>
> >> I've found the databases in "The Sky" and other
> commercial
> >> software to have numerous errors. I don't rely on
> them for
> >> locating or identifying galaxies,
>
Fwiw, I beleive the catalogs are all available
from some govt location. (I forget exactly
where, but I looked into this when I was
investigating cartes'du'ceil... since that
program didnt have many objects I was considering
importing all the catalogs. Instead I just
bought me a copy of thesky.)
I do recall reading that there are some
license issues with folks *changing* the catalog
data and then republishing. My understanding
was that this was not allowed.
In any event, check TheSky's release notes and/
or user manual... there may be some blurb in there
about *why* the catalog data is incorrect.
Ok... I verified this in the online version
of the manual... check out page "184" of this
doc if you want more info...
ftp://www.bisque.com/OutBox/Download/PDFs/TheSky.pdf
(ok, maybe they are coping-out. I dunno.)
You'll also find an explanation of why objects
are missing that are near really bright stars.
Btw, Chris marriot makes a fine program in ECU.
Likewise with the other stuff out there. I tried
to use those apps, but got frustrated with
the lack of detail. I've been more than happy
with what I get out of TheSky (once I figured
out how to use the interface to get stuff done).
Quite frankly I think it tries to be everything
to everyone (e.g. good for deep-sky visual folks
*and* good for folks doing imaging *and* good for
folks with automated mounts)... hence it requires
a bit of "customizing" for the task at hand.
E.g. when using it for deepsky visual work I typically
increase the star mag "contrast" thing, and change
the labels to show up better under the red filter.
There's also some tricks with zooming (or using
another doc file) to accomplish the wide vs eyepiece
view... These are important subtle details that
make visual observing better that arent simply
embodied well in the interface. Personally, I'd
like the UI to be extensible (maybe it is?)
I remember a time where a fellow astronomer was
imaging next to me using the sky to find stuff.
I suggested he image stephans quintet. He looked
it up on TheSky, but it didnt show, nor did very
many stars... it turned out his install was simply
configured incorrectly, but getting this sorted out
sorta requires some work.
jeff