tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27273455784978068252024-03-21T19:58:48.282-04:00What's Happening at KnightwareThoughts on astronomical observing, software engineering, Deep-Sky Planner and SQM Reader Pro.pklhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18416943419958642475noreply@blogger.comBlogger117125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2727345578497806825.post-24508369455344604792021-03-24T11:07:00.001-04:002021-03-24T11:18:47.664-04:00New Use for SQM Readings<p>Knightware's <i><a href="https://knightware.biz/sqm/sqmreaderpro.htm">SQM Reader Pro 3</a></i> software has been updated recently, gaining an important new feature for users that want to contribute sky brightness readings from Unihedron's <a href="http://unihedron.com/">Sky Quality Meters</a> to researchers.</p><p>The latest update provides the ability to upload readings directly to the <a href="http://globeatnight-network.org/" target="_blank">Globe at Night Sky Brightness Monitoring Network</a> (GaN-MN). The data are collected and curated for accuracy and stored in a database so that it can be shared with researchers worldwide. The data are used by researcher in various disciplines such as astronomy, human biology and animal migration, for example. Unihedron's Sky Quality Meters and Knightware's <i>SQM Reader Pro 3</i> provide off-the-shelf tools that make collecting and submitting data a snap.</p><p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikLH3N1qNbZhDI063YzluyVl1weEwKIh8HJzKQDnAb0A68hhT4bQDNiG5o9Xd8I970pw0Q-hh3PeBqTND8L2osomVlmsIKPfW-w1S3BPtdZLL9vzbulgiF-OVyPs8A68-Xyoy-9ZYAYL3a/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="906" height="226" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikLH3N1qNbZhDI063YzluyVl1weEwKIh8HJzKQDnAb0A68hhT4bQDNiG5o9Xd8I970pw0Q-hh3PeBqTND8L2osomVlmsIKPfW-w1S3BPtdZLL9vzbulgiF-OVyPs8A68-Xyoy-9ZYAYL3a/" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>SQM Reader Pro 3 Upload to GaN-MN</i></td></tr></tbody></table><br /></p><p>As the body of sky brightness data grows, we can also track the progress of light pollution mitigation efforts. As municipalities consider their lighting ordinances, the sky brightness data can provide an objective reason to update or reduce lighting.</p><p>If you want to participate in the <b>Globe at Night Sky Brightness Monitoring Network</b>, you can get more information by contacting <a href="mailto:globeatnight.network@gmail.com">globeatnight.network@gmail.com</a> (or <a href="mailto:gan-mn@qq.com">gan-mn@qq.com</a> for users in China).</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p><p><i><br />Knightware would like to thank both Dr.
Chu-Wing So (The University of Hong Kong) and Ms. Amy Jackson, M.S.T. (Director
of Starry Sky Austin- Astronomy and Dark Sky Education and Conservation, IDA
Texas- Central Texas Regional Manager) for their assistance in developing and testing
the GaN-MN data submission feature.</i></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>pklhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18416943419958642475noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2727345578497806825.post-76544603905334462292021-01-29T17:33:00.000-05:002021-01-29T17:33:26.722-05:00Deep-Sky Planner Mobile Edition: Project Update<p>Users of Deep-Sky Planner Mobile Edition (DSPME) haven't seen an update to the Android app in many months while users of the iOS/iPadOS app have. The changes made in the past year have affected only the iOS/iPadOS app so the Android app didn't require updating.</p><p>That situation has changed recently. Both mobile apps provide access to Cloud Storage services Dropbox, Google Drive and OneDrive. These services have changed authentication for their services which have required changes to the apps. Updating the apps has been complicated by the fact that the development tool used to produce the apps (Embarcadero C++ Builder) has not updated its Android app support <sup>1</sup>. I can still develop the app for Android but I can no longer distribute it through the Google Play Store. I can still develop and distribute the iOS/iPadOS app through the Apple App Store. There is no issue there.</p><p>After months of research, I have decided to make the Android app available to the astronomy community directly from the Knightware website. I have also decided to make the app free of charge. The downside of this for users is that they are not notified by the Google Play Store when an update is available. Furthermore, the app also must be 'sideloaded' onto Android phones and tablets. This presents several warning messages about installing an app from an unknown source. In this case, this means that the app is digitally signed by Knightware but NOT delivered through the Play Store.</p><p><b>What about the Apple (iOS/iPadOS) app?</b></p><p>The iOS/iPadOS app is not affected by the change in distribution - you can still get the iOS/iPadOS app from the App Store and it will continue to have a small price. (There are ongoing expenses required for distributing an app through the App Store.)</p><p>Each app will continue to be available and will be updated as necessary. Learn about the Android and iOS apps at <a href="https://knightware.biz/dspme/index.htm">https://knightware.biz/dspme/index.htm</a></p><hr /><p><sup>1</sup> The the Google Play Store requires that all apps be compiled for 64-bit hardware. Embarcadero does not ship a 64-bit C++ compiler for Android at this time. A 32-bit C++ compiler for Android is shipped and has always been used to produce DSPME for Android. Note that a 32-bit app runs on a 64-bit phone for example. The Apple App Store also requires 64-bit apps and Embarcadero ships a 64-bit C++ compiler for iOS/iPadOS.</p>pklhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18416943419958642475noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2727345578497806825.post-35896749027152770722020-06-08T08:15:00.000-04:002020-06-08T08:15:58.169-04:00What's brewing at KnightwareFirst and foremost, we are well and hope you are too. I have heard from several users about friends or family that have had COVID-19. It has really brought home the fact that it is everywhere. Please be safe.<br />
<br />
Because Knightware's spring travels were canceled (including NEAF), there has been more time in the office and less on the road. I've missed seeing users but I've gotten a lot done. For example, I've been updating equipment lists in the Community. Take a look and see what's new. I plan to continue updating equipment data over the summer (I'm in northern hemisphere: North Carolina, USA).<br />
<br />
I've also updated Deep-Sky Planner Mobile Edition for iOS and iPadOS recently. The app was <b>not broken</b>, but Apple announced some new requirements that needed attention.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQc-sK7AnJKibz0qvhLcoQ_jba96i8j8S4WeEGns-LxfjNqLJPWpgXC4kYEOlJadnePj5OWqAktZLK3CtfSYFK1dKrUUDi19vVlt253li7l_hSS_fo8cZqldx5JB-sULw7zPV5VQxCaiLF/s1600/20200608_074750_sm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQc-sK7AnJKibz0qvhLcoQ_jba96i8j8S4WeEGns-LxfjNqLJPWpgXC4kYEOlJadnePj5OWqAktZLK3CtfSYFK1dKrUUDi19vVlt253li7l_hSS_fo8cZqldx5JB-sULw7zPV5VQxCaiLF/s320/20200608_074750_sm.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Updating DSPME on the App Store</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
I am still waiting for an anticipated update to my development gear that will allow me to address new Google requirements. It also is <b>not broken</b> but the Android app needs some updates.<br />
<br />
Since I have just received a major upgrade to my compiler and libraries, I am busy changing Windows and mobile software to use the new compiler and libraries. Thankfully, things are going smoothly but there is much to do. Stay well!pklhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18416943419958642475noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2727345578497806825.post-58786739150223916512019-03-18T08:11:00.000-04:002019-03-18T17:41:40.918-04:00DSP Mobile Is Here!<br />
