This script is Perl implementation of VI/42 Identification of a Constellation From Position (Roman 1987). Based on C code of program.c
- data.dat from VI/42 (direct link) or from this package
- Getopt::Long
- Math::Trig
Usage (from console):
$ ./constByCoords.pl [--ra HH.hhhh --dec DD.dddd [--epoch YYYY.0] [--quiet]]
Note: instead HH.hhhh or DD.dddd you can use HH:MM:SS.ss or DD:MM:SS.ss (see below)
List of options:
- --ra — RA (α), right ascension of the celestial object
- --dec — DEC (δ), declination of the celestial object
- --epoch — Epoch of the coordinates (default 2000.0)
- --quiet — Print only constellation name
Example 1. Without any option:
$ ./constByCoords.pl
Output:
Usage: ./constByCoords.pl [--ra HH.hhhh --dec DD.dddd [--epoch YYYY.0] [--quiet]]
Note: instead HH.hhhh or DD.dddd you can use HH:MM:SS.ss or DD:MM:SS.ss`
Example 2. Using format HH.hhhh, DD.dddd (Sirius, α CMa)
$ ./constByCoords.pl --ra=6.75230861111 --dec=-16.7215361111
Output:
RA = 6.7523 Dec = -16.7215 is in Constellation: CMa
===============The Equinox for these positions is: 2000.0
Example 3. Using format HH:MM:SS.sss, DD:MM:SS.sss (Regulus, α Leo)
$ ./constByCoords.pl --ra=10:08:22.053 --dec=+11:58:02.05
Output:
RA = 10.1395 Dec = 11.9672 is in Constellation: Leo
===============The Equinox for these positions is: 2000.0
Example 4. Using epoch 1950.0 instead default 2000.0
$ ./constByCoords.pl --ra=6.2222 --dec=-81.1234 --epoch 1950.0
Output:
RA = 6.2222 Dec = -81.1234 is in Constellation: Men
===============The Equinox for these positions is: 1950.0
Example 5. Using qiuet mode (print only constellation name)
$ ./constByCoords.pl --ra=9.4555 --dec=-19.9000 --epoch 1950.0 --quiet
Output:
Hya
Some example data got from README file of VI/42