Easy PC Astronomy with floppy disk

Easy PC Astronomy is the book for all those who want to make astronomical calculations easily and accurately. A simple but powerful script language called AstroScript is provided on a disk with the book, ready to use on any IBM PC-type computer. Equipped with this the user can make complex calculations within minutes, with no expert knowledge of astronomy, maths or computer-programming. The Sky Graphics facility displays a detailed image of the sky as seen from any point on earth, at any time in the future or past (showing the constellations, planets, and a host of other features), and updated minute by minute, if desired. Full details of the calculations (and formulae) are provided in the book, together with a comprehensive glossary of astronomical terms. Easy PC Astronomy is of immediate practical use to amateur astronomers (from novice to advanced), students (in secondary school or university), science teachers and research astronomers. Software is supplied on a 1.44 MByte high-density 3.5 inch IBM PC disk only. Operates on any IBM-type machine, but better with a coprocessor, so a 386 with a coprocessor or 486 DX are recommended. 500 KBytes RAM and VGA screen required as minimum.

Preface

xii

Introduction

1

(3)

Programming in AstroScript

4

(12)

Installing AstroScript

6

(2)

Running AstroScript

8

(2)

Input editing

10

(1)

General comments

11

(1)

AstroScript commands

11

(2)

General housekeeping commands

13

(1)

Input commands

14

(1)

Calculation commands

15

(1)

Display commands

15

(1)

Complex commands

15

(1)

Time

16

(14)

Civil time

17

(2)

Dynamical time

19

(2)

Sidereal time

21

(2)

Equation of the equinoxes

23

(1)

Equation of time

24

(2)

Calendars

26

(1)

Julian day number

27

(3)

The celestial sphere

30

(33)

Horizon coordinates: azimuth and altitude

32

(2)

Southern observers

34

(1)

Displaying the sky

35

(1)

Equatorial coordinates: right ascension and declination

36

(2)

Ecliptic coordinates: ecliptic longitude and ecliptic latitude

38

(2)

Galactic coordinates: galactic longitude and galactic latitude

40

(2)

Transformation of coordinates between one system and another

42

(3)

Converting coordinates using AstroScript

45

(3)

Precession

48

(5)

Nutation

53

(1)

Geocentric parallax

53

(4)

Atmospheric refraction

57

(1)

Aberration

58

(2)

Rising and setting

60

(3)

Orbits

63

(28)

Elliptical orbits

65

(3)

Low-precision orbit calculations

68

(3)

Perturbations and osculating elements

71

(1)

Parabolic orbits

72

(1)

Calculating an orbital position

72

(1)

The phase, position angle, parallactic angle, and vertical angle of the bright limb

73

(2)

Orbital calculations with AstroScript

75

(6)

Computing ephemerides

81

(1)

Inverse position problems

81

(5)

Real-time programming

86

(5)

Sky displays

91

(19)

Exploring the sky with AstroScript

93

(3)

Sky graphics

96

(3)

The star list

99

(3)

The phases of the Moon

102

(1)

Eclipses

102

(3)

The 'rules' of eclipses

105

(1)

Calculating eclipses

105

(2)

Eclipses in AstroScript

107

(3)

Appendix A AstroScript commands

110

(17)

General housekeeping commands

111

(4)

Input commands

115

(2)

Calculation commands

117

(3)

Display commands

120

(5)

Complex commands

125

(2)

Appendix B The configuration file setup.dat

127

(4)

Appendix C Variables held in the data bank

131

(6)

Bibliography

137

(1)

Glossary of astronomical terms

138

(7)

Index

145

What is included with this book?

The New copy of this book will include any supplemental materials advertised. Please check the title of the book to determine if it should include any access cards, study guides, lab manuals, CDs, etc.

The Used, Rental and eBook copies of this book are not guaranteed to include any supplemental materials. Typically, only the book itself is included. This is true even if the title states it includes any access cards, study guides, lab manuals, CDs, etc.