Weasner's Astronomy Software Feedback

ASTRONOMY SOFTWARE FEEDBACK

Last updated: 8 August 2006

This page is for user comments on Astronomy software for the PC, Macintosh, or Palm OS systems. Items that are more "review" oriented will be posted on the Astronomy Software Reviews page. If you have any comments, suggestions, questions or answers to questions posed here, e-mail them to me and I'll post them. Please use an appropriate Subject Line on your message. Thanks.

Subject:	Starry Night 6.0 Pre Orders
Sent:	Monday, August 7, 2006 08:07:58
From:	Edward B. Phillips (phillipseb@hotmail.com)
If you want a program that runs your ETX scope and is must more than the
Meade supplied software you may want to check the Starry Night Pro, Pro
Plus, or now Pro Plus Astrosuite.

I found this in the Starry Night Yahoo Groups and thought I would pass
the information on to all Starry Night Users or Want to be Users. 
Starry Night is offering a pre-release deal untill August 22, 2006 for
Starry Night 6.0 and is different versions. Here is the link to the
deal.  http://store.starrynightstore.com/newversion6.html

Also use this code at check-out for additional $20.00 off:   SN20V6
Also remember to hit the Add Button for the FREE Orion Star Target
Constellation and Celestial Object Finder.

Edward B. Phillips

Subject:	PC Astro Software on Mac-Intel
Sent:	Sunday, August 6, 2006 20:42:52
From:	Charles Turner (turnerc@milkywayimages.com)
Several people I know are asking if it is possible to control a
telescope and a CCD camera from a Mac Intel computer using PC software
under either Boot Camp or Parallels.

Do you know if anyone has first hand knowledge of the possibilities and
the problems?

Thanks for you help and your great resource web site.

Charles

Mike here: Boot Camp is still beta but I suspect that once it is released it should support all the ports and protocols to do this. As to Parallels (or WINE), it will still be necessary to have the appropriate Windows drivers running. You'd need a USB-serial adapter for the telescope control and those will need Windows (or Intel drivers). Haven't seen any reports yet of anyone using a Mac Intel computer with Windows astronomy software but I'm sure those reports will be forthcoming from many sources.

Subject:	Telescopes and Macs
Sent:	Tuesday, August 1, 2006 08:22:36
From:	John Mitchener (jmitchener@mac.com)
We haven't chatted in a long time, but I see by your website that you're
staying busy. We're doing the same.

I'm considering the purchase of a telescope and the one that has
attracted my interest is the Meade LX90GPS with the UHTC. How do you
handle using the scopes with your Mac, or do you? Seems like much of the
software is PC only, but I guess that isn't much of an impediment with
the new Intel based machines. Also Meade is offering the DSI camera for
$129 with the purchase of one of these scopes. That is the older model
and I just wonder if I wouldn't be better off to apply that money to the
DSI II. Your comments would really be appreciated.

Take care,

John

Mike here: There are several options for controlling the Autostar, which controls the telescope, with a Mac. You can use any of the Windows apps with Virtual PC. Alternatively, pretty much all the telescope control apps for the Mac work with the Autostar. I like ScopeDriver, Astroplanner, and Voyager. I have reviews of these on the Accessory Reviews: Software page on my ETX Site. You will also need a USB-Serial adapter; I use a Keyspan one. See the article "Autostar and USB" on the Helpful Information: Autostar Info page; not all adapters work with the Autostar. As to the DSI, for that you (currently) need Windows and USB 2.0.

Subject:	Telescope software
Sent:	Monday, July 24, 2006 11:21:52
From:	hanlonmarcusw@optonline.net (hanlonmarcusw@optonline.net)
Do you know of any software for an ETX-60AT that will enable a computer
to display what is in the eyepiece of the telescope ?

Marcus W. Hanlon

Mike here: First you need some hardware. Then you use the software that works with your hardware. There are several alternatives: electronic eyepieces, webcams, imagers (like the Meade LPI or DSI), or digital cameras. See the Helpful Information: Astrophotography page for lots more info. Some of these will replace the eyepiece; others can use the eyepiece to project an image onto the device.

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