--- In skytools@onelist.com, Greg Crinklaw <crinklaw@t...> wrote:
> Hi Thomas,
>
> I'm not really an expert in the area (yet!) and I'm sure someone
else
> here can help you better than me. I am working on supporting as many
> Goto and Pushto systems as possible for V2.

Hello,
do you think ngcsky view box made by lumicon, will be usable with
v2??  I hope so, it would be very nice.....
Thanks.
Phil

On Wed, 08 Mar 2000 10:25:05 -0700, you wrote:

>From: Greg Crinklaw <crinklaw@...>
>
>Hi Phil,
>
>NGC 2017: according the the SIMBAD database this object does not exist
>(it may be a star or an asterism)

it seems to be an asterism... But is present under this number at
least in 3 soft.

>Dunlop 241: I was unable to find a "Dunlop" catalog -- what kind of
>object is this? Do you have a position?

"James Dunlop's (1795-1848) historic catalog of southern deep sky
objects" http://www.seds.org/messier/xtra/supp/cats.html

>NGC 604: This is an HII region in M33. I was remiss in including such
>objects in version 1 of SkyTools, something I am working to fix now.
>According to SIMBAD it is located at: RA=01 34 32.9, Dec=+30 47 04
OK
>H N 119: I am not familiar with this designation scheme (and SIMBAD
>did not recognize it either). Again, what kind of object is this and
>do you have a position?
>
>h: These are very archaic designations. Does your reference include
>ADS numbers?
Not for that one

"h: (John) Herschel
John Herschel's catalog, 2 parts 1833 (northern objects) and 1847
(southern):"


Ok thanks for the info, and also thanks to Jack Patterson  for his
nice url....
Read you soon...............
Phil
Best Greetings From SWITZERLAND
Phil
ICQ 3128404

At 06:35 PM 3/8/00 -0500, you wrote:
>From: Thomas W Dixon <twd79@...>
>
>Greg,
>Anyone have info on Sky Commander.  Is is applicable to all teles?
>Thanks, Tom

Go to the Sky Commander website: http://skyeng.com/ for your answers.

By the way, I emailed Victor McKeighan, creator of Sky Commander, regarding
the ability of my Sky Commander, purchased in late 1998, to download
objects to the custom view list. He said it had  that capability.

Harry Jacobson


>On Wed, 08 Mar 2000 12:49:07 -0700 Greg Crinklaw <crinklaw@...>
>writes:
> > From: Greg Crinklaw <crinklaw@...>
> >
> > Hi Harry,
> >
> > Harry Jacobson wrote:
> > >
> > > From: Harry Jacobson <harry@...>
> > >
> > > At 10:44 AM 3/8/00 -0700, you wrote:
> > > >From: Greg Crinklaw <crinklaw@...>
> > > >I've already done some
> > > >testing with Sky Commander and it seems to a be quite
> > satisfactory.
> > > >What I particularly like about it is the ability to upload objects
> > > >into the box from your computer. I will support this directly from
> > > >SkyTools, which means you will be able to upload your observing
> > list
> > > >right to the box and print out the list along with the index
> > numbers
> > > >used to identify each in the field.
> > >
> > > Greg,
> > > Wow! I didn't know (or forgot about) this feature in Sky
> > Commander! I use
> > > Sky Commander and look forward to using v2 of SkyTools which will
> > support it.
> > >
> > > I wondered, did Vic of Skytools say whether this was restricted to
> > a
> > > certain rev level and above?
> >
> > That's one of the many things I'm not sure about yet. Perhaps that
> > question is best put to him directly.
> >
> > Clear skies,
> > Greg
> >
> > --
> > Greg Crinklaw
> > crinklaw@...
> > Astronomical Software Developer
> > Astronomer, Educator, Skyhound
> > CapellaSoft: http://www.skyhound.com
> > Skyhound Observer's Page: http://www.skyhound.com/sh/skyhound.html
> > Cloudcroft, New Mexico
> >
> >
>------------------------------------------------------------------------
> > Planning a party? iParty.com is your complete source for party
> > planning and
> > supplies, with everything you need to throw the perfect party!
> > http://click.egroups.com/1/1635/4/_/_/_/952544983/
> >
>------------------------------------------------------------------------
> >
> > To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to:
> > skytools-unsubscribe@onelist.com
> >
> >
> >
>
>------------------------------------------------------------------------
>Planning a party? iParty.com is your complete source for party planning and
>supplies, with everything you need to throw the perfect party!
>http://click.egroups.com/1/1635/4/_/_/_/952559034/
>------------------------------------------------------------------------
>
>To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to:
>skytools-unsubscribe@onelist.com
>

