mirror of https://github.com/tLDP/LDP
1049 lines
35 KiB
Plaintext
1049 lines
35 KiB
Plaintext
<!DOCTYPE article PUBLIC "-//OASIS//DTD DocBook V3.1//EN">
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<article>
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<artheader>
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<!-- Title information -->
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<title>Linux Astronomy HOWTO</title>
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<author>
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<firstname>Elwood</firstname>
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<surname>Downey</surname>
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</author>
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<author>
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<firstname>John</firstname>
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<surname>Huggins</surname>
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<affiliation>
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<address>
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<email>howto@astronomy.net</email>
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</address>
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</affiliation>
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</author>
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<pubdate role="cvs">$Date$</pubdate>
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<releaseinfo>$Revision$</releaseinfo>
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<copyright>
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<year>2000-2007</year>
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<holder role="mailto:howto@astronomy.net">Elwood Downey and John Huggins</holder>
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</copyright>
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<abstract>
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<para>
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This document shares tips and resources to utilize Linux solutions in the pursuit of Astronomy.
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</para>
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</abstract>
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<!-- Table of contents -->
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<indexterm>
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<primary></primary>
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</indexterm>
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</artheader>
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<!-- Beginning -->
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<sect1 id="intro">
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<title>Introduction</title>
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<sect2>
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<title>Knowledge Required</title>
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<para>
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With all the help from major Linux distributions such as SuSE, Redhat and many others, Linux based systems are becoming easier to use. However, there is still some need of understanding of basic Unix skills to make the most of Linux. Thus, this HOWTO will assume that the reader has at least a basic knowledge of using a Unix system including the ability to compile and install programs.
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</para>
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<para>
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A few resources we have found useful over the years include:
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</para>
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<para>
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<itemizedlist>
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<listitem>
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<para>"A Practical Guide to the Unix System", Mark G. Sobel</para>
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</listitem>
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<listitem>
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<para>"Advanced Programming in the Unix Environment", the late W. Richard Stevens</para>
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</listitem>
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<listitem>
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<para>"Running LINUX", Matt Welsh et al.</para>
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</listitem>
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<listitem>
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<para>"LINUX Device Drivers", Alessandro Rubini</para>
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</listitem>
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</itemizedlist>
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</para>
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<para>
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Similarly, this is not a tutorial or reference for astronomy principles or astronomical instrumentation. Astronomy is perhaps the grandest of all sciences, employing widely disparate disciplines in a bold attempt to understand nothing less than the universe itself. Your interests will lead in many directions. A few references we have used include:
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</para>
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<para>
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<itemizedlist>
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<listitem>
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<para>"Explanatory Supplement to the Astronomical Almanac", P. Kenneth Seidelmann</para>
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</listitem>
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<listitem>
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<para>"Astronomy with your Personal Computer", Peter Duffett-Smith</para>
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</listitem>
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<listitem>
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<para>"Astronomy on the Personal Computer", Oliver Montenbruck et al</para>
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</listitem>
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<listitem>
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<para>"Textbook on Spherical Astronomy", W. M. Smart</para>
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</listitem>
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<listitem>
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<para>"The Astronomy and Astrophysics Encyclopedia", Stephen P. Maran, ed.</para>
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</listitem>
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</itemizedlist>
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</para>
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</sect2>
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<sect2>
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<title>Scope</title>
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<para>
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The authors define the scope of this HOWTO as primarily an index to Linux tools applicable in some fashion to the pursuit of Astronomy. It is NOT our intention to list WWW astronomy references in general. Our own interests tend more toward the technology than the pure science and so we welcome contributions from others who have found Linux tools which contribute in other ways to Astronomy. Please contact us at the address above.
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</para>
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</sect2>
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<sect2 id="disclaimer">
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<title>Disclaimer</title>
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<para>
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No liability for the contents of this documents can be accepted.
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Use the concepts, examples and other content at your own risk.
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As this is a new edition of this document, there may be errors
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and inaccuracies, that may of course be damaging to your system.
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Proceed with caution, and although this is highly unlikely,
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the author(s) do not take any responsibility for that.
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</para>
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<para>
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All copyrights are held by their by their respective owners, unless
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specifically noted otherwise. Use of a term in this document
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should not be regarded as affecting the validity of any trademark
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or service mark.
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</para>
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<para>
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Naming of particular products or brands should not be seen
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as endorsements.
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</para>
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<para>
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You are strongly recommended to take a backup of your system
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before major installation and backups at regular intervals.
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</para>
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</sect2>
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<sect2>
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<title>Version</title>
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<para>
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$Revision$
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</para>
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<para>
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$Date$
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</para>
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<para>
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The latest version of this document is always available on the <ulink url="http://astronomy.net/">Astronomy Net</ulink> at <ulink url="http://howto.astronomy.net/howto/">Astronomy HOWTO</ulink>.
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</para>
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<para>
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We eagerly accept suggestions from you. Send them to <ulink url="mailto:howto@astronomy.net">Astronomy HOWTO Editors</ulink>.
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</para>
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</sect2>
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<sect2>
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<title>Copyright</title>
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<para>
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Copyright 2000-2007 by Elwood Downey and John Huggins. This document may be distributed only subject to the terms and conditions set forth in the LDP License except that this document must not be distributed in modified form without the author's consent.
