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TUESDAY, MAY 10, 2016software resources - SkyToolsSkyTools is incredible astronomy software. While it has charts, it's core strength is session planning and logging. It takes into account season, time of day (er, night), horizon and sight lines, equipment, light from the Moon, light pollution, age of the observer, their experience, etc. In the Professional edition, a user can build or import lists for visual observing as well as use lists for photographic targets. manufacturer: SkyHound
SUNDAY, JUNE 24, 2018software demo videoI demonstrated the SkyTools 3 software at the RASC Toronto Centre Recreational Astronomy Night meeting on 23 May 2018. The edited final version is available on the RASC YouTube channel. See the video notes for corrections and additional remarks.
SUNDAY, JANUARY 24, 2016searching for reference pointsStumbled across some keywords that can be used in the Designation Search Tool box. For example, type "ncp" in the search box to find the north celestial pole. Then one can add it to an observing list.
The zenith reference point is "smart" in the sense that as the software updates a chart for a particular time, or the user activates the Real Time setting, the point will move. If one conducts a "fuzzy" search for "galactic" then three of the reference points will be listed, along with a globular cluster. One can search for "north" or "south" as well. Very handy.
SUNDAY, MAY 4, 2014SkyTools web resourcesDon't know why I never tried this before but I went lookin' for web sites about SkyTools, by people like me. Found a few.
Check 'em out.
THURSDAY, AUGUST 22, 2013SkyTools 3 software demoBlake Nancarrow delivered a presentation on the Standard Edition at Starfest (in August 2013) wherein he briefly demonstrated key features in the powerful application. A handout was also provided. Both the PowerPoint file and Word document have been converted to Adobe Portable Document Format (PDF).
Happy planning!
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 1, 2014SkyTools 3 Pro shortcutsSkyTools is very rich and includes many features. It offers list, table, and chart views which can be used with the mouse or keyboard, of course. There are a great number of keyboard shortcuts and mouse actions. Over 100, in fact. So many that one might feel overwhelmed. Blake Nancarrow produced a procedurally-oriented list of all the SkyTools 3 Professional keyboard shortcuts and mouse techniques. To use it, look up the view or display you're in then look up the action you want to perform. Finally, read across the row for the keyboard or mouse technique.
The downloadable file is used the Adobe Acrobat Portable Document Format (PDF). Thanks is made to Greg for reviewing and terminology.
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 1, 2017SkyTools 3 Pro observing listsSkyTools Standard and Professional editions support the creation of new observing lists. These session lists can be shared. A user may import lists from a file or on-line via the SkyHound web site. Some users share their lists directly, copying or e-mailing files, or by putting this in the SkyTools Yahoo!Group. Blake Nancarrow has made a number of lists. They are stored in the STX format.
Once downloaded, do the following to incorporate the list into SkyTools.
Enjoy.
FRIDAY, MAY 4, 2013syncing with NexStar 11Often I use SkyTools in Real Time mode with a Celestron NexStar 11 GPS, an alt-az telescope. It works very well with the Celestron ASCOM driver--yields very good pointing performance. In terms of set-up, I perform all the initial routines at the 'scope proper. Start up, GPS Align, date-time-location entry. The two-star alignment. The mount will report a successful alignment. Once the computer and telescope are physically connected, SkyTools is linked via the ASCOM driver. The flashing X indicator in the SkyTools Interactive Atlas chart shows where the telescope should be pointing. However, if a recent slew does not put a target centred in the eyepiece, sync up.
Perform this action periodically to keep pointing accurate.
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 7, 2011SkyTools 3 software demoIf you respond to targets and goals, if you're pursuing astronomy certificates, you may find SkyTools indispensable. Blake Nancarrow delivered a presentation on the Standard Edition at the RASC Toronto Centre Recreational Astronomy Night meeting (on 7 Dec 2011) wherein he briefly demonstrated key features in the powerful application. A handout was also provided. Both the PowerPoint file and Word document have been converted to Adobe Portable Document Format (PDF).
Happy planning!
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