> Dear Phil,
> Thanks for the reply.  Tell me your experience with Sky Vector - how it
> works, what you use it on etc.  Did you install it yourself?
> Thanks, Tom  (New Hampshire, US)

Since I, too, use the NGC-Sky Vector, I'll offer my $0.02...
(p.s. - For what it's worth, I get called "Phil" by lots of people, anyway! :)
  see my sig below and you'll understand!)


> > I'm very happy with NGC-Sky vector from Lumicon......
> >
> > It is (I think) the same as Orion, but cheapper....
> > So I choose that one , and it help me to see much more easier than
> > without...

From what I understand, the NGC-Sky Vector, Astro-Master and JMI box are all
Tangent "B-boxes", repackaged with the respective reseller's logo. The JMI
*may* have a modified database, but I'm not sure on that one. I've got the
'largest' Sky Vector Lumicon sells. It works great, although I've not tried it
with SkyTools. I know it works with Megastar, as long as you have the .27 rev
of Megastar and a chipset upgrade (in all probability included in currently
sold units).

I installed mine on my homebuilt 10" f5.5 Dob. I decided to fabricate an
aluminum support for the controller box so it would mount only a few inches
above the alitude axis. Given the size of the scope, it's still only about 3
feet from the eyepiece and doesn't affect balance at all where it's located. If
I had put it near the eyepiece, it definitely would have. Plus, even at the
dimmest, I'd rather not have the red LED display near the eyepiece.

It's quite accurate, provided you take the time to get a good alignment. I like
the Guide feature, as well as Identify mode. I really haven't used the
"personal database" feature, since I work from books, etc.

About the only thing of (even) a slightly negative tone is very minor: The
mounting flange for the altitude encoder has several holes in it for screws.
The holes are about .125" in diameter, but the supplied screws are more like
.0625" diameter. Given the importance with which an accurate installation is
stated by the instructions (rightly so), I found it interesting that the screws
were such a gross mis-fit. In fact, the screw heads barely covered the flange
holes. I replaced them with larger screws that allowed me more control over the
placement of the flange and suggested to Lumicon they include better matches
sizes (to which they replied they would). I'd also like to see some sort of
protective cover over the plug that fits on the encoders, but they work fine -
they're just a bit "hanging out there", IMO.

I had to do a bit of creative adapting to my telescope to accomodate an azimuth
encoder, since it was never designed for one, but it works good now.


  -------------------------------------------------------------
  - Len Philpot -> lphilpot@...       (NEW personal)
  ---------------> len.philpot@...                 (work)
  ----- ><> -----> http://www.centuryinter.net/lphilpot/  (web)

Dear Phil,
Thanks for the reply.  Tell me your experience with Sky Vector - how it
works, what you use it on etc.  Did you install it yourself?
Thanks, Tom  (New Hampshire, US)

On Wed, 08 Mar 2000 17:11:09 -0000 "Philippe  HAAKE"
<beruberu@...> writes:
> From: "Philippe  HAAKE" <beruberu@...>
>
> --- In skytools@onelist.com, Thomas W Dixon <twd79@j...> wrote:
> > Greg,
> > As a new user to Skytools I would like to know if you would have a
> > recommendation on what type encoder and guidance system I can add
> to my
> > Celestron C8 with an equatorial mount.  I want to use the Skytools
> list
> > and charts to then locate using the C8.
> Hello, again,
> Welcome to you, you ill see this SkyTools is GREAT......
>
> I'm very happy with NGC-Sky vector from Lumicon......
>
> It is (I think) the same as Orion, but cheapper....
> So I choose that one , and it help me to see much more easier than
> without...
>
> Good luck
> greetings from Geneva
> Phil
>
>
>
------------------------------------------------------------------------
> Planning a party? iParty.com is your complete source for party
> planning and
> supplies, with everything you need to throw the perfect party!
> http://click.egroups.com/1/1635/4/_/_/_/952535524/
>
------------------------------------------------------------------------
>
> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to:
> skytools-unsubscribe@onelist.com
>
>
>

