Zenith Reference
marking the zenith

• Download the Zenith SDB's 2K - Zenith Reference Marker and Label

• How do I add the reference marker?
• How do I add the pre-compiled Zenith SDB's?
• Instructions for unzipping the download
• Wait I can't see the Zenith label?

Related Links

• Additional SDB files More data to choose from

• Declination Zero SDB to plot the Celestial Equator

• Explanation & Instructions on SDB files

Instructions for unzipping the download

The small zipped file "zenith.zip" contains two SDB files and two text files that need to be extracted first or unzipped. The best place to extract them is the default folder. After the 4 files have been extracted use the Data | Sky Database Manager to "ADD" them to the active list.

How do I add my own reference object?

Because the zenith position is relative to the observer on planet earth the reference object is a horizon based coordinate rather then a stellar Equatorial coordinate (RA/DEC). Keep this in mind. The position of the zenith is always directly over head. Adding an object at 90 degrees declination and 0 degrees in azimuth will do the trick. Use the User Defined Data dialog to add this object. That is Data | User-Defined Data. Make sure that Visible is checked in the upper left and change the coordinates from Equatorial to Horizon then Add Entry. See below.

Data | User-Defined Data

Add Entry - Horizon object at 90 degrees altitude

To manually add a reference marker indicating the location of the Zenith simply add a horizon based reference point at Declination 90 degrees azimuth 0. Easy enough! Here is exactly how.

After you have added the new Zenith object it is best to create an SDB out it. However, that has already been done for you <---- Click here.

In a nutshell. The above dialog has an option to Export the data points to a text file. By saving the data points into a text file these can then be compiled to an SDB quite easily.

For details on how to use and created SDB's click here.

While you are at it you might as well add the Label Zenith. That way the reference marker and the label make identifying the Zenith easy. Note the Zenith position and the local meridian are shown. The meridian is a line that goes through the zenith and passes directly north and south horizon to horizon.

Sample Screen

Meridian and Zenith

Because there is an SDB of both the reference point and another that is of type label when they are both added to the active list of SDB's they will both plot. Wait I can't see the Zenith label?

How do I find the Zentih?

Edit | Find Zenith

Yep that is it.

What about Declination Zero?

How do I add the Zenith SDB's to the active list

Using Data | Sky Database Manager Browse the folder where you have EXTRACTED (UNZIPPED) the two files "zenith.sdb" and "zenith-label.zip" highlight the two files and then press Add. See below.

Adding the SDB's to the active list

Sky Database Manager - Add

If you placed the SDB's in the default \My Documents\TheSky6\User\Data\SDB's folder you will see the SDB's listed. If they are not make sure you Browse to the folder that you unzipped the files to.

Look In - then Browse for folder

If you don't see the SDB's listed find it first!

Wait I can't see the Zenith label?

First make sure that the common labels are on, set to visible. View | Labels Common Names has a check next to it.

Also, Because these SDB's are of object type "REFERENCE POINT" make sure it is set to Visible. Use View | Display Explorer to check. In the "GOTO" type in Reference Point and you will be taken directly there. Make sure there is a check next to Reference Point. See below.

View | Display Explorer

Check to make visible!