[BAA Comets] Comet finder charts

[Graham Relf]

On 31/07/2012 13:06, Graham Relf wrote:
> On 31/07/2012 11:31, Roger Dymock wrote:
>> Hi Graham,
>>
>> A couple of questions relating to the Kreutz comets on the Computing Section charts;
>> - can I enlarge the main chart as these comets are a little crowded making it
>> difficult to pick out individual comets?
>> - on the detailed chart for a specific Kreutz comet there are a number of circles.
>> Presumably these indicate the number of days from perihelion but there are several
>> with the same number. Which relate to the comet noted at the top of the chart?
>>
>> Regards
>>
>> Roger Dymock
>> Email: roger.dymock at ntlworld.com
>> Tel: 023 92647986
>> Skype: rjvdymock
>> MPC Observatory Code: 940
>>
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: comets-disc-bounces at britastro.org [mailto:comets-disc-bounces at britastro.org] On
>> Behalf Of Graham Relf
>> Sent: 24 July 2012 19:21
>> To: BAA Comets discussion list
>> Subject: [BAA Comets] Comet finder charts
>>
>> Now updated at http://britastro.org/computing/charts_comet.html
>>
>> But does anyone use them? Please give some feedback.
>>
>> Graham
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> Roger,
>
> No, the main chart cannot be enlarged. The idea was to indicate the
> general search area rather than to pinpoint particular comets. The
> outline of that area might be worth plotting.
>
> On the more detailed charts it is possible to work out which is which of
> the 3 circles with the same label by using the Tabulate button.
>
> However, I can see your point(s) and I will look at making some
> improvements. The detailed charts would be easy to improve but I am not
> so sure about the main chart. I'll look into it anyway.
>
> One problem is that the more features I add the bigger a download it
> becomes, and thereby the less responsive for the user. So I am currently
> working on getting individual orbit elements from the server only when
> required by the user rather than downloading them all at the start. As
> part of that I am making it so the elements are updated daily
> (automatically) from MPC. I'll let you know when the new version is live.
>
> I am glad to see you are using the charts.
>
> Regards,
> Graham
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Roger,

A new version of "What's observable" ( 
http://britastro.org/computing/applets_planets.html ) now shows which is 
which of the Kreutz comets on the detailed chart. You will need to 
restart your browser, and possibly clear its cache, to see it.

A side effect is that all detailed charts now show the full names of 
objects, which is an improvement. Also you will see that the list of 
(non-Kreutz) comets you can select from is much larger - the full MPC 
list, but not yet updated daily.

Regards,
Graham