Non-Stellar Options dialog box (View | Options)  

This dialog box contains options that change the way non-stellar objects are displayed on the Virtual Sky.

Example: The Different Faces of the Sombrero Galaxy (M104)

Non-Stellar Fill group

Style List

The fill style list contains the following options:

• Filled Object is filled using a gradient fill brush, using the Fill color from the Display Properties dialog box.

• Outline Only Object is drawn showing just its outline.

• Outline During Image Link

In-place Images group

Use the options in this group to specify how in-place photographs are shown.

Plot DSS Thumbnail Images of NGC, IC, PGC and PLN Objects

Mark this option to display "thumbnail" photographs from the Digitized Sky Survey to represent objects from the New General Catalog (NGC), Index Catalog (IC), Principle Galaxy Catalog (PGC) and Planetary Nebula Catalog (PLN) instead of an ellipse or color photograph.

Clip Images to Catalog Shape

By default, photographs of non-stellar objects are rectangular in shape and displayed as such on the Virtual Sky. Mark this option to display only the portion of the photograph that is bounded by the source catalog's ellipse that defines the size of this object.

Draw Image Borders

Mark this option to show a border around in-place photographs.

Update Image Files

Click this button if you've added new images to the Virtual Sky using the Image Manager command and want TheSky to display your images instead of the Digitized Sky Survey images.

Plot Overlapping Catalog Entries with NGC and IC Catalogs

Display objects that appear in both the New Guide Catalog and the Index Catalog as two distinct objects. Otherwise, these objects are plotted as one object and cross-referenced when the object is identified or either catalog number is searched using the Find command.

Translucent Sun and Moon

Mark this option to plot a "see through" sun and moon so that objects behind them are visible.