I've just uploaded the "Great Rift Galaxies" observing list. This list
comes from the article in the April 2000 Sky & Telescope, pg. 122.
These are all excellent galaxies for any scope. Enjoy!

Greg

--
Greg Crinklaw
crinklaw@...
Astronomical Software Developer
Astronomer, Educator, Skyhound
CapellaSoft: http://www.skyhound.com
Skyhound Observer's Page: http://www.skyhound.com/sh/skyhound.html
Cloudcroft, New Mexico

Greg,
Anyone have info on Sky Commander.  Is is applicable to all teles?
Thanks, Tom

On Wed, 08 Mar 2000 12:49:07 -0700 Greg Crinklaw <crinklaw@...>
writes:
> From: Greg Crinklaw <crinklaw@...>
>
> Hi Harry,
>
> Harry Jacobson wrote:
> >
> > From: Harry Jacobson <harry@...>
> >
> > At 10:44 AM 3/8/00 -0700, you wrote:
> > >From: Greg Crinklaw <crinklaw@...>
> > >I've already done some
> > >testing with Sky Commander and it seems to a be quite
> satisfactory.
> > >What I particularly like about it is the ability to upload objects
> > >into the box from your computer. I will support this directly from
> > >SkyTools, which means you will be able to upload your observing
> list
> > >right to the box and print out the list along with the index
> numbers
> > >used to identify each in the field.
> >
> > Greg,
> > Wow! I didn't know (or forgot about) this feature in Sky
> Commander! I use
> > Sky Commander and look forward to using v2 of SkyTools which will
> support it.
> >
> > I wondered, did Vic of Skytools say whether this was restricted to
> a
> > certain rev level and above?
>
> That's one of the many things I'm not sure about yet. Perhaps that
> question is best put to him directly.
>
> Clear skies,
> Greg
>
> --
> Greg Crinklaw
> crinklaw@...
> Astronomical Software Developer
> Astronomer, Educator, Skyhound
> CapellaSoft: http://www.skyhound.com
> Skyhound Observer's Page: http://www.skyhound.com/sh/skyhound.html
> Cloudcroft, New Mexico
>
>
------------------------------------------------------------------------
> Planning a party? iParty.com is your complete source for party
> planning and
> supplies, with everything you need to throw the perfect party!
> http://click.egroups.com/1/1635/4/_/_/_/952544983/
>
------------------------------------------------------------------------
>
> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to:
> skytools-unsubscribe@onelist.com
>
>
>

Dear Jack

That would be awsome to have.  I have real trouble with the lack of
correspondence between the available names and the entries in the sky
commander.

Thanks Horton Newsom

-----Original Message-----
From: jpatters@... [mailto:jpatters@...]
Sent: Tuesday, March 07, 2000 5:23 PM
To: skytools@onelist.com
Subject: [skytools] Skytools/Sky Commander Upload


From: jpatters@...

I wrote a program to upload Skytools observing lists to a Sky
Commander computer (Digital Setting Circles).  If you would like a
copy of this program and instructions in a zip file, send me an email
at jpatters@... .

Clear Skies,
Jack Patterson





------------------------------------------------------------------------
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skytools-unsubscribe@onelist.com

Hello, I just upload to the files an observing list I made:
Bino-Objects from "Night Sky Observer's Guide" vol.1 (autumn &
winter)  beruberu@...  2k 03/08/2000
I will do the other volume as soon as possible.......

You also may use it for small telescopes ...of course!!!!

I hope it will help some of you......

