The Horizon

 

When you are located on a planet, comet, or satellite, Starry Night displays an unobstructed horizon, as if you were viewing from a wide open plain. Each planet's horizon is displayed in its own appropriate color so you can quickly get your bearings while on other worlds.

On Earth, you also have the option of displaying scenery. By default, Starry Night opens with tree scenery. You may choose between several other scenery sets, including a star gazing party, an ocean view, or palm trees.

To change scenery sets, click on the Location button on the Tool Palette. In the Location dialog box, select one from the Scenery popup menu. If you wish not to display any scenery, click on the Horizon's option button and uncheck "Show Scenery".

Scenery shadows are displayed by default. Besides creating a more realistic landscape, these shadows are useful in getting your bearings, since by observing the cast shadows, you can extrapolate where the Sun is. If you wish not to display any scenery shadows, you can turn them off by unchecking Scenery Shadows. You also have the option of changing how your horizon is displayed. Adjust your horizon so it displays as a thin line by selecting Outline, or make the horizon semitransparent by selecting the See-through option.

  • Note: You must be on a planet, comet, or satellite to have a local horizon.

If you wish to not display the horizon, you can quickly toggle it on or off by clicking on Horizon on the Display Palette.


Horizon Options

To change the manner in which your local horizon is shown in Starry Night open the Options dialog by selecting "Options..." from the Settings menu, then pick "Horizon" from the popup menu. Alternatively, click the options button for the Horizon in the Display palette.

Show Horizon: Check this box if you want the local horizon shown.

Hide Scenery While Scrolling: To improve performance, you can check this box so that the horizon is turned off while scrolling.

Horizon Type: These radio buttons allow you to select the way the horizon is displayed.

Filled: The horizon is displayed as opaque.

See Through: The horizon is displayed as semitransparent.

Outline: The horizon is displayed as a thin line only.

Show Scenery: Check this box if you want to display scenery on the horizon.

Scenery Shadows: Check this box if you'd like to display scenery shadows.

Show Compass Points: If this box is checked, compass points will be shown on the horizon.


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Page last modified on: January 25, 1999