Messier
The Program:  Messier is a database program that keeps a list of objects you are trying to observe and can generate a Rise and Set Report.  It is nothing more then an observing aid. It also has a report showing when you located specific objects (should be adequate for applying for your certificate.)  The Messier Program allows you to keep as many separate observing lists as you want, such as the Caldwell list or the Herschel 400.

Click here to Download the Messier Program.
Click here to Download MySQL (required to use my program.)

Scripts to create databases:
    Click here for a script to create an empty database.
    Click here for a script to create the Messier List.
    Click here for a script to create the Caldwell List.
    Click here for a script to create the Herschel 400.

How do I create one of the  standard databases (Messier, Caldwell or Herschel 400.)
How can I create a custom Database.
Messier Documentation.




If you find this program useful, donate $5 to my paypal account.

History:   September, 2004.  I was working on my Messier List when I realized that my search was very haphazard.  I would look for an object I didn't have and then I would  pull up my  Planetarium program and check  to see if the object was going to be up for that night.  Putting together a dozen or so objects could take in excess of an hour.

I pulled out  my copy of "Practical Astronomy with Your Calculator" by Peter Duffett-Smith and started converting the rise and set formulas into Pascal  (the application is written in Delphi.) A week later I had a working program.  I used the basic Rising and setting algorithm found in section 33 (page 52 - 53,)  I didn't include the correction for refraction.  Even so, for most objects, it was agreeing with X-Ephem (my favorite Planetarium program) within in a minute or so.  But I noticed the further away from the ecliptic, the worse the result, giving a maximum error of about 45 minutes.

But for planning purposes this error was acceptable, because I could tell at a glance which of my intended objects would be up that night.

December 2004, Disaster.  My hard disk crashed and I lost several of my user written programs, including Messier.  Over the next month I rewrote the application adding in a log of when I saw each object and the ability to work with more then one database. 

December 2005.  I was home sick with the flu, stuck in the house with a new telescope outside.  So I picked up my Messier Program and tried to fix the light refraction problem.  The next day I had it working and then I worked on a couple of other small issues.

  terry@HaimannOnline.com