[Kstars-devel] KStars - Star database matters.

[Ian and Kathy Whiteley]

Dear KStars Development Team,

If this Email has been directed to an inappropriate destination please let me know (iankathy at idnet.com), together with detail of the correct team to contact.
These notes invite comment on enhancements relating to the star database (Hipparcos) used by KStars (version 1.2.5, using KDE 3.5.6).

In the past, in a Windows environment, I have used extensively the Meade Astronomical software to interface to my Meade telescope via the Autostar handbox. I was pleased to find the interface to the Autostar handbox by KStars via the INDI environment and a USB/serial converter trouble-free. The built-in drivers for the Meade Autostar handbox, and also for the PL2303 based USB to Serial converter was a welcome find.

The issue I wish to raise relate to the different star databases in use by the two planetarium environments. In the Meade case it is the Smithsonian catalogue (SAO). As might be expected for the Meade Autostar handbox attached to the telescope, one convenient method of inputting a target star is by means of the SAO catalogue index number. In the case of KStars, the more modern Hipparcos catalogue has been adopted. However, in KStars, when a particular star is selected on-screen, and the details requested, there are, to my mind, several omissions. In particular, the Hipparcos (HIP) index number is not given, so there is no convenient method of cross-referencing to the SAO index value for subsequent input to a "guided tour" file for subsequent downloading to the Meade handbox.

In trawling through the KStars "bugs" database, I have found references to the SAO catalogue in the 2003/4 time frame, but I have gained the impression in that context that this database had been phased out. It does prompt me to ask whether a cross-reference list of corresponding HIP and SAO index values could be incorporated into the KStars environment, and that both values are shown when the object detail of a selected star is brought forward on the screen?

Secondly, I was interested in the contribution number 147744, where another user was expressing interest in the export of a Meade compatible guided tour from KStars. In referring to the Meade specification for a "guided tour" file, it is certainly possible to indicate a target by means of its RA and Dec. However, I would suggest that it is far more preferable to use star catalogue numbers for the brighter stars, and in the case of Meade, it has to be the SAO index number.

The situation for deep sky objects is much more unified, in that Meade can make use of NGC, IC and Messier index numbers, which are also recognised in the KStars environment. Also, the "detail" panel for deep sky objects, does show the catalogue information, and common name, e.g. for the Pinwheel Galaxy, in addition to the popular name, the detail panel also lists: M 101, NGC 5457 and PGC 50063. I feel sure this type of information could also be presented on the star detail panel, hopefully to include both the HIP and SAO index numbers.

I would be pleased to have your comments on the above contribution, especially if it is believed an enhancement to KStars could be made which implements these suggestions.

Yours sincerely,

Dr Ian Whiteley. (UK).
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