Simple log with line display (for star hopping)

[alex-w]

Original report: https://bugs.launchpad.net/stellarium/+bug/1106738

This feature request from old bug tracker.

Is it possible to add a simple log feature where the user could enter in a series of objects and Stellarium would then "connect the dots" between each object then be able to screenshot the sky with the log track on it with labels.

[gzotti]

Outline for a "StarHopper" plugin:

A little panel with an object list. A [+] button adds the currently selected object to the list, [-] removes the object which is selected in the list. In addition, the targets are connected with GreatCircleLines and labeled on screen.

Lists could be stored to files or loaded from files.

Unclear: Only stars/DSO allowed, or a date-dependent star-hopping to planets, asteroids, comets as well? This would require storing a date per star-hop line.

Volunteers?

[alex-w]

Nope, this is bad outline :)

Why may use idea from Angle Measure plugin for handling first and last points (the FOV should be defined in the plugin). Next - I've added the code for highlight series of objects - in the theory we may use "direct solution" for get the list of hopes.

Maybe implementation can be like in KStars.

But yes, volunteers are wanted.

[gzotti]

If FOV is a topic, it could become an extension to the Oculars plugin, or at least of course must work together in Ocular mode. However, also first and last points should be StelObjects, not empty coordinates. So. most building blocks are here. One dedicated week? (But no, sorry, not my week!)

Of course, a multi-list approach could provide all star-hop lines, without need for file load/store interaction. And a "show all" could show them all in the sky like another layer of "private ray-helpers".

[alex-w]

This is a good task for the community to participate in the contribution into Stellarium. Who wants to help us?