Find Similar Objects in a Preslected Area

[Shavarshk]

I am suggesting adding up another feature which will be either a standalone or a part of an advanced search. I suggest adding up a tool which will permit to select a given area. A user can predefine searchable objects by their type (like dwarfs, blue giants and the like) and magnitude (all objects of the apparent/absolute magnitude, for example, 13). When search is done, the search box would list all objects of the given type, and the preselected area will mark those objects with arrows (suppose yellow ones).

This is not currently a part of astronomical calculations tool, i.e. "what is up tonight?"

[alex-w]

Please describe how user will "permit to select a given area"

[gzotti]

Could be the circular or rectangular area of interest marker? Then do a searchAround()?

[Shavarshk]

Please describe how user will "permit to select a given area"

The "tool will permit to select area"

[Shavarshk]

Could be the circular or rectangular area of interest marker? Then do a searchAround()?

I think a circular marker might be preferred for a start but in future a customizable marker should also be added up. If both options are included then it is the best option. Don't you think so yourself?

[alex-w]

Right now this feature request looks like good proposal (or an idea) for plugin.

[Shavarshk]

Right now this feature request looks like good proposal (or an idea) for plugin.

I think that there might be a tab or a designated area for tools in Stellarium. The feature can be a plugin or a separate instrument within the area. What do you think?

[Shavarshk]

The depth of the search should be defined by the range of magnitudes (as said above), say, between and

[gzotti]

A circular search fov is available. However, selection of object types depends on what classification is stored in the data. "Blue giant" is not stored, just spectral class (or even just B-V) could be filtered for stars. Filtering DSO may then provide a nightmare of selection checkboxes: types, structured subtype classification descriptions, magnitudes, sizes, ... For solar system objects, it may be interesting to search also for particular orbital features. Highlighting the found objects with a special marker requires the development of such markers. Just adding them in a clickable list in the GUI panel might be easier.

Given the context of "Searching", my first thought was this should be done as new tab in the search dialog, not a full plugin. Given above complexities, this now appears rather as semester project with a multi-tab GUI by itself. But you know there are astronomical database services for such queries! Their databases are most probably more complete.

[Shavarshk]

I still suggest going ahead and including simple criteria such as brown dwarves, blue or red giants, open or globular clusters, types of nebula such as emission, reflection and so on... This will be a very useful feature. When you say "blue giant" is not stored, I infer that there are no such storage sections implied at the moment. For this tool it could be useful and handy to initiate the ranges as suggested here above. With regards to "plugin or", I agree that the tab is more preferred as a part of the search box or that of the advanced search box. I was initially inclined to see it in this way. However, an instruments or tools box which might later on be expanded, is also an idea. I suggest that you might look on this approach. According to me, it could be difficult to accommodate a rather complex tool in the current shape and function of the search box. I do not rule it out either.