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</para>
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<para>
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A verbatim copy may be reproduced or distributed in any medium physical or electronic without permission of the author. Translations are similarly permitted without express permission if it includes a notice on who translated it. Commercial redistribution is allowed and encouraged; however please notify authors of any such distributions.
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</para>
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<para>
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Excerpts from the document may be used without prior consent provided that the derivative work contains the verbatim copy or a pointer to a verbatim copy.
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</para>
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<para>
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Permission is granted to make and distribute verbatim copies of this document provided the copyright notice, the list of authors and this permission notice are preserved on all copies.
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</para>
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<para>
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In short, we wish to promote dissemination of this information through as many channels as possible. However, we wish to retain copyright on this HOWTO document, and would like to be notified of any plans to redistribute this HOWTO. For information about translations of this document, please see below.
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</para>
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</sect2>
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<sect2>
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<title>Contributions</title>
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<para>
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As we pursue the goals of the Astronomy HOWTO, we will recognize the contributions of folks who provide us with data here.
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</para>
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<para>
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<itemizedlist>
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<listitem>
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<para>
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Progga - Helped us get this document into modern times by converting the older linuxdoc to docbook.
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</para>
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</listitem>
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</itemizedlist>
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</para>
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</sect2>
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<sect2>
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<title>Translations</title>
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<para>
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Since Astronomy is very much an international effort, we encourage translation of this HOWTO into any language. We only ask the following:
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</para>
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<itemizedlist>
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<listitem>
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<para>If you are a translator, please contact us at the above address so we may give proper credit here. This way, readers will immediately see what translations are available and see where to get them.</para>
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</listitem>
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<listitem>
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<para>Please obtain the latest copy of the Astronomy HOWTO from its home at <ulink url="http://howto.astronomy.net/">Astronomy Net</ulink> before you begin your translation effort.</para>
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</listitem>
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</itemizedlist>
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<para>
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We thank the following for their translation efforts:
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</para>
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<para>
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<itemizedlist>
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<listitem>
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<para><ulink url="http://www.linux.or.jp/JF/JFdocs/Astronomy-HOWTO.html">Japanese Translation</ulink> courtesy of Shouhei Nagaoka</para>
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</listitem>
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<listitem>
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<para><ulink url="http://www.belgeler.org/howto/astronomy-howto.html">Turkish Translation</ulink> courtesy of Ismail Aykut</para>
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</listitem>
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</itemizedlist>
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</para>
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</sect2>
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<sect2>
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<title>About the authors</title>
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<para>
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Elwood Downey has over two decades experience in software engineering for various astronomy projects. Mr. Downey is currently the software and systems engineer for the <ulink url="http://www.mro.nmt.edu/2.4m/">Nasmyth Telescope</ulink> in New Mexico. Learn more about Elwood at <ulink url="http://www.clearskyinstitute.com/resumes/ecdowney/resume.html">Clear Sky Institute</ulink>.
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</para>
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<para>
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John Huggins has over twenty years experience in hardware engineering including eight years associated with an astronomy observatory project. He also maintains a twelve year old popular astronomy web site called <ulink url="http://www.astronomy.net/">www.astronomy.net</ulink>; It includes forums, AstroGuide and astronomy articles. Learn more about John at <ulink url="http://www.johnhuggins.com/resume/">John's Site</ulink>.
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</para>
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</sect2>
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</sect1>
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<sect1 id="software">
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<title>Software</title>
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<para>
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Software Section
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</para>
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<sect2>
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<title>Collections</title>
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<para>
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Here are some links to collections and other indexes of Linux astronomy software.
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</para>
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<para>
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<itemizedlist>
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<listitem>
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<para>
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<ulink url="http://bima.astro.umd.edu/nemo/linuxastro/astromake/">AstroMake</ulink> is a utility intended to make installations of some common astronomical packages (in binary form) easy.
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</para>
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</listitem>
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<listitem>
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<para>
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<ulink url="http://web.upm.edu.ph/~xenos/linux/linapps/linapp3.html#science">Linux Applications and Utilities Page, Science and Math</ulink>
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</para>
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</listitem>
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<listitem>
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<para>
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<ulink url="http://www.openastro.com/">Linux for Astronomy CDROM... now the Open Source Astronomy CDROM project</ulink>
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</para>
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</listitem>
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<listitem>
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<para>
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<ulink url="http://www.comsoc.org/vancouver/scieng.html">Scientific Applications on Linux (SAL), Physics and Astronomy</ulink>
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</para>
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</listitem>
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<listitem>
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<para>
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<ulink url="http://www.eso.org/science/scisoft/">Scisoft</ulink> is a project within ESO to provide a collection of astronomical software utilities, mostly public domain tools developed outside ESO, in a uniform way at all four ESO sites. Major data-analysis packages (eg, IRAF/STSDAS, ESO-MIDAS and IDL) are included as well as many smaller utilities.
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</para>
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</listitem>
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<listitem>
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<para>
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The linuxastro mailing list also contains a list of applications and packages. For more information, see <ulink url="http://bima.astro.umd.edu/nemo/linuxastro/">linuxastro</ulink>.
