Technical data

Chapter 2 File 11
Autostar Suite allows up to 8 custom catalogs and on minor planet/cometary catalog to be used in any starmap. To
change edit the custom catalog, you can simply type the name of the catalog or you can use the browse button to
navigate around your system to locate a desired catalog. Catalogs can be enabled or disabled by checking the box next
to the catalog name.
Custom catalogs are simple ascii text files with columns of data. To edit a catalog using Windows notpad or wordpad,
just click on the Edit button. A window similar to the one shown below will open for you to edit your data.
There are two different data file types: User Objects and User Planetoids. The User Objects consists of a table of A
unique key number, Name, Object Type, R.A. (Right Ascension) , DEC. (Declination), Magnitude, Size and a
comment. The User Planetoids file consists of a table of orbital elements followed by a descriptive name. Each entry
in either file must be contained on a single line terminated with a CR and LF to delimit the line. There is no limit to the
number of objects that may be contained in these files.
See the header at the beginning of the supplied user files “.UOB “ and ”.UPL” for a description of the format of the
files.
Compile
Re-builds the binary versions of any of the following databases:
Stars - (STAR.DAT)
Deepsky Objects - (DEEPSKY.DAT)
Constellations - (CONSTELS.DAT}
Planets - (PLANETS.DAT)
Comets - (COMETS.DAT)
Asteroids - (ASTEROID.DAT)
Each of the above files are in a simple ASCII format, each line is delimited with a CR and LF character. You may
modify these files to update any of the information for the particular class of objects. Each file begins with a brief
description of the format of the data that follows. The length of each line must remain the same.
WARNING: The data contained in these files is copyrighted. You may not distribute this data in any form, EVEN
if you have modified it. Modifying any of the data may corrupt the integrity of the database. You may consider
adding new objects to the database, but, DO NOT modify the existing values unless you are sure that the new values
are correct!.