File Locations dialog box (Data | File Locations)

TheSky6 accesses hundreds of different files and databases. They can occupy as much as 80 gigabytes of disc space (when using the TheSky6 Professional Edition and the optional USNO stellar database). Keeping track of all these files is made simple with the File Locations command on the Data menu.

The File Locations dialog box lists TheSky6’s files in a “Windows Explorer” format.

There are two high-level folders:

Data (Application Data)
User Data

The Data (or Application Data) folder refers to the files and folders that are used by TheSky6 to display databases of objects. Specifically, files in this folder are read only and cannot be modified by the user. The User Data folder stores all the files and folders that store data that can be saved by the end-user. This distinction is made so that users who have restricted access on a computer or network can still run and use TheSky6.

Use the options in this dialog box to modify the location of TheSky6’s core database files, picture files, multimedia and user data files.

The File Location settings should not be altered unless you are changing the locations of TheSky6 files (for example, moving them from one disc drive to another) or adding your own multimedia files (pictures, video, etc.).

Root Name	Database/Multimedia files/Other	Description
Core Databases	Guide Star Catalog	Guide Star Catalog database files. See TheSky6's databases for details about this database.
	Hipparcos/Tycho Catalogs	Hipparcos and Tycho catalog database files. See TheSky6's databases for details about this database.
	Non-stellar Objects	All non-stellar database files (objects such as galaxies, open clusters and nebulae).
	UCAC 2.0	See TheSky6's databases for details about this database. This database is supported in Professional Edition only.
	USNOB 1.0 Subset	See TheSky6's databases for details about this database. This database is supported in Professional Edition only.
	USNOA 2.0	See TheSky6's databases for details about this database. This database is supported in Professional Edition only.
	USNO SA2.0	See TheSky6's databases for details about this database. This database is supported in Professional Edition only.
	USNOB 1.0 Full	Optional core database. This stellar catalog contains 1 billion stars and occupies 80 gigabytes of disc space. This database is supported in Professional Edition only.
Auxiliary Files		This folder contains miscellaneous files that TheSky6 accesses when running. TheSky6 requires the files in this folder to operate normally.
Pictures
	Horizons	Stores TheSky6's panoramic horizon files.
	Compressed Images	Stores TheSky6's compressed images for photographs from the NGC, IC, PGC, and PLN catalogs.
	Solar System	Stores pictures of solar system objects.
	Lunar	Stores pictures of the Moon.
	Clementine	Stores pictures of the low-resolution Clementine mission pictures.
	High Res	Stores pictures of the high-resolution Clementine mission pictures. These files are included in TheSky6 Professional Edition only.

	Anglo-Australian Observatory	Stores pictures acquired from the Anglo-Australian Observatory. These files are distributed with permission.
	Hubble Space Telescope	Stores pictures acquired by the Hubble Space Telescope.
	Milky Way	Stores pictures of the Milky Way Galaxy. See the Reference Lines command for details about this feature.
	Image Groups	Stores user-defined groups of pictures. See the Image Manager for details about this feature.
	Constellations	Stores photographs of the 88 constellations.
	Large	Stores large format constellation photographs that are shown at 50 degrees and smaller fields of view.
	Small	Stores small format constellation photographs that are shown at fields of view greater than 50 degrees.
	Chart Mode Metafile Symbols	Stores the vector-based metafiles used for displaying objects in Chart Mode.
User		This folder stores user-specific data files. That is, the files that are stored in these folders can be modified by the end user. The contents of the User folder are automatically copied to the My Documents folder to ensure read/write permission.
	Documents	Stores Sky Document files.
	Sky Display Properties	Stores Sky Display Properties files.
	Field of View Indicators	Stores databases and user-defined Field of View Indicator files.
	Minor Planets	Stores the minor planet databases.
	Comets	Stores the comet databases.
	Satellites	Stores the TLE files for satellites.
	Database Queries	Stores user-saved database query files that are generated by the Data Wizard.
User Data	User-Defined Files	By default, TheSky6 adheres to the Microsoft Windows My Documents convention for storing user-created and user-modified files. The first time TheSky6 is launched, a folder named Software Bisque\TheSky6 is created in the My Documents folder, and all files that can be modified by the end-user are copied into subfolders of this folder. You might notice a slight delay while this takes place. The My Documents folder is a convention to save user-defined files. You can modify the folder where TheSky6 saves user-defined files by editing this folder. The advantages of using the My Documents convention to store user-created files are many. Files created in this folder are not uninstalled, so backing up your data is simple. Users have one familiar, easily accessible place to store their data. Sharing data between applications is simple because all applications can access the My Documents folder. Family members can share a single computer without reservation of overwriting or deleting someone else’s important files. Parents can allow children to run the application without giving them full access to the computer. Under Windows 2000 and XP Pro, this is the only folder that has guaranteed read/write access for all users. Under Windows 2000 and XP, the user does not have to have administrative privileges to run the application and saved his/her data. Under Windows 2000 and XP, the user does not have to have administrative privileges to run the application and saved his/her data. Multiple users can share a single computer each having his or her own preferences and settings. Under Windows XP Home, TheSky6 supports Fast User Switching. The My Documents folder is an “abstracted” location and can be redirected to anywhere on a network by an administrator, transparently. My Documents is easily accessible from the operating system, with shortcuts on the Start menu and all File Open dialog boxes. My Documents allows TheSky6 to be run in a secure environment.

Defaults

Click this button to change all of the folders.

Folder

Displays the folder for the selected file. Click the (…) button to select a different folder.

	Professional Edition
	Serious Astronomer Edition
	Student Edition