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</para>
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</listitem>
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<listitem>
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<para>
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<ulink url="http://sourceforge.net/softwaremap/trove_list.php?form_cat=134">Sourceforge.net astronomy software</ulink>
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</para>
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</listitem>
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</itemizedlist>
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</para>
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<para>
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If the above does not appeal to your needs, these links may help:
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</para>
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<para>
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<itemizedlist>
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<listitem>
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<para><ulink url="http://www.google.com/search?q=Astronomy+Software+Linux">Linux Astronomy Software from the Google Search Engine</ulink> </para>
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</listitem>
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<listitem>
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<para><ulink url="http://dir.yahoo.com/Science/Astronomy/Software/">Astronomy Software from the Yahoo Listings</ulink> </para>
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</listitem>
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</itemizedlist>
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</para>
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</sect2>
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<sect2>
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<title>Planetarium Programs</title>
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<para>
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Here is discussion of programs which run on Linux for use in finding objects,
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natural and man-made, in the sky.
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</para>
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<para>
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<itemizedlist>
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<listitem>
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<para><ulink url="http://www.clearskyinstitute.com/xephem/">XEphem</ulink> has been the pet project of one of us (Downey) for the past twenty-odd years. It has grown to become one of the more capable interactive tools for the computation of astronomical ephemerides.
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</para>
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</listitem>
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<listitem>
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<para><ulink url="http://www.astrotrf.net:8080/xsky_blurb.html">XSky</ulink> is by Terry R. Friedrichsen, terry@venus.sunquest.com. XSky is essentially an interactive sky atlas.
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</para>
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</listitem>
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<listitem>
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<para><ulink url="http://edu.kde.org/kstars/">KStars</ulink> is a Desktop Planetarium for KDE.
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</para>
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</listitem>
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<listitem>
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<para>
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<ulink url="http://tdc-www.harvard.edu/software/skymap.html">Skymap</ulink> is an astronomical mapping program written in Fortran and C for Unix workstations by Doug Mink of the Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory Telescope Data Center.
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</para>
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</listitem>
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<listitem>
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<para>
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<ulink url="http://www.astroarts.com/products/xplns/">Xplns</ulink> reproduces real starry sky on your display of X Window System.
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</para>
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</listitem>
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<listitem>
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<para>
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<ulink url="http://www.icewalkers.com/Linux/Software/55990/Nightfall.html">Nightfall</ulink> is an astronomy application for fun, education, and science. It can produce animated views of eclipsing binary stars, calculate synthetic light curves and radial velocity curves, and eventually determine the best-fit model for a given set of observational data of an eclipsing binary star system.
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</para>
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</listitem>
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<listitem>
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<para>
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<ulink url="http://nova.sourceforge.net/">NOVA</ulink> free Integrated
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Observational Environment for astronomers.
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</para>
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</listitem>
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<listitem>
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<para>
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<ulink url="http://stellarium.sourceforge.net/">Stellarium</ulink> is free GPL software which renders realistic skies in real time with openGL.
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</para>
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</listitem>
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</itemizedlist>
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</para>
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</sect2>
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<sect2>
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<title>Portable and Handheld Applications</title>
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<para>
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The advance of palm computers has taken hold. Linux has made its way to this realm.
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</para>
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<para>
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<itemizedlist>
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<listitem>
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<para>
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Clear Sky Institute brings us the <ulink url="http://www.clearskyinstitute.com/psc/">Personal Sky Chart</ulink> for the Sharp Zaurus PDA.
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</para>
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</listitem>
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</itemizedlist>
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</para>
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</sect2>
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<sect2>
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<title>Simulators</title>
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<para>
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Programs that classify themselves as simulators.
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</para>
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<para>
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<itemizedlist>
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<listitem>
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<para><ulink url="http://www.shatters.net/celestia/">Celestia</ulink> Real-time visual simulation of space for Windows and Unix(Linux)</para>
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</listitem>
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<listitem>
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<para><ulink url="http://openuniverse.sourceforge.net/">OpenUniverse</ulink> Simulates the Solar System bodies in 3D in Windows and Linux</para>
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</listitem>
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<listitem>
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<para>Started in summer 2001 just as a simple collection of celestial mechanics C++ classes, the <ulink url="http://orsa.sourceforge.net/">ORSA</ulink> project now collects many general classes, a graphical interface running under Linux/Unix, Mac OS X and Windows, and a number of tutorial programs. The ORSA project is under heavy development, and at the moment is beta quality software.</para>
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</listitem>
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</itemizedlist>
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</para>
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</sect2>
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<sect2>
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<title>Image Processing</title>
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<para>
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<itemizedlist>
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<listitem>
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<para>
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Astronomical Information Processing System (AIPS) is the heavy iron used by professional astronomers. <ulink url="http://aips2.nrao.edu/docs/aips++.html">AIPS++</ulink> is the place to find out more, but note that <ulink url="http://www.aoc.nrao.edu/aips/">AIPS Classic</ulink> also exists and is actively maintained.
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</para>
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</listitem>
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<listitem>
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<para>
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Good ol' <ulink url="http://www.gimp.org/">GNU Image Manipulation Program (GIMP)</ulink> is a fine program to use for processing of digital images of all kinds and can prove useful for astro images as well.
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</para>
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</listitem>
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</itemizedlist>
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</para>
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</sect2>
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<sect2>
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<title>Mathematics</title>
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<itemizedlist>
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<listitem>
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<para>
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<ulink url="http://www.stsci.edu/resources/software_hardware/numarray/">Numarray</ulink> provides array manipulation and computational capabilities similar to those found in IDL, Matlab, or Octave. Using numarray, it is possible to write many efficient numerical data processing applications directly in Python without using any C, C++ or Fortran code (as well as doing such analysis interactively within Python or PyRAF).
