(SNES) Cruising the Galaxy using the Hipparcos Data Base

["Les Coleman" <les11@cox.net>]

Hi,

One of the nice new features of Sky Chart III 3.6 ( with the 3.6.2 patch required for this
stuff to work correctly) is the conversion from the central reliance on the old Hubble Data
Base to a mixture of databases concentrating on the data from the Hipparcos ranging
activities. Sky Chart III allows you to chose any object as a anchor (even one you make up
if you so desire) and to move in our out from this object at any angle for any distance (up
to several megaparsecs).  The SHIFT-A, SHIFT-Z and SHIFT-arrows keys allow you to
multiply/divide your distance by a scale factor (which can be set if you desire) or to turn
through an angle (again setable) up/down left/right. These give you what amounts to an
ability to cruise through space.

This ability sort of existed before, but with the old limited amounts of distances included
only the area around Sol was interesting to view. With the new distance information, most
stars (up to the tenth magnitude or so), and all deep space objects have ranges. As you
cruise from the Solar System, your perspective changes. At first the familiar stars whirl
away from you and then the deep space objects. Slowly a large part of the Milky Way Galaxy
comes into view. You can move
in any direction relative to it. Look at from above or below. Turn outward to look at M31
if you like. It is really exciting.

The only major limitation is that Hipparcos ranging for Deep Space Objects drops off
rapidly once you leave the sector of the MWG we are in. You can't get a very realistic view
of the MWG from really far away like Andomeda. Still it is very exciting to watch the
"fried egg" shape begin to appear even if you never get to see it all.

Les
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