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M.J. Halliwell (California State University, Long Beach)
Listing of stars brighter than 10th magnitude, with nearby star catalog cross-references. Distance estimates based on inverse-square weighted average of Hipparcos and Yale Catalog parallaxes. Visual-spectroscopic orbital parallax used to include Xi UMa (GL 423) and a few other systems without a Hipparcos parallax. Photometric parallax is used to refine distance estimates when this decreases the standard error by at least 4 percent.
Stars within 40 light years are grouped into neighborhoods according to accessibility via adjacent stars. For stars in the F5V to K2V spectral range, ecosphere boundaries (within which an Earth-like planet might exist) are calculated. Binary star systems are rated according to the potential disruption of the orbit of a planet within the ecosphere of either star.
"Island hopping" links within neighborhoods are calculated (including 10th magnitude stars which might help connect brighter stars). Maps of star neighborhoods are provided, using the plane established by three key stars. Star labels are based on distance in light years, direction (the sky is divided into 26 zones) and absolute magnitude. (For example, Alpha Centauri A is labeled 4W43.)