CNebulaX

The current release of CnebulaX is complete and can be used to plot very good maps. The main aim is the construction of powerful sky maps and lists of deep sky objects, to be studied in our deep sky observing sessions.

CnebulaX also implements a library, ephemerid facilities, telescope control, prediction of visibility, annotations, overlaying facilities, and more auxiliary tools for the deep sky observer. It is an excellent instrument for learning to know the sky at many levels.

The same way as the former MSDOS release, CNEBULAX is a full database manager, combined with a star map generator, a reference library and an observing notebook.

Currently, it is able to plot 25 million stars (GSC 1.2). However, smaller star databases are also available (Tycho II, AC2000 and PPM). The full release also includes more than one million deep sky objects, double and variable stars (all the files required for the full installation are within this website). The number of databases is unlimited, and under certain rules, the program can create and manage as much as one wishes.

Here are some key features of "CNebulaX":

�￭ Observer-oriented: it was developed under the point of view of a deep sky enthusiast, covering all the needs of a DS observer �￭ Lots of information for any object, and it is opened to incorporate more, or appending more databases �￭ A new star database: Guide Star Catalogue 1.2, with more than 25,000,000 stars. Its power is impressive; I am astonished with the details. With the picture collection and the current maps, guiding the telescope and CCD imaging is now easier than ever!!! This database can be downloaded from the complements section, where the basic installation can be expanded. Everything is free, naturally. �￭ It displays annotations (several thousands at the moment): click on an object and check how it looks at the eyepiece. It is compatible with the observer's logbook; the volume of annotations is, however, far greater, although only text is displayed in this case. �￭ The full CNebulaX release includes more than one million deep sky objects (ca. 1,250,0000 DSOs). The basic installation includes a mixed DSO database (32,000 objects) and Tycho II (2,5 million stars). In this website, you will find to download all the additional files required to expand the basic installation, visit the complements section. �￭ Comfortable toolbox, hierarchically organized with a multi-tab interface �￭ Multiple facilities for an easy and accurate navigation, and telescope guiding (navigator, tables, lists, ephemerids, auxiliary plots, etc) �￭ Horizontal mode to show the sky aspect as shown from your observing place �￭ Horizon editor to customize the geographical features: mountains, hills, buildings, etc �￭ Cross search capabilities to find objects and jump to them: making programming lists is really easy. You can combine observing lists, and load/save lists at your will. �￭ Observing list viewer allows navigating to the objects, see their pictures or location on gradually zoomed maps, and represent all the objects in several all-sky views �￭ Accessibility: transference of information to other programs, maps, pictures, or annotations at the telescope. �￭ Printing: native high resolution vector maps, or via clipboard to other applications. �￭ Horizontal mode: the equatorial maps can be kept permanently oriented to the zenith (pseudo-horizontal mode), useful in combination with Earth-based maps �￭ Fully rotable maps: the maps can be turned or flipped as wished to match the telescope appearance �￭ Meade LX200 classic is controlled via RS232C port - click on the map and move/synchronise the telescope to it �￭ It can overlay maps on pictures to identify stars and deep sky objects on pictures �￭ Observer logbook facility to write down observations, and pasting pictures, drawings or maps �￭ Enhanced capabilities to generate monochrome or colour maps (copy/paste, fully finished) �￭ Full screen mode, and finder/month/year views �￭ This version is also able to compile and index new databases, very convenient for maintenance (error corrections). �￭ Accuracy 10 times greater than in previous releases, in fact more than most sources provide. �￭ The provided documentation include some RTF files that can be accessed from a viewer. �￭ I have also altered the former MSDOS release to keep the compatibility, and in addition, now it is also able to display the GSC.