Astronomy Program Sky View by Aureus

The Astronomy Program Sky View is an application developed few years ago by a talented spanish coder for the Commodore 64 that enables database-driven display and analysis of stars. The goal of the project is to exploit the technical capabilities of the platform in a scientific visualization environment.

Features

• Database: initially 128 stars, expandable to 2048 objects.
• Search: based on SAO ID or by determining the star closest to the coordinates.
• Display: adjustable window size (0.01°–60°), default view is the Orion constellation.
• Visualization: quasi-graphical window created by transforming characters (80×80 pixel effect).

Instructions for use after running:
Once you have loaded and started the ASTRO program on your Commodore 64, here’s how to use it:

1. Loading the star database
   First, load the data files containing the stars:

LOAD”LOADSAO1″,8 RUN

That gives you 128 stars.

If you need more:

LOAD”LOADSAO2″,8 RUN
LOAD”LOADSAO3″,8 RUN

This allows you to expand the database to up to 2048 stars.

2. Launch the program
   Then launch the main application:

LOAD”ASTRO”,8 RUN

3. Basic functions
   List: displays all loaded stars.

Search: find the desired object based on its SAO identifier.

Sky window:

Select the SHOW SKY option.

Enter the size of the field of view (e.g., 25°).

The section of the sky focused on the given coordinates will then be displayed.

4. Visualization
   The window is composed of characters (80×80 pixel effect).

Default center: Alnilam, so the Orion constellation is visible.

You can flexibly adjust the field of view between 0.01° and 60°.

5. New features (in the updated version)
   Display of the entire hemisphere.

Search for the nearest star at a given coordinate.

Faster running with Blitz compiler.

Audio signal indicating the progress of processing.

Based on community feedback, the integration of telescope control via Commodore 64, RS232 interface, and ASCOM protocol has been proposed. This extension would open up the program to practical astronomical applications.