A
Note From The Author
When I
first began thinking about writing a computer program for
observing I tried to imagine the ultimate in observing
software. I had recently seen an episode of Star Trek:
The Next Generation and I considered: if I could talk to the
computer in plain English, what would I ask it for? This
is what I came up with:
"Computer,
make me a list of every planetary nebula that will be visible
in my 6-inch Newtonian from my favorite site before I go to
bed at 1 AM tonight. They must be at least 30 degrees
above the horizon, and unhindered by twilight or
moonlight. Oh, and mark the planetaries that I have yet
to observe. Now compute the optimum time to observe each
object and sort the list in that order. Finally, print
the list as well as a finder chart for each object, customized
for my 6-inch scope."
That
was back in 1993, and this question was the guiding principle
behind what eventually became SkyTools. In time, SkyTools
came to represent a complete rethinking of the traditional
approach to software for observing.
The
core of the SkyTools approach is to consider the task as a whole
rather than as individual pieces jammed willy-nilly into a star
charting program. While other programs may have similar
lists of features, SkyTools integrates these features into a well
thought out observing system.
The goal of
SkyTools is to empower you, the observer, no matter your level of
expertise, to get more out of observing. This is
accomplished as efficiently as possible, minimizing your time
spent at the computer and maximizing your time under the night
sky.
SkyTools
3
SkyTools
3 represents a further blossoming of the program, moving many
steps closer to the ideal. The most obvious additions are
support for imaging and the introduction of the Pro
Edition. The extended stellar database, provided on
the Pro
Edition DVD, takes our one of a kind integrated
stellar database all the way to 20th magnitude. This
extended database became necessary to support imaging, but even
as primarily a visual observer myself, when I go back to the
standard edition all those extra stars are sorely missed.
The new visual detection and sky brightness models create a new
standard for observation planning and star hopping charts.
The Context Viewer is a really nice addition, particularly when
observing with a computer controlled telescope. It's so
cool moving the telescope from galaxy to galaxy by dragging the
eyepiece circle on the computer! The new
Thumbnail Viewer has proven to be very popular and I
personally get a kick out of the observing synopses. It
just goes on and on with the new features.
But
beyond these obvious new features are the numerable minor
enhancements. Nearly every dialog has been redone, adding
small touches suggested by users. Yet at its heart
SkyTools hasn't really changed that much. This is what I
set out to do: to add features, enhancements, and to smooth over
the rough spots, yet keep the essence of the program
intact. My goal was to simplify the basic operations while
at the same time making powerful new things
achievable. A key piece of this effort was the work the volunteer beta test team, who
worked tirelessly with me
for 18 months. Without their help and feedback my goals
would not have been achievable. I am very happy with the
result.
Greg
Crinklaw -- SkyTools author
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