YBS Star Catalog Reader....
                  by Robert W. Quance

The file YBS_ST2.ARC should contain the files: STARVLST.TOS,
STAR_ST.TOS, and the text file STAR_ST.TXT, which of course you
are reading right now. The original STAR.BAS program was written
for the IBM and compatibles, but has been converted to a stand
-alone program for the Atari ST/TT line of computers. The program
STAR_ST.TOS reads the data contained in the files YBS1CAT.ARC 
thru YBS8CAT.ARC. The program STARVLST.TOS performs a checksum of
the datafiles to determine if there are any errors in the data.

Use the program ARC602.TTP to extract the contents of the files
YBS1CAT.ARC thru YBS8CAT.ARC. This separates the datafiles into
individual files for use with STARVLST and STAR_ST.

The datafiles should be checked first with the STARVLST program
to ensure their validity. The checksum file is located in the 
YBSxCAT.ARC file itself. Make sure that the contents of the 
YBSxCAT.ARC files are in the same directory as the STARVLST program.
Follow the prompts, entering the information as requested. The 
program is slow so be patient.

Once the data has been validated then it can be read with the 
STAR_ST program. The program works in both colour and monochrome.
Just enter the YBS star number and the program will print the
data for the star to the screen or printer, as requested. Now all
you have to do is decipher what all the data means. Enjoy....

Note... The datafiles STAR1.DAT thru STAR8.DAT total around
          1.8 Megabytes in length. If you want to access all of
          the datafiles it is recommended that you use a
          harddisk or you can read specific files if you know
          that they contain the star you are hunting for.

I'm trying to expand this file reader to access other catalogs eg.
RNGC, SAO, NGP and FK5. I'll probably add some GEM functions to it
as well, when I get more confident with my programming skills.

Clear Skies to All....

Robert W. Quance