If you have nice observing list why not to upload them???

have a good day, best greetings from Switzerland
Phil

--- In skytools@onelist.com, Greg Crinklaw <crinklaw@t...> wrote:
>
> Dunlop 241: I was unable to find a "Dunlop" catalog -- what kind of
> object is this? Do you have a position?
>
I found a description of the Dunlop Catalog at
http://www.seds.org/messier/xtra/supp/cats.html .  It doesn't sound very
reliable.  No info is provided for 241.

History of the Discovery of the Deep Sky objects  at
http://seds.lpl.arizona.edu/messier/xtra/history/deepskyd.html gives more
history on Dunlop and his catalog.


Herschel's H2638 found at
http://www.seds.org/messier/xtra/similar/h2500a.html appears to be NGC 2844.

Jack

Hi Harry,

Harry Jacobson wrote:
>
> From: Harry Jacobson <harry@...>
>
> At 10:44 AM 3/8/00 -0700, you wrote:
> >From: Greg Crinklaw <crinklaw@...>
> >I've already done some
> >testing with Sky Commander and it seems to a be quite satisfactory.
> >What I particularly like about it is the ability to upload objects
> >into the box from your computer. I will support this directly from
> >SkyTools, which means you will be able to upload your observing list
> >right to the box and print out the list along with the index numbers
> >used to identify each in the field.
>
> Greg,
> Wow! I didn't know (or forgot about) this feature in Sky Commander! I use
> Sky Commander and look forward to using v2 of SkyTools which will support it.
>
> I wondered, did Vic of Skytools say whether this was restricted to a
> certain rev level and above?

That's one of the many things I'm not sure about yet. Perhaps that
question is best put to him directly.

Clear skies,
Greg

--
Greg Crinklaw
crinklaw@...
Astronomical Software Developer
Astronomer, Educator, Skyhound
CapellaSoft: http://www.skyhound.com
Skyhound Observer's Page: http://www.skyhound.com/sh/skyhound.html
Cloudcroft, New Mexico

At 10:44 AM 3/8/00 -0700, you wrote:
>From: Greg Crinklaw <crinklaw@...>
>I've already done some
>testing with Sky Commander and it seems to a be quite satisfactory.
>What I particularly like about it is the ability to upload objects
>into the box from your computer. I will support this directly from
>SkyTools, which means you will be able to upload your observing list
>right to the box and print out the list along with the index numbers
>used to identify each in the field.


Greg,
Wow! I didn't know (or forgot about) this feature in Sky Commander! I use
Sky Commander and look forward to using v2 of SkyTools which will support it.

I wondered, did Vic of Skytools say whether this was restricted to a
certain rev level and above?

Harry Jacobson

Hi Thomas,

I'm not really an expert in the area (yet!) and I'm sure someone else
here can help you better than me. I am working on supporting as many
Goto and Pushto systems as possible for V2. I've already done some
testing with Sky Commander and it seems to a be quite satisfactory.
What I particularly like about it is the ability to upload objects
into the box from your computer. I will support this directly from
SkyTools, which means you will be able to upload your observing list
right to the box and print out the list along with the index numbers
used to identify each in the field. I think there is at least one
other system that allows you to upload objects. Either way, I myself
would find this particular feature to be very useful!

As for your other question, is it possible that the window is situated
a little too far to the right? I sized the main planner window such
that it should just fill the screen in the lowest-resolution video
mode (640x480), but this is somewhat dependent on the font used (I
used a basic Windows font though, so it should be the same on all
Windows machines!). It may be that for some reason your fonts are
different or perhaps this font has been deleted from the system. In
any event, please allow me to suggest using a higher-resolution video
mode. There aren't many computers left out there that cannot handle
video modes higher than 640x480--your machine should support 800x600
at the very least. This will give you a lot more room on the screen by
using smaller pixels.

I personally prefer 1024x768. To change your video resolution,
right-click on your desktop (background) and select "Properties."
Select the "Setting" tab. Try increasing your "Screen area" to 800 x
600, and perhaps even 1024 x 768 if it will allow you to do this. If
your computer is less than a few years old it should. You might also
want to increase the number of colors used (on the same dialog). The
more the better, although how many you can use will depend on your
video card.

