Body Selection

Select Ephemeris> Ephemeris data from the main menu or press Alt-D. The Ephemeris data dialog appears. To select a body check the corresponding checkbox from the Major bodies, Small bodies and/or the Fixed stars section. To deselect a body uncheck the corresponding checkbox. Depending on the ephemeris type, some bodies may be disabled.

Small Body Selection

Alcyone Ephemeris can calculate ephemeris data of up to three small bodies (minor planets, comets) simultaneously. For determining a small body select one of the three entries in the Body selection dialog and click the button Select small body object, which opens the Small bodies dialog.

Choose an object from the table and click OK (or double-click the entry). The name of the selected object is shown in the Small bodies section of the Body selection dialog.

The calculation of ephemeris data for small bodies requires special data files. The Alcyone Ephemeris installation process will install only a small selection of data files (e.g. Ceres, Pallas, Halley). More data files are available online (www.alcyone-ephemeris.info/data) or by DVD. Click the button Download data files to connect to the download page. When the download of a small body data file succeeded, open it to start the installation process. Alternatively small body data files can be installed by clicking the button Install data files.

Notes:  Small body data files (file extension .aed) are saved in the directory Data Files. Each time Alcyone Ephemeris starts, all data files in that directory are scanned for the information provided in the Small bodies dialog.

The calculation of ephemeris data for small bodies is only possible in a limited time range. The lower and upper limit of that time range is shown in the columns From and To of the small bodies table.

 

Fixed Star Selection

Alcyone Ephemeris can calculate ephemeris data of up to three fixed stars simultaneously. For determining a fixed star select one of the three entries in the Body selection and click the button Select fixed star, which opens the Bright Star Catalogue dialog (see The Bright Star Catalogue for more information).

Choose an entry from the table. Then click OK (or double-click the entry). The name of the selected fixed star is shown in the Fixed stars section of the Body selection dialog.

Alcyone Ephemeris Documentation
(C) 2007 Alcyone Software