DOWNLOADABLE BONUS: Adastra now makes available almost 20000 stars for both the sky display and information database.
SPECIAL FEATURE: Scintillation (twinkling) effects introduced into Adastra's sky display (menu option).
3.3 Distribution Status update (Dec 99)
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SUMMARY: By popular demand, Adastra is FREE again! To celebrate, the program is re-christened Adastra FREESTAR.
STATUS CHANGE: Freeware with no requirement to register.
ENHANCEMENT: A substantial slimming-down and economising on system resource requirements has been achieved. Adastra will now load more efficiently and demand less memory. ( ZDNet please note! )
3.0 Major Admin and Performance update (Nov 99)
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SUMMARY: Adastra now features an informative guide to astronomy reading.
FEATURE: The Astronomy Bookshop.
ENHANCEMENT: over 3000 more stars. Adastra Special now comes with the complete HR Catalogue as standard.
2.5 Major Feature and Bug Fix Update (Apr 99)
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SUMMARY: From a new Reference menu, Adastra (Special) now makes available two definitive hypertext reference works, Coeli Solar Guide(tm) and Astrogloss -- The Concise HTML Dictionary of Astronomy, comprising 1000 articles of interest to the beginning and amateur astronomer. Adastra's Freeware incarnation continues to shine with the brand new Picture Window and an enhanced ability to start in full screen mode, plus several other enhancements as detailed below.
MAJOR FEATURE: Picture window for full-size JPEG graphics, with auto link to selected sky objects.
MAJOR FEATURE: Integral access to Solar Guide and Astrogloss from new Reference Menu *
MAJOR ENHANCEMENT: Select from a dropdown list of over 1300 preset locations from which to view the sky.
MAJOR ENHANCEMENT: Full in-program tailoring of Reports now possible.
ENHANCEMENT: New report fields added for planets - angular size, distance in km etc.
ENHANCEMENT: Distance in miles for solar-system objects can now be included on reports.
ENHANCEMENT: Non-integer time zones - for our Antipodean and Far Eastern friends.
BUG FIX: A serious bug affecting the ability to save personal and geographic data across sessions has at last been fixed.
2.0 Major Feature Update (Dec 98)
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SUMMARY: Many restrictions lifted, notably the inability to auto-center during search operations (ZDNet please note!). Adastra now comes with 6000 stars as standard.
MAJOR FEATURE: Find stars by designation (Bayer, Flamsteed, HR, SAO number)
MAJOR ENHANCEMENT: 6000 stars now supplied as standard.(Sep 98)
ENHANCEMENT: Find facility permits searching for Deep Sky Objects.
ENHANCEMENT: Find facility incorporates option to auto-center on found object. (ZDNet please take note!)
MAJOR ENHANCEMENT: Higher accuracy & reliability routines implemented for all co-ordinate conversions and most effects (eg. Equatorial --> Horizon coordinates) (24.6.98)
ENHANCEMENT: A large selection from the NGC catalogue of Deep Sky Objects now accessible. (28.8.98)
A certain amount of 'slimming down' and streamlining as regards Adastra's resource requirements has been achieved. Adastra will now load and run more efficiently.
An enhanced version called Adastra Special is available for just $19, adding over 3000 new stars and permitting full tailoring and configuration of the Report window with many extra fields.
Best news of all: Adastra as you have grown to know it is STILL free!
