History of the HNSKY planetarium program.

• Back to the HNSKY software page.

• Here is a link to the HNSKY newsletters.

Please note the small change in my email address. This in preparation for a change to get rid of spam mail. Please do not publish my email address in any way in the internet such as discussion groups, greeting cards or any web page. I hate like anybody else spam/junk mail. Keep my inbox clean.

History:

No major updates are expected in 2009

2008-12-9  Version 2.3.0N  Update location of jupiter moons and red spot. Download Large basic package HNSKY230_large.EXE (40 mbytes) complete with small SAO , large TYCHO2 star database, deepsky help file, non-English menus, planetary and 255 deepsky images. Alternatively the Small version HNSKY230.EXE  (4 Mbytes) or if you have already the program installed the latest EXE file only.

2008-3-6  Version 2.3.0M  added option for special cursor for some graphics cards showing a black cursor, update for comet and asteroid file and updated helpfile.

Update of the DEEPSKY HELP file and DEEPSKY HELP file in HTML help ( .CHM) format..

2008-2-8  Update of the DEEPSKY HELP file and test version of DEEPSKY HELP file in HTML help ( .CHM) format.. Improved the formatting of the new data from Steve Gottlieb

2008-2-2  Update of the DEEPSKY HELP file and test version of DEEPSKY HELP file in HTML help ( .CHM) format..

2008-1-15  Version 2.3.0Mbeta Larger cursor in HNSKY and added special  cursor for some graphics cards, as update only hnskp2.zip See color menu in settings

2008-1-15  Update of the DEEPSKY HELP file and the first test version of DEEPSKY HELP file in HTML help ( .CHM) format..

2007-11-01  Update of the main webpage

2007-10-29  Version 2.3.0L4  fixed error in settings menu. Remove win3.1 version from webpage. Large basic package HNSKY230_large.EXE (40 mbytes) complete with small SAO , large TYCHO2 star database, deepsky help file, non-English menus, planetary and 255 deepsky images. Alternatively the Small version HNSKY230.EXE  (4 Mbytes) or if you have already the program installed the latest EXE file only

2007-10-13   Version 2.3.0L3  Small correction object menu, first supplement name was not displayed

2007-10-29   Version 2.3.0L4  Allow shift-N shift-S and so in search menu:)

2007-5-19 Updated the dead link to UCAC2 files to reconstruct the UCAC2 from files available in the internet.

2007-3-31  Version 2.3.0k Update internal editor and constellation boundaries.

2006-5-10:  Updated asteroid and comet file. Corrected small color problem is windows dark days and solar tonight.

2006-3-9:  The program makeucac2 to reconstruct an original UCAC2 catalog from Vizier input files is now at version 1.0a.  John Irwin indicated that some fields not used in HNSKY to display stars where converted using byte instead of a shortinteger This is now fixed. The differences occured in the 1-byte fields (items 4,5,7,14-17,22,23) which are meant to contain signed integers with an offset of 127.

2006-3-11    ini_ga.zip (11 Kbytes) Galician language module by Xoaquín Freixeiro.

NOW large basic package is available:

2005-9-25  Large basic package HNSKY230_large.EXE (40 mbytes v2.3.0i) complete with small SAO , large TYCHO2 star database, deepsky help file, non-English menus, planetary and 255 deepsky images.

2005-2-23 Modified HNS_FITS such that files last record of 2880 bytes is written to comply to to the FITS standard.

2005-1-29  Update 2.3.0i  Added routine to access the new maps of the  Sun,  Mercury  and Venus. There are also large Mercury maps (1440x720 pixels) available based on Mariner 10 with 50%  cover or with the remaining artistic added and an very low resolution but 100 % map using image data obtained at the Swedish Vacuum Solar Telescope. The SVTS project is described here. 

2004-12-12  Update 2.3.0h.  Fixed Saturn ring opening indication.

2004-12-1  Updated Catalan help file in the language module including screen shot images using Catalan.