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><b>Deep-Sky Planner Mobile Edition</b></span> has been submitted to Apple and Google for review! Any issues identified by their processes will need to be addressed before the app is released to the respective app stores. <br />
<h3>
[Update: DSPME is now available from both <a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/deep-sky-planner-me/id1375351170?ls=1&mt=8" target="_blank">Apple </a>and <a href="https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.knightware.Dspme" target="_blank">Google</a> ]</h3>
<h4>
What to expect</h4>
Users will receive a native code app (not a web app) that runs on Android 4.4+ and iOS 11+. The app has been adapted to fit both tablet and phone form factors. The phone-sized screen is packed with data and special user interface capabilities to help present the data in a usable way. The additional screen space of tablets is also used to advantage.<br />
<br />
The native code app performs ephemeral calculations so that you know where objects are in the sky at any time and place. These ephemeral calculations provide other advantages too like accurate double star ephemerides; planet, sun, moon, asteroid and comet ephemerides; predicted extrema for variable stars. Along with all of these ephemeral calculations comes real-time data filtering and sorting.<br />
<br />
The entire Plan and Equipment Libraries are available to the app so there is no shortage of observing resources. Please stay tuned for updated status.<br />
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<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzNPxAXAWPKz8xOXo9Q_jg1oFjmzA5soR8_Je9OtUikV_PsfIVvJ9SbYM7dd9sjtlc10LoDhtL4slsxO8VE_kLUBDs2VmReHAAzR7iH2IuRhNfIj497kIXfSyqjP2ZRbC9T8j1yMG8P9ga/s1600/IMG_0074.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzNPxAXAWPKz8xOXo9Q_jg1oFjmzA5soR8_Je9OtUikV_PsfIVvJ9SbYM7dd9sjtlc10LoDhtL4slsxO8VE_kLUBDs2VmReHAAzR7iH2IuRhNfIj497kIXfSyqjP2ZRbC9T8j1yMG8P9ga/s320/IMG_0074.PNG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Home screen in night vision style, iPad 9.7"</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiN4Z-_2LFymo4lledh1avGSSWJ3tcEp4VmYANHSjKGPA0MivpgpD0_iy0BNhPHlOKchbC1pw_Xs3PbhliBycAgtDPAmwTamgP_oVM8Uzg5Kk7l-4lOPnXAPb-NHvWVt0j1v9lkx6gT50F/s1600/Screenshot_20190314-195150.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiN4Z-_2LFymo4lledh1avGSSWJ3tcEp4VmYANHSjKGPA0MivpgpD0_iy0BNhPHlOKchbC1pw_Xs3PbhliBycAgtDPAmwTamgP_oVM8Uzg5Kk7l-4lOPnXAPb-NHvWVt0j1v9lkx6gT50F/s320/Screenshot_20190314-195150.jpg" width="180" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Plan screen in night vision style, Samsung Galaxy S7 Android phone</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKQsxDNfVfXXUMahVAcTl8U8qatG2sapvpqpBwZ5E7joyxLucw85nGqkqvc_QeFXyNdOrUhj-iUdDIav5VycTip-RdedLdaTE06MYbFL6NvzJPTwiWns6q4roR83RGZLvp9XGQXsmPmK6k/s1600/IMG_0366.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1334" data-original-width="750" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKQsxDNfVfXXUMahVAcTl8U8qatG2sapvpqpBwZ5E7joyxLucw85nGqkqvc_QeFXyNdOrUhj-iUdDIav5VycTip-RdedLdaTE06MYbFL6NvzJPTwiWns6q4roR83RGZLvp9XGQXsmPmK6k/s320/IMG_0366.PNG" width="179" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Plan screen in Wedgewood style, iPhone 6s</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWkAr09URvIirQwhjBvomAWk2KvdhLAaIMrERMZxXcgVagAHuzOmeQnFBR_B59pUimjXu5erTJAGFYz1ja_jG_LH5GlR-YHJ0eheUFS_xavdnEQb80-D4wmE6pibxSoT7y-tMZ4zhQvmWi/s1600/Screenshot_2019-03-14-19-33-33.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="800" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWkAr09URvIirQwhjBvomAWk2KvdhLAaIMrERMZxXcgVagAHuzOmeQnFBR_B59pUimjXu5erTJAGFYz1ja_jG_LH5GlR-YHJ0eheUFS_xavdnEQb80-D4wmE6pibxSoT7y-tMZ4zhQvmWi/s320/Screenshot_2019-03-14-19-33-33.png" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Plan screen in Calypso style, Nexus 7 Android tablet</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiur3i-gjoT3Iyv3EzXZ-K5g8LJoTZcbu8eXoDKX3DScBZDp7R7urvZdOy2p3idtByfWQ37CcnpNnuTDPNljH3StRy_nVQPfmWx2tiTAwQQmnF1t5O-pX95ezOESMTd78enc6RbKYB9tZSt/s1600/IMG_0070.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiur3i-gjoT3Iyv3EzXZ-K5g8LJoTZcbu8eXoDKX3DScBZDp7R7urvZdOy2p3idtByfWQ37CcnpNnuTDPNljH3StRy_nVQPfmWx2tiTAwQQmnF1t5O-pX95ezOESMTd78enc6RbKYB9tZSt/s320/IMG_0070.PNG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Plan Library screen in BunkerGray style, iPad tablet</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj50TIqotScc8hK4D-hrhFSbtz-9e4iDvR9hGv1R5ETbXJ2lmRD1AojZWyIxl5d5Taqscxv8klOKD6PfHNFGFwA17M1VBNqipnMQo6GfuylFiT60yFxRxoAq00UWCZqGuX0Wb6leEpZ17rM/s1600/IMG_0071.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj50TIqotScc8hK4D-hrhFSbtz-9e4iDvR9hGv1R5ETbXJ2lmRD1AojZWyIxl5d5Taqscxv8klOKD6PfHNFGFwA17M1VBNqipnMQo6GfuylFiT60yFxRxoAq00UWCZqGuX0Wb6leEpZ17rM/s320/IMG_0071.PNG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cloud Import screen in BunkerGray style, iPad tablet</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />pklhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18416943419958642475noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2727345578497806825.post-484969881272465572019-02-14T10:40:00.000-05:002019-02-14T10:40:29.575-05:00DSP Mobile: Test ProgressTesting of <b><span style="color: #0b5394;">Deep-Sky Planner Mobile (DSPME) </span></b>has been underway for several weeks. All app features have been implemented so testing is focused on bugs and usability issues. We have been working mostly with tablets so far, but adjustment for phones is underway.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg4PvVkJ4QSLdLjQPenjEQo4bQ_1hIYLaF3OcBYNf2nLWRWdWVYFYqxEbosmWgyYvw3ycl4jSpjHLYJjji5Q4eg0pQd3ImmPG3Aaevd9MnySh7kqmh7Tdj9GLPMwE_ivj5atWEChLbcNMF/s1600/Screenshot_20190214-102808.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg4PvVkJ4QSLdLjQPenjEQo4bQ_1hIYLaF3OcBYNf2nLWRWdWVYFYqxEbosmWgyYvw3ycl4jSpjHLYJjji5Q4eg0pQd3ImmPG3Aaevd9MnySh7kqmh7Tdj9GLPMwE_ivj5atWEChLbcNMF/s320/Screenshot_20190214-102808.jpg" width="180" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Community screen on Android phone</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The attached screen shot shows the latest observing plans uploaded to the Deep-Sky Planner Community. You can read more about this feature in our <a href="https://knightware.blogspot.com/2019/01/dsp-mobile-plan-equipment-libraries.html" target="_blank">previous post</a>.<br />
<br />
We have found that a small tablet is perhaps the best form factor (device size) for the app. Small tablets have enough 'screen real estate' to show details while remaining small enough to be held conveniently. Small tablets currently used in testing include the 8" Samsung tablet and the iPad Mini.<br />
<br />
We will continue to adjust the user interface for usability on phones. An update on that progress will follow in a week or two. <br />
<br />
<br />pklhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18416943419958642475noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2727345578497806825.post-72555098970124910592019-01-22T07:56:00.000-05:002019-01-22T07:58:59.551-05:00DSP Mobile: Plan & Equipment Libraries<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="color: black;">As mention in an <a href="https://knightware.blogspot.com/2018/11/dsp-mobile-transferring-data.html" target="_blank">earlier post</a>, </span><b>Deep-Sky Planner Mobile Edition</b><b> (DSPME)</b></span>
allows you to browse and import plans from the Plan Library in the Deep-Sky Planner Community at
knightware.biz. This post discusses this and the ability to import equipment lists from the Community.<br />
<br />
Accessing plans and equipment lists (resources) online is a simple process: first, you download a list of available resources, and then you can download the resource and store it on your device. Any of these resources can be deleted later if you like.<br />
