Notes on Database for Astrophotography.

The data base is a simple text file, always named 'objdata.txt', and must always be in the same directory as the main program.  If when you first run the program you get a 'File not found' error message, check that any shortcut you have set up has the same directory as the target.

All the Planets are already entered (except Pluto), and all the Messier objects.  Also several of the better known deep sky objects.  You may alter the database and add your own favourites using any text editor, but you must follow the data structure accurately.

The structure is very straightforward - simply blocks of two as follows:

Description of object
Size of object

The description can be up to 30 characters long.
The size MUST be preceded by the type of measurement in LOWER CASE letters

This is 'd' for degrees
        'm' for arc minutes
        's' for arc seconds.

For example

M51 - Whirlpool Galaxy
m10.8

This sets M51, the Whirlpool Galaxy, with a size of 10.8 arc-minutes.  The description can take any form you prefer - it is straightforward text.

If you want to enter a section header, you must insert a blank line after it.  Likewise if you want a spacing blank line, you must enter two blank lines to maintain the 'blocks of two' data structure.

