Hello everybody,

The SOHO sun image that is used on SkyTools charts when displaying the sun is experiencing problems. The image file available for download is corrupted. Unfortunately SkyTools is not handling the corruption as it should, and attempting to display the Sun, and thus the image data, is causing a crash. I am working on a software solution and a workaround. For the time being it is best to follow this procedure:

1. Open the chart you want to use (e.g. the Interactive Atlas) on a target far away from the Sun
2. For each view, open the View Controls and remove the check box next to "Sun"
3. Click Close

This will effectively turn the drawing of the sun off on the charts.

If you want to check to see if they have resolved the problem, visit this link:
https://soho.nascom.nasa.gov/data/realtime-images.html#

SkyTools uses the image on the bottom left. When you see an image of the sun displayed there, you can safely re-enable it on the charts. Be sure to refresh the page if you have visited before.

Iris Nebula is missing catalog number NGC 7023.

.skylist  file

SkyObject=BeginObject
ObjectID=4,-1,-1
CatalogNumber=Iris Nebula
CatalogNumber=vdB 139
CatalogNumber=H IV-74
CatalogNumber=Bernes 39

Importing .skylist file to SkySafari 7 pro does not recognize   vdB 139,  H IV-74 or  Bernes 39. 
SkySafari does find NGC 7023. 

I changed CatalogNumber to NGC 7023. Imported a new list to SkySafari and it worked.

SkyObject=BeginObject
ObjectID=4,-1,-1
CatalogNumber=Iris Nebula
CatalogNumber=NGC 7023
CatalogNumber=H IV-74
CatalogNumber=Bernes 39

Hello everyone,

I have a full plate these days, between software development, fixing bugs, customer support, tutorial videos, and just running a business. I seem to be reaching my limits. Keeping up with the constant upheaval at iTelescope has become more than I can handle. You may have noticed that I have fallen behind on keeping the ever changing elements of their systems up to date. I feel bad about this, but I also feel bad about the long wait for the new EAA features, and the lack of important new tutorial videos.

It occurred to me recently that crowd sourcing may be the best solution. It would be awesome if we could create a small iTelescope community here, or on our discord, that would work together keep the telescope information up to date. Perhaps each of us could adopt their favorite iTelescope and keep it updated whenever the equipment changes. Keeping track of one or even two iTelescopes is a fairly easy matter, especially if you use them yourself. I can make the process of getting your updates uploaded and shared simple as well.

What do you guys think? Are there enough iTelescope users here that are willing to adopt a telescope or two? 

Perhaps we might also create a small community here to share our images, projects, and techniques.

If you are interested, respond below with your thoughts and maybe volunteer for a telescope.

Hello,

I just acquired ST4.1 and I am working my way through the initial setup process.  I runned into a problem with the filter set up portion, some of my filters are not listed and I cannot find the txt file with the information. If someone could share then it would be greatly appreciated. I did search the forum as suggested but no luck. I need:
1-Optolong red filter. I found a post for the LRGB txt files but it is missing the red filter.
2-Optolong Radian Triad Ultra Narrowband Filter
3-IDAS NBZ II.

Also Greg mentions in his video  "Setting up an Imaging System in SkyTools 4" a future video of how to create your filters. I cannot find it either.

Thanks for your help,

Bill

Here's an Article About the Close Approach of (99942) Apophis in 2029:

https://legalinsurrection.com/2024/11/go...-greet-it/

I think that CNEOS classifies this as a 'Rarity'=6 event.

Phil S.

CNEOS predicts that the large Apollo class NEO, (447755) 2007 JX2 will make a close approach on 2024-Dec-03 23:16±<00:01 UT at a distance of 0.03698 AU moving with V Relative=12.22 km/sec, H=19.7 magnitude, diameter 300 m - 670 m and 'Rarity'=1. As of November 26 there is a 6410 day observation arc, the Condition Code=0 and the Earth MOID=0.0323703 AU. The solution date was 2024-Nov-26 06:21:53 PST. This NEO was discovered at Catalina on 2007-05-09 by CSS. This object is on MPC's list of Potentially Hazardous Asteroids (PHAs). This approach is close to the minimum possible distance, but the approach on 1949 Apr 5 at 0.03661 AU was slightly closer and the approach in 2062 will be nearly this close at 0.03719 AU.