2004-11-14  Update 2.3.0g.  Fixed two small things in HNSKY. For the supplement "world map.sup" now the star and planets are show correctly. You only have to flip horizontal to get things normal. Secondly for wide fields, the Earth shadow is no longer fixed to minimum plot size planets. 

2004-10-3  Recompiled help file with HCRTF 32 bit compiler since images where not very well displayed when in Windows setting small fonts where selected. Download  Update 2.3.0f  or HNSKY version 2.3.0f  with recompiled help file.

2004-9-10  Update 2.3.0f  or HNSKY version 2.3.0f , Minor fix for Windows XP users only. HNSKY restores now after nightvision mode the Windows active title colors correctly. Remember the night vision works only well if you selected in settings of Windows XP the "Windows classic style"!

2004-9-1  Updated Romanian language module 

2004-8-20  Updated German language module 

2004-7-30  Updated Dutch language module 

2004-7-24  Updated Italian language module 

2004-7-17  update 2.3.0e  Limited the number of Saturn rings drawn for speed. Uploaded the missing Dutch language module.

2004-6-24   HNSKY version 2.3.0d complete or alternatively download  update 2.3.0d  Night color fix. Highlighted section was too bright. Corrected, however as a consequence in settings menu, the tab bar selected section name is almost black.

2004-6-20   HNSKY version 2.3.0c complete or alternatively download  update 2.3.0c  minor corrections in locking routine.

With version 2.3.0 unintended the large 10.000 asteroid file was added. In some cases it makes the program a little slow. Version 2.3.0c contains only the smaller 2004 bright asteroid version. It is up to the user which version he/she wants to use. Alternatively you could reduce size of the large one. The larger is always available at http://www.hnsky.org/hns_ast1.zip or download the latest data from the minor planet centre as indicated in the asteroid file and convert it with the tools found at my webpage http://www.hnsky.org/software.htm

Please report any problem or ideas for improvement. I can't promise to implement them all, since I will move house and country very soon, but they have been and still are a great help.

2004-6-19 Version 2.3.0b, improved the locking routine. Now it will lock on any solar object (including asteroids and comets) after a mouse click and stay locked even after using the arrow keys. When locked use small time steps of 1 minute or 1 hour only. Fixed a problem finding low numbered UCAC2 stars in zone Z001.

2004-6-13 Version 2.3.0a, fixed a problem saving setting "FITS=on". Secondly the use of the search window doesn't cause any longer a screen repaint.

2004-6-5   HNSKY version 2.3.0 complete or alternatively download update 2.3.0

HNSKY or the Hallo Northern Sky planetarium program is now at version 2.3.0. The last newsletter was send November last year. Since then there have been many small changes which took a long time to implement. The SETTINGS and OBJECT menu have been modified a lot and with the new internet access, DSS images can be downloaded with a tool button. Your internet explorer will be instructed to get them from the internet but you have to save them manually in your FITS directory. After a refresh (spacebar) the DSS/FITS image will be displayed in your HNSKY map. Another change is that language modules are now in one new *.ini file.

The most conspicuous change is that interface of the SETTINGS menu has now an Earth map for quick setting your location and in the OBJECT menu all available databases are shown with there new long file name.

It is possible to  download the basic package and install it in your existing HNSKY directory. However I suggest removing old files there as described next or use the following http://www.hnsky.org/remove.zip  MSDOS Batch file to do it (but make a backup of your local horizon and self made supplements). Manual instruction:

1) Remove the old deepsky databases HNS_SAC1.DAT, HNS_SAC2.DAT, HNS_SAC3.DAT since they are now longer used. The new renamed ones with long file names and the *.HND extension will be installed with the basic package.

2) Secondly put away all your supplements with the *.SUP extension (but make a backup of your local horizon and self made supplements) since I have given them all new long file names and you probably don't want them double. Several are added to the basic package .

3) If you have a non-english language module, remove all ten HNS_*.TXT files and download the new single file language module from my webpage.

- Deepsky databases have for version 2.3.0 a new file extension *.hnd. In the update deepsky level 3 is not included. Rename your old hns_sac3.dat to "Deepsky level 3.hnd".