Some people don't like the higher-resolution modes, particularly if
they have vision problems which make reading the smaller text more
difficult. The solution to this problem is to select "Large Fonts"
from the same "Settings" dialog. If it isn't obvious, it may be hidden
behind an "Advanced" button. This allows you more screen area for
pictures and graphics while keeping the fonts large enough to read.

Clear skies,
Greg

Thomas W Dixon wrote:
>
> From: Thomas W Dixon <twd79@...>
>
> Greg,
> As a new user to Skytools I would like to know if you would have a
> recommendation on what type encoder and guidance system I can add to my
> Celestron C8 with an equatorial mount.  I want to use the Skytools list
> and charts to then locate using the C8.
> On another point, the right side of the screen on the Skytools main
> screen seems to always be cut off so it is difficult to access the
> controls on right side.  Any suggestions, as this has continued even with
> a new larger moniter.  Thanks,  Tom Dixon
>


--
Greg Crinklaw
crinklaw@...
Astronomical Software Developer
Astronomer, Educator, Skyhound
CapellaSoft: http://www.skyhound.com
Skyhound Observer's Page: http://www.skyhound.com/sh/skyhound.html
Cloudcroft, New Mexico

Hi Phil,

NGC 2017: according the the SIMBAD database this object does not exist
(it may be a star or an asterism)

Dunlop 241: I was unable to find a "Dunlop" catalog -- what kind of
object is this? Do you have a position?

NGC 604: This is an HII region in M33. I was remiss in including such
objects in version 1 of SkyTools, something I am working to fix now.
According to SIMBAD it is located at: RA=01 34 32.9, Dec=+30 47 04

H N 119: I am not familiar with this designation scheme (and SIMBAD
did not recognize it either). Again, what kind of object is this and
do you have a position?

h: These are very archaic designations. Does your reference include
ADS numbers? I'm adding a Struve cross reference in V2. If you have
the positions of these stars you can use the Database Power search to
locate them in the SkyTools database by entering the position of each
under the "Position Filters" heading. Turn all of the other filters
off. Select "Stars" as the database, "Any catalog" and check the
"Multiple stars" box. The search should turn up a multiple star system
near the location you entered, use any other data you have for the
stars (magnitudes, separations etc.) to verify that this is the same
system.

Another solution is to open the Planetarium chart and select the
position of each missing object as the target (use the Enter J2000
coordinate selection--see the Help for the Object Request dialog for
more information). The object you are looking for should appear near
the center of the chart.

Let me know if I can help further.

Clear skies,
Greg

Philippe HAAKE wrote:
>
> From: "Philippe  HAAKE" <beruberu@...>
>
> Hello to all of you,
> I just finish to make a new Observing List with all objects for
> binoculars of the volume 1 of "The Night Sky Observer's Guide", but I
> have some troubles with a few objects..... I didn't find them in
> skyTools.......
> -  NGC 2017
> - Dunlop 241
> -  NGC 604
> -  H N 119
> - some h  doublestar (exemple h3628)John Herschel
>
> If someone can give me some advice or some equivalent....
> After completing this observing list, if you are interested, I will
> ask Greg to put it on his site or this group...
>
> Thanks for your help
> best greetings from Switzerland
> Phil
>
> I will do the second volume as soon as possible...
> Those books are really GREAT....
> Read you soon...
>
> ------------------------------------------------------------------------
> Planning a party? iParty.com is your complete source for party planning and
> supplies, with everything you need to throw the perfect party!
> http://click.egroups.com/1/1635/4/_/_/_/952534309/
> ------------------------------------------------------------------------
>
> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to:
> skytools-unsubscribe@onelist.com

--
Greg Crinklaw
crinklaw@...
Astronomical Software Developer
Astronomer, Educator, Skyhound
CapellaSoft: http://www.skyhound.com
Skyhound Observer's Page: http://www.skyhound.com/sh/skyhound.html
Cloudcroft, New Mexico

--- In skytools@onelist.com, Thomas W Dixon <twd79@j...> wrote:
> Greg,
> As a new user to Skytools I would like to know if you would have a
> recommendation on what type encoder and guidance system I can add
to my
> Celestron C8 with an equatorial mount.  I want to use the Skytools
list

Hoops SORRY It is the same as Celestron ,...... but I think also the
same as orion one...
Phil

--- In skytools@onelist.com, Thomas W Dixon <twd79@j...> wrote:
> Greg,
> As a new user to Skytools I would like to know if you would have a
> recommendation on what type encoder and guidance system I can add
to my
> Celestron C8 with an equatorial mount.  I want to use the Skytools
list
> and charts to then locate using the C8.
Hello, again,
Welcome to you, you ill see this SkyTools is GREAT......