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[Note: Screenshots for this post were made on a 10" iPad tablet with the BunkerGray app style. The Community is running on a test server.]<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7e8NPF-BqObyO6Hdv-G1l2t4-xfeuRChrxP8euLXi8qKIznkn0cM_rUYHNcG6SowN-RAcK-06ArGr_K4WvXzYx65kp0jh8XiDI4QDR92zNTQvI3Mk0IPEJOAVcPZno6XFekOyBIEX9j6A/s1600/IMG_0065.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7e8NPF-BqObyO6Hdv-G1l2t4-xfeuRChrxP8euLXi8qKIznkn0cM_rUYHNcG6SowN-RAcK-06ArGr_K4WvXzYx65kp0jh8XiDI4QDR92zNTQvI3Mk0IPEJOAVcPZno6XFekOyBIEX9j6A/s320/IMG_0065.PNG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Latest Plans in the Community</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
You can scroll through the list of plans to review them, and tap <b>Get </b>when you want to download one. The plan is stored on your device and can be opened with <a href="https://knightware.blogspot.com/2018/12/dsp-mobile-viewing-plans.html" target="_blank">Plans on Device</a>.<br />
<br />
Browsing and downloading equipment lists works similarly. The screenshot below shows the equipment lists available from the Community. The equipment lists can be sorted by manufacturer or by type [instruments, eyepieces, filters, barlows/reducers, observers, cameras].<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHSqR3DRvcoed_4asLxQAyn9hyphenhyphenBNviqp8vOyvXmyK_S8QTgaCtUe5inelg3AwfYA0H1gNUDvehyOLeQ0n_FMQy7V7Xp2EvediqLtkPjbB4p2BQp6SB6hAsUbJvWlt8YT1ldE_UHGF_9-oF/s1600/IMG_0066.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHSqR3DRvcoed_4asLxQAyn9hyphenhyphenBNviqp8vOyvXmyK_S8QTgaCtUe5inelg3AwfYA0H1gNUDvehyOLeQ0n_FMQy7V7Xp2EvediqLtkPjbB4p2BQp6SB6hAsUbJvWlt8YT1ldE_UHGF_9-oF/s320/IMG_0066.PNG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Equipment Lists in the Community</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
You can browse these lists and tap <b>Get </b>to retrieve the equipment list you want. The equipment is stored on your device and may be viewed with <a href="https://knightware.blogspot.com/2018/12/dsp-mobile-observing-equipment.html" target="_blank">Equipment</a>.pklhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18416943419958642475noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2727345578497806825.post-66896597281411159812019-01-14T10:46:00.003-05:002019-01-14T10:46:32.670-05:00DSP Mobile: Settings<span style="color: #0b5394;"><b>Deep-Sky Planner Mobile Edition (DSPME)</b></span> provides a <b>Settings </b>screen for displaying and modifying app-wide settings. At the moment, it contains configuration options for the download and display of Digitized Sky Survey (DSS) images, and it contains your selection of the application's display style.<br />
<br />
[Screenshots were produced on a 10" iPad using the RegalBlue or BlackRed (nightvision) style.]<br />
<br />
<h4>
DSS Options </h4>
<br />
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><b>DSPME </b></span>allows you to download DSS images for the objects in your observing plans. When you download DSS images, the size of the image is automatically selected based on the size of the object in the plan. For objects that do not have a size metric (like stars), a default size value can be set.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvIk-x1pn29qQVm0ChvLvHEHgo0D6AKHIgARs2tZS9aboXZW4RCPd4sVHrxyafM6wjVlZWnVCi-83t8lgwpkuVAiG6tOatYqwdpffa1kcIc1ZXMBoMzDPVTefJb-QSqpgVMBbpusfgLalp/s1600/IMG_0063.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvIk-x1pn29qQVm0ChvLvHEHgo0D6AKHIgARs2tZS9aboXZW4RCPd4sVHrxyafM6wjVlZWnVCi-83t8lgwpkuVAiG6tOatYqwdpffa1kcIc1ZXMBoMzDPVTefJb-QSqpgVMBbpusfgLalp/s320/IMG_0063.PNG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">DSS Settings: Image Size and Invert Colors</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
You can also choose to invert the colors of the image when it is
displayed. The default is white on black; inverted produces black on
white.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirQQ_UzDnJTJYLEh9zjUF2qxUdZ5NLSF3_RH5BO6HyaBhdSuQk_3dUGfUpKBIcFLvtOqqssYQxpcXJDK0AdHEKHgA6ufyPX_4CMaiXE5xfh8m8TEyNj2vyqj3TGXCmLWcltZZN4HgTokKJ/s1600/IMG_0060.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirQQ_UzDnJTJYLEh9zjUF2qxUdZ5NLSF3_RH5BO6HyaBhdSuQk_3dUGfUpKBIcFLvtOqqssYQxpcXJDK0AdHEKHgA6ufyPX_4CMaiXE5xfh8m8TEyNj2vyqj3TGXCmLWcltZZN4HgTokKJ/s320/IMG_0060.PNG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">DSS image of M 31 shown with inverted colors</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDwvd7gyxairTViB-aI6vM0CGV-YXkAYM0NyeE9W3lNsZ6I_rC1uf5cwKO1BvT112n3kXgbTxxoiO4cWgpk08mIaTI35YDoMOU5ZgoYFWpvqM35SpBX-cA3qcSDgJmHPi3hMOoZb4baN2h/s1600/IMG_0061.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDwvd7gyxairTViB-aI6vM0CGV-YXkAYM0NyeE9W3lNsZ6I_rC1uf5cwKO1BvT112n3kXgbTxxoiO4cWgpk08mIaTI35YDoMOU5ZgoYFWpvqM35SpBX-cA3qcSDgJmHPi3hMOoZb4baN2h/s320/IMG_0061.PNG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">DSS image of M 31 shown with normal colors</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
DSS images are served from 2 different websites. If one is unavailable temporarily, you can choose the other.<br />
<h4>
App Style</h4>
Several styles are provided with <span style="color: #0b5394;"><b>DSPME</b></span>. You can choose the one that suits your taste. The BlackRed (nightvision) style is included to help keep your eyes dark-adapted. This style should be used along with brightness settings for your device screen to yield a useful display in a dark environment.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQbemz8WAGOKdE66RHtC-3Io3Tu8iPF9IHjLzn-XHOV3Pr0BM2OPvpFKFbNNk8mj46OYZHnE2-TK9DGZxMH-3Zr-2ZvyCO-pvFbc1_ob3yZHvrB9v0Pmw2U3U4D45nJb5MQjKgAwYZ0h1P/s1600/IMG_0064.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQbemz8WAGOKdE66RHtC-3Io3Tu8iPF9IHjLzn-XHOV3Pr0BM2OPvpFKFbNNk8mj46OYZHnE2-TK9DGZxMH-3Zr-2ZvyCO-pvFbc1_ob3yZHvrB9v0Pmw2U3U4D45nJb5MQjKgAwYZ0h1P/s320/IMG_0064.PNG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Plan displayed in BlackRed (nightvision) style</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />pklhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18416943419958642475noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2727345578497806825.post-8126216998405969032019-01-07T06:48:00.000-05:002019-01-07T06:50:01.196-05:00DSP Mobile: Sky Conditions<span style="color: #0b5394;"><b>Deep-Sky Planner Mobile Edition (DSPME)</b></span> allows you to record the sky conditions when you observe. These conditions - darkness, transparency and seeing - play a role in calculating visibility models for different kinds of objects. The first two metrics are used to determine whether you can see extended object like galaxies, globular clusters and nebulae. The latter is used to predict whether you can split a pair of double stars. Note that these predictions pertain to <b>visual observing</b>, not imaging.<br />
<br />
[Note: Screenshot for this post was made on a 7" Android tablet with the Diamond app style.]<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBHoEZ2_zwBNnx4pJ8ZbbsDv2Vsxez0ip48WLonIFjKd-qZUs1Ro_EgYTXguTcP1pbQPCEzKBsDm_zcMOExgdUwhjg1co_Pd9GCgZz4WwoTAkG-Hq0v8kxE2FYsCr9u9Mw6gMNDtrYIizz/s1600/Screenshot_2019-01-06-07-41-27.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="800" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBHoEZ2_zwBNnx4pJ8ZbbsDv2Vsxez0ip48WLonIFjKd-qZUs1Ro_EgYTXguTcP1pbQPCEzKBsDm_zcMOExgdUwhjg1co_Pd9GCgZz4WwoTAkG-Hq0v8kxE2FYsCr9u9Mw6gMNDtrYIizz/s320/Screenshot_2019-01-06-07-41-27.png" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Conditions: Darkness, Transparency and Seeing</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
The various Sky Conditions should be set for each observing session because these metrics change over time. In fact, they change constantly so you may want to change these several times while you observe.<br />
<br />