- fixed find/replace problem in editor

- Fixed a problem displaying not enough UCAC2 stars on the left side caused by some forgotten test code. Now the screen is symmetrical filled with UCAC2 stars.

- Image below indicates how to blank the new combo boxes.  This is also valid for the supplements in the OBJECT menu.

-  Highest position of objects is now indicated as a hint when you move your mouse to the Rise/set info.

- Major update in settings menu and object menu.

- Single file for non-english language modules.

- Added "load FITS file" menu in FILE  menu. With this menu option you can identify not well named FITS image files.

- Added several monochrome images to the Hnsky help file. Monochrome images keep size very small.

- Introduced a location menu for first time users.

- If no settings file "default.hns" is found, HNSKY will take the timezone and daylight savings from Windows settings.

- Romanian HELP file translation by Haritina Mogosanu.

The map is monochrome to keep it very compact

- Allows both access to ESO and Skyview DSS server.  Skyview allows any pixel resolution and is good for wide views.  See new Tabsheet in settings.

- internet hyper link to the ESO DSS image server. It is implemented as a new tool button and will start your internet browser with the the required link. You have to be online in the internet. Save the download as a FITS file to your HNSKY FITS directory. After a repaint, the FITS image will be shown.  The size is 1/5 of the screen size. Zoom in to keep them small. Please report any problem.

- Faster FITS image routine and improved in  keyboard routine.

- Danish  constellation supplement.

2004-3-10   HNSKY version 2.2.2j update or complete basic package 2.2.2.j Very small update night vision for Windows XP classic colors. Nightvision does not work for standard XP color schema. Updated Large asteroid file containing 10000 asteroids/minor planets (Version March 2004)

2004-2-15   HNSKY version 2.2.2i update Now the pointing circles and other markers can be removed by a second click on the object. Additional they can be saved in the settings file default.hns or any other *.hns file if selected.

2004-1-26  Added Exoplanets supplement conversion from http://exoplanets.org/planet_table.shtml by Matthias Greiner-Petter.

2004-1-22:  HNSKY version 2.2.2h update or complete basic package 2.2.2.h  Fixed a severe problem in plotting supplements in version G !!. Improved syntax check in editor.

2004-1-21: Upgraded the basic package to version 2.2.2g and included the images of the Moon, Mars, Jupiter, M81 and M82.

2004-1-14: HNSKY version 2.2.2g  The worldmap supplement is now rotated such that the object in the zenith is above your home town. Secondly new intermediate UCAC2 supplement to +90 degrees based on GSC_ACT !!

2004-1-10: New intermediate UCAC2 supplement/extension to +90 degrees based on Tycho-2 !! Size 6.5 Mbytes. HNSKY v 222e Fixed geocentric indication.

2003-11-29  Updated HNSKY v 222d (500 kbytes) for non-Ansi fonts in Windows (Japanese and others). Please report any font problem.

2003-11-26 hns_nl.zip (56 Kbytes) Dutch module, dated 2003-11-26. . Translation by Fred van Gestel.

2003-11-25 hns_jp.zip (56 Kbytes) Japanese module with constellation module, dated 2003-11-25. Prelimenary. Translation by Seiichi Horie.

2003-11-11 Minor update HNSKY version 2.2.2c (500 kbytes) indicated UCAC2 star number was oft one number too low. fixed.

2003-11-10 Very minor update HNSKY version 2.2.2b (500 kbytes) Star number search routine finds now all GSC and UCAC2 files even when limiting magnitude is set lower then star magnitudes.

2003-11-9 Download the UCAC2 from internet. Instruction how to reconstruct  USNO UCAC2  astrometric star catalog containing 48,330,571 stars from Vizier input files (internet download, 1.6 Gbytes).

2003-11-4 very minor update HNSKY version 2.2.2a (500 kbytes) Small correction in size of planetary moons. Allowing in all cases stars labels on/off. Fixed a non-english label in settings.