I'm very happy with NGC-Sky vector from Lumicon......

It is (I think) the same as Orion, but cheapper....
So I choose that one , and it help me to see much more easier than
without...

Good luck
greetings from Geneva
Phil

Greg,
As a new user to Skytools I would like to know if you would have a
recommendation on what type encoder and guidance system I can add to my
Celestron C8 with an equatorial mount.  I want to use the Skytools list
and charts to then locate using the C8.
On another point, the right side of the screen on the Skytools main
screen seems to always be cut off so it is difficult to access the
controls on right side.  Any suggestions, as this has continued even with
a new larger moniter.  Thanks,  Tom Dixon

On Mon, 06 Mar 2000 16:00:51 -0700 Greg Crinklaw <crinklaw@...>
writes:
> From: Greg Crinklaw <crinklaw@...>
>
> Hi Richard,
>
> I get questions like yours a lot concerning the observing logs. In
> version 1.0 my goal was to have a stable, reliable database to build
> on. I'm currently working on version 2 and there will be many
> enhancements to the way logs are entered, viewed and printed. I'm not
> sure yet just how that's going to translate into controlling the
> order
> in which they are printed, but I'll certainly give it some thought.
>
> Clear skies,
> Greg
>
> rsabo@... wrote:
> >
> > From: rsabo@...
> >
> > I think Skytools is the best planning and log program available.
> The
> > eyepiece charts are very similar to the pages in the new Millennium
> > Star Atlas, especially if you set the Star Dots in View controls to
> > Logarithimic at 50%.
> > The log entries can be printed as a group but is there a way to
> > choose the order in which they are printed?  Can you print out the
> > Messier list in order?
> >
> > Thanks for a great tool.
> >
> > Richard Sabo
> >
> >
>
------------------------------------------------------------------------
> > Planning a party? iParty.com is your complete source for party
> planning and
> > supplies, with everything you need to throw the perfect party!
> > http://click.egroups.com/1/1635/4/_/_/_/952383295/
> >
>
------------------------------------------------------------------------
> >
> > To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to:
> > skytools-unsubscribe@onelist.com
>
> --
> Greg Crinklaw
> crinklaw@...
> Astronomical Software Developer
> Astronomer, Educator, Skyhound
> CapellaSoft: http://www.skyhound.com
> Skyhound Observer's Page: http://www.skyhound.com/sh/skyhound.html
> Cloudcroft, New Mexico
>
>
------------------------------------------------------------------------
> You have a voice mail message waiting for you at iHello.com:
> http://click.egroups.com/1/2130/4/_/_/_/952383686/
>
------------------------------------------------------------------------
>
> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to:
> skytools-unsubscribe@onelist.com
>
>
>

Hello to all of you,
I just finish to make a new Observing List with all objects for
binoculars of the volume 1 of "The Night Sky Observer's Guide", but I
have some troubles with a few objects..... I didn't find them in
skyTools.......
-  NGC 2017
- Dunlop 241
-  NGC 604
-  H N 119
- some h  doublestar (exemple h3628)John Herschel

If someone can give me some advice or some equivalent....
After completing this observing list, if you are interested, I will
ask Greg to put it on his site or this group...

Thanks for your help
best greetings from Switzerland
Phil

I will do the second volume as soon as possible...
Those books are really GREAT....
Read you soon...

I wrote a program to upload Skytools observing lists to a Sky
Commander computer (Digital Setting Circles).  If you would like a
copy of this program and instructions in a zip file, send me an email
at jpatters@... .

