Object Name or Coordinates of Center of Field
In this text entry field, type either an object name or the position in the plane of the sky for the center of the region of interest. You may use any of the several coordinate systems. Both NED and SIMBAD name resolvers, respectively, are used. You can enter a 6 component field with hours, minutes, and seconds for the right ascension and degrees, arcminutes, and arcseconds for the declination.Example: 6 23 42.3, -55 20 11
for Right Ascension = 6hr 23min 42.3sec, Declination = -55deg 20' 11"
Or you can provide a 2 component field using degrees for both coordinates.
Example: 95.92625, -55.3364The comma between RA and DEC is optional. When the entire form is complete either hit the Return key in the 'Coordinates or Object Name' field or click on the Submit button. Click on the appropriate year of the Equinox of your input coordinates if it is expressed in the Equatorial coordinate system. Since the Equatorial system is oriented with the Earth, it precesses along with the Earth. For this coordinate system, therefore, one must specify the date to which the coordinate position refers. Besides the Equatorial coordinate system, you can provide coordinates in Galactic, Ecliptic, or Supergalactic coordinates. In the Equatorial system, the equator is an extension of the Earth's equator. Galactic coordinates are oriented so that the equator lies along the flattened plane of our Galaxy. Ecliptic coordinates are oriented so that the equator lies along the major plane of the Solar System. And, Supergalactic coordinates are oriented so that the equator lies along the flattened plane of the Local Supercluster, that includes the Virgo Cluster. If you do not want grid lines displayed on the plot, uncheck the 'Coordinate Grid' button. The size of the region for viewing is chosen from the Region Size pull down menu. This sets the angle subtended by each side of the square viewing region. If you change the menu settings of the 'After' or 'Before' dates from their original settings, then the search will become restricted to observations that were made during the interval specified.
| Authors: | Vincent Kargatis, Ed Shaya |
| Curator: | Ed Shaya / U of Maryland |