The Starchart controls are used to control what is viewed within a Starchart. They are operated by clicking and dragging. Pointing at a control will change the mouse cursor into an arrow indicating the directions in which it can be dragged.
The same controls are shared by all Starchart windows. If there is more than one Starchart, the controls will operate the front-most Starchart window.
Virtual Trackball: This control rotates the universe around the Origin ( the star at the center of the starchart ) as if it were within a giant sphere.
Camera Distance: This control is used to change your distance from the Origin. By zooming into the Origin, the constellations will appear as they would from a planet orbiting the star at the Origin.
Stellar Brightness: This controls the brightness of the stars.
Stellar Contrast: Shifted all the way to the right, the stars all appear to have the same brightness. This is usefull for seeing dim stars. Shifted to the left, the difference in brightness is amplified. Bright stars get brighter and dim stars become darker. This is usefull for finding the brightest stars.
Clipping Sphere: All stars that are not within the clipping sphere are hidden. The clipping sphere is centered on the Origin. The boundries of the clipping sphere are represented by a green cube.
Stars can be moved between windows ( and views within windows ) by dragging & dropping them. When a star is dragged, an icon is displayed until it is dropped.
Single Star
Star Group
The text field under the starchart displays information about the current Target and Selection.
n is the number of stars in the system, i.e., n = 2 would be a binary star.
n is the number of stars in the system, i.e., n = 2 would be a binary star.
To find a specific constellation, use the Find by Name Stellar Query. For example, to find Orion, set the name query to "Name Contains" and set the name to "ori"
Where did the sun go?: The Origin can be set back to the sun by clicking on an empty spot ( where there are no stars ) on the starchart. You may need to click twice if there is a Selection. The first click will de-select the Selection and the second will return you to the sun.
I am hopelessly lost. How do I start over?: Just create a new Starchart by clicking on the New Starchart Button and close the old Starchart.
How do I look at the same star from a different point of view?: Create a new Starchart window by clicking on the New Starchart Button. You may then drag a Single Star from one starchart and drop it into another. The dropped star will become the Origin and Selection in the destination Starchart.