SkyTools
3 Editions Compared
SkyTools
3 is available in two editions: the Standard Edition and
the Professional Edition. The professional edition
contains all of the features found in the standard edition.
The
Real Time tool, which is designed for use at the telescope
and includes telescope control, is included with the
professional edition. It is a separately purchased add-on
for the standard edition.
The
professional edition is for the astronomical imager or
any serious observer who wants the very best in observing
software. This edition has a much larger stellar database
in a separate DVD, with stars down to 20th magnitude.
Features
Found Only in the Professional Edition
-
Innovative
first of its kind Imaging Session Planner --
supports deep sky, planetary, lunar and solar imaging
for astronomical CCDs, digital cameras, and video/web
cams. Know with certainty when each object is best
imaged. When should I start tonight? When
should I stop? Which of my target objects should
I go after and which should I save for another night?
-
Exposure
Calculator -- use this tool to make critical
calculations and to explore the possibilities.
What is the optimum sub-exposure for my current
conditions? What is the estimated Signal to
Noise Ratio I will obtain for a given exposure?
What is the estimated total exposure time needed to
reach a specific Signal to Noise Ratio? In
what order should I expose when using multiple
filters? How much effect is the moon going to
have tonight? Should I travel to a dark site?
How long can I image a planet before rotational smear
blurs the composite image? What is my field of
view? How many pixels will a planet cover?
What is the optimum separation to use for eyepiece
projection?
-
Imaging
Context Viewer -- an
innovative side window for the Atlas that displays a
simulated image taken with your camera and telescope.
This tool is perfect for locating the correct field;
readily compare a short exposure to the simulated
image. Drag the imaging FOV anywhere on the
chart to test placement, and if a telescope is
connected the telescope will follow!
-
Deepest
Stellar Database -- 522
million stars to
20th magnitude over the entire sky. The highest
quality data available is used, including UCAC and
selected stars from USNO-B1.0 catalog.
-
GPS
Location Tool -- input your observing location
directly from any GPS receiver with a standard NMEA
interface.
-
Additional
Image Download Selections -- SDSS, IR, H-alpha,
and 2MASS images available for download.
-
Minor
Planets and Comets database search -- powerful
filtered minor planet and comet database searches.
Filter by minor planet type: find scattered disk or
NEO objects that are observable. Discover what
comet that was that Grandma saw in 1928.
-
More
Powerful Database Search
-
Real
Time Tool included!
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Imaging
Session Planner
Exposure
Calculator
Context
Viewer
Database
Power Search
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