AstroPlanner AstroPlanner - One of the best programs for observation planning and logging.
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AstroPlanner Tags

astronomical plan observation astronomical observation observation planning star telescope

AstroPlanner Description

AstroPlanner - One of the best programs for observation planning and logging. AstroPlanner is a software application for Macintosh and Windows computers that facilitates astronomical visual observation planning and logging as well as control of Meade telescopes that use the LX200, LX200GPS or Autostar controllers, Celestron NexStar scopes, Astro-Physics GTO mounts, the Vixen SkySensor 2000 system , and several others.AstroPlanner features an all sky view that shows an horizon-to-horizon view of the current sky, the location of objects, alignment stars, etc.It also incorporates the Best Pair functionality for selecting optimum telescope alignment stars and tools for facilitating iterative and drift polar alignment via computer control of the telescope.It is designed to enable the observer to set up a list of astronomical objects he/she wishes to observe. These are either entered manually, by lookup in the supplied database of astrometric catalogues (e.g. Messier, NGC, SAO, etc.), or by importing them from suitably formatted text files. Solar system objects are also supported (sun, moon, planets, comets and minor planets) and comet/minor planet orbital elements can be imported in the usual formats (from a range or sources including the ASTORB and MPCORB databases).Once entered the user can select items from the list for observation. The application uses the current time and site information (including horizon obstructions) to compute the visibility of the objects, so that only the ones currently above the horizon need be chosen. Rise, transit and set times are also computed to assist in planning a nights observing. Other sophisticated algorithms are incorporated to show parameters such as optimal detection magnification.One or more observations can then be logged. By specifying telescope, eyepiece, etc. from a user defined list, the effective focal length, magnification and field of view can be computed, displayed and logged as well as user notes.The field of view of the telescope is also displayed in the form of a star chart and can be compared with the actual view through the telescope. Any or all items from the catalogues can be plotted, including over 3 million stars in the Tycho catalogue down to about magnitude 11.If you have a connection to the internet you can download an image of the current field of view from the DSS (Digital Sky Survey) for comparison purposes. You can also plot stars from the USNO A2.0 catalogue (with magnitudes down to 20). What's New in This Release: · Cross-reference Objects to ID can cause bad IDs. If you use Cross-reference Objects to ID..., and use the prepend to ID field option, you can end up with IDs of the form xxxx, xxxx (where xxxx is the same ID) · Colour of FOV reticle in Sky chart should be same as FOV chart. In sky view, make the color of the FOV ring match the selected color preference for FOV view's "Eyepiece FOV" reticle. · Separate options for constellation names and figures in Sky chart. In sky view's Display Options box, separate Constellation Names from Constellation Figures. (so that borders and names can be shown without the figures, for example) · Remember catalogue chooser hierarchy. When the Select Catalogue/s chooser dialog is opened, it should remember its previous state, including the hierarchy. · Cross-hair reticles. Allow cross-har reticles, including double cross hairs. · Crash if catalogue selected to display in Sky chart has no magnitude field. If you choose a catalogue to display in Sky chart (in Preferences?Catalogues), and that catalogue has no magnitude field (e.g. a dark nebula catalogue), then the app crashes. · Allow Lookup Synonyms from FOV and Sky charts. Allow Lookup Synonyms (via contextual/right-click menu) from FOV and Sky charts when the cursor is pointing at an object. · Different colours for observed/unobserved objects in the FOV. Allow different colours of observed/unobserved objects in the FOV. Currently they are all shown in one colour (default=red). This would be useful when observing dense fields of objects (e.g. Virgo cluster, etc.)

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