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</para>
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</listitem>
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<listitem>
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<para>
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<ulink url="http://numpy.scipy.org/">NumPy</ulink> is the successor to Numarray. STScI is in the process of migrating all of its software to use numpy, and the next release of stsci_python and STSDAS/TABLES will use numpy in place of numarray.
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</para>
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</listitem>
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</itemizedlist>
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</sect2>
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<sect2>
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<title>Sun and Moon</title>
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<para>
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A surprising number of applications deal with just the Sun and Moon.
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</para>
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<para>
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<itemizedlist>
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<listitem>
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<para>
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<ulink url="http://nis-www.lanl.gov/~mgh/WindowMaker/DockApps.shtml">wmMoonClock</ulink> shows lunar ephemeris to fairly high accuracy and is listed at this web site along with several other interesting programs. THIS LINK APPEARS DEAD AND MIGHT BE DELETED SOON.
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</para>
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</listitem>
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<listitem>
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<para>
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<ulink url="http://www.paganlink.org/downloads/astronomy/xvmoontool.html">XVMoontool</ulink> is an XView application which displays information about the Moon in real time.
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</para>
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</listitem>
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<listitem>
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<para>
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<ulink url="http://www.flaterco.com/xtide/">XTide</ulink> is a package that provides tide and current predictions in a wide variety of formats. Graphs, text listings, and calendars can be generated, or a tide clock can be provided on your desktop.
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</para>
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</listitem>
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</itemizedlist>
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</para>
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</sect2>
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<sect2>
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<title>Libraries</title>
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<para>
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This section discusses bits and pieces of software that can be used to form the basis for specialized projects.
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</para>
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<para>
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<itemizedlist>
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<listitem>
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<para><ulink url="http://rlspc5.bnsc.rl.ac.uk/star/docs/sun67.htx/sun67.html#xref_">SLALIB</ulink>, part of the <ulink url="http://star-www.rl.ac.uk/">Starlink Project</ulink>, is a complete library of subroutines for astrometric computations. NEWS 2007 - The Starlink Project is no longer in development, however community support is available in some fashion <ulink url="http://star-www.rl.ac.uk/">here</ulink>.
|
|
</para>
|
|
</listitem>
|
|
|
|
<listitem>
|
|
<para><ulink url="http://ascl.net/">Astrophysics Source Code Library</ulink> is a collection of links to numerical astrophysical process models.
|
|
</para>
|
|
</listitem>
|
|
|
|
<listitem>
|
|
<para><ulink url="http://www.moshier.net/">Astronomy and numerical software source codes</ulink> is a collection of C codes related to astronomy.
|
|
</para>
|
|
</listitem>
|
|
|
|
<listitem>
|
|
<para><ulink url="http://www.stjarnhimlen.se/comp/ppcomp.html">How to compute planetary positions</ulink>.
|
|
</para>
|
|
</listitem>
|
|
|
|
<listitem>
|
|
<para><ulink url="http://dim.com/~ashe/ccd-astro.html">CCD Astronomy on Linux.</ulink> A library of routines that help control SBIG cameras.
|
|
</para>
|
|
</listitem>
|
|
|
|
</itemizedlist>
|
|
</para>
|
|
</sect2>
|
|
|
|
<sect2>
|
|
<title>Games</title>
|
|
<para>
|
|
Yes, games.
|
|
</para>
|
|
<para>
|
|
<itemizedlist>
|
|
<listitem>
|
|
<para><ulink url="http://www.google.com/search?q=Orbit+linux+space+fighter">Orbit</ulink> - Be a space fighter pilot in Windows or Linux. NEWS 2007 - the original site domain appears to have been lost, but archive copies are on the Internet. The link has been changed to a Google search URL.</para>
|
|
</listitem>
|
|
</itemizedlist>
|
|
</para>
|
|
</sect2>
|
|
|
|
<sect2>
|
|
<title>Other</title>
|
|
<para>
|
|
Every list needs a miscellaneous section, and this is it for Software.
|
|
</para>
|
|
<para>
|
|
<itemizedlist>
|
|
<listitem>
|
|
<para><ulink url="http://iraf.noao.edu/">IRAF</ulink> is a gigantic but exceptionally capable astronomical analysis system, shepherded over the past 20-odd years by Doug Tody formally at NOAO. It has accumulated innumerable authoritative contributions from leading astronomers in all areas of astronomical data analysis. If you have a serious interest in astronomical data reduction and significant time to invest, this system will reward you mightily.
|
|
</para>
|
|
</listitem>
|
|
|
|
<listitem>
|
|
<para>
|
|
<ulink url="http://www.stsci.edu/resources/software_hardware/pyraf/">PyRAF</ulink> is a new command language for running IRAF tasks that is based on the Python scripting language. It gives users the ability to run IRAF tasks in an environment that has all the power and flexibility of Python.
|
|
</para>
|
|
</listitem>
|
|
|
|
<listitem>
|
|
<para><ulink url="http://www.icewalkers.com/Linux/Software/55990/Nightfall.html">Nightfall Eclipsing Binary Star Program</ulink> </para>
|
|
</listitem>
|
|
|
|
<listitem>
|
|
<para>
|
|
<ulink url="http://xplanet.sourceforge.net/">Xplanet</ulink> Very realistic
|
|
rendering program for Earth and other planets and moons. Uses X Windows and
|
|
OpenGL.
