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IDProjectCategoryView StatusLast Update
0002285SkyChart1-Softwarepublic20-02-12 15:24
ReporterBernard Pidoux Assigned ToPatrick Chevalley  
PrioritynormalSeverityminorReproducibilityN/A
Status assignedResolutionopen 
PlatformPCOSWindowsOS Version10 64bit
Product Version4.3 beta 
Target Version4.4 
Summary0002285: Would like to display LHA
DescriptionHi Patrick,
This is not a bug report but rather a request.
I have already reported to you the successful use of Skycharts with our Radiotelescope at la Villette, in Paris, France.
The equatorial instrument has a limited domain of observation.
It is by construction limited between RA +/- 4h, i.e. 60° East and 60° West and between -20° and +60° for DEC.
If we choose a target outside this domain, then the software driver will refuse to trigger a motor activation. By the way, we are using INDI API.
You certainly remember that I reported that Skycharts version 4.2 would then disconnect in that case. You solved the issue.

What we would like is Skycharts to display LHA in order to let us know if a star or target is within the observable domain at the time of observation by the Radio Telescope.

Best regards,

Bernard
https://radiotelescopelavillette.wordpress.com/photos/stars-song-le-chant-des-etoiles/
 
TagsNo tags attached.

Activities

Patrick Chevalley

20-02-09 22:05

administrator   ~0006324

Bernard,

Yes this is possible.
At the moment the hour angle is show in the detailed information in the section "Visibility for your observatory", this is not very convenient for your use.
Maybe I can add it in the bottom box next to the Rise/Set information when you click an object? Do this work for you?

It is also possible to make a custom horizon file to mark the area you can use on the chart.
I quickly make one using your information but sure this can be improved. See attached screenshot and horizon file.
To load the file in Skychart, open the Observatory setting, at the Horizon tab check "Display local horizon line" and select the attached file hrz.txt .
fenetre.png (587,782 bytes)   
fenetre.png (587,782 bytes)   
hrz.txt (199 bytes)   
0 78.5
33 75.5
46 68
48 54
72 50
90 41.5
103 31
113 19
120 11
125 3
137 10
150 16
165 20
180 21
195 20
210 16
223 10
235 3
240 11
247 19
257 31
270 41.5
288 50
310 54
311 62
314 69
326 75.5
359 78.5
hrz.txt (199 bytes)   

Bernard Pidoux

20-02-11 20:13

reporter   ~0006325

Hi Patrick,
Many thanks for your proposals. We appreciate very much.

The horizon line to mark the area is a very good idea.
You propose to add Local Hour Angle in the bottom box next to the Rise/Set information when you
click an object?
I noticed that when moving the mouse over the sky, four different informations are displayed : Az, Alt and on next line AD and DE.
When Clicking into an object more informations are displayed that disappear if clicking outside of a star.
It maybe interesting to display LHA already when moving the mouse. This added to your horizon line would help and also at the end of second line when clicking an object.
Cordially,
Bernard

Bernard Pidoux

20-02-11 20:20

reporter   ~0006326

Hi Patrick,
I checked your horizon line sample you sent me. It is exactly performing as we needed.
Thank you for the screen copy you provided.
Could you explain the options to validate for I only obtain a blank sky outside of the "horizon" and not the enhanced view inside the "horizon" you have shown ?
The LHA display is perfect on your beta version you provided.
Many thanks for your fast reactivity and for you disponibility.
I appreciate very much.
Regards,
Bernard

Patrick Chevalley

20-02-12 09:31

administrator   ~0006328

Bernard,
I am glad the new LHA display work for you.

I include a screenshot of the options to reproduce the same display as in my previous screenshot.

When you refine the horizon file, be careful the first column with the azimuth is an integer value, this is because the program use a table with 360 entries to store the horizon data. The elevation can be a decimal value.
horizon_setting.png (30,544 bytes)   
horizon_setting.png (30,544 bytes)   

Patrick Chevalley

20-02-12 09:38

administrator   ~0006329

I forget to mention another option that can be useful for you.
If you check the option "Compute rise/set time relative to this line" visible in the previous screenshot, the rise and set time show at the bottom of the screen when you click an object are the time this object enter and exit the observing window of your instrument.

Bernard Pidoux

20-02-12 11:18

reporter   ~0006330

Hi Patrick,
Thank you for mentioning the rise/set time. This is also a very convenient feature.
I am curious of how you filled the horizon table for displaying our instrument observation domain.
Is there any formula to compute it from our instrument specs or did you note Az/Alt by hand following the sky map ?
Bernard

Patrick Chevalley

20-02-12 15:24

administrator   ~0006331

I do this first file by moving the mouse on the chart along the RA and DEC lines, and take note of the alt/az position.

I not have a function to compute the elevation at the intersection of a given azimuth and a hour angle or declination line.
But if you not find another solution I can probably do a small program to do that.

Issue History

Date Modified Username Field Change
20-02-09 20:11 Bernard Pidoux New Issue
20-02-09 22:05 Patrick Chevalley File Added: fenetre.png
20-02-09 22:05 Patrick Chevalley File Added: hrz.txt
20-02-09 22:05 Patrick Chevalley Note Added: 0006324
20-02-09 22:06 Patrick Chevalley Assigned To => Patrick Chevalley
20-02-09 22:06 Patrick Chevalley Status new => feedback
20-02-09 22:06 Patrick Chevalley Target Version => 4.4
20-02-11 20:13 Bernard Pidoux Note Added: 0006325
20-02-11 20:13 Bernard Pidoux Status feedback => assigned
20-02-11 20:20 Bernard Pidoux Note Added: 0006326
20-02-12 09:31 Patrick Chevalley File Added: horizon_setting.png
20-02-12 09:31 Patrick Chevalley Note Added: 0006328
20-02-12 09:38 Patrick Chevalley Note Added: 0006329
20-02-12 11:18 Bernard Pidoux Note Added: 0006330
20-02-12 15:24 Patrick Chevalley Note Added: 0006331