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Subject: [M]: LX200: Best Pair for 2-star Alignment.
From: James W. Burrows
Reply To: mapug@shore.net
Date: Sun Dec 28 00:26:24 1997


<ftp://ftp.halcyon.com/pub/users/burrjaw/bestpair.zip>, 98 kbytes

This DOS program shows you the visible alignment stars; you choose the
subset of visible stars that can be used for alignment, e.g., not
obstructed and not TOO low in the sky. After the subset choice is
completed, the program computes and displays the best pair.

The .zip file contains executables, source code, and README.TXT which
explains how to set the program up for your location and which concept of
"best" is used. For those whose bag contains matrix algebra and WinWord
6.0, there's a file which goes (deeply) into the theory.

Have fun - run it once, then again, taking out a star that the program
chose the first time, and see how the program wiggles around for the next
best pair, etc.

Challenge: can anyone find a SIMPLE criterion for the best pair,
equivalent to all the mathematical hocus-pocus used here?



-- Jim Burrows phone 206.244.2933, fax .0294
-- Email burrjaw@halcyon.com
-- Seattle N47d28'20", W122d21'58" (WGS84)