|
|
</para>
|
|
</listitem>
|
|
|
|
<listitem>
|
|
<para>
|
|
<ulink url="http://starplot.org/">StarPlot</ulink>
|
|
A 3-Dimensional Star Chart Viewer for Linux. Uses C++ and Gtk+.
|
|
</para>
|
|
</listitem>
|
|
</itemizedlist>
|
|
</para>
|
|
</sect2>
|
|
|
|
</sect1>
|
|
|
|
<sect1 id="onlinetools">
|
|
<title>Online Tools</title>
|
|
<para>
|
|
I know we said we would not start listing Web sites, but here are a few links
|
|
to sites which offer fully operational tools running online that we feel are
|
|
especially useful or interesting, from a browser on any platform.
|
|
</para>
|
|
<sect2>
|
|
<title>Traditional Form Based Programs</title>
|
|
<para>
|
|
<itemizedlist>
|
|
<listitem>
|
|
<para><ulink url="http://aa.usno.navy.mil/data/docs/RS_OneYear.html">Sun and Moon Rise and Set calculator</ulink> </para>
|
|
</listitem>
|
|
<listitem>
|
|
<para><ulink url="http://aa.usno.navy.mil/data/docs/WebMICA_2.html">Web version of MICA</ulink> </para>
|
|
</listitem>
|
|
<listitem>
|
|
<para><ulink url="http://ssd.jpl.nasa.gov/horizons.cgi">JPL Ephemeris Generator</ulink> </para>
|
|
</listitem>
|
|
<listitem>
|
|
<para><ulink url="http://space.jpl.nasa.gov/">Solar System Simulator</ulink></para>
|
|
</listitem>
|
|
<listitem>
|
|
<para>
|
|
<ulink url="http://www.cleardarksky.com/csk/">Clear Sky Clock</ulink> will show at a glance when we might expect clear and dark skies for one particular observing site.
|
|
</para>
|
|
</listitem>
|
|
<listitem>
|
|
<para>
|
|
The <ulink url="http://simbad.u-strasbg.fr/simbad/">Simbad</ulink> astronomical database provides basic data, cross-identifications and bibliography for astronomical objects outside the solar system.
|
|
</para>
|
|
</listitem>
|
|
</itemizedlist>
|
|
</para>
|
|
</sect2>
|
|
|
|
<sect2>
|
|
<title>Java Applets</title>
|
|
<para>
|
|
<itemizedlist>
|
|
<listitem>
|
|
<para><ulink url="http://sundials.org/annex/geoastro/geoastro.htm">GeoAstro Applet Collection by Juergen Giesen</ulink></para>
|
|
</listitem>
|
|
<listitem>
|
|
<para><ulink url="http://aladin.u-strasbg.fr/">Aladin Interactive Sky Atlas</ulink> </para>
|
|
</listitem>
|
|
<listitem>
|
|
<para><ulink url="http://www.astro.queensu.ca/~dursi/dm-tutorial/cluster-sim.html">Cluster simulator</ulink> NEWS 2007 - WE CANNOT VERIFY THIS PROGRAM - DELETION SCHEDULED</para>
|
|
</listitem>
|
|
<listitem>
|
|
<para><ulink url="http://www.phys.vt.edu/~jhs/SIP/">Sky Image Processor</ulink> an astronomical image processing program which runs over the Web. Hosted at Virginia Tech.</para>
|
|
</listitem>
|
|
<listitem>
|
|
<para><ulink url="http://liftoff.msfc.nasa.gov/RealTime/JTrack/3d/JTrack3D.html">J-Track 3D - Satellite Tracking</ulink></para>
|
|
</listitem>
|
|
</itemizedlist>
|
|
</para>
|
|
</sect2>
|
|
</sect1>
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
<sect1 id="astroimages">
|
|
<title>Astronomical Images over the web</title>
|
|
<para>
|
|
Much effort exists to allow access to Astronomical image file type such as FITS from any web browser. Here are some pointers.
|
|
</para>
|
|
<sect2>
|
|
<title>List</title>
|
|
<para>
|
|
The folks at harvard have a list of Image Servers and Image Browsers.
|
|
</para>
|
|
<para>
|
|
<itemizedlist>
|
|
<listitem>
|
|
<para>
|
|
<ulink url="http://tdc-www.harvard.edu/astro.image.html">Astronomical Images Over the Web</ulink>
|
|
</para>
|
|
</listitem>
|
|
</itemizedlist>
|
|
</para>
|
|
</sect2>
|
|
</sect1>
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
<sect1 id="orgs">
|
|
<title>Organizations</title>
|
|
|
|
<para>
|
|
<itemizedlist>
|
|
<listitem>
|
|
<para>
|
|
The yearly <ulink url="http://www.adass.org/">Astronomical Data Analysis Software and Systems, ADAAS,</ulink> Conference Series provides a forum for scientists and computer specialists concerned with algorithms, software and operating systems in the acquisition, reduction and analysis of astronomical data. The program includes invited talks, contributed papers and poster sessions as well as user group meetings and special interest meetings ("BOFs''). All these activities aim to encourage communication between software specialists and users, and also to stimulate further development of astronomical software and systems.
|
|
</para>
|
|
</listitem>
|
|
|
|
<listitem>
|
|
<para>
|
|
The linuxastro mailing list, linuxastro@majordomo.cv.nrao.edu, is for people who are interested in porting astronomical software to linux. For more information, see <ulink url="http://bima.astro.umd.edu/nemo/linuxastro/">linuxastro</ulink>.
