WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 29, 2012software resources - TheSkyTheSky 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
FRIDAY, AUGUST 20, 2021change cross hair centring behaviorI do not like the default setting in the TheSkyX application where if you pan around in the virtual sky chart, the view will snap back to where the telescope is aimed. This prevents one from looking in a completely different part of the sky for a target, which we often want to do in a sky tour or during a star party. This snap-back to where the 'scope is aim is exasperbated when zoomed in.
TUESDAY, APRIL 28, 2020updating comet data in XThe following notes are for updating the comet data for the TheSkyX application.
Now you should be able to search for new comets.
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 29, 2019updating satellite data in XThe 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.
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, 2019curious behaviors in X when searchingFor 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:
THURSDAY, JULY 11, 2019slewing by RA and Dec in XFor 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.
SUNDAY, AUGUST 19, 2018updating comets in TheSky 6There 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, 2016performing a spiral searchFor TheSky 6. Locate a star (or planet) by making the mount move outward in a circular pattern.
A similar procedure may be used with satellite flyovers.
MONDAY, JULY 20, 2015slew to a point by RA and DecFor TheSky 6. Handy when chasing a comet or an object not otherwise found in the databases.
With the mouse, you may use the "spinner" buttons beside the values.
MONDAY, JULY 13, 2015fixing the comet load errorFor 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, 2015tracking at solar, lunar, or comet ratesFor TheSky 6.
To revert to sideral tracking speed, select any star, and then perform the same steps as above.
THURSDAY, MAY 21, 2015adding cometsFor TheSky 6. Requires an active internet connection. Edit! No longer works... See above!
FRIDAY, JULY 27, 2012TheSky 6 quick reference guideBlake 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, 2011deactivating joystick buttonFor 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.
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, 2009toggling trackingFor 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...
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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