The Solar System Map displays the planetary bodies of the current Star System that you occupy. The main star is shown in the centre of the screen and the planets that orbit it are displayed in concentric circles surrounding it.
The System Window that is shown towards the top of the screen as also detailed on the left provides an overview of each of the celestial bodies and their orbital positions relative to each other.
Left clicking on a planet or the central sun in either the main screen or system window will cause a ‘Selected Planetary Body’ window to appear. This window displays various information concerning the selected object.
Selecting 'Options' via the 'Main' button on the menu bar will bring up the options window whose settings are described in the table below.
OPTION
DESCRIPTION
SNAP TO PLANET
Causes screen to focus on the selected object. If the option is disabled then the focus will remain on the central star.
DOUBLE CLICK TO SHOW DETAILS
Double clicking on an object causes the selected planetary body window to be displayed.
VERTICAL OFFSET
Adjusts the vertical position of the central star.
It is possible to manipulate the viewing position via the keyboard arrow keys or by holding down the middle mouse button.
The Solar System Map also allows any position on a non gaseous planet's surface to be selected as an auto pilot destination. Simply select the desired planet and zoom into it using the mouse scroll wheel or the 'Page Up' key. Once a sufficient level of detail has been achieved, 'left click' on the required point and engage the auto pilot using the 'a' key.
CONTROL KEY
DESCRIPTION
PAGE UP
Zoom In towards selected Planet
PAGE DOWN
Zoom Out away from selected Planet
ARROW UP
Rotate Upward about selected Planet
ARROW DOWN
Rotate Downward about selected Planet
ARROW LEFT
Rotate Anti-Clockwise about selected Planet
ARROW RIGHT
Rotate Clockwise about selected Planet
RIGHT MOUSE KEY
Re-lock to central Sun and close ‘Selected Planetary Body’ Window