[Aavso-photometry] New version of VSP is online

[Arne Henden]

We have just replaced the beta version of the
Variable Star Plotter (VSP) with an improved beta version.

The new version uses UCAC (kindly furnished by Norbert
Zacharias of USNO) along with Tycho2 to cover the
entire sky down to about 16th magnitude.  A and B scales
can now be drawn, up to a maximum size of 15x15 degrees.
A new dot-size generating algorithm is employed to give
a more realistic depiction of the sky.  The photometry
table is now generated along with the chart, so that
you can view and print either one.

There are some changes from the prior versions of VSP.
We have removed the "CCD Table" from the actual chart,
as this table was getting too large (especially for
anything other than F-scale), and did not contain
sufficient information to uniquely identify comparison
stars nor to be useful to many observers.
Instead, you should print the photometry table and use
that in conjunction with the chart if you are performing
CCD photometry.  NOMAD is no longer used for any
chart depth, and UCAC only goes to about 16th magnitude.
For charts where fainter stars are necessary, use the
"Use DSS image" option.

We know that several aesthetic items remain,
and we will be working on improving the charts and the
speed of the chart creation process over the
next several months.  However, please try this new version
and give us your comments and suggestions.
Arne