(c) 2006 Skyhound

SkyTools Real Time

This is a separately purchased add-on designed specifically for use at the telescope.  In real time mode SkyTools continually updates to the current time by reading the computer's clock, providing up-to-the-minute observing advice and controlling a variety of telescopes. 

Support is provided for most GOTO telescopes via the ASCOM platform. Telescopes equipped with Digital Setting Circles (or Pushto systems--because the observer typically pushes the telescope to the target) are supported directly through SkyTools.  Pushto telescopes equipped with the popular Sky Commander unit (and units that emulate it such as the Argo Navis) are currently supported.  

Standard displays include the RA/Dec and Alt/Az of the telescope, Hour Angle, Airmass, and current local/UT/sidereal times.

The telescope can be targeted at any object in your observing list, any object you can point at on a chart, or for that matter any object in the database.  Keyboard shortcuts are provided for all basic functions, both on the planner and the charts.

A natural sounding female voice keeps you informed of what your telescope is doing, indicating such events as “telescope slew complete”.

The current location of the telescope is indicated on all charts via a moving indicator.  The telescope can be controlled directly from any chart.  Watch as your telescope cursor moves across the naked eye view and into the finder view, finally centering on the object in the eyepiece view.  Or for Pushto systems, use the charts to guide the telescope to your target.  If you see an object nearby, simply point the cursor at it and with a press of the key your telescope will slew (or be ready to be pushed) to it.

But it’s not just about controlling telescopes!  The basic idea is similar to the SkyTools Observing Lists tab, which is used for observation planning, but everything is geared to work in real time.  Unlike the Observing list tab the date and time used for all functions are obtained directly from your computer clock. 

When you open a chart, start a log entry, or view object information, the time is always assumed to be current.

Your observing list refreshes periodically with current information, such as altitude and azimuth, and becomes a tool that tells you which objects are best observed right now.  Or alternately, which objects are closest to where the telescope is currently pointing.  Observers with alt/az setting circles can target directly from the positions indicated in the list.

Even if you have no way to connect your telescope to a computer this tool can be quite useful!

Telescopes currently supported by ASCOM:

  • ACL-based telescopes (Comsoft PC-TCS, Optical Guidance, DFM, Optomechanics Research, SciTech and Merlin research telescopes and mounts, and other research grade instruments). ACL Based Telescopes. This includes many types of research-grade telescopes controlled using Astronomy Command Language. Any telescope controlled by either of these packages is accessible via the ACL-based Telescope driver. This includes most Optical Guidance, DFM.

  • ACP Observatory Control Software telescope hub

  • Astrometric Instruments SkyGuide

  • AstroOptik research telescopes

  • Astro-Physics GTO mounts

  • Celestron NexStar 60GT, 80Gt, 114GT, 130GT, 4GT, 5, 5i, 8, 8i, 8 GPS, 9.5 GPS, 11 GPS, CGE 800, CGE 925, CGE 1100, CGE 1400, Advanced C5-SGT, C6-RGT, C8-SGT, C8-NGT, C9 1/4-SGT, C10-NGT, Ultima 2000, 76GT, 102GT, Advanced C11-SGT, C20, NS8i-SE

  • Generic LX200 type (many emulations such as Bartels, FS2)

  • Losmandy Gemini controller (levels 1-3)

  • Meade LX200, LX200GPS, and all Autostar (Meade specific features supported).  Includes the ETX 90/125.

  • Orion intelliscope series

  • Plain Old Telescope Hub (POTH)

  • ServoCat

  • SkyCommander

  • Software Bisque TheSky (pass through TheSky and TPOINT to its selected telescope, including the Paramount)

  • Takahashi Temma

  • Telescope Simulator (for testing)

  • Vixen SkySensor 2000 PC, Sphinx

  • Various telescope hubs, including Desktop Universe, FocusMax, and MaxPoint

View the latest list of currently supported ASCOM telescope protocols

       

Current SkyTools 2 users can try the Real Time add-on free!  At least SkyTools version 2.1 is required (download).  Open the Configure SkyTools dialog, select the Add-on tab and click Trial.

 

SkyTools and SkyTools Real Time are trademarks of Skyhound (formerly CapellaSoft)