2003-10-23 Final version basic package HNSKY 2.2.2  (2 Mbytes) or update HNSKY version 2.2.2 (500 kbytes)

- Comet and asteroid label colors adjustable.

- Improved FITS routine including new colored deepsky fits images. If you place them in the your existing FITS directory, Remove manually your old monochrome M16, M20 and NGC2360 files. The last is identical to M16. The images are from Chris Deforeit homepage Wonderful good ! His images are copyrighted but "Non profit use welcome if credit given."

- Support for the new UCAC2  support see screenshots UCAC2

- New boldness routine for the GSC, USNO-A and UCAC2. It looks more natural however the boldness factor jumps if these catalogs are selected. So instead of reducing the contrast, the boldness is increased. The magnitude differences between the stars is now more easier recognised.

- Moon_map (B&W 1000x500 pixels) and medium maps of Jupiter and the Jovian satellites, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune and  a large Mars map (Color 1000x500 pixels) and large Jupiter map (Color 600x300 pixels) . The planetary FITS files should be placed in your FITS directory. The FITS directory can be set in the menu SETTINGS, shortcut CNTRL-E  (The Moon map is now renamed to MAP_MOON.FIT so you could rename your old one. The new Mars map MAP_MARS.FIT is a COLORed version. Reports are welcome. Activate the FITS images (cntrl-F) to see Moon/Mars.

Conversion of maps was done with new HNS_FITS version 1.4.0 which can now produce RGB color fits. Maps are modified JPL/Nasa compilations from: James Hastings-Trew.  . See also http://maps.jpl.nasa.gov/

The optical libration of the Moon is included. The rotation of Jupiter's is based on red spot rotation info from Bill Gray's Web page about Great Red Spot transit times.  The mathematics are simple linear functions of time but a lot of vector based rotations in several x,y,z planes are required (one day I will maybe will write something about that). The orientation of planetary axis and rotational elements of satellites can be found in the following  IAU-IAG report

2003-10-15  GCVS 4.1 variable star supplement.  7800 brightest star version and 37382 star version  In these supplements the the GCVS are displayed as labels so you can easily cross check with Tycho or UCAC2. To get Tycho star info switch of supplement.

2003-10-8  Updated italian help file at non-engl.htm

2003-9-8  Basic package HNSKY221e (2 mbytes v2.2.1d) or update 221e (500 kbytes) Bugfix for problems with "pull zoom box" while repainting is not finished.

2003-8-30  Basic package HNSKY221d (2 mbytes v2.2.1d) or update 221d (500 kbytes) Bugfix for sometimes missing planet magnitude.

2003-8-29   HNS_FITS version 1.3.1. Bugfix for FITS utility HNS_FITS version 1.3.0

2003-8-15  Brazilian version of the Portugeuse language modue

2003-8-6  Updated the Help file in the Basic package HNSKY221c (2 mbytes v2.2.1c) or update 221c (500 kbytes)

2003-7-25 Fixed a severe bug in the HINT system !! download  Basic package HNSKY221b  (2 mbytes v2.2.1) or update 221b (500 kbytes)

2003-7-19 Basic package HNSKY221(2 mbytes v2.2.1)

2003-7-6   HNSKY v2.2.1ß11  Improved Saturns ring:   and switching on "North always up" keeps objects in the view.

2003-7-3   HNSKY v2.2.1ß10  Added "found marker magnitude". Improved the upgrade program for non-english version.

2003-6-23   HNSKY v2.2.1ß8+9  Experimental logbook function. Use "HOME" key to add entry in second supplement using the mouse position. Observations should be entered manually in second supplement using cntrl-4.

2003-6-22   HNSKY v2.2.1ß7f  Fixed more problems with the modified "pull square box by Mouse".  

2003-6-21   HNSKY v2.2.1ß7e  Fixed some problems with the modified "pull square box by Mouse".  Some small problems caused by hints have still to be fixed.

Now space ship like zooming in small steps possible. Use the Cntrl key together with PgUp/PgDn keys.

2003-6-17   HNSKY v2.2.1ß7d  Sync command for the ASCOM telescope driver.  Mouse pull square box possible without using shift or cntrl.