|
|
</para>
|
|
</listitem>
|
|
</itemizedlist>
|
|
</para>
|
|
</sect1>
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
<sect1 id="hardwarecontrol">
|
|
<title>Hardware Control</title>
|
|
<para>
|
|
More folks are using Linux to control equipment. Users range from amateur astronomers in the field to professional observatories.
|
|
</para>
|
|
|
|
<sect2>
|
|
<title>Telescope Control</title>
|
|
<para>
|
|
<itemizedlist>
|
|
<listitem>
|
|
<para>
|
|
<ulink url="http://ktelescope.sourceforge.net/">KTelescope</ulink> is a robust Client/Server control library for Meade's LX200 based telescopes. It uses the Instrument Neutral Distributed Interface (INDI) protocol.
|
|
</para>
|
|
</listitem>
|
|
|
|
<listitem>
|
|
<para>
|
|
<ulink url="http://www.clearskyinstitute.com/INDI/INDI.pdf">INDI</ulink> is an
|
|
instrument-neutral distributed interface for operating any remote device over
|
|
a reliable byte stream interface. There is an active group writing an
|
|
expanding list of drivers for astronomy related equipment including telescopes
|
|
and cameras at
|
|
<ulink url="http://indi.sourceforge.net/">sourceforge.net</ulink>.
|
|
</para>
|
|
</listitem>
|
|
|
|
<listitem>
|
|
<para>
|
|
<ulink url="http://sourceforge.net/projects/observatory/">Talon</ulink>,
|
|
formerly <ulink url="http://www.clearskyinstitute.com/Company/History.html">OCAAS</ulink>,
|
|
is a complete observatory control and astronomical analysis system for Linux.
|
|
</para>
|
|
</listitem>
|
|
|
|
|
|
<listitem>
|
|
<para>
|
|
<ulink url="http://www.clearskyinstitute.com/xephem/">XEphem</ulink> has the
|
|
capability to control several telecopes and other devices using the
|
|
Instrument Neutral Distributed Interface (INDI) protocol.
|
|
</para>
|
|
</listitem>
|
|
</itemizedlist>
|
|
</para>
|
|
</sect2>
|
|
|
|
|
|
<sect2>
|
|
<title>CCD Camera Control</title>
|
|
<para>
|
|
<itemizedlist>
|
|
|
|
<listitem>
|
|
<para>
|
|
<ulink url="http://www.ccd.com/">Apogee Instruments Inc</ulink> supports their line of professional CCD cameras under Linux.
|
|
</para>
|
|
</listitem>
|
|
|
|
<listitem>
|
|
<para>
|
|
<ulink url="http://www.fli-cam.com/">Finger Lakes Instrumentation</ulink> Manufacturer of CCD cameras and filter wheels and include drivers for Linux.
|
|
</para>
|
|
</listitem>
|
|
|
|
<listitem>
|
|
<para>
|
|
<ulink url="http://www.sbig.com/sbwhtmls/linux_announcement.htm">SBIG</ulink> offers some assistance with operating their ST7 and ST8 CCD cameras under Linux.
|
|
</para>
|
|
</listitem>
|
|
|
|
<listitem>
|
|
<para>
|
|
<ulink url="http://dim.com/~ashe/ccd-astro.html">CCD Astronomy on Linux</ulink> These pages describe a number of facets of using astronomical CCD cameras for image acquisition and processing under Linux.
|
|
</para>
|
|
</listitem>
|
|
|
|
<listitem>
|
|
<para>
|
|
<ulink url="http://schmenk.is-a-geek.com/linuxastro.html">Gccd</ulink>
|
|
is a gnome-based CCD camera and filter wheel control program.
|
|
</para>
|
|
</listitem>
|
|
|
|
</itemizedlist>
|
|
</para>
|
|
</sect2>
|
|
</sect1>
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
<sect1 id="installhelp">
|
|
<title>Installation Help</title>
|
|
<para>
|
|
You need to know what you're doing with Linux and installing programs, but help is available for some programs. Here are some ways to make life easier.
|
|
</para>
|
|
|
|
<para>
|
|
<itemizedlist>
|
|
|
|
<listitem>
|
|
<para>
|
|
<ulink url="http://bima.astro.umd.edu/nemo/linuxastro/astromake/">AstroMake</ulink>
|
|
is a utility intended to make installations of some common astronomical packages (in binary form) easy.
|
|
</para>
|
|
</listitem>
|
|
|
|
<listitem>
|
|
<para>
|
|
XEphem requires several elements to exist on your machine. Life is much simpler with the CDROM version of the program as it contains an installation script which loads the appropriate pre-compiled binary for most systems and places all auxiliary files to the correct spots. See Purchase at <ulink url="http://www.clearskyinstitute.com/xephem/">XEphem</ulink>
|
|
</para>
|
|
</listitem>
|
|
|
|
</itemizedlist>
|
|
</para>
|
|
</sect1>
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
<sect1 id="projects">
|
|
<title>Projects using Linux</title>
|
|
<para>
|
|
Here is a list of astronomy projects using Linux in whole or in part of their instrumentation:
|
|
</para>
|
|
|
|
<para>
|
|
<itemizedlist>
|
|
|
|
<listitem>
|
|
<para>
|
|
<ulink url="http://www.chara.gsu.edu/CHARA/index.html">The CHARA Array</ulink> is an optical interferometer project using Linux in their control system.
