Short:        Next Generation Planetarium (1.8.16)
Author:       astegema@ix.urz.uni-heidelberg.de (Achim Stegemann)
Uploader:     astegema ix urz uni-heidelberg de (Achim Stegemann)
Type:         misc/sci
Version:      1.8.16
Requires:     misc/sci/DAlmanac_Data.lha
Architecture: m68k-amigaos

********* This is Digital Almanac II *********


########## Requires ##########

* MC68020/68881
* OS 3.0
* Harddrive (20 MB space)
* 6 MB free FastRAM
* MUI 3.8
* DAlmanac_Data.lha of version 1.0

########## Additional archives ##########

These archives are add-ons. You don't need to install them, if you don't like to.

* DAlmanac_Ast.lha:   Contains the asteroid catalog.
* DAlmanac_DS.lha:    Contains the deep-sky object catalogs.
* DAlmanac_Maps.lha:  Contains the surface textures of planets.


########## Recommended ##########

* MC68040 or MC68060
* OS 3.5
* 16 MB FastRAM
* Graphic card with CyberGraphX V3


########## Supported software ##########

* CyberGraphX for true/hicolor screens.
* mpeg_encode (included) to create MPEG movies.
  Requires ixemul.library V39 or higher.
* Xpk system to store images in IFF-RGFX format.
  A datatype for this new graphic format is available at Aminet:util/dtype/rgfx-dt.lha.
* Turboprint V3 or higher.


########## Installation ##########

* Download this archive and at least DAlmanac_Data.lha.
* Unpack the exe archive.
* Read the chapter 'Installation' in the guide carefully before you proceed !!!
* Start the installer script and follow its instructions.
  The add-ons will be installed by the script too.


########## Supported languages ##########

* German
* English
* French (catalog only, no docs !!)
* Italian (catalog only, no docs !!)

Note: Some french and italian expressions are still missing in the catalog.


########## INTRODUCTION ##########

Digital Almanac is one of the best programs for hobby astronomers and professionals
available for the Amiga !

It offers:
* Star database with ca. 500,000 stars up to 16m.
* Cross-index for SAO, PPM, HD, YBS und GC catalogs.
* About 40000 deep-sky objects (Messier, NGC, IC, UGC, Abell, Zwicky and other misc objects).
* More than 56000 minor planets and asteroids as well as the
  comets Halley, Hyakutake and Hale-Bopp.
* Highly accurate calculation of Moon and planets with JPL's integration tables (DE404).
  Accuracy partly <0.1'' over a period of some thousand years !!
* Moons of Jupiter, Saturn and Uranus.
* Textures for all planets and most moons.
* Milky way structure.
* View the sky from any solar system object.
* Save animations in IFF-ANIM, QuickTime or MPEG format.
* Loading and saving of configuration files.
* Highly optimized algorithms for maximum speed, mostly written in assembler.
* Lots of configuration possibilities.
* Online and menu help with HELP-key and MUI's bubblehelp.
* Full Drag&Drop support.
* Creation and export of ephemeris tables.
* Picture galery creation.
* User editable database of orbital elements.
* Control program with ARexx scripts.

Included in the archive are two project files of a solar and a lunar eclipse ready to watch !


########## THIS PROGRAM IS SHAREWARE ##########

Following features are restricted for non registered users:

* Star output limited to the area of Orion.
* Data area limited to 01.01.1990 to 01.01.2010.
* Deep-sky catalog access limited to the Messier catalog.
* All saving and printer functions are disabled.
* No changing site to a different planet, only Earth enabled.
* No detailed course of eclipses.
* No picture galery.
* No events in the calendar.
* No GSC catalog.
* No textured planets.
* The program will terminate after 20 min and all 5 min a requester will appear.

Read the guide file for more information and how to become a registered user or
visit my homepage.

Internet: http://www.rzuser.uni-heidelberg.de/~astegema


########## Troubleshooting ##########

If you have installed Digital Almanac correctly and your computer crashes without
any visible reason, please check the following statements:

* I run a MC68040 and I have installed the original 68040.library from Commodore.
* I run a MC68060 and I have installed the latest 68060.library.
* I have installed the original math-libs from Commodore, i.e
  I do not use any replacement libs or patches concerning these math-libs.

If you negate any of these statements, you may find Digital Almanac not
to work on your Amiga !!
Please read the chapter "Troubleshooting" in the docs !


########## Changes since Digital Almanac II 1.8.15 ##########

Fixed bugs:
* Because of a little typo mistake, light travel time was corrected towards the future and
  not towards past.