I'm the author of AutoStar, which allows you to add planets and other images to the FS2004 night sky. I haven't checked this from observation (I need to find out how the camera system works!) but the stars.dat file shows each star has a 24 bit colour setting. This should mean stars should show real colour, which is a great improvement. In addition it should mean that the dynamic range of 3:1 in FS2004 no longer applies (the brightest star was only about 3 times brighter than the faintest star). This should mean that the dynamic range for image brightness should be essentially unlimited, thus making very realistic comets possible - and also maybe the Milky Way! The added bonus is, of course, that astronomical objects should be able to show their true colours, such as red Mars. If this is so then I shall very soon start work on AutoStarX! Best regards, Chris

'Tis true. It's actually a 32-bit color value. The alpha channel is used to control brightness (linear scale) and the color channels control, well, color.-Adam

Adam,thanks for the info. I was actually going to ask if some kind soul could tell me the format, and you've already done it. And now, down to work.... Best regards, Chris

Can I jump in Chris and say thanks for your stars.dat file. I have used it since (I think) FS98 when I started simming.Even though I am not really 'into' astronomy I appreciate the extra dimension your file gives to FS. With this new format the difference should be amazing.Look forward to it ;-)

The milky way is already in FSX.

Been a fan of Chris' stars here too!scott s..

yep I've been using it for a while as well, thanks for your contribution sir.

Hi Chris,Did you get me e-mail the other day?Hope this helps,Jimhttp://www.hifisim.com/Active Sky V6 Development Team Active Sky V6 Proud SupporterHiFi Beta TeamRadar Contact Supporter: http://www.jdtllc.com/AirSource Member: http://www.air-source.us/FSEconomy Member:http://www.fseconomy.com/

Jim, If I did, I may have deleted it by mistake! I get lots of virus emails which I delete. It's possible I may delete by mistake genuine emails not from a known source. Could you re-send it - or, if it's not personal, why not post it right here? Aplogies if I did delete it. In my opinion shooting is too good for people who create these viruses and junk mails (I heard that something like 30% of all emails are junk mail/virus-generated). Best regards, Chris

I spotted that a bit later. It's actually very well done. Just as well, as it would have required an awful lot of stars to create the Milky Way! Best regards, Chris