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Dumb Question about SAO
What does "SAO" stand for?
I understand that every/some/most/a lot of stars have SAO numbers. Do SAO numbers apply only to stars? Is there a catalog that cross-references SAO numbers to named stars and vice-versa -- so, if I want to see Eps Lyrae in my GOTO, I can access the SAO menu and tell it to GOTO SAO 12345? Thanks. -- ---- Joe S. |
#2
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Dumb Question about SAO
"Joe S." wrote in message ... What does "SAO" stand for? Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory Star Catalog. I understand that every/some/most/a lot of stars have SAO numbers. Down to about 9th magnitude, yes. Do SAO numbers apply only to stars? Yes. Is there a catalog that cross-references SAO numbers to named stars and vice-versa -- so, if I want to see Eps Lyrae in my GOTO, I can access the SAO menu and tell it to GOTO SAO 12345? Down to about 5th magnitude in my book, Celestial Objects for Modern Telescopes. A more thorough one is available from the Astronomical Data Center (it's the work of W. Barry Smith; you should be able to find it via Google). Actually, it bothers me that computerized telescopes do not let you enter Bayer or Flamsteed designations (Alpha Centauri, 61 Cygni, etc.). They ought to. Instead the telescope people seem to enjoy digging up "names" that have been out of use for centuries. My book gives information about all the widely used catalogues and systems of nomenclature. -- Clear skies, Michael Covington -- www.covingtoninnovations.com Author, Astrophotography for the Amateur and (new) How to Use a Computerized Telescope |
#3
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Dumb Question about SAO
"Joe S." wrote in message
What does "SAO" stand for? SAO - Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory Star Catalog I understand that every/some/most/a lot of stars have SAO numbers. Do SAO numbers apply only to stars? Is there a catalog that cross-references SAO numbers to named stars and vice-versa -- so, if I want to see Eps Lyrae in my GOTO, I can access the SAO menu and tell it to GOTO SAO 12345? Thanks. A quick search on Jeeves found this http://www.ledas.ac.uk/arnieV4/indhelp/indhelp_sao.html extract Overview This database is based on the electronic version of the SAO catalog from the Astronomical Data Center, which is itself based on an original binary version of the Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory Star Catalog (SAO, SAO Staff 1966). Subsequent improvements by T. A. Nagy (1979) included the addition of cross-identifications from the Table of Correspondences SAO/HD/DM/GC (Morin 1973). As a prelude to creation of the 1984 version of the SAO, a new version of the SAO-HD-GC-DM Cross Index was prepared (Roman, Warren, and Schofield 1983). The 1984 version of the SAO contained the corrected and extended cross identifications, all errata published up to January 1984 and known to the ADC, numerous errors forwarded to the ADC by colleagues, and errors discovered at the ADC during the course of this work. Clayton A. Smith of the U. S. Naval Observatory provided J2000.0 positions and proper motions for the SAO stars. Published and unpublished errors discovered in the previous version (1984) have been corrected (up to May 1991). /extract HTH -- Simon 51:31N 0:38W http://www.cookie-pool.co.uk/Pool1.htm http://www.maidenhead.astronomical.s...care4free.net/ http://www.popastro.com/home.htm -- Posted via Mailgate.ORG Server - http://www.Mailgate.ORG |
#4
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Dumb Question about SAO
On Thu, 16 Oct 2003 05:32:22 -0400, "Joe S."
wrote: What does "SAO" stand for? I understand that every/some/most/a lot of stars have SAO numbers. Do SAO numbers apply only to stars? Is there a catalog that cross-references SAO numbers to named stars and vice-versa -- so, if I want to see Eps Lyrae in my GOTO, I can access the SAO menu and tell it to GOTO SAO 12345? Thanks. Which GOTO scope do you have? The Nexstar i-series (and I think GPS) scopes have ~29,000 SAO stars but it's a real pain to use that list in the scope. Les Blalock http://www.txastro.com |
#5
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Dumb Question about SAO
"Joe S." wrote in message
... What does "SAO" stand for? It stands for "Sold Astronomical Objects." These are astronomical objects which have been sold through the International Star Registry. Since the purchasers have an official laser-printer certificate, and the names have been published in a book that is registered with the library of Congress, these names are now official, and must be used by astronomers. Of course, astronomers are jealous that they didn't think of it first. Therefore astronomers have resisted using the names. In a passive-aggressive move, they have refused to use the full names, and are using only the numbers. The numbers were assigned in the order of purchase. However congress is now drafting legislation that will force astronomers to use the full names. This is only right, as these people paid good money, and have official certificates. Of course, as an officially published book, the names are protected by International Copyright, thereby forcing the rest of the world to at least use the numbers as well. And, as more copies of the book are registered with governments around the world, eventually astronomers everywhere will have to acknowledge the officialness of these names and use the full names and not just the Sold Astronomical Objects numbers. ("It must be official. I have an official laser-printer certificate!") ;-) Chuck Taylor Do you observe the moon? Try the Lunar Observing Group http://groups.yahoo.com/group/lunar-observing/ |
#6
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Dumb Question about SAO
"Chuck Taylor" wrote in message ... "Joe S." wrote in message ... What does "SAO" stand for? It stands for "Sold Astronomical Objects." These are astronomical objects which have been sold through the International Star Registry. Note to the peanut gallery: He's kidding. When you say things like this on the Internet, all too many people take them literally! |
#7
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Dumb Question about SAO
"John Steinberg" wrote in message ... Here's a little acronym guide that could help keep the astronomy comics away from the mic. g http://chandra.harvard.edu/resources/acronyms.html -- -John Steinberg email: lid ...And that, my liege, is how we know the Earth to be banana-shaped. --Sir Bedevere Thanks, John. I found that link to be PDU! Best regards, Bil |
#8
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Dumb Question about SAO
"John Steinberg" wrote in message ... Here's a little acronym guide that could help keep the astronomy comics away from the mic. g OK, I'll step away from the mic/keyboard and go back into my cave! ;-) Chuck Taylor Do you observe the moon? Try the Lunar Observing Group http://groups.yahoo.com/group/lunar-observing/ |
#9
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Dumb Question about SAO
Michael A. Covington:
Note to the peanut gallery: He's kidding. Maybe, but I still have my laser-printed certificates of ownership. When you say things like this on the Internet, all too many people take them literally! If it weren't true, they wouldn't have put it on the Internet, right? Davoud -- usenet *at* davidillig dawt com |
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