lumpy darkness

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 29, 2012

software resources - TheSky

TheSky is popular planetarium astronomy. It displays charts which simulate the evening sky, showing the current positions for stars, deep sky objects, planets, comets, and artificial satellites. The application also drives telescope mounts. In fact, the manufacturer made the application so to fully support their mounts.

manufacturer: Software Bisque
principal developer: n/a
category: planetarium, telescope control
platform(s): Windows, Macintosh

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 29, 2019

updating satellite data in X

The following notes are for updating the artificial satellite data for the TheSkyX application.

A quick heads-up. My first attempt to load the satellites data threw a strange error and then caused TheSky X to vanish-crash.

1. Choose Input, Satellites... or press Ctrl 2.
2. Click Satellite tab, if nec.
3. Note the Status.
4. Click Import From Web... button.
5. Check preferred satellites, e.g. ISS.
6. Click the Download button.
7. Note the Status.
8. Click the Close button.

Now one can search for a satellite and it should show in the correct location.

Remember the Intenational Space Station adjusts its orbit regularly (boosts) so you will need to do updates ahead of observing or imaging.

THURSDAY, JULY 11, 2019

curious behaviors in X when searching

For TheSkyX.

If using the Telescope tab to find a target to slew to, if it is not found, the response from the software is subtle.

The obvious effect is the mount won't slew. That's because the old or previously found object is still active. Look at the named object just above the Search for: prompt.

Another telltale is that the double-circle disappears from the sky chart. Normally when you click an object in the chart or complete a successful search, the red double-circle will move to the found item. Mind you, that could be off-screen if it is out of season...

There's no audio tone!

Also, the Enter key doesn't work! You must click the Find button.

So, when you search (assuming it is in season and above the horizon), look for:

• type slowly for a common name, then choose what is listed
• watch the red double-circle move to new location
• object listed after Name: label

THURSDAY, JULY 11, 2019

slewing by RA and Dec in X

For TheSkyX.

One can slew to an object not found in the database catalogues or some random part of the sky using the Right Ascension and Declination values.

1. Click the Telescope tab.
2. In the Telescope section, click the Tools menu.
3. Choose Slew To Coordinates...
4. Click the Enter Coordinates tab if necessary.
5. Enter the RA values.
6. Enter the DEC values.
7. Click the menu button in the Equinox field. Choose the preferred method. e.g. 2000.0.
8. Click the Slew To RA/DEC button.
9. Click the Close button.

SUNDAY, AUGUST 19, 2018

updating comets in TheSky 6

There is a workaround which allows updating of comet data in the old version of TheSky 6. See the blog post for the specific steps. It requires download current data manually and then loading this into the software. While several steps, it is easier than entering ephermeris data or slewing to a position by RA/Dec.

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 2, 2016

performing a spiral search

For TheSky 6. Locate a star (or planet) by making the mount move outward in a circular pattern.

1. Choose Telescope, Options.
2. Choose Star Search...
3. Set the Width, Height, and Speed values, if necessary.
4. Click the Start Search button.
5. Be ready to click the Stop button.

A similar procedure may be used with satellite flyovers.

MONDAY, JULY 20, 2015

slew to a point by RA and Dec

For TheSky 6. Handy when chasing a comet or an object not otherwise found in the databases.

1. Choose Orientation, Move To...
2. In the Right ascension section, enter the Hours, Minutes, and Seconds values.
3. In the Declination section, enter the Degrees, Minutes, and Seconds and choose the North or South hemisphere.
4. From the Epoch menu, choose the preferred reference. E.g. 2000.0.
5. Click the Slew button.

With the mouse, you may use the "spinner" buttons beside the values.

MONDAY, JULY 13, 2015

fixing the comet load error

For TheSky 6. One can permanently fix the error / crash that may occur on attempting to load observable comet data from the web.

See the post for instructions on editing the Windows registry.

Edit: No longer works. See above.

THURSDAY, MAY 21, 2015

tracking at solar, lunar, or comet rates

For TheSky 6.

1. Click on the object to track.
2. In the Object Information dialog box, click the Telescope tab.
3. Click the Set Tracking Rates... button.
4. Confirm.

To revert to sideral tracking speed, select any star, and then perform the same steps as above.

THURSDAY, MAY 21, 2015

adding comets

For TheSky 6. Requires an active internet connection. Edit! No longer works... See above!

1. Choose Data, Comets and Minor Planets...
2. Uncheck old comets, as necessary, so to speed up the software and to unclutter the simulated sky.
3. From The Web section, click the Observable... button.
4. Then choose the preferred comet from the sorted list and click Add. It is automatically checked or made active.

FRIDAY, JULY 27, 2012

TheSky 6 quick reference guide

Blake Nancarrow produced a quick reference guide for using the software in a basic fashion when running a Paramount ME telescope mount.

The document is available upon request for the time-being. It will appear on-line in short order...

SUNDAY, AUGUST 28, 2011

deactivating joystick button

For TheSky 6. The default behaviour of the button on the joystick of the Paramount ME is to send the mount to the home position.

This button was occasionally pressed by accident by an observer causing the telescope to move unexpectedly. There was a low-risk of hurting the observer, hitting people nearby, or striking ladders.

It is easy to disable.

1. Choose Telescope, Options, More Settings.
2. Click the Homing | Limits tab.
3. Click the Right Ascension radio button and remove the check mark next to Allowed from joystick.
4. Click the Declination radio button and remove the check mark next to Allowed from joystick.
5. Optionally, click the Setup tab and click Save to Flash.

The last step is required if you want to set start-up condition of the mount. Otherwise, you'll have to do this for each session.

MONDAY, JUNE 22, 2009

toggling tracking

For TheSky 6. While measuring double stars, during the drift timing, I wanted to turn off the tracking of the Paramount.

It is easy to toggle off and on...

1. Choose the Telescope command.
2. Hover on the Options command (so to verify the current status). Tracking is listed in the submenu and normally checked, i.e. on.
3. Click the Tracking command to disable (or enable).

Turning off tracking is also useful when you want to keep the mount powered and the software running but want to avoid any movement, perhaps to avoid collisions, to tracking into the stop limits.

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