Software question

[acey]

I'm thinking of getting planetarium software and I'm not sure what I should I get. My needs are simple and specific. Basically I want a digital star-atlas that will plot stars and DSOs to fainter magnitude than my (paper) Uranometria. I don't want to drive a scope (I use a dob) or plot planetary positions, or create pretty pictures, or get info on objects (unless it's the NGC description). I just want the ability to create finder charts showing stars to mag 10+ and galaxies to mag 14+.

Maybe what I want is already on the web, in which case I'd be grateful for a link.

[beamer3.6m]

Cartes Du Ciel!

[acey]

Thanks, this certainly looks like what I'm after - though I can't find from the website what the limiting mag is. Maybe better just download it and find out.

[beamer3.6m]

It is only 12mb download I think so no sweat really.

[MikeP]

I don't use CduC much but if it is like my planetarium prog (SkyMap), you can download catalogues and include them. If CduC supports this, it may require some reformatting of the catalogue data but the Help should tell you.

Mike

[beamer3.6m]

I am not sure CdC does 14+ mag. I think it may only go up to 9 but it is very good in all other respects.

However, don't rely on me as limiting mag is not my strong point.

[MikeP]

Just had a look at the Help. There is a tool called CatGen that lets you convert downloaded catalogues from a couple of web sites (listed in the Help). Presumably if you use a cataloge that goes to mag 14 and beyond, the contents will be displayed in CduC.

Mike

[acey]

Many thanks for this. I just downloaded it and as it stands it doesn't go deep enough so I'll have to see if I can import those other catalogues.

[Merlin66]

I use CdC V3 instead of my The Sky V6, why?

because I can use the USNO catalogue which gets down to 18 mag!

You'll find lots and lots of catalogues available.