Hello everyone,

SkyTools 4 Visual is now available!

https://skyhound.com/skytools_visual.html

New purchases
https://skyhound.com/order.html

Upgrades from SkyTools 3
https://skyhound.com/order43.html

How to Upgrade from SkyTools 4 Imaging
If you  already have SkyTools 4 Imaging, you may now upgrade to the bundle, which adds SkyTools 4 Visual Pro for $50 USD. Upgrade orders are made from within SkyTools 4 via the Upgrade Your Product item on the top-level Setup menu. A button will open a form in your browser to make your purchase. This feature is available in version 4.0g. If you have not received this update, open Updates, Registration, and Feedback and click the Check for Updates button.

I hope it was worth the wait.

Hello all,

I am new to Sky Tools Imaging, and have been using APT for capture. Does Sky Tools have a “live camera view” screen for focusing and framing an object? Thanks!

Greg

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Hi Greg,

I was in contact with Dr. Sasse of iTelescopes & he said that the position angle of T68's camera is 271°. He also mentioned that he now has time available.

Phil S.

Hi everyone! I have a problem in understanding the program.

The exposure times in each filter appear to be different in the imaging project ant in the scheduler. I send an attached file. I do not understand the reason.
Thank you!

This looks quite exciting since I haven't seen two Planets in the same FOV of an eye piece yet.
Especially the big once... with plenty of moons.
 
Here I am 11 months prior hoping for clear skies.

/Ron

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The iTelescope T68 is now operational. It's an 11" f/2.3 RASC with a one-shot color camera.

Phil S.

Hi.

Is there a dark mode or dark theme for this forum product?

Hello. 

With the new 2020 RASC Observer's Handbook in my hot little hands, I had a look-see at the two double star lists within. As is often the case, they have changed. Not a lot but there are some small changes.

I made new 2020 RASC observing lists for sharing in SkyTools 3 Pro. I can share these (or send to Greg for server downloading) if people are interested.

Hello,

I believe that the first interstellar comet may soon be observable visually in larger amateur instruments. This conclusion is based on recent magnitude and coma diameter measurements from images. To the best of my knowledge nobody has yet detected it visually, but of course the moon has been interfering. My calculations indicate that as soon as November 21 we should be able to get a good look at it, and it may be visible in apertures as small as 8-inches (under a dark sky and to an experienced observer). It should be visible in a 16-inch or larger scope.

It will be in Leo and available in the hours before sunrise from most locations. I plan to have a go at it in my 18-inch Dob. 

I have added 2I/Borisov to the the SkyTools 3 current comets list. The "I" designation is not yet supported in SkyTools 3 (thought I'd have a little more time before an interstellar comet came along!) so it is listed as C/2019 Q4 (2I Borisov) for the time being. As soon as a visual observation is posted I will update the Current Comets list with more accurate magnitude, coma diameter, and degree of concentration data, which will allow for more accurate visual difficulty estimates.

Many new Windows devices are now being offered with Windows 10 S. This is a limited version of Windows, and one of its features is that, in its default state, software can only be installed via the Windows Store. SkyTools is not available via the Windows Store, and it is unlikely to be anytime soon.

Any version of SkyTools can be run on a Windows 10 S device, but to do so, the Windows 10 "S" mode must be disabled. This is relatively easy to do, but once disabled there is no way to go back.