Clear Skies,
Jack Patterson

Hi,

Thank's for the good suggestions! It really helps to hear what you are
trying to do as well, such as navigating Abell clusters. Hopefully I
can better solve the root problem that way.

It's all going into the mix for SkyTools 2. We'll just have to see
what comes out!

Thanks,
Greg

jeffrey.setzer@... wrote:
>
> From: jeffrey.setzer@...
>
> Greg, I love your program for use with my 22" GOTO Starmaster; all I
> do is make lists and I'm set, most of the time.
>
> I did run into some difficulty making finder charts for one of my
> "other" scopes, which is a Criterion Dynascope RV-6. Specifically, I
> wanted to make a finder chart for the Realm of the Galaxies.
>
> In Skymap Pro (I downloaded the demo version), I can place eyepiece
> overlays for a given FOV. What I did was place a bunch of them to
> give me "stepping stones" so I could navigate the Realm. I printed
> the resulting chart and it was quite useful. I have not been able to
> duplicate this kind of chart in Skytools. Any thoughts? I am also
> into observing galaxy clusters with my larger scope, and I would like
> to make the same kind of charts to nagivate, say, Abell 426.
>
> I'm also wondering if you have given any thought to giving the user
> more direct control over some of the view functions when looking at a
> chart. For example, having more control over the limiting magnitude
> of deep-sky objects versus stars would be cool. Navigation could also
> be easier, IMHO, with some hotkeys to pan and zoom (I love the old
> Megastar arrow, Zoom and Mooz keys). The built-in charts are good in
> many instances, but there are times when one wants to make their own
> chart the way *they* want to see it. The ability to control seems to
> be there, looking at the different pre-set charts; it would be great
> if the user had direct access to tweak them in Atlas and Planetatium
> modes.
>
> -Astrosetz
>
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--
Greg Crinklaw
crinklaw@...
Astronomical Software Developer
Astronomer, Educator, Skyhound
CapellaSoft: http://www.skyhound.com
Skyhound Observer's Page: http://www.skyhound.com/sh/skyhound.html
Cloudcroft, New Mexico

Greg, I love your program for use with my 22" GOTO Starmaster; all I
do is make lists and I'm set, most of the time.

I did run into some difficulty making finder charts for one of my
"other" scopes, which is a Criterion Dynascope RV-6. Specifically, I
wanted to make a finder chart for the Realm of the Galaxies.

In Skymap Pro (I downloaded the demo version), I can place eyepiece
overlays for a given FOV. What I did was place a bunch of them to
give me "stepping stones" so I could navigate the Realm. I printed
the resulting chart and it was quite useful. I have not been able to
duplicate this kind of chart in Skytools. Any thoughts? I am also
into observing galaxy clusters with my larger scope, and I would like
to make the same kind of charts to nagivate, say, Abell 426.

I'm also wondering if you have given any thought to giving the user
more direct control over some of the view functions when looking at a
chart. For example, having more control over the limiting magnitude
of deep-sky objects versus stars would be cool. Navigation could also
be easier, IMHO, with some hotkeys to pan and zoom (I love the old
Megastar arrow, Zoom and Mooz keys). The built-in charts are good in
many instances, but there are times when one wants to make their own
chart the way *they* want to see it. The ability to control seems to
be there, looking at the different pre-set charts; it would be great
if the user had direct access to tweak them in Atlas and Planetatium
modes.

-Astrosetz

Last month I was preparing charts for the Twin Quasar (Q0957+561A/B)
and when I created an eyepiece chart for my 18-inch the quasars didn't
appear on the chart. The reason for this is that at 17th magnitude
they are both theoretically beyond the reach of my telescope, even
from my limiting magnitude 6.8 site. It turns out that these objects
are variable, probably a bit brighter than listed in the catalogs, and
when you combine their brightness at low power they become something
more like magnitude 16.3. For these reasons it turned out that in real
life I could just barely observe them.

So what to do? The magnitude limits on the finder and eyepiece charts
are a combination of the practical limit of the telescope and the
naked-eye limit set for your observing location. If this sort of thing
ever happens to you, the solution is to increase the naked-eye
limiting magnitude setting for your location by clicking on the
observing location at the bottom of the chart. I had to set it to
something fairly ridiculous (magnitude 7.8) to get them to appear, but
they eventually did. Just be sure to set the magnitude limit back when
you are done.

