The BBC and Master Computer Public Domain Library

THE NIGHT SKY

Professional, Originally Released On Cassette Only

Disc compatibility     : ADFS 1D00, CDFS 1D00, DFS 1D00

Instructions' Source   : 3

Review (Electron User)

Is gazing at heavenly bodies your scene? Do you know an Ursa Major from a Corona Borealis? If your answers are yes, then this program is right up your street (or your Milky Way!). It will allow you to place yourself anywhere in the world, within certain generous limitations of longitude and latitude, and look at any constellation, or the sky in general.

There are more than 80 constellations listed, and they are identified by their three-letter abbreviations as used by the IAU. Care must be taken to enter this with the correct sequence of upper and lower case letters. Of course, we Electron users know it's easier to enter lower case letters on the Electron than on the BBC Micro.

The constellations contain over 1,000 stars, although not all will be available to view from our chosen location, even though a northerly or southerly aspect may be selected.

Various options are available, one being the facility to enter ANY as the answer to the name of the constellation. The micro will then select one and display it, having made sure it is visible. You can then use this as a test, guessing the answer before it is revealed.

If your interest in astronomy is perhaps dormant, this is a super program to awaken it!

Phil Tayler, ELECTRON USER 2. 2