Messier Documentation

Messier is a classic Database Application.

It consists of:

    five data entry screens,
    two report screens and
    one screen to set Database options.






On each of the Data Entry Screens, a Database Navigator is at the top, as shown above.  From left to right each button does the following:

    1.     Goes to the first record.
    2.     Goes to the previous record.
    3.     Goes to the next record.
    4.     Goes to the last record.
    5.     Inserts a record.
    6.     Deletes current record.
    7.     Puts the current record in edit mode.
    8.     Posts the record.
    9.     Cancels the edit.
   10.    Undoes any unposted changes.

If you are in edit mode and press buttons 1 - 4, the record is automatically posted and then the current record is changed.

The data entry screens are as follows:

1. Edit ->  Object
    This is the main data entry screen for each object.  This is where you can change an objects name, right Ascension, Declination, and where and when the object was observed.
2.  Edit -> Constellation
    This is just the lookup table for Constellations, you can also get at this edit screen from the "Edit Const." button on the Object data entry screen.
3. Edit -> Telescope
    Just a data entry screen to describe your telescope.
4. Edit -> Location
    The data entry screen for your observing location.  You must enter Longitude, Latitude and Timezone information.  There must be at least one valid location entry in order to run the Rise and Set report.
5. Edit ->  Object Type
    This is the window where you define object types (Galaxies, Planetary Nebula s, etc.)

Reports:
    The reports MUST be built before it can be printed.
    If you are not getting any valid output from your reports, make sure the Constellation and Object Type have valid entries in their respective tables.

1. Report -> Standard Report
    A basic report to list when objects were found.  Can be sorted by Constellation or Object Name.  The records can also be limited to Found objects or Not Found objects. 
2. Report ->  Rise/Set Report
    Lists the rise and set report, it is sorted on how many hours a object will be visible after sundown.
    You MUST enter a valid date, location and whether it is daylight savings.

There is one screen left, the
    Edit -> Set Local DB
    This window allows you to define where the database is.
          Server in almost all case can be set to localhost or left blank.  If you are running MySQL on a separate computer on your network, you can set Server to that computers ip address.
          Database should be set to the database name.  If you are running multiple databases, just change this value to the one you want to work with.
          User in all of my examples has been astrouser, but it can be any valid MySQL user (usually done with a grant statement.)
          Password is usually left blank, but if you define your user with a password, enter that password here.