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StarCalc Version 5.6 by Alexander E. Zavalishin |
Astronomy is still alive and well and free, thanks to this great program. All the info and features you need to get out there and enjoy the night sky!!! :) |
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download HERE! |
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StarCalc by Alexander E. Zavalishin Throughout my life, astronomy is one subject that I have taken a keen interest in! There's something I love about finding a remote spot (even in the backyard!) and gazing up to the sky to admire all of the beautiful sights. If your are a dedicated star gazer, you might find yourself needing a good sky map to help you in your search for that elusive NGC or Messier object. StarCalc is a full featured astronomers guide and sky charting program packed with features found in some of the more expensive shareware (and commercial) programs available!!! This program holds an amazing amount of information, much more than I would have thought possible considering that it is freeware!! Stars and their labels are viewable up to a magnitude of 20 (higher the number, dimmer the star!!)! The program is very configurable and there are numerous selections as to the different setting available. Here's the goods: Downloading........ No problem. There are a few files to download if you want the whole package which mainly consist of the plugins for the program to increase the size of the database. They are very informative and I would strongly suggest that they be added to the program. The setup allows the user to download only what they may need. I would suggest one large file too, with all databases included. Installation.......... This was really smooth and quick. There's nothing fancy here but it does make the directory and insert all of the program files needed along with start menu additions. For the plugins, they are a bit different as they must each be installed manually in order to get them to work. There ARE instructions that come in .txt files with the archives, so the user is not going to be in the dark as far as this goes. Help Files.......... Well, as far as I can see, there isn't any!! Unfortunately, the beginner who has just downloaded and installed the program and doesn't know the difference between "declination" and "angular distance" might have a problem, however, if you are even somewhat familiar with some of the astronomy lingo, you will recognize many neat things in this program. In the mean time, I'm going to be looking for those help files (hint, hint!). Interface........... Geeze, where do I begin!! :) The program consists of the star chart along with a set of toobar buttons which allow you to select different aspects of the program to make modifications to their settings. For instance, there are buttons on the left to move your present position of the night sky ahead by the hour, back by the hour, or you can have it move automatically by the hour. Each one of these buttons allows for more detailed settings such as "Sidereal days" and "Mean Solar Days". Of course, the pointer button is there for selections on the map along with buttons for zoom, area selection, angular distance, and object locking. To the bottom is the toolbar that is responsible for the actual settings for the objects on the skymap itself. This is VERY configurable and takes into account setting that are far and away better than many shareware sky map programs out there today. The four scroll buttons allow the adjustment for the view of the stars brightness (up to magnitude 20!!!!), the adjustment of the objects names to it's brightness, the size of the font on the map screen, and the actual size of the visible markers for the objects. Very, very configurable!! The radio buttons to the left of the scroll buttons allow the user to pick and choose which objects and parameter markers are actually seen on the map. These include, the stars, deep sky objects, constellation lines and area boundaries, solar system objects (planets), plus the names themselves. Here's a pic of the interface with one of the selection trays open (sized to fit):
Features........... Oh yeah!!! Now we're into the core of this outstanding freeware! Even if you are running an astronomy program on your computer right now, download this sucker and give it a whirl!! Just TRY to tell me that you're not getting you're money's worth with this program!!! :) The heart of StarCalc is the fantastic way that they have incorporated all of it's functionality and information right from the interface itself. Do you want to change the magnitude (brightness) of your stars? Click the button. How about a closer look? The zoom lets you move in or out via the left and right mouse buttons or you can use the "Zoom in Region" feature where you click and drag a box around the section of the skymap. Bang!! There you are! Go ahead! Left click to get a little closer! Add the constellation borders, remove the deep sky objects, adjust the grids, all from the StarCalc map. :)
Now that you have your area, how about putting it into motion! The click of the "Bicycle" icon on the top, left allows the map to rotate, simulating the rotation of the earth. You'll notice that as the rotation continues, the shade of the background changes corresponding to the night sky and the day sky. Simple beautiful, and, configurable too including speed!
The program allows many of the features to be adjusted depending on the users preferences. The color of the different backgrounds, the grids, boundaries etc. are are changeable via the Parameters/Color menu at the top. The Parameters/Options menu allows you to set your location, fonts, images, and even "atmospheric refraction" from the coordinates tab! Here's a pic of the options window:
Using the Services/Find and /Find Point menu, you can search for a specific planet or deep sky object, or place the coordinates in the proper boxes to get even more specific. Speaking of deep sky objects!!! You will not believe how much information this program contains. The downloadable plugins allow you to follow thousands and thousands of stars, deep sky objects (Messier, NGC++), comets and meteors, and stars to magnitude 20!!!! Find any object on the sky map. Click on it and a window pops up giving the user all of the information in relation to that object INCLUDING rising and setting times for YOUR AREA!! Amazing!! Here's a pic of that window:
Now, one of the most sought after features that amateur and professional astronomers alike look for in a program such as StarCalc is it's ability to print good star maps. These are quite necessary for an observer to "starhop" to a specific object. Kind of like hopping stones in a brook to get from one side to the other! :) StarCalc should not let anyone down in this category. Basically, what you see on the skymap on screen is included in the map. The names are clear (with some crowding!), includes measurements, Greek symbols and numbers for stars, as well as an excellent information box complete with star brightness legend!!! If you'd like to download and view a sample map scanned by me, click HERE! It's in .jpg format and should show in your browser or other image program. It prints an excellent star map usable by both the experienced observer and first time star hopper! Problems......... Hmmmm............. well, maybe I have a few suggestions! :) 1/ As far as I can tell, the star maps never shows the outline or shading of our galaxy: The Milky Way. Yeah I know, it's just a ton of stars, clouds, gasses and deep sky objects all thrown together, but to a first time user and observer (or his child), it would be nice to be able to show the shadow, even if you could just "click" it off like everything else. 2/ As far as I know, I don't believe that there are maps for the southern hemisphere! Now that the global internet is here, I would suggest that a southern map be available soon to take advantage of all of the fantastic sky watchers down south! As far as complaints, well, the names tend to run into each other when there a lot the screen or printed map, but that might be my fault, right? Bugs? None I've seen. The version number is 5.6, so it's been out for a while. I've been enjoying it for some time now and I've yet to come across any running problem. Actual, considering the smooth animation, it's really stable!! Closing......... Don't wait!!! Grab this sucker while it's still freeware!! I have had the opportunity to use many computer astronomy programs in my years enjoying the skies as a hobby, some costing hundreds of dollars and I say, Why?? This piece of sweetness is all the candy you'll need to help you see the heavens above. Ahhh........ and bring a set of knocks too! You won't believe what's up there!!
Enjoy Buzzy J
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