=PYSTARATLAS= README.txt file

PYSTARATLAS is a collection of libraries and command line programs aim to draw different start maps and sky images in styles.

==Dependences==

It is written in python with the following dependences:

• pyproj4. A powerful python library implementing the projections algorithms of the Proj4 project.
• pylab to manage arrays.
• pyfits for reading FITs astronomical format.
• ephemerides for solar system ephemerides calculation.
• reportlab to draw pdf files.
• Image (PIL image library) to manipulate images.
• Several common used libraries (math,system,datetime ...).

==Data Sources==

Also it use a lot of sources of astronomical data, mainly:

Catalogues form CDS(Centre de Strasbourg):

• Hipparcos.
• NGC2000.
• BSC (Bright Stars Catalogue).
• Cross catalogue for Stars names.

Several files from Stellarium project:

• Constellations bounds.
• Constellation figures.

Up to date online data:

• TLE elements from Minor Planet Institute. Comments, Asteroids and spacecraft.
• DSS2 Imagen form www.sky-map.com

=Main Components= ==Libraries==

• catalogues.py -> Reads datafiles.
• internetcatalogues.py -> Recover TLE data from internet.
• sesame.py -> Find objects coords and download DSS2 image from sky-maps.org. Need sesame package in order to work

==Command line executables==

• proy.py ->Draw map showing a whole sky projection.
• imagebook.py -> Draw astronomical objects from a list