AAS 95-304

The New SKYMAP Master Catalog (Version 4.0)

M. Slater and A. Miller, Computer, Sciences Corp., W. Warren, Jr., Hughes STX, D. Tracewell, Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, MD

Abstract

This paper describes major enhancements incorporated into the new SKYMAP Master Catalog (Version 4.0). The original catalog was produced to support spacecraft attitude determination programs developed at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center. The goal was to provide an accurate and complete catalog of stars with blue or visual magnitudes brighter than 9.0. Recent enhancements broaden the support provided by the catalog to include red-sensitive charge-coupled device (CCD) star trackers in addition to fixed-head star-trackers. The introduction of new requirements, including potentially greater position accuracy, sensitivity, and durability, required a complete revision of the SKYMAP Master Catalog.