This appears at the top of the chart, and controls most chart functions.
| Icon | Action | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Screen Mode | Toggles between regular mode (main web site layout) and full-screen mode. | |
| Change Chart Type | Choose from one of several 'prefab' chart settings. | |
| Increase Chart Size | Create the same chart in a larger area. | |
| Decrease Chart Size | Create the same chart in a smaller area. | |
| Zoom In | Increase the chart magnification. | |
| Zoom Out | Decrease the chart magnification. | |
| More Stars | Increase the number of stars shown. | |
| Fewer Stars | Decrease the number of stars shown. | |
| Labels | Switch various chart labels on or off. | |
| Advanced | Change more complex (or less-often used) chart settings. | |
| Download | Download a copy of the current chart. |
These appear when you select a star or deep-sky object and view its details.
| Icon | Action | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Additional Information | If present, you can click this icon to launch an information page (generally from Wikipedia) about this object in another tab/window. | |
| Center on Star/Object | Set the target location to this object. This leaves your source location unchanged. | |
| Go To Star* | Set the source location to this object. This leaves your target unchanged. | |
| Back to Earth* | Set the source location to the Earth. This leaves your target unchanged. | |
| Zoom In** | Deep Sky Closeup mode | |
| Zoom Out** | Deep Sky Wide Field mode |
* Stars only. The Go To Star option only appears for stars with an entry in the Hipparcos catalog. Back to Earth only appears if you are viewing from a location far from the Earth (i.e., well outside the boundaries of the solar system).
** Deep-sky objects only. In Closeup mode, the chart "zooms in" on the selected deep-sky object until the chart scale is exactly the same as the scale for the DSO image from the Digital Sky Survey. In Wide Field mode, the chart scale is the same as a medium-magnification Atlas chart.
To get a selection of other chart types, like very wide-field (naked-eye) views, or charts styled similarly to classic printed atlases like Uranometria, choose a different chart mode from the Chart Types menu.
To travel to a distant star, and see the sky from that star, either enter the star's name in the "Location" field, or click the "Go To Star" icon in the star's details. To get back to the Earth, hit the "Earth" icon in the navigation tool or in any star's details.
To customize chart labels (like coordinate grids and deep-sky objects), options, click "Labels" to show the list of options. Changes to labels take effect immediately when selected or unselected. There is more information about label options.
To customize more advanced settings, click "Advanced" to reveal the settings, or select a "Custom" chart in the chart menu. Then change what you want and click "Redraw". There is more information about these advanced options.
To save an image file (.png) copy of your chart, click the "Download" icon.