Hello,
I'm curious about the text displayed at the lower right hand of the star-hopping chart which gives target visibility indicator.

Firstly, I noticed that I can look up an object - and the object info dialog box for that object has a "visual difficulty" tab.

So for example, - for a 10" dob scope - and the target object a star with a magnitude of 9 - in the object info dialog box - the system will display "visual difficulty" as "obvious".

But when I look at that object with the star-hopping chart - the text displayed at the lower right hand concerning target visibility indicates "Fully dark ML 5.5 target not visible".

I'm trying to understand the difference between these two visibility indications.

The reason for my asking is because I've spent a few nights trying to see the cats eye nebula without success.
And I'm wondering if Skytools darkness and visibility indicators can help me ascertain why I'm not seeing it.
Perhaps the skys at my location are not dark enough.

Thanks in advance.

Hello
Which camera is on T68 (NM)?
Is it a ASI1600mc (like in ST4 Data) or a ASI071mc like on the description of itelescope?

Thanks
Ed

Hi everyone, new to ST-4, getting everything setup for my first sessions with this and SGP. I have a Celestron 11 with Hyperstar V4, and managed to find a set of Baader f/2 high speed filters, but finding data on these seems to be tricky. The company doesn't even publish the nm pass for these, so wondering if anyone has experience setting these up in ST-4? In the meantime, I'll try to reach out to Baader and see if they can provide transmission curves. Doing some cursory searching of the internet isn't fruitful so far.

Thanks all!

A new comet was recently discover and designated. It is a pre-dawn object that is reported to be 13.2 mag with a 1.4' coma (Alan Hale). I have added it to the ST4 current comets list. Because it is more difficult to add, the ST3 list will have to wait until I do the monthly update on May 1.

This comet was discovered at perihelion (0.8 AU) and is at its best right now. Catch it while you can.

Hello everyone,

There is a lot going on with comets this month, requiring a mid-month current comets list update.  

Comet C/2019 Y4 (ATLAS) has fragmented, which means it has become fainter and is not likely to become the bright comet that we had hoped for.

I have added 2020 F8 (SWAN) to the list.

The MPC is having trouble keeping their comet database up to date, so I have updated orbits via orbital elements as needed via JPL data.

Hello everyone,

There is a lot going on with comets this month, requiring a mid-month current comets list update.  

Comet C/2019 Y4 (ATLAS) has fragmented, which means it has become fainter and is not likely to become the bright comet that we had hoped for.

I have added 2020 F8 (SWAN) to the list.

The MPC is having trouble keeping their comet database op to date, so I have updated orbits via orbital elements as needed via JPL data.

I just saw a note from iTelescopes that the T40 telescope in Chile is no longer part of the system. Apparently this was due to the problems with 'ongoing technical issues'. They're looking to make other arrangements, so hopefully they'll gain access to another scope in that area.

Phil S.

When I check the exposure calculation time there is an inconsistency.

Same Imaging system for both, just date change.

Full Moon April 7th, target SNR 30 calculations
- M81 mag 7.8 60min (looks ok)
- M1   mag 8.4   8sec (not ok)

New Moon April 22, target SNR 30 calculations
- M81 mag 7.8 60min (??, time should be less with new moon)
- M1   mag 8.4  8sec  (still too short)

1. Does sky limiting brightness (19.6mag/sec) set these exposure times?

2. Why is M1 so short?

Mark

I read that the "Rs" tab is the distance from the object to Earth. Is there a way to have it show Kilometers? Is it geocentric or topocentric (my location)?

I'm not where to best post this as I think it affects all versions and all products... So I've used a general forum.

I need some clarification. I think I know the answer. I think I have already learned the hard way (a few months ago).

STX files are NOT cross-version, right?

I.e. an STX file made in ST4V can not/should not be imported into ST3.

And visa verse, a STX file made in SkyTools 3 Pro for example should not be imported into SkyTools 4 Visual. Right?

There be dragons?