findcoords
is a utility for finding the equatorial coordinates of a named astronomical
object. You simply enter the name of the object and its coordinates are displayed.
findcoords
works by submitting a remote query via the Internet to the version of the
SIMBAD1
name-resolver provided by ESO (the basic SIMBAD is maintained by the Centre de Données
astronomiques de Strasbourg, CDS). Consequently, findcoords
will only work on computers with a
suitable Internet connection. Also, the name given must be recognised by SIMBAD, though
the latter’s dictionary of names is very extensive. findcoords
is a simple wrap-around
for the name-resolver function of application catremote
in CURSA (see SUN/190[1] and
SSN/76[2]).
1http://simbad.u-strasbg.fr/Simbad