|
|
</para>
|
|
</listitem>
|
|
|
|
<listitem>
|
|
<para>
|
|
<ulink url="http://www.eso.org/projects/caos/">CAOS</ulink> Club of Amateurs in
|
|
Optical Spectroscopy.
|
|
</para>
|
|
</listitem>
|
|
|
|
</itemizedlist>
|
|
</para>
|
|
|
|
</sect1>
|
|
|
|
<sect1 id="revisions">
|
|
<title>Revision History</title>
|
|
<para>
|
|
In an effort to record a history of the evolution of this document, we maintain it within a CVS repository. What follows is the steps to today's document.
|
|
</para>
|
|
<para>
|
|
<screen>
|
|
$Log$
|
|
Revision 1.56 2007/04/17 02:45:46 jhuggins
|
|
Removed German translation - dead link and could not find with Google.
|
|
Verified all links and corrected many.
|
|
|
|
Revision 1.55 2005/11/04 01:50:21 jhuggins
|
|
Added ORSA and Stellarium.
|
|
|
|
Revision 1.54 2005/11/04 01:39:35 jhuggins
|
|
Added link to Turkish translation, modied some dates and fixed a spelling error.
|
|
|
|
Revision 1.53 2004/06/21 16:34:49 jhuggins
|
|
Re-inserted trailing / on directory based URLs to avoid trailing slash redirect requests from web servers.
|
|
http://httpd.apache.org/docs/misc/rewriteguide.html
|
|
http://www.google.com/search?q=html+url+trailing+slash
|
|
|
|
Revision 1.52 2004/06/21 14:34:24 ecdowney
|
|
|
|
|
|
remove trailing / from all URLs.
|
|
tweak URL to order XEphem
|
|
|
|
Revision 1.51 2004/06/21 06:07:42 ecdowney
|
|
|
|
|
|
add links to INDI reference doc and indi.sourceforge.net group.
|
|
|
|
Revision 1.50 2004/03/01 13:59:14 jhuggins
|
|
Fixed a spelling error reported by Tille. Thanks Tille.
|
|
|
|
Revision 1.49 2004/02/25 16:58:10 jhuggins
|
|
Added some more links to Python based tools and re-arranged some software listings.
|
|
|
|
Revision 1.48 2004/02/07 17:58:56 jhuggins
|
|
Another ulink fix removing expired attribute 'name.'
|
|
|
|
Revision 1.47 2004/02/07 17:55:24 jhuggins
|
|
Fixed a ulink issue with the Talon link.
|
|
|
|
Revision 1.46 2004/02/05 01:22:32 ecdowney
|
|
|
|
|
|
Add entry for Talon now that it is GPL
|
|
|
|
Revision 1.45 2004/01/20 13:51:17 jhuggins
|
|
Changed URL of German translation and changed the copyright date.
|
|
|
|
Revision 1.44 2003/04/21 11:44:17 jhuggins
|
|
Adjusted the name of a contributor.
|
|
|
|
Revision 1.43 2003/04/21 01:58:59 jhuggins
|
|
Wholesale changes including several new links, several new sections and a
|
|
few corrections to previous information.
|
|
|
|
Revision 1.42 2003/04/20 19:26:09 jhuggins
|
|
Testing CVS keywords in docbook tags.
|
|
Revision has no : at the end.
|
|
|
|
Revision 1.41 2003/04/20 15:45:12 jhuggins
|
|
Placed the CVS Log keyword within the screen parameter to avoid troubles.
|
|
|
|
Revision 1.40 2003/04/20 15:42:13 jhuggins
|
|
Added a revision history to the tail end of the document to avoid it cluttering the top.
|
|
|
|
revision 1.39
|
|
date: 2003/04/20 03:58:00; author: jhuggins; state: Exp; lines: +540 -264
|
|
First conversion to Docbook. No content was changed, only the tags.
|
|
|
|
revision 1.38
|
|
date: 2001/08/27 20:45:52; author: astro; state: Exp; lines: +4 -4
|
|
Added Michael Moltenbrey's german translation to the list of translators.
|
|
|
|
revision 1.37
|
|
date: 2001/08/19 18:24:25; author: ecdowney; state: Exp; lines: +8 -3
|
|
Add gccd
|
|
|
|
revision 1.36
|
|
date: 2001/07/25 19:58:54; author: astro; state: Exp; lines: +26 -7
|
|
Added Translator information and fixed a few text format lines.
|
|
|
|
revision 1.35
|
|
date: 2001/06/18 18:48:42; author: astro; state: Exp; lines: +5 -3
|
|
Fixed a few more sgml bugs.
|
|
|
|
revision 1.34
|
|
date: 2001/06/18 18:43:42; author: astro; state: Exp; lines: +12 -5
|
|
More errors fixed.
|
|
|
|
revision 1.33
|
|
date: 2001/06/18 18:23:11; author: astro; state: Exp; lines: +6 -5
|
|
Fixed a few bugs in 1.32. John
|
|
|
|
revision 1.32
|
|
date: 2001/06/18 18:11:39; author: astro; state: Exp; lines: +19 -4
|
|
I added a simulation and games section with a few new links. I also corrected a few spacing issues. John.
