Installation on Ubuntu

Bellow installation procedure uses only command line approach, because this is the simpler way to follow instructions just by copy-pasting the commands in terminal. Instructions tested on Ubuntu 11.10 and Ubuntu 11.04.

  1. Add Skychart repository:
    sudo apt-add-repository 'deb http://www.ap-i.net/apt stable main'

Note: If you would like to install development version of Skychart instead of stable version, then replace word “stable” with “unstable” in above and bellow commands.

  1. Above command also adds source code repository 'deb-src http://www.ap-i.net/apt stable main' which should not be added in order the program to work at all, so removing source code repository:
    sudo apt-add-repository --remove 'deb-src http://www.ap-i.net/apt stable main'
  2. Request public key:
    gpg --keyserver keyserver.ubuntu.com --recv C56CCB02D79BF92A
  3. Add public key:
    gpg --export --armor C56CCB02D79BF92A | sudo apt-key add -
  4. Update repository:
    sudo apt-get update
  5. Install Skychart without full dependencies (does not install Wine and tons of other not really required packages for ordinary use of Skychart program):
    sudo apt-get install --no-install-recommends skychart
  6. This is all software you need to install if sky will be observed with naked eye. But if you like to see some deep-sky objects (e.g. galaxies) and stars that are not seen with naked eye then install additional packages (this will download several MB of additional software):
    sudo apt-get install skychart-data-stars skychart-data-dso skychart-data-pictures
  7. Launch Skychart from terminal:
    LIBOVERLAY_SCROLLBAR=0 skychart

    Note: LIBOVERLAY_SCROLLBAR=0 option turns off Unity overlay scroolbars for this particular program, because there is some bug in the code preventing Skychart to start correctly if this overlay scrollbar is turned on.

  8. The program starts up, it takes several seconds to initialize, click Next button.
  9. Observatory window opens. You need to tell the program from which location you will be observing the sky. You can select your observation place by clicking on Observatory database and select the city you are observing from. If the city is not included on the observatory database list, then you can manually enter Latitude, Longitude and Altitude information from the main Observation window. Search this information from e.g. web page: http://www.findlatitudeandlongitude.com/
  10. That is it. Program starts. Try to click one of the buttons on the right sight N (North), S (South), E (East) or W (West) to get sky image on screen like it is in the nature. Play with other options from toolbar and if needed use menus.