Constellations DS

	Constellations DS
	File:Constellationsds.png
General
Author(s)	Nameless
Type	Education
Version	0.8
Licence	Mixed
Links
	[Media:ConstellationsDS0.8.rar Download]
	Website
	Source

Features

View the sky and move around / zoom,
Select one star to get his name, address and its magnitude,
Display the image of a Messier object, and find a constellation or a specific star.

Objectives

To enable learning and pattern recognition and the names of constellations.

Provide a source of scoring simple, fast and portable for comments amateurs.

User Guide

Main Mode:

The display information is located on the top screen of the DS, and screen representing the sky on the lower screen. This mode allows you to move, zoom and select a star or a Messier object.

Information Display:

The information screen provides information about viewing the sky and the star /Messier object selected.

In each frame, from top to bottom:

Name of the constellation / Number of Messier object
Name of Star / Object Name Messier
Position (right ascension in hours: minutes, declination in degrees: minutes)
Apparent magnitude in the visible
Image of Messier object selected

In the bar at the bottom of the screen from left to right:

Zoom Level
Right ascension of the center of the screen in hours: minutes
Declination of the center of the screen in degrees: minutes
Size of field of view in degrees x depth (width x height)

Important note about the positions:

The positions are purely illustrative and should not be used as source for telescopes pointing accuracy. They are nevertheless sufficient for most amateur and instruments for observing with the naked eye.

Because of the limited technical capabilities of the Nintendo DS for calculations trigonometric precision of the position is the order of one minute of arc.

Important note about the magnitudes:

The magnitude of the objects are given for information. Their accuracy is about hundredth of magnitude.

The magnitude of 5.00 is shown a magnitude limit intrinsic to the application; So if a star is displayed with a magnitude of 5.00, one must understand magnitude ≥ 5. This does not apply to the Messier objects.

All-Star Constellations DS should be visible to the naked eye, a beautiful night without excessive light pollution.

Screen sky:

Sky on the screen are displayed the stars and Messier objects, and the constellation lines and a grid if enabled in options.

Each star is represented by a filled circle whose size depends on the magnitude of the star (the star is more brilliant, more the circle is large).

Messier objects are represented by circles. No formalism for existing lines of the constellations, they are given for information to better recognize and memorize the constellations by their form. The grid step is 1 hour in right ascension and declination of 15 degrees.

Control

Stylus - select, control speed

Up or X - zoom in

Down or B - zoom out

Left/Right or Y/A - quickly move from one constellation to another, or Messier object to another

Select - switched constellations and Messier objects

R/L - access mode menu (change options, look for constellations and stars, and enlighten you in the dark night)

Changelog

28/07/07, Version 0.8

Added 47 constellations Cetus, Eridanus, Orion, Unicorn, Little Dog, Hydra, Sextant, Cup, Raven, Hare, Canis Major, Puppis, compass, tire machine, Burin, Dove, Furnace, Sculptor, Southern Fish, Microscope, crane, Phoenix, Sails, Altar, Rule, Wolf, Centaur, Compass, Southern Triangle, Telescope, Southern Crown, Peacock, Southern Cross, Indian, Toucan, Hydra Male, Clock, Reticle, bream, Table, Painter, Hull, Fish wheel, Chameleon, Fly, Bird of Paradise, Octant.
Added full documentation in French
Supervision of the name of the star selected in the search and display its magnitude on the upper screen.
Fixed some graphical bugs (constellations that were displayed more) and code cleaning.