SunEntry is a data entry program for solar observers. It will help you to create reports and send them to our database where they will be used in the AAVSO American Relative Sunspot Program. The information you submit will also be used in the monthly Solar Bulletin.
Getting Started
Before you can use SunEntry, you must have an AAVSO website account and an AAVSO Observer code if you don't already have both. Here are instructions on how to get them:
To get a website username and password:
1. Go to https://www.aavso.org
2. Click on the "User login" button in the upper right corner of any page.
3. Select the "Create New Account" tab
This username and password is needed to log on to SunEntry
To request an AAVSO Observer code:
1. Log in to the AAVSO website (see above).
2. Click the "My Account" button in the upper right corner of any page.
3. Follow instructions to "Request observer code".
If you have never before submitted sunspot observations to the AAVSO Solar Section, please contact us (solar@aavso.org) to let us know that you that you intend to begin sending in observations. Your name and observer code will then be added to the sunspot observer's database. If you have sent in sunspot observations before, you do not need to do this step.
Download SunEntry
In order to run SunEntry, you need to have the Java Runtime Environment 1.7 or higher installed. SunEntry should run on any operating system that supports Java and since it is a Java Web Start based program, updates will occur automatically each time you use it.
Click here to get the latest version of SunEntry:
| DOWNLOAD SUNENTRY NOW |
If you are having trouble with this, please read "Hints on using Java Web Start apps."
If you wish to download SunEntry to your computer instead of using the Java Web Start application you can download this version: SunEntry.zip. Unzip this and see the readme file for instructions. Since you will not get automatic updates with this stand-alone version it is not recommended unless absolutely necessary.
Running the program
The first time you download SunEntry, a file called SunEntry.jnlp will be placed on your desktop (or your browser's default download location). Next time you use SunEntry, you can begin the program by double-clicking the file. It will then check to see if you have the most recent version of SunEntry and if not, the program will automatically download the newer version from AAVSO HQ so you never have to worry about having an old version should any changes be made to the program. Simply click on the link above and Java Web Start will download the program onto your computer.
NOTE: If your browser is set to always open JNLP files with Java Web Start and nothing is downloaded when you click the above link, you can change your settings to allow SunEntry.jnlp to download to your computer.
If you use Firefox, here is the procedure for doing that:
1. Click on the "Tools" menu
2. Select "Options..."
3. Click on the "Applications" tab
4. Look for JNLP File and click on it.
5. Choose "Always Ask"
This should give you a pop-up window next time you click on the "Download SunEntry Now" button and if you pick "Save file" the .jnlp file should wind up wherever your downloads normally go. Then you can put it on your desktop so you won't need to return to this web page, but simply click on SunEntry.jnlp next time you wish to use it. (Caution: There is nothing to prevent you from opening multiple copies of SunEntry at the same time, so please be careful not to do this!)
Getting help
The first time your use SunEntry, please click the "Help" button in the menu bar and read both of the sub-menu items there: "SunEntry Help"describes how to use the program and "Observing Help" gives hints and tips on observing and how to report what you see.
If you have any problems using SunEntry, would like to report bugs, or just have questions, please do not hesitate to contact me, Sara Beck (sara @ aavso.org) and I will try to help. If you are reporting a problem, please be specific and include as many details as you can about what happened.