Feature List

SkyTools is the most useful and powerful software available to today's observer.  The planning features, charting capability and integrated databases are second to none.  Compare the features below to the competition: many of the most useful features, such as true optimum viewing times and multiple-view telescope simulations, are not available in any other product--even those that cost as much as $250.

Innovative Planning Features

• The Innovative NightBar displays sky darkness and object altitude at a glance

• The new YearBar displays object visibility over the course of a year and lists monthly visibility

• Powerful filtered high-speed data searching

• Observing lists filterable by sky darkness, object altitude, classification and constellation

• True optimum viewing times based on a complex model that considers object type, brightness, altitude, and the darkness of the sky

• Your obstructed horizon is used when computing rising, setting, and optimum viewing windows

• The Current Events generator finds upcoming appulses, transits, occultations, meteor showers, eclipses, oppositions, greatest elongations, Jupiter satellite events and planetary satellite elongations

• The printable monthly Event Calendar lists upcoming astronomical events

• The Nightly Event Planner tells you at a glance what your prospects are for observing each event (anything from an Io shadow transit to a lunar eclipse)

• The Optimum Viewing Ephemeris lists the optimum time to view an object daily

Comprehensive Databases

• The most comprehensive stellar database available, integrating the best data from nearly a dozen catalogs.  See Database Advantages for more info.

• All 37,000+ multiple star systems separate into components, including accurately plotted long-period binaries

• Over 1 million galaxies, 4000 galaxy groups, 12000 quasars, 3000 dark nebulae

• Unprecedented cross reference capabilities: 19 stellar cross references, 53 open cluster, 14 planetary nebulae, and many, many more.

• An ability to look up an object by simply typing in a designation that no other software comes close to matching

• Browse any database by catalog (even the 2 million-star stellar database!)

• Highly accurate and corrected planetary nebula database

• Historical comets with over 1600 orbits

• 10000 minor planets with orbits computed at 40-day intervals until 2005

• Add unlimited numbers of supplemental comets, minor planets, stellar, and deep sky objects

Innovative Interface

• State of the art: 32 bit power, multithreaded for no waiting

• View charts, object information, user data, and log entries directly from an observing list

• Print multiple finder charts customized for your instrument without human intervention

• View or print appropriate charts directly from an event list or ephemeris

• Variable-brightness red night vision mode

Internet Features

• Automatically download the latest comet, asteroid, and novae/supernovae data directly from our web site in observing list form

• Join the SkyTools 2 community: directly browse the web for observing lists and user data to download, or upload your own export files

• Download Digital Sky Survey images centered on  a specific object or at any position

• Download USNO-2.0 star fields to plot very faint stars where necessary

• Check for program updates directly from SkyTools

Integrated Observing Logbook

• Expedited log entry form using preset defaults -- enter multiple logs quickly and easily

• List log entries by object class, night, location, observer, instrument or constellation

• Filtered log entry searches by multiple criteria including constellation, dates, observers, locations etc.

• "Night" logs -- separately record the entire experience for a given night of observations

• Export, print, and copy to the clipboard individual logs or sets of log entries 

• Record miscellaneous observations such as meteor showers, atmospheric phenomena, animal attacks etc.

Interactive Atlas

• All the features commonly found in dedicated sky mapping software

• Groundbreaking photo-realistic display provides breathtakingly beautiful realistic star fields.  Highly configurable to any taste!  Great on a laptop in the field.

• Classic atlas display for those who prefer the traditional look

• Modern atlas display with nifty-looking bit mapped stars

• Star colors based on B-V index

• Smart labels that never overwrite one another

• Accurately rendered planet features

• Unprecedented customization of chart component styles, colors, lines and fonts

• Accurate positions for all planetary satellites visible in amateur instruments

• Download and display DSS images or USNO-A2.0 stars

Telescope/Binocular Simulations

• Take a step beyond the atlas or planetarium!

• A complex model is used to simulate the limiting magnitude at the eyepiece

• Atmospheric extinction is modeled (stars and other objects dim appropriately toward the horizon)

• Fields of view are computed automatically from the information provided about your telescope or binoculars -- no more hand-placing FOV circles!

• Three-view star hopping charts customized for your instrument will guide you to even the most difficult objects

• Innovative Star Drift Indicator allows for quick orientation at the eyepiece; simulated eyepiece views can be dragged to any rotation angle

• Download and display DSS images or USNO-A2.0 stars in the eyepiece view

• Realistic overhead sky and naked-eye simulations show you exactly what you see from your site

User Data Management

• Assign your own notes to objects

• Assign images to objects

• Assign web site links to objects

• Create an obstructed horizon customized for your observing location

• Import/export log entries, notes, images and web links -- any/all can also be exported along with the objects in an observing list

• Import/export custom chart preference schemes

• Selective backup/restore of all user data for safe keeping

• Unlimited import of the latest minor planet and comet data

• Supplemental stellar and deep sky databases (add your own objects)

Printed Charts

• Print paper versions of the atlas or simulations

• Print Preview

• Highly customizable separately from the on-screen display

• Selectively add elements such as a keys, various object information (including object notes!) and blank space for written notes or drawings

Miscellaneous Features

• Define your telescope or binoculars quickly by simply selecting your model from our database

• Generate telescope reports that list the performance characteristic of your instrument, including the true field of view and stellar limiting magnitude of each eyepiece, recommended additional eyepieces, etc.

• Computations are of the highest accuracy, including the effects of the observer's location, elevation, atmospheric refraction and extinction

Add-On/Plugin Programs

• Choose only the advanced features that you need

• Fully integrated telescope control: see Real Time

• Earth-orbiting satellite planner (coming in 2006)

• More on the way!

SkyTools Database Numbers

Minimum system requirements: Pentium 100, CD-ROM drive, Windows 95/98/ME/NT4/2000/XP.  Requires approximately 12MB of hard disk space.

Recommended system: Pentium III with 128MB of RAM

SkyTools Frequently Asked Questions