STAR Atlas:PRO Astronomy Software

STAR Atlas:PRO™ frequently asked questions - FAQs

Welcome to the STAR Atlas:PRO FAQs.

Last Update: March 21, 2004

STAR Atlas:PRO™ is a program which includes many useful and powerful tools along with an amazing quantity of astronomical data. In fact STAR Atlas:PRO Advanced Edition contains 1.5 Gigabytes of astrophysical data, not just the data required to draw charts.

The FAQ's set out below, aim to allow both beginner and experienced users to gain full benefit from STAR Atlas:PRO. The FAQ's are written (by other amateur astronomers using STAR Atlas:PRO in the field) to give examples of how to use the software in many situations. The authors hope that this will enhance the fun of working with STAR Atlas:PRO and will allow both amateur and experienced astronomers to obtain more information from STAR Atlas:PRO than they otherwise might.

This web page is regularly updated, so you are invited to bookmark this page so you may return to check for updates. Readers should try working through the current list as we are sure that you will gain new insights into using STAR Atlas:PRO.

You are invited to Submit your own questions and feedback via E-mail to:
info@skylab.com.au

FAQs Categories

General program use
Locating Celestial Objects & Astrophysical Data
Double & Variable Stars
Comets & Planets
Observation Planning
Astronomical Images
Settings, Options & Configuration
Hardware & Telescope Configuration
Telescope Control
Digital Setting Circles
Importing data from the USNO A2.0 and GSC 2.2 Catalogues
Program Installation & Requirements

Dear Editor,

I have had the opportunity to read and absorb the FAQs on your web site and I have found it to be fascinating and very helpful.

When I first purchased STAR Atlas:PRO I could see great advantages in its use, but being a beginner in astronomy, I was unable to really utilise the many features of it. Since working through the many FAQ’s, I have developed a greater understanding of astronomy and Star Atlas:PRO. I cannot begin to tell you how much data I have found !

I can now recommend the program to others enthusiastically as it will go on teaching me for many years yet. I commend it to other astronomers, both amateur and professional, and to beginners as well as more experienced users.

There are so many facets to astronomy which this program introduced me to, I hope others will share in my discoveries.

For all who use this exciting astronomy software, I wish you well and hope you have as much fun as I have had learning about STAR Atlas:PRO and Astronomy.

Ian Buttfield

Also See Reviews and other User Comments

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Level		General program use
Beginner		When should I use Polar and Horizon views and how ?
Beginner		When should I use the Field of View command ?
Beginner		How should I use the Magnitude Filter ?
Beginner		How do I Identify Celestial Objects and display their Astrophysical data ? How do I Identify Stars when No Labels are displayed ?
Beginner		Can you change the Font sizes and the Size of Stars on Star Charts ?
Beginner		How Do I Turn On the Alt./Az. Grid ?
Beginner		How Do I Turn On Star Name Labels when displaying the All-Sky Chart ?
Intermediate		How do I use Colour Schemes in STAR Atlas:PRO ? (including Day Mode & Night Mode, Chart Background Colour, and Chart Symbol Colours)
Intermediate		Can I Set the Chart Time and Date to Show the Position of Planets for January 1, 1976 or Any Other Date I Choose?
Intermediate		How much of the Sky will I see through my own Telescope, Eyepieces & CCD Camera ?
Intermediate		What is the setting “Display DSS Image Outlines” and how do I use it ?
Advanced		What is the setting "Distinguish Non-Stellar Objects" and how do I use it ?

		Locating Celestial Objects & Astrophysical data
Beginner		How do I find the location of a known celestial object, like Messier 42 ?
Beginner		How do I find a Star by name ?
Beginner		Was the Star Sirius Called the "Dog Star" ? How Can I find Out ?
Beginner		How do I find the "Witch Head Nebula" by name ?
Beginner		How do I Identify Celestial Objects and display their Astrophysical data ?
Beginner		Can I Use STAR Atlas: PRO to List Only Star Clusters or Galaxies in a Certain Constellation and Within a Certain Magnitude Range ?
Beginner		How do I Print an Ephemeris of the Planets ?
Intermediate		Can I generate Lists of celestial objects ?
Intermediate		How do I find the time that Astronomical Twilight occurs ?
Intermediate		Can I locate an known object, like ESO350-40B, using all Keyboard commands ?
Intermediate		When I choose [Locate] the Astro Database Manager displays dozens of buttons with Astronomical Catalogue Designations. What are these buttons and how to I use them?
Intermediate		I understand Alpha Scorpius has a Hot Companion Star, can STAR Atlas PRO tell me if this is Correct and what Other Information can it tell me about Alpha Scorpius ?
Intermediate		Can I list the individual galaxies that make up each Hickson Compact Galaxy Group?
Advanced		I wish to chart the distribution of Galaxies across the Night Sky to assist in locating large clusters of galaxies, can this be done ?

