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dbbolton
May 9th, 2007, 05:01 AM
i need a program or database that allows the user to input coordinates, date, time, direction, and elevation, then tells or shows the user what's in that area of the sky.

for example, i might type in something like:
latitude: 40* N
longitude: 40* W
date: 8 may 2007
time: 23:50
direction: 350* N
elevation: 15*

and it tells me: "you're looking at jupiter"

my high school astronomy teacher had some program that did this, but was graphically based (ie, you could drag the celestial sphere around to a certain point). i thought there had to be something like this only.

ps- i need something a lot more specific than a planisphere.

Zimmer
May 9th, 2007, 08:59 PM
cartes du ciel ?

Any use (Yes, I know it is not Linux..... but needs must etc...)
http://www.stargazing.net/astropc/

I have not used it in ages (I do not use the Win machine much anymore...)
so I do not know whether it will suit your specific needs, but it is a great free Astronomy program...

ComplexNumber
May 9th, 2007, 09:07 PM
i need a program or database that allows the user to input coordinates, date, time, direction, and elevation, then tells or shows the user what's in that area of the sky.

for example, i might type in something like:
latitude: 40* N
longitude: 40* W
date: 8 may 2007
time: 23:50
direction: 350* N
elevation: 15*

and it tells me: "you're looking at jupiter"

my high school astronomy teacher had some program that did this, but was graphically based (ie, you could drag the celestial sphere around to a certain point). i thought there had to be something like this only.

ps- i need something a lot more specific than a planisphere.
try celestia (its in the repos). here is a screenshot so you can see some of the menus.

mips
May 9th, 2007, 09:14 PM
Try this forum section, http://ubuntuforums.org/forumdisplay.php?f=169

Maybe start with Celestia, not sure if it does all you need. Or look here:

http://sal.jyu.fi/sal1.shtml
http://sal.jyu.fi/Z/4/index.shtml
https://help.ubuntu.com/community/UbuntuScience#head-110f7e251ad6919fe817aa597b2abddbdd801868
http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=162158
http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=136646
http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=15423

ssam
May 9th, 2007, 09:49 PM
i am pretty sure kstars can do this for you (and more)

ComplexNumber
May 9th, 2007, 09:55 PM
i am pretty sure kstars can do this for you (and more)
it can. kstars is perhaps the better of the 2.

crimesaucer
May 9th, 2007, 10:30 PM
I found this site last year: http://www.fourmilab.ch/yoursky/cities.html

It's not an ubuntu or Linux program, but it's nice to be able to see the exact star locations for any time, date, or location. You can even use the Julian day calendar.

These are some screenshots to show what the page looks like:

http://i144.photobucket.com/albums/r161/crimesaucer/Screenshot-98-1.png
Control Panel: http://i144.photobucket.com/albums/r161/crimesaucer/Screenshot-98.png

http://i144.photobucket.com/albums/r161/crimesaucer/Screenshot-99-1.png
Skymap view: http://i144.photobucket.com/albums/r161/crimesaucer/Screenshot-99.png

http://i144.photobucket.com/albums/r161/crimesaucer/Screenshot-100-1.png
Horizon view: http://i144.photobucket.com/albums/r161/crimesaucer/Screenshot-100.png