Using MPC's elements for 2024 Nov 26 0000 UT, ST4.1.11.14 Pro predicts that this NEO will reach a peak brightness of 15.0 magnitude between Nov 28 and Dec 1 in Andromeda. On 2024 Nov 28 2100 EST this object will be traveling through Andromeda at 15"/minute. Close approach is predicted (to the nearest hour) on 2024 Dec 3 at 1800 EST when (447755) 2007 JX2 is predicted to be 15.6 magnitude traveling through Cygnus at 28"/minute in twilight as seen from Columbus, Ohio.

This MP is already 15.2 magnitude in Andromeda despite its 0.06 AU distance. It will pass within 3° of M32 on the morning of November 29.

Here's the Object Info dialog for (447755) 2007 JX2:    

Good hunting,

Phil S.

CNEOS predicts that the large Apollo class NEO, 2020 XR, will make a close approach on 2024-Dec-04 05:27±<00:01 UT at a distance of 0.01477 AU moving with V Relative=12.31 km/sec, H=19.8, diameter 290 m - 650 m and 'Rarity'=2. As of November 23 there is a 4287 day observation arc, the Condition Code=0 and the Earth MOID=0.00164873 AU. The solution date was 2024-Nov-23 05:24:18 PST. The initial reported observation was by Pan-STARRS 2, Haleakala on 2020-12-04. This NEO is on the MPC's list of Potentially Hazrdous Asteroids (PHAs). This is the closest it will come to earth between 1923 and 2157.

Using MPC's elements for 2024 Nov 25 0000 UT, ST4.1.11.14 predicts that 2020 XR will make a close approach (to the nearest hour) on 2024 Dec 4 at 0000 EST at a distance of 0.01 AU traveling through Sculptor at 67.5"/minute and 13.4 magnitude, but below the horizon in Columbus, Ohio. Peak brightness of 13.3 magnitude is predicted on 2024 Dec 4 at 2100 EST with the NEO at a distance of 0.02 AU traveling through Phoenix at 57.2"/minute. This large objece should be visible in a 13" scope from November 29 when it's predicted to be 16.1 magnitude traveling through Delphinus at 13"/minute to December 9 when it's predicted to be 14.8 magnitude traveling through Columba at 44"/minute. The best views should be from the southern hemisphere after December 3.

Here's the Object Info dialog for 2020 XR:    

Good Hunting,

Phil S.

Here's an article that describes the contamination that occurred during the preparation of a return sample from the asteroid (162173) Ryugu:

https://phys.org/news/2024-11-ryugu-aste...nized.html

Despite sample preparation in a Class 10,000 clean room and use of decontaminated tools, the analysis indicated that one of the samples was contaminated by earth microorganisms after the sample returned from space.

Earth bugs are tough, just ask the martians in War of the Worlds.

Phil S.

Minor Planet Hunters,

ST4.1.11.14 Visual Pro predicts that there are 4 NEOs brighter than 16 magnitude tonight (2024 Nov 20). They are (887) Alinda, 2006 WB and 2010 WC in the northern hemisphere and (66146) 1998 TU3 in Telescopium in the southern hemisphere.

Both (887) Alinda and (66146) 1998 TU3 are kilometer-sized objects and will remain bright for weeks. 2010 WC is already past the predicted peak brightness of 15.3 magnitude on 2024 Nov 20 0000 EST and is fading.

Good hunting,

Phil S.

CNEOS predicts that the Aten class NEO, 2010 WC, will make a close approach on 2024-Nov-21 01:26±<00:01 UT at a distance of 0.00494 AU moving with V Relative=9.11 km/sec, H=25.3 magnitude, diameter 23 m - 52 m and 'Rarity'=1. There is currently a 5110 day observation arc, the Condition Code=2 and the Earth MOID=0.00400079 AU. The solution date was 2024-Nov-12 03:12:01 PST. The initial reported observation was by Catalina Sky Survey on 2010-11-16. With H=25.3 this NEO is too small to make MPC's list of Potentially Hazardous Asteroids (PHAs). This approach is the closest between 1900 and 2179 and very close to the Earth MOID.

Using MPC's elements for 2024 Nov 12 0000 UT, ST4.1.11.14 Pro predicts that the close approach will occur (to the nearest hour) on 2024 Nov 20 at 2100 EST with the NEO 743.33 k km distant and 15.9 magnitude traveling through Andromeda at 158"/minute. Peak brightness of 15.3 magnitude is predicted around midnight of 2024 Nov 20 when the NEO will be ~1000k km distant moving from Taurus into Aries at ~85-90"/minute.

Here's the Object Info dialog for this object:    

This approach will be close enough that parallax will affect the apparent positions of the NEO from different locations on earth. For the most accurate results observers should download their orbital elements from JPL's HORIZONS website for a time near their time of observation.

Good hunting,

Phil S.