<b>Darkness</b> is entered in magnitudes per square arcsecond (MPSAS). This value is readily available from Unihedron's Sky Quality Meter. Naked-eye limiting magnitude (NELM) is also shown, and you can use it to estimate MPSAS. Lastly, the Light Pollution Atlas Zone color<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">[1]</span></span> is displayed for the MPSAS and NELM values These 3 values can be used together to provide an objective assessment of sky darkness to <span style="color: #0b5394;"><b>DSPME</b></span>.<br />
<br />
<b>Transparency </b>can be determined objectively from the aerosol optical depth (AOD) at your observing time and place, or you can use the subjective scale. AOD information is available from various services online, including IDEA<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">[2]</span></span>.<br />
<br />
<b>Seeing </b>is a well-known metric to double star observers. A value can be entered in a subjective scale which links a description to the Antoniadi and Pickering scales.<br />
<br />
These sky conditions are required for some of the visibility models. Once you have entered all the required components (equipment, observer, conditions), you can use the visibility models in <span style="color: #0b5394;"><b>DSPME</b></span> to help predict your observing results. <br />
<br />
<hr />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: blue;">[1]</span> The New World Atlas of Artificial Sky Brightness,</span><span style="font-weight: normal;"> <a href="https://cires.colorado.edu/Artificial-light" target="_blank">https://cires.colorado.edu/Artificial-light</a></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: blue;">[2]</span> IDEA (Infusing satellite Data into Environmental air quality Applications) is a NASA - EPA - NOAA partnership, <a href="https://www.star.nesdis.noaa.gov/smcd/spb/aq/" target="_blank">https://www.star.nesdis.noaa.gov/smcd/spb/aq/</a> </span></span>
pklhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18416943419958642475noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2727345578497806825.post-13279007661977279952018-12-31T06:15:00.001-05:002018-12-31T06:15:59.389-05:00DSP Mobile: Observing EquipmentWelcome back from the holidays! Our story continues ...<br />
<br />
Your equipment and observer information can be added into <span style="color: #0b5394;"><b>Deep-Sky Planner Mobile Edition (DSPME)</b></span> so that you can review the metrics of your complete setup - total magnification, field of view (for imaging & viewing) etc. The equipment information is also used by the visibility model when it calculates a prediction of whether you can see an object.<br />
<br />
[Note: Screenshots for this post were made on a 9.7" iPad tablet with the Regal Blue app style.]<br />
<br />
Owners of the Desktop Edition can export their equipment and observer
data to files, and transfer them to a cloud service. These files may be
imported into <span style="color: #0b5394;"><b>DSPME </b></span>using the Cloud Import feature as described in a <a href="https://knightware.blogspot.com/2018/11/dsp-mobile-transferring-data.html" target="_blank">previous post</a>.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8oqF-WlVGCXoA68AvnDcb2C-wANm1NWPdMfp1zGCDWR1fMy5TpZH7KEO3fMt40a3SsnHLY3M5p0vPisNNAQtkgp5kfraEJ3moJXjgIDAnEguAn3NexYZEA_z2k1Li10Nec8Ha5CCQHPLh/s1600/IMG_0056.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8oqF-WlVGCXoA68AvnDcb2C-wANm1NWPdMfp1zGCDWR1fMy5TpZH7KEO3fMt40a3SsnHLY3M5p0vPisNNAQtkgp5kfraEJ3moJXjgIDAnEguAn3NexYZEA_z2k1Li10Nec8Ha5CCQHPLh/s320/IMG_0056.PNG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Import equipment from Cloud</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<i>Important:<br />Entering equipment and observer data directly into <span style="color: #0b5394;"><b>DSPME</b></span> will be available in a future release.</i><br />
<br />
Once equipment data has been transferred to <b><span style="color: #0b5394;">DSPME</span></b>, use the Equipment feature to select your combination of equipment. Selections are indicated by the checkmark; the summary of the equipment combination is shown in the right pane.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRnqo-pea6RH8xADVcvzpL08wZyl27KHSY52VRzQovWGdtFUbeqAdIa-OMvuADnq7oG637-XCc_zgDsuK8Hss6Bc_LWA955HO6ZR-5KMnEDHJ9Gio33vwqT7ILkYMFi6DAi8h141IR65Ui/s1600/IMG_0057.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRnqo-pea6RH8xADVcvzpL08wZyl27KHSY52VRzQovWGdtFUbeqAdIa-OMvuADnq7oG637-XCc_zgDsuK8Hss6Bc_LWA955HO6ZR-5KMnEDHJ9Gio33vwqT7ILkYMFi6DAi8h141IR65Ui/s320/IMG_0057.PNG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Equipment selections</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
The selections made in Equipment are used to predict an object's visibility when the plan is opened. The data item <b>Vis Pred</b> shown below is the result of the visibility model calculation. Note that the visibility prediction applies only to visual equipment combinations. No prediction is calculated for imaging combinations.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJidEsL5XL_f7MphoQ1zdd4uLFifO5piQhld9VBt7wGb2Zbd-UxFDdxFvL6xYnQMAPDWF0_wPMn8kN0ZRQs51OKfVcT5vgxBp0i0SslOvyN5vE92boyBUdXO1xBSGT4-6UDc4ph7ask3F1/s1600/IMG_0058.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJidEsL5XL_f7MphoQ1zdd4uLFifO5piQhld9VBt7wGb2Zbd-UxFDdxFvL6xYnQMAPDWF0_wPMn8kN0ZRQs51OKfVcT5vgxBp0i0SslOvyN5vE92boyBUdXO1xBSGT4-6UDc4ph7ask3F1/s320/IMG_0058.PNG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Visibility Prediction shown in a Plan</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Next time, we'll look at the Conditions feature which is also required for the visibility model to predict whether you might see an object.pklhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18416943419958642475noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2727345578497806825.post-16026847428552556382018-12-17T08:32:00.000-05:002018-12-17T08:32:39.538-05:00DSP Mobile: Observing LocationsAny astronomical application must use the observer's location to produce accurate calculations. <b><span style="color: #0b5394;">Deep-Sky Planner Mobile Edition (DSPME)</span></b> is no different, and it provides 3 ways to set your observing location.<br />
<br />
[Note: Screenshots for this post were made on a 9.7" iPad tablet with the Nightvision app style.] <br />
<h4>
Provided Locations</h4>
Over 400 locations ship with <span style="color: #0b5394;"><b>DSPME</b></span>. You can browse the list and choose a location to be your observing location. If you need a location that is not provided in the database, you can add it by importing a file, or you can add one manually. <br />
<h4>
Import Locations</h4>
To import locations, you export locations to a file in <b><span style="color: #0b5394;">Deep-Sky Planner Desktop Edition</span></b> and store it on a Cloud Service. Next, you import the file using the Import from Cloud feature. The locations file is downloaded to your device and the locations in the file are imported into the app's database. Locations with duplicate site names are not imported.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdwSnjHDsSRT5Fw6xFz7LXfCgBmbpG1KHXTJ2jPwcTodUxKhK72wtX8jbFAHIIJkxvMpkXXU1dKPF5XkH4-Jcy9YBQkp__37l1Tsk3AaKrv33ejgSJRiklSYyRCTEtxTxsNerciH06OPrT/s1600/IMG_0053.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdwSnjHDsSRT5Fw6xFz7LXfCgBmbpG1KHXTJ2jPwcTodUxKhK72wtX8jbFAHIIJkxvMpkXXU1dKPF5XkH4-Jcy9YBQkp__37l1Tsk3AaKrv33ejgSJRiklSYyRCTEtxTxsNerciH06OPrT/s320/IMG_0053.PNG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Import from Cloud: Adding locations by importing</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<h4>
Enter Manually </h4>
To add a location to the database manually, use the Locations
feature. You can add a New location, Edit an existing one or Delete an