		Comets & Planets
Beginner		How Can I Obtain Information about Planets to Enhance My Viewing ?
Beginner		Can I print a list of the Planet Rise and Set times ?
Beginner		What time will the Great Red Spot on Jupiter be visible ?
Beginner		How do I Print an Ephemeris of the Planets ?
Intermediate		I’m going planetary observing next week, where will the Moons of Jupiter be ?
Intermediate		What can I learn about Comets in STAR Atlas:PRO ? How to Find the Brightest Comets How to Plot the Path of a Comet How to Download the latest Comet Orbital Elements
Intermediate		How do I update the Longitude of the Great Red Spot on Jupiter ?
Advanced		How do I Print an Ephemeris for the Comet of my choice ?
Advanced		Can I display the positions of Jupiter's Moons in real-time ?
Advanced		Can I animate Jupiter's Moons back and forward through time ?

		Double & Variable Stars
Advanced		How do I search for Double & Multiple Stars that have a particular brightness range ?
Advanced		Can I search for Variable Stars that exhibit particular brightness ranges and variability periods ?
Advanced		Can I list the Stars discovered by Hipparcos to be Variable, and can I list only ones in a certain Magnitude range ?

		Observation Planning
Intermediate		How do I add objects to the Observation Planner ?
Intermediate		How do I use the Observation Planner to find Target Objects for tonight's Observing?
Intermediate		How Can I Use The Observation List Generator And What Can I Obtain From It ?

		Astronomical Images
Intermediate		Can you add your own Images ?
Intermediate		How Do I Attach My Own Pictures To Celestial Objects And How Many Can I Add ?
Intermediate		How to use the Palomar Digitized Sky Survey (DSS) Interface ?
Intermediate		How do I download DSS Pictures of objects that interest me and make them the size that is best for me ?
Intermediate		Can I have more than one DSS picture of an object attached to that object ?

		Telescope Control
Beginner		How do I setup the Telescope driver for my automated Telescope ?
Beginner		How do I setup the Telescope Driver Options - Comms Timeout, Chart Update Interval ?
Beginner		How do I setup the Telescope Driver Options - COM: Port, Baud rate ?
Intermediate		How do I control my automated Telescope using STAR Atlas:PRO ?
Intermediate		If I know the designation of an object, can I get STAR Atlas:PRO to slew my scope straight too it ?
Intermediate		How can I slew my scope to individual objects when they are clustered together ?
Intermediate		Can I slew my telescope with it's own controls and Track where it is pointing ?
Intermediate		I have entered all my Eyepieces with their respective Apparent Field of Views. How do I get the chart to display the actual FOV where the Telescope is pointing ?

		Digital Setting Circles (DSC)
Beginner		How do I set up and use the Argo Navis™ so it will work with STAR Atlas:PRO and what can I expect to see ?
Intermediate		How Do I display the Argo Navis™ Internal Temperature & Encoder Step Positions ?
Advanced		I’ve Stored Dozens of Objects in the Observation Planner, Can I Download Them into my Argo Navis™ ?
Intermediate		I have entered all my Eyepieces with their respective Apparent Field of Views. How do I get the chart to display the actual FOV where the Telescope is pointing ?

		Importing data from the USNO A2.0 and GSC 2.2 Catalogues
Advanced		How do I use the On-Line Data Menu – the A2.0 Catalogue & the Guide Star Catalogue 2 (GSC 2.2 )

		Settings, Options & Configuration
Beginner		How do I setup the Geographical Location and Time Zone that I am in ?
Beginner		When I installed the ADVANCED Edition, STAR Atlas:PRO said I need to install SAP / INET
Beginner		What is Pixel Mode and How do I use it ?

		Hardware & Telescope Configuration
Beginner		How do I set up and use the Argo Navis™ (NGC-superMAX™) so it will work with STAR Atlas:PRO and what can I expect to see ?
Beginner		How do I setup the Telescope driver for my automated Telescope ?
Advanced		Where do I find details on making a cable to connect my computer and telescope ?

		Program Installation & Requirements
Beginner		Is 800x600 the best screen resolution to run STAR Atlas:PRO ?
Beginner		What type of computer do I need to run STAR Atlas:PRO ?
Beginner		What type of computer do I need to run STAR Atlas:PRO ADVANCED Edition ?
Beginner		How much Hard Drive space do I require to install STAR Atlas:PRO ?
Beginner		Does STAR Atlas:PRO run on a laptop computer ?
Beginner		Does STAR Atlas:PRO work when it's installed on a compressed hard drive ?

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