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?

The minor planet (52768) 1998 OR2 is about to make a close approach of earth over the next several weeks. It's currently in Lynx at 14.5 mag. Closest approach (0.04 AU) occurs on 29 Apr when it will be in Hydra at 10.9 mag.

Phil S.

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.