existing one.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuhC2A6O7Qqm_vrJ_5JtYxXFe61a9SJPqwCZJk2G4iePL3tpMANAWX16bWWRpr0tEWoiATdH8dHzltR2wgaL773ZZqGmSK0dai2Q_J9hB5phA1ScgCVot7o3xGKx8ByNQ_YCuOqTthkoQy/s1600/IMG_0049.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuhC2A6O7Qqm_vrJ_5JtYxXFe61a9SJPqwCZJk2G4iePL3tpMANAWX16bWWRpr0tEWoiATdH8dHzltR2wgaL773ZZqGmSK0dai2Q_J9hB5phA1ScgCVot7o3xGKx8ByNQ_YCuOqTthkoQy/s320/IMG_0049.PNG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Add or Edit a new location</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
If your device has location services (network location or GPS), you can read location information from the sensor and save it to a location.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_g3memEInbVLELdBeLT7vzxXuc75bOu-ia46SQcEJKKdVP1L7xMeePG5-J4QBnMfH5oOie19BsQuyjS364yxU6i8EGGezqhIP-O_HWONAIOm07WLRVjTR3Fev4LGrz0y6yvvDZNLg8vU9/s1600/IMG_0052.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_g3memEInbVLELdBeLT7vzxXuc75bOu-ia46SQcEJKKdVP1L7xMeePG5-J4QBnMfH5oOie19BsQuyjS364yxU6i8EGGezqhIP-O_HWONAIOm07WLRVjTR3Fev4LGrz0y6yvvDZNLg8vU9/s320/IMG_0052.PNG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Use location services - network info or GPS</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
If you need to revert to the original set of locations that shipped with <b><span style="color: #0b5394;">DSPME</span></b>, you can Restore Default so that you
don't have to uninstall and reinstall the app to get a clean database.pklhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18416943419958642475noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2727345578497806825.post-70654730017136072762018-12-10T07:11:00.000-05:002018-12-10T16:47:22.423-05:00DSP Mobile: Filtering & Sorting PlansWe continue where we left off in the previous post - exploring the plan window. <span style="color: #0b5394;"><b>Deep-Sky Planner Mobile Edition</b></span> allows you to filter and sort an object listing by several criteria. These functions are accessed on the Filters and Sort tabs of the Plan window, respectively.<br />
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[Note: Screenshots for this post were made on a 9.7" iPad tablet with the light Wedgewood app style.]<br />
<h4>
Filtering</h4>
Like the Desktop Edition, you can filter the listing of objects in a plan by several criteria. This does not remove the objects from the plan: it simply hides them in the list. The filtering options include magnitude range, size range, altitude and azimuth in the sky, constellation and object type. Note that the latter two options allow you to select <i>multiple </i>items so you can show objects in 3 constellations for example. The screenshot below shows a filter on altitude where an object must be 20 degrees above the horizon or more to be shown in the list.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7HmcEFMLJLFOjWgI8xjMJ040c5qwndO4B5QAVM1xanBUKvROPZpYFaBPuWHcCs5JryTqdPeAveOC6OfRO9JP6CL5-BsNUuLkWwyg9DkqPnnmX-K7WxuoLlu6yS_UnuPfhTLxfOcghJILO/s1600/IMG_0046.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7HmcEFMLJLFOjWgI8xjMJ040c5qwndO4B5QAVM1xanBUKvROPZpYFaBPuWHcCs5JryTqdPeAveOC6OfRO9JP6CL5-BsNUuLkWwyg9DkqPnnmX-K7WxuoLlu6yS_UnuPfhTLxfOcghJILO/s320/IMG_0046.PNG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Filters: Filtering by altitude</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<h4>
Sorting</h4>
Many options are included for sorting the list of objects. You can specify sorting on one or more data items, and you can specify ascending or descending sort direction for each. In the attached screenshot, we sort simply by the Best Time to view an object in ascending order.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhb6EP2-r0V4EAq7MRiJFypkRVzzRpDbLBw1ZFIlBgQOeeRvCAs1SqTK6WqxSQcSX_1k3UDhzx3XRRIYFnj7OLBzYgUEGfpGTu9SZUrMtIOxa0RpTXaRqiBPhovFhDDb_YSH06vGWvZrSn/s1600/IMG_0047.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhb6EP2-r0V4EAq7MRiJFypkRVzzRpDbLBw1ZFIlBgQOeeRvCAs1SqTK6WqxSQcSX_1k3UDhzx3XRRIYFnj7OLBzYgUEGfpGTu9SZUrMtIOxa0RpTXaRqiBPhovFhDDb_YSH06vGWvZrSn/s320/IMG_0047.PNG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sort: Sort by ascending best time to view</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<h4>
Putting it all together </h4>
The Messier List plan is shown below with a typical use case for an observer. It shows objects above 20 degrees in the sky and sorted by ascending best time to view. This is accurate for the time and place of observation, so it effectively tells us which object to view next and the best order to view those that follow.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl1PE-baagjD8wiBbtg3XPhwai8AdtjK5GsQIoGjoacqZ_vK3xnnrcXrCY6Ved2oYBgbWl_KVR0kBacff-h8mYK6R3ezOjYt4xQ5TQfmJw9gjdnzRqnzZw-RfQK6vQZEJhpV0UDyTbYBsH/s1600/IMG_0048.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl1PE-baagjD8wiBbtg3XPhwai8AdtjK5GsQIoGjoacqZ_vK3xnnrcXrCY6Ved2oYBgbWl_KVR0kBacff-h8mYK6R3ezOjYt4xQ5TQfmJw9gjdnzRqnzZw-RfQK6vQZEJhpV0UDyTbYBsH/s320/IMG_0048.PNG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Objects: Object list sorted and filtered</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<br />pklhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18416943419958642475noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2727345578497806825.post-86691036194722559052018-12-03T08:11:00.000-05:002018-12-03T08:13:02.905-05:00DSP Mobile: Viewing Plans<h4>
</h4>
Once a plan is stored on your device, you can open it and view it. As with <b><span style="color: #0b5394;">Deep-Sky Planner Desktop Edition</span></b>, you can set a time and place for the plan, and filter and sort the listing by several criteria.<br />
<h4>
Setting Time and Place</h4>
Astronomical calculations <i>require </i>a time and a place to produce accurate results. The <span style="color: #0b5394;"><b>Localize </b></span>tab of the Plan window provides these functions. You can select your location from the database and the date/ time for your observations as shown below. There are several options for calculating special times of day (sunset and so forth) for the location on the chosen date. You may also download images for objects in the plan from Digitized Sky Survey servers.<br />
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[Note: Screenshots for this post were taken on a 10" Android tablet with the Charcoal Gray app style.]<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW7otIlDcrr9fcqCd2eiO4V4TmbZmpJ4KNebxSqpow6LUU9b8KUoIEb14sFeVMjha0KxLHMUYoVI4ZFwxeELw0XVKdy7fsZjoMFUoDRM7EGHwToiLOtbrqmm7jgmWWDOcXQBaplGglsTU8/s1600/Screenshot_2018-12-03-07-46-31.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="1280" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW7otIlDcrr9fcqCd2eiO4V4TmbZmpJ4KNebxSqpow6LUU9b8KUoIEb14sFeVMjha0KxLHMUYoVI4ZFwxeELw0XVKdy7fsZjoMFUoDRM7EGHwToiLOtbrqmm7jgmWWDOcXQBaplGglsTU8/s320/Screenshot_2018-12-03-07-46-31.png" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Localize: Location, Date/ Time, DSS Images</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<h4>
Viewing Object Data </h4>
Once you have the correct location and time set for your observations, you can view the <span style="color: #0b5394;"><b>Objects </b></span>tab to view object information.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-8ILQ_K0m5awg2CI_9nzh7IupRrGMiShZ1wErqR98zaWOgL7_Egk3992DgK7ULYSlJe08TVqiEEc854hyphenhyphenwv0wFL_OTFxk7I16N6PMKhv78s9QLS86nQwlba4zqlBaIHHNVdiHaCLckyJC/s1600/Screenshot_2018-11-29-16-51-35.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="1280" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-8ILQ_K0m5awg2CI_9nzh7IupRrGMiShZ1wErqR98zaWOgL7_Egk3992DgK7ULYSlJe08TVqiEEc854hyphenhyphenwv0wFL_OTFxk7I16N6PMKhv78s9QLS86nQwlba4zqlBaIHHNVdiHaCLckyJC/s320/Screenshot_2018-11-29-16-51-35.png" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Objects: Object selection and detailed information</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The <span style="color: #0b5394;"><b>Objects </b></span>tab is where you find the detailed information for each object in a plan. Some of the data is static and stored in the plan file, but some is ephemeral - calculated for the time and place of your observation. This means that data like Altitude and Azimuth are calculated (and refreshed) as you work. Visibility modeling is also available so that you have an assessment of whether you can view the object given your equipment and conditions.<br />
