Atlas:PRO, Clear Skies!

Paul Mayo
E-mail: info@skylab.com.au

 MAIN NEWS

STAR Atlas:PRO Version 5.1 is now available and introduces the new Observation List Generator, a new powerful tool for creating Lists of Astronomical Objects.

Version 5.1 also introduces a number of other minor enhancements in addition to
correcting a number of errors that were inadvertently introduced with the recent release of STAR Atlas:PRO Version 5.

The STAR Atlas:PRO Manual is now available in PDF Format to complement the same Manual in HTML Format, previously distributed with STAR Atlas:PRO Version 5.0.

The Version 5.1 Upgrade is available to all registered STAR Atlas:PRO Users.

 NEW OBSERVATION LIST GENERATOR

The new Observation List Generator provides you with a simple mechanism for easily creating Lists of Astronomical Objects. Generate Lists by Constellation, Magnitude Limit, and Astronomical Object Type.

Each entry in a List is displayed on-screen, select an object from the list to display it's data, send your Telescope to it's position, Add the Object to your Observation Planner, or chart the object's location.

Lists may also be exported to formatted text files, ready for import into other applications like Notepad and Excel. [Preview here]

 OTHER IMPROVEMENTS

The Planetary Database now displays the disc of the Planets in their relative size.

The relative size of each Planet (not including the Sun, Moon or Pluto) is based on the Planet's apparent diameter calculated for the Date and Time of your star chart.

Version 5.1 also corrects a number of problems inadvertently introduced in Version 5, including problems related to Goto Telescope Control functions and the Popular Astronomical Objects name list.

 HOW TO UPGRADE to Version 5.1

BEFORE PROCEEDING: IMPORTANT INFORMATION

The Version 5.1 Upgrade performs millions of calculations and then stores the results of each calculation into your existing STAR Atlas:PRO database.

You should expect this upgrade will take considerable time to complete, during which time the Upgrade must not be interrupted.

For example:-
A modern Pentium took almost 10-minutes, and a Pentium III 733-MHz computer took 14-minutes to perform the upgrade. A slower Pentium I,  200-Mhz computer took some 55-minutes.

PRE-REQUISITES.

If you already have STAR Atlas:PRO Version 5.1 installed, you do not need to install this upgrade.

1. Make sure you have one of the following installed before proceeding.

STAR Atlas:PRO Version 5.0 Standard Edition
STAR Atlas:PRO Version 5.0 Advanced Edition

2. The download requires that you have an application installed on your computer than can decompress WinZip files. You can download a free copy of WinZip from www.WinZip.com

DOWNLOAD.

Download the STAR Atlas:PRO Version 5.1 Upgrade Package.


INSTALL THE UPGRADE.

1. Before proceeding, make sure you are not currently using STAR Atlas:PRO.

2. Extract the new STAR_AtlasPRO.exe file contained in the STAR_AtlasPRO_V5_1.zip Upgrade Package, and then save the file into the same folder where you have installed STAR Atlas:PRO on your computer. If you installed STAR Atlas:PRO with default settings this will be the C:\STARPRO folder on your computer.

When you save the new file to the correct location, you are asked whether you wish to overwrite the existing STAR_AtlasPRO.exe file with the new one? answer Yes.

PERFORMING THE UPGRADE.

When you start STAR Atlas:PRO again, the Version 5.1 Upgrade will begin.

Be prepared for this Upgrade to take a particularly long time too complete, as described in the proceeding section.
 

 PDF MANUAL

The PDF Version of the STAR Atlas:PRO Instruction Manual is now available.

DOWNLOAD.

Download the STAR Atlas:PRO PDF Instruction Manual. The Manual is contained in a WinZip file.
 

 REGISTRATION DETAILS

Changing E-mail address ?

Use the Registration Form to re-submit your user details, including your new E-mail address. Registration Form. A confirmation of your Registration Details will be E-mailed to your new E-mail address.

 REPORT PROBLEMS

Found a problem in STAR Atlas:PRO ? Please report it using the submission form.

 

 Quick Links

Web Site www.skylab.com.au

E-Mail

info@skylab.com.au

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