Display stars which are fainter than 6 mag.

[Kirilliann]

I think, that in some cases its important to show stars which are fainter than 6 mag. For example, in my project (http://cometbase.net/), on the main page its usually shown not only all-sky map with all comets, and also detailed sky charts of bright comets. And on such detailed sky charts I want to display stars, which are fainter, than 6 mag. I consider, that the best way of solution is introducing a part of script, which will get data via ajax in JSON/XML format. But the main issue - find a such resource, which can provide us with API. Ive already found Wikisky API: http://server3.wikisky.org/XML_API_V1.0.html But I think, that its possible to apply JSON to Simbad/Vizier service (simbad.u-strasbg.fr/simbad/) But I don`t have any idea how to do it. Any ideas, suggestions?

[slowe]

@Kirilliann It would be great to go fainter. You are right that this won't be feasible with static files as the number of stars dramatically increases. A web service that provides deeper stars in a small area of sky would work. My worry would be about how to limit the calls to this sort of service so it doesn't get overwhelmed trying to provide many MBs of data on every single Virtual Sky page load.

[Kirilliann]

I think, if our query to other server get a list/array of object, there shouldn't be a great load on our server. And we also can limit the number of items in received array.

[ejoliet]

Another way to do it would be to implement MOC and have a service to get the stars depending on the zoom level (similar to CDS/Aladin). MOC: Multi-Order Coverage map format

[slowe]

@ejoliet This is a good idea. I'll try to implement it in the next version. Sorry for being over two and a half years late to this.