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Filtering and Sorting the plan are important features that will be covered in our next post. Stay tuned!<br />
<br />pklhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18416943419958642475noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2727345578497806825.post-2533327341921733112018-11-26T12:46:00.000-05:002018-11-26T12:46:42.550-05:00DSP Mobile: Transferring Data<span style="color: #0b5394;"><b>Deep-Sky Planner Mobile Edition</b><b> (DSPME)</b></span> allows you to import plans created by Deep-Sky Planner 7 Desktop Edition via a cloud service or from the Deep-Sky Planner Community at knightware.biz. This option does not require the Desktop Edition. This post explores the first option: importing data from the cloud. The latter option will be described in a later post.<br />
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Importing from the cloud is intended for users who own both the Mobile and Desktop Editions of Deep-Sky Planner, and who use a cloud service to transfer data between them. Dropbox, Google Drive and OneDrive are currently supported.<br />
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A cloud service may be used to transfer more than just observing plans. Equipment lists and locations may also be transferred. Importing data is as simple as logging into the cloud service from <span style="color: #0b5394;"><b>DSPME</b></span> and downloading file(s) to your device. The screenshot below shows the feature as it appears on a 10" Android tablet.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeOCPkVMQu1qQUjWbjpCuHWMx_ZBsTgAYuAyKjgGrkOiBpvQdn1rGSIWITo5ENZ4PLyXFF0D6DihyphenhyphenVFp8j2vx70TzQkFidvpxPyZBzNmJSk81ZlOLVpwjP8E18WfuopeN4u6k6hQQSa_uY/s1600/Screenshot_2018-11-25-16-54-52%255B1%255D.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="1280" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeOCPkVMQu1qQUjWbjpCuHWMx_ZBsTgAYuAyKjgGrkOiBpvQdn1rGSIWITo5ENZ4PLyXFF0D6DihyphenhyphenVFp8j2vx70TzQkFidvpxPyZBzNmJSk81ZlOLVpwjP8E18WfuopeN4u6k6hQQSa_uY/s320/Screenshot_2018-11-25-16-54-52%255B1%255D.png" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">File Import via Cloud</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
[Note that Deep-Sky Planner Desktop Edition will be enhanced in a future release to include
support for storing plans, equipment lists and location lists to a cloud
service from within the application. Until that enhancement is available, you can use a web browser
or an app designed for the service to store data on the cloud service.]<br />
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Once a file has been downloaded and stored to your device, the app needs no further connection to the Internet for you to use the plan/equipment/location. They appear elsewhere in the application for you to use.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizMeX_5S6a0yePIlUSRDTCaxisW6PUZjSSVXEi-b0jNA_uiCuHVSHhW8z2Z8ipkO2Ofwogm0FP27G3QwBAvD1JF_c6FRe7xXDqrVSaHA4J0sM-wyirypTfseUk1OJPYev7n-Z5tHf9SyuB/s1600/Screenshot_2018-11-25-17-06-45%255B1%255D.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="1280" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizMeX_5S6a0yePIlUSRDTCaxisW6PUZjSSVXEi-b0jNA_uiCuHVSHhW8z2Z8ipkO2Ofwogm0FP27G3QwBAvD1JF_c6FRe7xXDqrVSaHA4J0sM-wyirypTfseUk1OJPYev7n-Z5tHf9SyuB/s320/Screenshot_2018-11-25-17-06-45%255B1%255D.png" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Plans Stored on the Device</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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Using Deep-Sky Planner Desktop Edition to create observing plans and the Mobile Edition at the telescope offers the best of both worlds - the most flexibility and control in creating your observing plans and the convenience of using your mobile device to view accurate data away from your desktop computer.pklhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18416943419958642475noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2727345578497806825.post-20753062993838021012018-10-12T02:45:00.000-04:002018-10-12T02:45:54.216-04:00Coming soon: Deep-Sky Planner Mobile EditionKnightware is pleased to announce the upcoming release of Deep-Sky Planner Mobile Edition. It is planned for release in <span style="color: #0b5394;"><b>Q1 2019</b></span> for Android and iOS devices. It is currently targeted at 7 inch and larger tablets with support for phone-sized screens also coming.<br />
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The app has been under evaluation since 2014 and in development since late 2017. A few features remain to be developed for the initial release. Once all features have been added there will be a small, focused beta test program.<br />
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The app is designed to be used <span style="color: #0b5394;"><b>with </b></span>or <span style="color: #0b5394;"><b>without </b></span>Deep-Sky Planner Desktop Edition (for Windows). Mobile Edition users will have access to the Deep-Sky Planner Plan Library
and equipment lists on the Knightware website. Users of the Desktop Edition will be able to
create their own observing plans, equipment lists and location lists, and transfer them to the Mobile Edition via cloud storage services. <br />
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The screenshots below were acquired on a 9.7" iPad with the app running its blue-green Calypso skin and the red and black Nightvision skin.The app will ship with several additional skins.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidKY40BA9-L0ilcjk7TYoAj_E7W3JzLPK7ojoxUtkcGfJM2aUlKxfLu3Mjqlq0qHPqHjZoryH41n_d17nLOWHDmfvBEJPIB6xyQLHJF4AGiSi11kgzwhtHziOf8FK5buLHigiGX5gNYUCc/s1600/IMG_0032.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidKY40BA9-L0ilcjk7TYoAj_E7W3JzLPK7ojoxUtkcGfJM2aUlKxfLu3Mjqlq0qHPqHjZoryH41n_d17nLOWHDmfvBEJPIB6xyQLHJF4AGiSi11kgzwhtHziOf8FK5buLHigiGX5gNYUCc/s320/IMG_0032.PNG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Main app window - Calypso skin</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC1u3piR9bLQzUCqb5yPecz1wWAqk4YuIuo_UuNDHr5PoGnzTrTrgNYurO4YvGvfEk8gpQcPdEyLFQySeKHxKsnzwnguSGH6NTBKReOoQZBAOjxpNZa16J15H2rFcwpvDn0FxPlOKsEZKf/s1600/IMG_0030.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC1u3piR9bLQzUCqb5yPecz1wWAqk4YuIuo_UuNDHr5PoGnzTrTrgNYurO4YvGvfEk8gpQcPdEyLFQySeKHxKsnzwnguSGH6NTBKReOoQZBAOjxpNZa16J15H2rFcwpvDn0FxPlOKsEZKf/s320/IMG_0030.PNG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Main app window - Nightvision skin</td></tr>
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The observing plan window below shows deep-sky objects in the Messier list. The window includes catalog data, ephemeral (calculated) data and visibility modeling. Stars, doubles, variables, planets, asteroids and comets are also supported.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggtBGGe9HRDsCytDD6iq8tRI_3NpvBXquB-96vU3vUchNEVpAJwq_TSIQGQcOht7Y7rwSCwSieR_xiNGEDNBCXjnR2wzRDJg474MHr8rxXBNnCQ9HdOmd6CU5n23PWqxrNbME7JKttS6F0/s1600/IMG_0033.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggtBGGe9HRDsCytDD6iq8tRI_3NpvBXquB-96vU3vUchNEVpAJwq_TSIQGQcOht7Y7rwSCwSieR_xiNGEDNBCXjnR2wzRDJg474MHr8rxXBNnCQ9HdOmd6CU5n23PWqxrNbME7JKttS6F0/s320/IMG_0033.PNG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Plan window - Calypso skin</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPdNNqgZRDr3lSi695pqljvQWjzR6xau1v8KRDRyvJUYstFqoZcgWQVgi1CAIr0qBH1lwP3JSOge69-t2pRjmZEXDQMUzAIqwnz4m8Z5mdkzeIOMo7sIHuJsyr8n2sP9lLNa1yFE55eZ8s/s1600/IMG_0031.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPdNNqgZRDr3lSi695pqljvQWjzR6xau1v8KRDRyvJUYstFqoZcgWQVgi1CAIr0qBH1lwP3JSOge69-t2pRjmZEXDQMUzAIqwnz4m8Z5mdkzeIOMo7sIHuJsyr8n2sP9lLNa1yFE55eZ8s/s320/IMG_0031.PNG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Plan window - Nightvision skin</td></tr>
