I have just updated from SkyTools3 to SkyTools4.  I want to import my old data from version 3 to version 4.  I can settle for just importing my log entries, and can fill in the rest manually if I have to.
 
I have tried the protocol where I go into the Data Manager on version 3 and created a Sync Database file.  I then went into version 4 and, under the "Tools" heading, I click on "Sync Databases".  After that, using the section marked "Merge User Data from Another Computer" i browse to the file created by version 3 (entitled "SkyTools Sync").  I then click on the "Sync" button.  I get a very short interval where the little vertical bars appear appear on the bottom (probably no more than a second), and then the weird voice says "completed".  The program prompts me to restart the program.  But when I do restart it, there is no transferred data.
 
Can anyone tell me what I am doing wrong?
 
Thanks.

Bernie Poskus

Version 4.x.11.03/04 brings an important update for SkyTools Imaging, the first of many to come. In addition there are many bug fixes.

CNEOS predicts that the large NEO, (517681) 2015 DE198, will make a close approach on 2024-Apr-15 14:08±<00:01 at a distance of 0.04699 AU moving at V Relative=14.18 km/sec, H=18.9 magnitude, diameter 440 m - 990 m and 'Rarity'=1. As of 2024 Feb 26 it had a 25919 day observation arc, a Condition Code=0 and Earth MOID=0.0439028 AU. The orbit is well defined.

Using elements downloaded from the MPC on 2024 Feb 26, ST4v predicts that this NEO will reach maximum brightness of 15.8 magnitude on 2024 Apr 9 around 0100 EDT when the NEO will be 0.07 AU distant moving through Ursa Major at 11"/min. ST4v predicts that this MP is visible from dark skies from March 30 (16.6 magnitude in Canes Venatici, 3"/min) to Apr 12 (16.3 magnitude in Camelopardalis, 21"/min). The close approach occurs in daylight as seen from Columbus, Ohio.

Here's the Object Info dialog for this NEO:     

Good hunting,

Phil S.

I can't find asteroid no. 2 Pallas no way. Everyone except him!

https://youtu.be/V5GpFshFVHY


Carlo

CNEOS predicts that the medium-sized NEO, 2020 BP13, will make a close approach on 2024-Apr-09 02:32±<00:01 UT at a distance of 0.03886 AU moving with V Relative=6.80 km/sec, H=21.1 magnitude, diameter 160 m - 350 m amd 'Rarity'=1. This NEO has a 3022 day observation arc and the Condition Code=0, so the orbit is well defined. The Earth MOID=0.0100175 AU. The solution date was 2024-Mar-28 05:47:42 PDT. Per the Minor Planet Center (MPC) the initial reported observation was by Mt. Lemmon Survey on 2020-01-28. It's been observed over 5 oppositions.

Using orbital elements downloaded from the MPC for the epoch 2024 Mar 29 0000 UT, ST4v predicts that this NEO will reach a maximum brightness of 16.4 magnitude on 2024 April 8 2300 EDT moving through Ara at 14"/min, but below the horizon from Columbus, Ohio. This is a southern hemisphere object with a relatively flat light curve near maximum brightness. It's predicted to be brighter than 17th magnitude several days before and after closest approach.

Here's the Object Info dialog for this NEO:     

This object should require a large aperture to observe visually, but imagers should have an easier time detecting it as it's not moving too fast and shouldn't trail too badly.

Good hunting,

Phil S.

CNEOS predicts that the newly discovered NEO 2024 ER4 will make a close approach on 2024-Mar-17 09:14±<00:01 UT at a distance of 0.00108 AU moving with V Relative=8.30 km/sec, H=27.4 magnitude, diameter 8.9 m - 20 m and 'Rarity'=1. There is a 2 day observation arc, theCondition Code=5 and the Earth MOID=0.000625347 AU. The solution date is 2024-Mar-16 06:12:02 PDT. The initial reported observation was by ATLAS South Africa, Sutherland on 2024-03-14.

This NEO was not included in today's download of the NEAs at Today's Epoch from the MPC, so I couldn't calculate the ephemeris. The MPC does have elements for the Epoch 2024 Mar 31, but they're after the close approach, so less useful. 

Phil S.

CNEOS predicts that the newly discovered NEO 2024 ED3 will make a close approach on 2024-Mar-18 08:38±<00:01 UT at a distance of 0.00899 AU with V Relative=9.94 km/sec, H=25.3 magnitude, diameter 23 m - 52 m and 'Rarity'=0. The orbit was refined over a 34 day observation arc. The Condition Code=7 and the Earth MOID=0.00618426 AU. The initial reported observation was by Catalina Sky Survey on 2024-03-11. but the NEO was also detected on 2024 Feb 9 by Pan-STARRS 2, Haleakala extending the observation arc considerably.

Using orbital elements downloaded from the MPC for the epoch 2024 Mar 14 0000 UT, ST4v predicts that the close approach will occur (to the nearest hour) on 2024 Mar 18 0500 EDT at 1347.7 k km distance when the NEO will be 16.9 magnitude moving through Centaurus at 88.8"/min near the horizon as seen from Columbus, Ohio. The maximum brightness of 16.4 magnitude is predicted to occur near 0200 EDT on 2024 Mar 17 when the NEO is moving through Corvus at ~60"/min.

Here's the Object Info dialog for 2024 ED3:     

Good hunting,

Phil S.

CNEOS predicts that the newly discovered NEO 2024 EN will make a close approach on 2024-Mar-18 18:34±00:02 UT at 0.00994 AU distance moving at V Relative 11.97 km/sec, H=24.5 magnitude, diameter 34 m - 75 m and 'Rarity'=1. This object has a 10 day observation arc, Condition Code=7 and Earth MOID=1.21678E-7 AU. The orbit solution date was 2024-Mar-13 05:47:56 PDT. This Earth MOID indicates a possible future collision with earth, but CNEOS doesn't predict another approach this close for the next 130 years, so no worries. This is your last chance to see this object before it hits us  .

Using orbital elements downloaded from the MPC for the epoch 2024 March 13 0000 UT, ST4v predicts that 2024 EN will make the close approach (to the nearest hour) on 2024 March 18 1500 EDT at 1489.8 k km distance traveling through Ophiuchus at 17.2 magnitude and ~100"/min, but in daylight and below the horizon from Colombus, Ohio. The maximum brightness of 16.6 magnitude is predicted to occur around 2024 March 17 1100-1900 EDT when the NEO is moving through Libra at 77"/min, again in daylight and below the horizon in Columbus, Ohio.

Here's the Object Info for this NEO:     

This looks like a good opportunity for observers Down Under.

Good hunting,

Phil S.

I just acquired this software as I needed something to help me plan in two different locations.
For context:
1: Home observatory - one imaging system, UK based and struggling with weather. Local imaging PC fully automated - accessed remotely from the desktop in the house.
2: Remote observatory - two scopes, Spain based with excellent seeing. Local PC fully automated - accessed from same desktop PC.

What I want to do is run Skytools locally for all systems (as my deskptop is the place where I "play" and I don't want to install much other software on the imaging systems).
I'd like to be able to plan locally in one place and then export to NINA to run on either machine in each of the two locations above.
In order to this, do I need to have NINA on my desktop so that I can work with profiles etc? Should I I just fake it with the necessary files/locations?

One other question, I use NINA "direct guider" as I only need to dither the scope, there is no guiding, is this to be configured as no guiding and will it still offer a dither option when exporting to NINA (actually, on writing this, I'll just try it!)

Is there anything else to consider when dealing with the above setup?

Thanks!