|
|
|
|
revision 1.31
|
|
date: 2001/06/15 13:37:58; author: astro; state: Exp; lines: +13 -6
|
|
Change the working of the Online Tools section, divided up the tools into form based and Java Applet based and added a few new listings.
|
|
|
|
revision 1.30
|
|
date: 2001/06/14 20:17:26; author: astro; state: Exp; lines: +4 -4
|
|
Added a space between link for CAOS and its name.
|
|
|
|
revision 1.29
|
|
date: 2001/06/14 20:07:08; author: astro; state: Exp; lines: +5 -5
|
|
Removed the word "Linux" from the Yahoo link as this is just Astronomy Software.
|
|
|
|
revision 1.28
|
|
date: 2001/06/14 20:03:18; author: astro; state: Exp; lines: +4 -4
|
|
Fixed missing quote in the Yahoo Astronomy Software link.
|
|
|
|
revision 1.27
|
|
date: 2001/06/14 19:59:33; author: astro; state: Exp; lines: +5 -4
|
|
Added link to the Yahoo Astronomy Software directory.
|
|
|
|
revision 1.26
|
|
date: 2001/06/14 19:34:32; author: ecdowney; state: Exp; lines: +16 -9
|
|
*** empty log message ***
|
|
|
|
revision 1.25
|
|
date: 2001/06/14 18:48:10; author: astro; state: Exp; lines: +47 -49
|
|
Changed htmlurl to url so the links appear in the txt file along with the html files. htmlurl suppresses the links in the text.
|
|
|
|
revision 1.24
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|
date: 2001/06/14 18:29:25; author: astro; state: Exp; lines: +3 -10
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Fixed a few links.
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revision 1.23
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date: 2001/06/14 18:19:24; author: astro; state: Exp; lines: +8 -4
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Added a few more general search engine links for specific queries about Astronomy Software Linux
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revision 1.22
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date: 2001/06/14 18:14:34; author: astro; state: Exp; lines: +13 -3
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Added some general search engine links for specific queries about Astronomy Software Linux
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revision 1.21
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date: 2001/06/13 22:06:47; author: ecdowney; state: Exp; lines: +4 -4
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*** empty log message ***
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revision 1.20
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date: 2001/06/13 18:11:27; author: ecdowney; state: Exp; lines: +5 -5
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*** empty log message ***
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revision 1.19
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date: 2001/06/13 18:05:05; author: ecdowney; state: Exp; lines: +42 -4
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*** empty log message ***
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revision 1.18
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date: 2001/06/13 16:49:06; author: astro; state: Exp; lines: +4 -4
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Changed the Copyright to include the year 2001.
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revision 1.17
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date: 2001/04/10 21:47:17; author: astrohowto; state: Exp; lines: +4 -4
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Changed www.astronomy.net to astronomy.net.
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revision 1.16
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date: 2001/04/10 21:43:43; author: astrohowto; state: Exp; lines: +0 -2
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Removed log message.
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revision 1.15
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date: 2001/04/10 21:42:56; author: astrohowto; state: Exp; lines: +5 -3
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Added Log information.
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revision 1.14
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date: 2001/04/10 21:40:14; author: astrohowto; state: Exp; lines: +4 -4
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Changed main HOWTO web site to howto.astronomy.net.
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revision 1.13
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date: 2000/11/28 15:23:37; author: astrohowto; state: Exp; lines: +6 -4
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Revised the Author information.
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revision 1.12
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date: 2000/11/21 22:00:45; author: astrohowto; state: Exp; lines: +16 -4
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Added Projects section and added CHARA to it.
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revision 1.11
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date: 2000/11/21 21:39:11; author: astrohowto; state: Exp; lines: +14 -7
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Added several links and removed one bad one for AstrHorloge.
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revision 1.10
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date: 2000/11/07 17:22:16; author: astrohowto; state: Exp; lines: +220 -225
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Removed a few more text line ending problems.
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revision 1.9
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date: 2000/09/21 15:55:48; author: astrohowto; state: Exp; lines: +4 -4
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Changed the link to XSky after receiving an email from terry Friedrichsen.
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revision 1.8
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date: 2000/08/14 18:33:47; author: astrohowto; state: Exp; lines: +12 -3
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Added Nightfall to plantarium programs.
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revision 1.7
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date: 2000/08/14 18:16:28; author: astrohowto; state: Exp; lines: +38 -62
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Removed line feeds from several of Elwood's paragraphs.
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Also added a few suggestions from emails received.
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revision 1.6
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date: 2000/05/03 22:01:25; author: astrohowto; state: Exp; lines: +15 -3
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Added Copyright text.
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revision 1.5
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date: 2000/05/02 11:59:19; author: astrohowto; state: Exp; lines: +8 -4
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Added Linux to the Title and added some contact information. JSH.
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revision 1.4
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date: 2000/05/02 09:05:20; author: astrohowto; state: Exp; lines: +224 -110
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Elwoods additions.
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revision 1.3
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date: 2000/04/30 15:14:25; author: astrohowto; state: Exp; lines: +4 -3
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More RCS
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revision 1.2
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date: 2000/04/30 14:45:16; author: astrohowto; state: Exp; lines: +5 -0
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Added some RCS keywords.
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revision 1.1
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date: 2000/04/30 14:43:43; author: astrohowto; state: Exp;
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Initial revision
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</screen>
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</para>
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</sect1>
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<!-- Ending -->
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</article>
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