Hello everyone,

It has been a long road to the release of SkyTools 4 Visual. There were so many changes made, both large and small, that it had to be thoroughly tested and debugged--to a much higher degree than had I had anticipated. We started the test process at the end of November, and I expected it to only take a few weeks. I was very determined to have it ready before Christmas, but despite long hours, and the best test team ever, that was not to be. When the new year came, I decided to take some extra time to finish the job as thoroughly as possible. There were so many weeks that I was absolutely convinced would be the last, followed by so many days that I was equally convinced would be the last. But every day brought a new set of challenges, from bugs to obscure features that were not yet properly finished. At each step, what I thought would take an hour or two would take days. Even when it was done, it wasn't really done! After stealth-releasing it without any sort of announcement, it took a full week to get all aspects of the web site ordering working properly.

In the end, it is tested, finished, and polished as thoroughly as possible. There will, of course, be problems--there always are--but I know that we gave it our all and that we did not release it until it was ready. 

The Test Team
All of us owe a huge debt of gratitude to the Best Test Team Ever. They worked long hours and tested everything to the breaking point. They made useful suggestions and asked insightful questions that forced me to re-evaluate decisions. It was really hard work, but it was also a lot of fun. They can be proud of a job very well done and without real compensation. You will see many of the team members here on the forum answering questions, and sharing their expertise on SkyTools 4. I cannot begin to express my appreciation and am dumbfounded that people would devote so much time and energy to this project.

Editions and Choices
In the end, SkyTools 4 is two products, SkyTools Imaging, which comes in a single edition, and SkyTools Visual, which comes in three editions: Standard, Standard plus Real Time, and Pro. Real Time is devoted to use in the field at the telescope and features the new SkyTour. As before, it also includes the telescope control interface. The Pro Edition includes Real Time along with a deeper database and other advanced features. 

SkyTools 4 Visual + Imaging Bundle
The bundle shares the core data and much of the basic code between the imaging and visual versions of SkyTools. It is two separate apps, and yet in many ways it is a single app. If you have the bundle, things like the current data downloads and software updates are shared between the two, but they run completely separately. They will always be the same version, so there is no need to apply software updates more than once. 

If you have any questions about SkyTools 4, please feel free to ask.

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.