2003-5-11   HNSKY v2.2.1ß6  There have been two major changes in the version 2.2.1ß6:

1) If you are using a non-english version, use the attached upgrade.exe program to update since several labels in the non-English modules have been modified.

2) The shortcut labels in hns_Lmai.txt have been all changed to adapt them to the other labels in use. You have to update your personal settings completly using the attached hns_Lmai.txt file !

2003-5-5   HNSKY v2.2.1ß3  The new keyboard routine was more difficult to program then expected. Only with current version ß3 , I'more or less satisfied with the keyboard responses for the function and page up/down keys. The problem is that  I have to work around the standard key routine inside the pulldown menu.

2003-5-2   HNSKY v2.2.1ß  More internal changes in the keyboard/short cut routine. Introduced the "mouse wheel" for zooming.

2003-5-1   HNSKY v2.2.0k6  Introduced new behaviour in several menu windows. Position is now stored in  the settings file. Try also to double click on objects in the combo/list box of the SEARCH menu.

2003-4-29   HNSKY v2.2.0k4+5  Experimental version with adjustable short cuts. In the language file hns_Lmai.txt attached you find most hot keys defined. Just change the hot keys definitions as described and restart the program. Comments are welcome. New version of hns_fits  (v 1.3.0 ) which will work with images where East with West or North with South are swapped.

2003-4-26   Export.exe   Re-uploaded the 2001 GSC conversion program for conversion of the FITS to Binary GSC version since only the version was uploaded. This program will reduce your GSC 1.1 from two CD's to only 303 Mbytes.

2003-4-25   HNSKY v2.2.0k3  and HNS_REAL 1.0.3c. More adaption for the FITS format.  HNSKY accepts now the FITS files with a WCS header containing the new conversion matrix ( keywords CD1_1, CD1_2, CD2_1, CD2_2 instead of  CDELT1,2 and CROTA2 keywords). HNSKY will now work with FITS files from  http://cadcwww.dao.nrc.ca/cadcbin/getdss You can now use the batch routine of this provider to get FITS files.

2003-4-18   HNSKY v2.2.0j  Adapted for SBIG and Skyview 32 bits (-32) floating point FITS file format. Also HNS_REAL and HNS_FITS adapted for SBIG FITS files. Swapped the function of the left and right arrow for southern hemosphere users. Seperate update file (March 2003) for  the 2003 deepsky database files.

2003-3-26  Improved deepsky databases version 2003-3-26   based on 2003 NGC IC data of Wolfgang Steinicke. Number of objects will stay at around 26000 but more objects will get a magnitudes and surface brightness value

2003-3-11   HNSKY v2.2.0i  Fixed problem sending object info to Windows clipboard after mouse click.

2003-3-2   HNSKY v2.2.0h  New deepsky level 3 database HNS_SAC3.DAT !! Corrected position for several faint IC objects.  For HNSKY additional correction in the automatic suppression faint deep sky names. The help file is updated in the basic package hnsky220.exe version h

2003-2-23   HNSKY v2.2.0g  Automatically suppresses faint deep sky at wide field views. 

2003-2-8   HNSKY v2.2.0f  Fixed a missing repaint after changing AZ/Alt  to  RA/DEC grid is selected. Upgraded HNSKY, HNS_FITS and HNS_REAL for signed 16 bit FITS instead of un-signed 16 bit FITS. Not relevant for 99.5 % of the users.

2003-2-3  Korean sky map now with constellation names phonetic written in ASCII.

2003-1-25   HNSKY v2.2.0e  Problem with adjusting FONT family fixed. Now it works as in version 2.1.4. If any other problem arises, please report.

Auto adjust of brightness/background for HNS_REAL 1.0.3 the realsky/DSS viewer any many small but important inprovements. You have to own the Realsky or DSS cd's to be able to use this program.