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Please stay tuned for more information about Deep-Sky Planner Mobile Edition in the weeks to come.pklhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18416943419958642475noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2727345578497806825.post-82392150286328131452018-10-01T06:56:00.001-04:002018-10-01T07:01:28.353-04:00Reviving the Blog<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr6KjQrKZp3fJxtMQVrAdOQOtgERHCzUB5mC6Xt_cK3IlTF7A2IbCDE9AUXzW-WWIlYrLuZ06wmcm12BpUXX9fg6BplmJGKdpPndoJxR-nEkmgjgmvks9jYhlGcg0SL50cS4ysxxQFRaJg/s1600/DZAppIcon_87x87.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr6KjQrKZp3fJxtMQVrAdOQOtgERHCzUB5mC6Xt_cK3IlTF7A2IbCDE9AUXzW-WWIlYrLuZ06wmcm12BpUXX9fg6BplmJGKdpPndoJxR-nEkmgjgmvks9jYhlGcg0SL50cS4ysxxQFRaJg/s400/DZAppIcon_87x87.png" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">for Android & iOS</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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It's been a very busy year at Knightware. We have been hard at work on new products while maintaining existing ones. Our newest product, <span style="color: #0b5394;"><i><b>DarkZone</b></i></span>, was released in April. It is a very simple app for iOS and Android that converts darkness readings among units (MPSAS, NELM, mcdpsm). It's quite handy if you find yourself needing to convert among these units.<br />
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Another mobile app is still being developed. We will make a <span style="color: #0b5394;"><b>pre-announcement</b></span> about it on October 12 at the <a href="https://www.ukastroshow.com/" target="_blank">International Astronomy Show</a> (IAS) at Stoneleigh Park, UK. We will have it available for demonstration there so please stop by our stand (#9) for a quick peek. Once we return to the office from the UK, details about the product will appear on this blog. Please stay tuned for these posts.<br />
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With that out of the way, I'd like to share some thoughts about astronomy trade shows and IAS in particular. Knighware has attended several astronomy shows over the past 10 years - most often appearing at NEAF in New York, but also appearing at PATS in California and AstroCATS in Ontario, Canada. Common themes at all of these shows have been meeting users of Knightware's software and learning how other astronomers go about viewing and imaging the night sky. While product sales are important at each show, networking with users, manufacturers and media people are all benefits of going on the road.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWk1gj4CMpZBebE2osiFLXdZKBUJ2cNez5wguTcf7Wnm4d7026byFi88cmo6skK6UEhHhyphenhyphenFzbCZxi-rfS1poaDHtApm8WNQgh9QqPjxxw-GhFvlzgAwJq3uy5d7lmzZ9zOCgQmOV6eQrs1/s1600/ias.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWk1gj4CMpZBebE2osiFLXdZKBUJ2cNez5wguTcf7Wnm4d7026byFi88cmo6skK6UEhHhyphenhyphenFzbCZxi-rfS1poaDHtApm8WNQgh9QqPjxxw-GhFvlzgAwJq3uy5d7lmzZ9zOCgQmOV6eQrs1/s400/ias.jpg" /></a>Attending IAS in the UK has been on the radar for quite a while. The show has had several years now to mature into an important event for the UK and Europe in general. Meeting some of the many Deep-Sky Planner (DSP) and SQM Reader Pro (SQMRP) users from Europe will be rewarding, as will seeing new equipment and meeting new people.<br />
<br />
Along with the upcoming product pre-announcement, we will demonstrate both DSP and SQMRP at IAS. Both will be available from the <a href="https://knightware.onfastspring.com/" target="_blank">Knightware Online Store</a>, and DSP will be on offer to show attendees at a <span style="color: #0b5394;"><b>special discount price</b></span>.<br />
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If you are a DSP or SQMRP user, please come by <span style="color: #0b5394;"><b>stand #9 at IAS</b></span> and introduce yourself. If you are not able to attend, please watch our social media pages for pictures and posts from IAS.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNw7f7E4Ki-8g0_9mvzHrufly_7q49bDiwTOC3DSjIvL_3iouQmcuqm9oTP599_yG3V3JnqOtxAR8DqrEwarskmksPaNuheWZhD7cHFq2CYiJwRBagHWWM5p_StddENhTfTvCHpuTqREKu/s1600/find_us_on_facebook.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNw7f7E4Ki-8g0_9mvzHrufly_7q49bDiwTOC3DSjIvL_3iouQmcuqm9oTP599_yG3V3JnqOtxAR8DqrEwarskmksPaNuheWZhD7cHFq2CYiJwRBagHWWM5p_StddENhTfTvCHpuTqREKu/s400/find_us_on_facebook.jpg" /></a></div>
<a href="https://www.facebook.com/deepskyplanner" target="_blank">https://www.facebook.com/deepskyplanner</a>pklhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18416943419958642475noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2727345578497806825.post-44461949505990791192017-07-03T09:06:00.000-04:002017-07-03T09:06:00.951-04:00A New Tool for Describing Sky DarknessSky darkness is the subject of a lot of research worldwide. Not only are astronomers interested in measuring the darkness (or brightness) of the night time sky, but governments and institutions are too, especially as it effects humans, animals and plants. Surprising results are being published constantly, including an important one for astronomers last year.<br />
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A peer reviewed article* (<i>Atlas</i>) was published in 2016 that included a world map of artificial light. The researchers measured sky brightness for most of the world, although they skipped the very high latitudes in both hemispheres. Measurements were made from satellite- and earth-based equipment. The light values reported in the study were reported in micro- and milli-candelas per square meter. You can read about the study at
<a href="http://cires.colorado.edu/Artificial-light" target="_blank">http://cires.colorado.edu/Artificial-light</a> ; the paper is published at
<a href="http://advances.sciencemag.org/content/2/6/e1600377" target="_blank">http://advances.sciencemag.org/content/2/6/e1600377</a> <br />
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Candelas are a measure of luminance, not the usual unit of measure used by astronomers. We are more familiar with magnitudes per square arc minute (MPSAS) and naked-eye limiting magnitude (NELM). Converting values among these units helps us understand the relationship between the familiar units (MPSAS or NELM) and the <i>Atlas </i>unit (mcd/m2). Further, the color codes used in the <i>Atlas </i>provide a quick, consistent way of assessing sky darkness. <br />
<h4>
Introducing Zone Calculator </h4>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGuj0ifGC8jqzlnSxbI1hIG_ka0zOzGAjU1Jp5uVJ_yW9pjOa-YwVHhSbqMrpNYe0SA6rumSyvreyiQQHfh2g3xDKpmTSjUnt6jOhaFT4NSWYF36I3YnkunWBCsXUBOOR1LFHCE8fikgcN/s1600/zonecalculator.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="287" data-original-width="509" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGuj0ifGC8jqzlnSxbI1hIG_ka0zOzGAjU1Jp5uVJ_yW9pjOa-YwVHhSbqMrpNYe0SA6rumSyvreyiQQHfh2g3xDKpmTSjUnt6jOhaFT4NSWYF36I3YnkunWBCsXUBOOR1LFHCE8fikgcN/s320/zonecalculator.png" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i><b>SQM Reader Pro 3</b></i> includes <i>Atlas </i>zone color along with SQM reading values in MPSAS and NELM (and <b><i>Deep-Sky Planner 7</i></b> will too, soon). While developing the feature, a testing tool was developed which is now released to the public. The software is called <i><b>Zone Calculator</b></i> and it is available for free at <a href="http://knightware.biz/sqm/zonecalc.htm" target="_blank">http://knightware.biz/sqm/zonecalc.htm</a><br />
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Hopefully this little tool will help astronomers describe the darkness of their sky in a simple, more uniform way.<br />
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<div class="highwire-cite-metadata minor">
*<span class="citation_text">Falchi, F., P. Cinzano, D. Duriscoe, C. C.