Greg
--
Greg Crinklaw
crinklaw@...
Astronomical Software Developer
Astronomer, Educator, Skyhound
CapellaSoft: http://www.skyhound.com
Skyhound Observer's Page: http://www.skyhound.com/sh/skyhound.html
Cloudcroft, New Mexico

Hi Richard,

I get questions like yours a lot concerning the observing logs. In
version 1.0 my goal was to have a stable, reliable database to build
on. I'm currently working on version 2 and there will be many
enhancements to the way logs are entered, viewed and printed. I'm not
sure yet just how that's going to translate into controlling the order
in which they are printed, but I'll certainly give it some thought.

Clear skies,
Greg

rsabo@... wrote:
>
> From: rsabo@...
>
> I think Skytools is the best planning and log program available.  The
> eyepiece charts are very similar to the pages in the new Millennium
> Star Atlas, especially if you set the Star Dots in View controls to
> Logarithimic at 50%.
> The log entries can be printed as a group but is there a way to
> choose the order in which they are printed?  Can you print out the
> Messier list in order?
>
> Thanks for a great tool.
>
> Richard Sabo
>
> ------------------------------------------------------------------------
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--
Greg Crinklaw
crinklaw@...
Astronomical Software Developer
Astronomer, Educator, Skyhound
CapellaSoft: http://www.skyhound.com
Skyhound Observer's Page: http://www.skyhound.com/sh/skyhound.html
Cloudcroft, New Mexico

I think Skytools is the best planning and log program available.  The
eyepiece charts are very similar to the pages in the new Millennium
Star Atlas, especially if you set the Star Dots in View controls to
Logarithimic at 50%.
The log entries can be printed as a group but is there a way to
choose the order in which they are printed?  Can you print out the
Messier list in order?

Thanks for a great tool.

Richard Sabo

Allow me to be the first to report a problem resolution:

I initially had problems printing on HP printers. The program would
hang if Coordinate grids were selected to be printed. The offending
module was DIBENG.DLL. Too make a long story short, Greg suggested
that the font colors be changed to Black from within the
Printer-color font selection menu. I changed the colors and have not
had a single problem printing charts of any kind or detail.

I am still amazed at how out of left-field this solution came about.


Thanks Greg.

Hi,

See:
http://www.skyhound.com/cs.html

Greg

Shehriyar Imanov wrote:
>
> From: "Shehriyar Imanov" <shehriyari@...>
>
> ------------------------------------------------------------------------
> Planning a party? iParty.com is your complete source for party planning and
> supplies, with everything you need to throw the perfect party!
> http://click.egroups.com/1/1635/4/_/_/_/952350536/
> ------------------------------------------------------------------------
>
> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to:
> skytools-unsubscribe@onelist.com

--
Greg Crinklaw
skytools moderator
Astronomical Software Developer
Astronomer, Educator, Skyhound
CapellaSoft: http://www.skyhound.com
Skyhound Observer's Page: http://www.skyhound.com/sh/skyhound.html
Cloudcroft, New Mexico

Hello to all of you around the earth......

Very happy to have this new Group for SkyTools, I hope it will help
us all.

Best gretings from Geneva Switzerland.

Read you soon.

Well done Greg for this Group.....
Phil.

I'd like to welcome you all to the SkyTools discussion group.

It is my hope that this will be a forum where people can interact
freely; share tips, ask questions, make suggestions for future
versions, etc.

I would also like to encourage you all to share any problems you
encounter with the program here. I'm committed to making SkyTools as
stable as possible. I think we've already come a long way since
version 1.0, but there are bound to be some bugs that I'm not yet
aware of.

Clear skies,
Greg

--
Greg Crinklaw
Astronomical Software Developer
Astronomer, Educator, Skyhound
CapellaSoft: http://www.skyhound.com
Skyhound Observer's Page: http://www.skyhound.com/sh/skyhound.html
Cloudcroft, New Mexico