2003-1-16  Korean Skymap "ChunSangYeulChaBunYaZiDo (B.C.100 ~ A.D.100),

2003-1-11  FITS images: Small update for supplementary fits images M11, M27, M57, M18, M42, M31, LMC, SMC in HFITS1.ZIP . The first three images are by made by myself. Some images where overexposed in the DSS. If you can provide other improved images, please inform me.  

HNS_REAL: Small update in the Realsky viewer hns_real.zip version 1.0.2. Allows saving 8 FITS images with current brightness and background settings.

Hint: For Orbital Elements for comet C/2002 X5 (Kudo-Fujikawa) download: http://cfa-www.harvard.edu/iau/Ephemerides/Comets/Soft06Cmt.txt  

For info look to: http://cfa-www.harvard.edu/iau/Ephemerides/Comets/2002X5.html

2002-12-30   HNSKY v2.2.0d  Fixed a small problem with the ASCOM tool bar. It became visible when loading an *.hns file where it was not docked. Secondly Cntrl-R made exclusively for cross hair.

2002-12-28   HNSKY v2.2.0c  Accuracy of rise/set times slightly improved.

2002-12-20  Updated the large asteroid file hns_ast1.zip (0.5 mbytes) with the data of 10000 asteroids for december 2002.

2002-12-16   Conversion tools for original MPC, minor planet center files to HNSKY format. 50000 or all 187000 minor planets (could be slow) available.

2002-12-15   HNSKY v2.2.0b  Improved fix for FITS repaint problem after mouse click on zoom in/out buttons.

2002-12-12   HNSKY v2.2.0a  Fixed a FITS repaint problem after mouse click on zoom in/out buttons.

2002-12-11   HNSKY v2.2.0  Final version including december 2002 asteroid and comet file.

2002-11-12:  HNS_FITS version 1.2.1  Improved accuracy in case the image is streched. Added two more info fields and fixed a bug in the import routine for FITS files (resulting in harmless double entries). Several internal improvements.

2002 September, Oktober, November   HNSKY ß versions  Modified error messages for missing FITS and USNO files. Combined access of the GSC and USNO (SA) is now possible.  Mouse click finds USNO stars. The CCD measuring grid was 10 ,20 % wrong in size. Also the telrad size had to be slightly adjusted and fixed. HNSKY has now an ASCII default.hns file instead binary. Conversion goes automatically. This allows future changes in settings file without loosing you old settings. If required you can also modify the *.hns files yourself manually or by an external program. HNSKY can use the ASCOM  telescope driver directly ! You have to download and install the program from ASCOM too (7.2 mbytes). Secondly, many small internal changes in supplement interpretator. Now magnitude filtering for deepsky and stars works as desired. Found and fixed a position pre-filtering function in the supplement read routine. Large supplements such as Leda should now plot much faster. This bug was there for a long time. Also introduced magnitude filtering for deepsky and stars in supplement. Small correction in the pre-selection of FITS files so the FITS image corners are also visible wenn using high zoom factors. Secondly, smoother display of moon phase curve. Tiny correction in HNS_FITS for saving Fits files. Thirdly, renamed the 255 deep sky FITS files extension from .FIT8 to .FIT. Very small correction in repaint after switching on/off  "found instruments" "pointing circles."  Secondly "deepsky contours only" is switched on automatically if FITS images are enabled.

2002-9-11: For historical and scientific purposes, the complete Bonner, Southern and Cordoba Durchmusterung of the 19 th century in a HNSKY database: durchmus.zip  Size 10 mbytes containing more then 1.000.000 stars.

2002-9-6:  HNS_FITS version 1.1.0 Introduced scroll bars, stretching image  (like zooming) and improved star locking. 2000-9-8 version 1.1.0a b. Small fix for disturbing white bars occurring outside images if previous reference stars where outside range. v1.1.0b, small fix for calculating mouse position in stretched images.

2002-9-4 : 1) hns_real.zip Added batch routine for converting multiple FITS to BMP. 2) Added to the conversion tools hnskypd.zip a program to convert the 19 century Bonner, Southern, Cordoba Durchmusterungen to HNSKY format, equinox 2000.

NEXT :  History part 2