Main Features of Scientific Astronomer

Star Charts: Five types of charts are defined in Scientific Astronomer, including two wide field star charts. With the star charts you can zoom into any portion of the sky. All the charts have options to show star spectral colors, mesh lines, a skyline, the horizon line, and the Milky Way; and to label constellations, stars, planets, deep sky objects, and so on.

Planet Plots: Planet plotting is done in two- and three-dimensional forms. Surface features for the Earth, the Moon, Mars, and Jupiter are shown on the plots. Moons and their shadows are displayed for the Earth and Jupiter. Related functions allow you to produce planet position finder charts and planet rise/set timing charts.

Eclipses: Several functions are provided for dealing with eclipses. These functions provide information about both solar and lunar eclipses, and are general enough to handle Galilean moon eclipses, occultation of stars by the Moon, and transits of Mercury or Venus across the solar disk. You can produce umbra and penumbra track plots and perform eclipse prediction.

Satellite Tracking: Satellite tracking is another feature of Scientific Astronomer. You can create track plots, make visibility predictions, and project satellite tracks onto star charts.

Miscellaneous: Miscellaneous other features are available, such as producing planisphere plates, planet charts, and solar system plots. In addition, sunrise, moonrise, and full moon functions are provided, as well as functions for adding new objects, such as comets and satellites.

Scientific Astronomer is Mathematica 3.0 compatible. It has palettes and buttons and is fully integrated into the Help Browser system.

Terry Robb, March 1997.
astronomer@wolfram.com

Sample of Graphics

PlanetPlot3D[Moon, FullMoon[{1990, 1, 1}], FeatureLabels -> True]; 
    1;