New Release of RTGUI - Major Updates to NGC and IC Catalogs!
- From: Robert Sheaffer <CallMe"Roberto"@debunker-dot-.com>
- Date: Wed, 22 Feb 2006 10:32:14 -0800
The new release of the free Windows Real-Time Astronomy Program RTGUI+S
( Version 7, at http://www.rtgui.com ) contains many new features,
including major updates to the NGC and IC Catalogs not available
anywhere else. The updated NGC object types and magnitudes will agree
with the recently-revised NGC/IC Project ( http://www.ngcic.org/ ). As
for IC objects, a full 44% of them are cataloged as "unidentified" or
unknown in the NGC/IC 2000, and far more are lacking magnitude
information - the "unidentifieds" have all been resolved, and the great
majority specify magnitudes . For the full details on the NGC/IC
updates, see http://www.debunker.com/astro/rtgui.htm#NGCupdates .
A new feature, the Search Wizard, makes it easy to set up a search for
exactly the kind of objects that you want to see: galaxies, open
clusters, double stars, etc., optionally selected by constellation,
magnitude, elevation, etc.
Data in the massive Washington Double Star Catalog has now been
correlated with the Bright Star Catalog, resulting in over 2,500 double
and multiple stars being identified in the default catalog. Most major
constellations are now shown to contain 50 to 100 observable double
stars (and far more in the WDS).
The principal features of RTGUI are:
* A Real-Time program, tells what's visible instantly, using GUI
interface or keyboard. No need to prepare observations in advance. Find
deep-sky objects, double stars, or other objects by their catalog or
common names. Unusually rich search capabilities - each entry has up to
five different names (Example: M1, NGC 1952, CrabNebula, Taurus,
Planetary)
* Create a custom "tour" based on your own criteria (by
constellation and/or object type, elevation, magnitude) using the Search
Wizard, or let RTGUI+S suggest the "Best" objects to observe, based on
your location, telescope, sky conditions, and the time. Save these
objects to a file, or print them as a list.
* Fully-revised NGC/IC data (not available elsewhere) eliminating
nonexistent or duplicate objects, "unknown" object types and most
missing magnitudes. Over 2,500 double stars in default catalog,
searchable by constellation.
* Small and fast - Downloaded self-extracting file is only about
620k.
* Controls most Celestron and Meade "Goto" telescopes to slew
directly to the selected object!
* Using the Skycharts program (Cartes du Ciel), get an "instant sky
chart" of the selected object.
* Read hand-held GPS Devices or Celestron and Meade GPS Telescopes
to set highly-accurate Location and System Time. Read object position
from most Celestron and Meade Goto scopes. Upload data from GPS devices
to Meade Goto scopes.
* Locate Sun, Moon, and Planets, with excellent accuracy. Transient
Catalogs exist for automatically finding bright comets, etc.
* Can set the "night vision" color palette in Windows.
* Displays Altitude and Azimuth of Astronomical Objects, updated in
Real-Time, along with Rise, Set, and Transit times.
* Automatically record object, time, & location information when the
Observing Log is opened
* Auxiliary Catalogs allow you to instantly locate hundreds of
thousands of objects, using standard astronomical nomenclature, a
time-saving tool for observing projects and for research.
ˇ Command-Line Parameters allow Scripting for automated operation
--
Robert Sheaffer - User name "Roberto" at debunker-dot-com
Skeptical to the Max!
Visit the Debunker's Domain - http://www.debunker.com
Resources Debunking All Manner of Bogus Claims
Also: Skepticism / Astronomy / Opera / more
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