M. Kyba, C. D. Elvidge, K. Baugh, B. A. Portnov, N. A. Rybnikova, and R.
Furgoni. "The New World Atlas of Artificial Night Sky Brightness." <i>Science Advances</i> 2.6 (2016).</span>
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<br />pklhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18416943419958642475noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2727345578497806825.post-91818214910822611192016-12-13T08:02:00.000-05:002016-12-13T08:02:24.543-05:00Fun with GlobularsGiven the time of year, one might wonder why a post about globular cluster observing comes now. There are 2 good reasons. First, it's a good time to plan observing projects that start in a few months. Secondly, I've done a bit of research lately on the Terzan globulars. There is confusion in the astronomical community about the identification of some of these objects. I believe I have this sorted now - results available in the Plan Library. But I digress, slightly...<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTLQkAyW_HsrLWXgzeZ4G1CQaRsOysBo2O5M-JbJVCPaP2GSRk-xksxeMrFXRor8NPqICsH3peQsQBVoOp4Qzz6WTnIilLpsIk_nMZcgB1oFfBZJwvdJ0NCm6Ng6so_i9IPQVyog59by_c/s1600/m22.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTLQkAyW_HsrLWXgzeZ4G1CQaRsOysBo2O5M-JbJVCPaP2GSRk-xksxeMrFXRor8NPqICsH3peQsQBVoOp4Qzz6WTnIilLpsIk_nMZcgB1oFfBZJwvdJ0NCm6Ng6so_i9IPQVyog59by_c/s320/m22.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Globular Cluster M 22 - Photo by Mark Lang</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Observing globular clusters can be a very interesting pursuit. If you observe carefully, you'll notice that they all appear just a bit different. Not only in size and star colors, but notably in how many stars you can resolve, and the pattern of concentration. You can also observe globulars in neighboring galaxies. <br /><br /><i>Deep-Sky Planner</i> provides a number of resources to help. You can search various catalogs in the database, and you can download several plans from the Plan Library that contain specialized lists of globular cluster. Current these include:<br />
<ul>
<li>Astro League Globular Clusters</li>
<li>RASC Globular Clusters</li>
<li>Palomar Globular Clusters</li>
<li>Terzan Globular Clusters.</li>
</ul>
The AL and RASC lists are designed to educate the observer about observing globulars. They provide a nice sampling of objects and helpful information in their respective publications*. Either is a worthwhile project.<br /><br />The latter two lists are designed for imagers and observers with large telescopes. The data for these lists are taken from the SIMBAD astronomical database and are supplemented with magnitude and color information gathered by W.E. Harris of McMasters University in Canada.<br /><br />These are small, faint clusters so you will likely want to download and view DSS images of these objects. Although these clusters have been studied for many years, magnitude and color information is missing for many of the objects.<br /><br />*AL Globular program material: <a href="https://www.astroleague.org/al/obsclubs/globular/globular1.html">https://www.astroleague.org/al/obsclubs/globular/globular1.html</a><br />
<br />*RASC Globular program material: Edgar, James S. <i>Observer's Handbook 2017</i>, Toronto: Royal Astronomical Society of Canada, 2016, p312. Print.pklhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18416943419958642475noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2727345578497806825.post-8706039188758827412016-12-09T09:22:00.000-05:002016-12-09T09:22:59.295-05:00Deep-Sky Planner 7.1 ReleaseA free update to Deep-Sky Planner 7 has been released. It contains bug fixes, enhancements and new features. The list of changes is available in the release notes that can be viewed in the Deep-Sky Planner 7 Community (Software Updates page), and in the Readme file that accompanies the update.<br />
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This release has some important changes that require some explanation. First, support for ASCOM weather stations has been added. I tested with both the <a href="http://blueastro.se/index.php?id=5" target="_blank">BlueAstro Stickstation</a> and the <a href="http://astromi.ch/product/mbox/" target="_blank">Astromi.ch MeteoBox</a>. As you may know, the developer of the Stickstation, Per Frejvall, died unexpectedly in July. I had corresponded with Per and worked out communication issues before he passed. I have since worked with Martin Ingold at Astromi.ch on support for MBox. Both Mbox and StickStation are working well with DSP7.1.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipa0lSlJXSBsejxMq3gXkAguK9YjjM0fTzMxjsDxOJEASuQRPV8sikVtP9BsLYIcp6tHYUPV3ODzyvGQtnfV4M47rAFwEbYhKAv6BAmTAN_OItc4X5EeBuvUNlVPak-zI-xIy90N-34iCF/s1600/MBox1-600x600.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipa0lSlJXSBsejxMq3gXkAguK9YjjM0fTzMxjsDxOJEASuQRPV8sikVtP9BsLYIcp6tHYUPV3ODzyvGQtnfV4M47rAFwEbYhKAv6BAmTAN_OItc4X5EeBuvUNlVPak-zI-xIy90N-34iCF/s200/MBox1-600x600.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">MeteoBox (MBox)</td></tr>
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Deep-Sky Planner 7 was released with internal support for high resolution displays. The user interface was sufficient where Windows scaling was 150% or less. Because the user interface was not sufficient where scaling was above 150%, I have elected to make internal support for high resolution displays an option within Deep-Sky Planner. I will improve internal support for high-resolution displays as Windows and development tools improve support for high res displays.<br />
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Lastly, the database has been updated with new cross reference information for NGC globular clusters. There were incorrect references between NGC and GCL catalogs for globular clusters. If you have created any observing plan documents that include GCL objects, you may want to be sure that the object information is correct. Please look for a new Terzan Clusters plan and an updated Palomar Clusters plan in the Plan Library in a few days. My thanks go to Owen B for reporting this issue. pklhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18416943419958642475noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2727345578497806825.post-156931237218597812016-01-27T09:51:00.000-05:002016-01-27T10:00:23.612-05:00Generating a Horizon Model for Deep-Sky PlannerA <i><b>Deep-Sky Planner</b></i> user has contributed a method for creating a highly accurate horizon model for his suburban imaging location. The location has many obstructions that often interfere with imaging projects. Knightware thanks Deep-Sky Planner user Mark L. for contributing the following method.<br />
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At your observing location, set up a camera with a wide angle lens on a tripod. I used a DSLR and an 18mm lens. Make sure the date/time is set correctly on the camera.<br />
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Level the tripod, then set the altitude of the camera so that the local horizon can be seen in all directions. This makes the process easier since you don't have to readjust the altitude on each shot. <br />
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Determine a proper exposure time. I used 10 seconds at f/2 and ISO 800 in a fairly light polluted area (NELM 4.8). I got magnitude 5 and 6 stars with these settings. <br />
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Take an exposure, then move the azimuth of the camera about 30 degrees and expose again. Do this until you have covered the entire horizon around the camera's location.<br />
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At your computer, start up your planetarium program <span style="color: #0b5394;"><b>setting the date/time</b></span> to match the photos you just took. I used <i><b>TheSky6</b></i>, but other planetarium programs can also be used.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirI7-3d-wlpATylYep1Pk7kWfrI4HxDHxUa3MDmqlcEV3BHGwERGZvMW4wjiozNqLoarMvxWCuR-Ra2mxzTtBErMHv4yRbvECWaaP_sqXzvNDcy4mk3EvHZRw2om3DMLYlystar_L_Zz5P/s1600/TheSky6.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="229" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirI7-3d-wlpATylYep1Pk7kWfrI4HxDHxUa3MDmqlcEV3BHGwERGZvMW4wjiozNqLoarMvxWCuR-Ra2mxzTtBErMHv4yRbvECWaaP_sqXzvNDcy4mk3EvHZRw2om3DMLYlystar_L_Zz5P/s320/TheSky6.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Star information from TheSky6</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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Examine each photo, looking for a star that can be seen just above key points on your horizon. Find that star on the planetarium program. Click on the star to get the azimuth and altitude, then record these values using a plain text editor such as Notepad.<br />
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It is important to record the data in azimuth, altitude order with a comma separating the values because this is the format that Deep-Sky Planner expects. TheSky6 produces data in degrees, minutes, seconds format, so I wrote a script that turns the data in the text file into decimal degrees format for Deep-Sky Planner.<br />
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Python scripts are available to convert the data taken from TheSky (either TheSky6 or TheSkyX) to Deep-Sky Planner format. You can download these and sample input and output files at <a href="http://www.knightware.biz/community/public/dsp6/kb/article-31.htm" target="_blank">http://www.knightware.biz/community/public/dsp6/kb/article-31.htm</a><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhIqe74rwLDVtauugf4Pm_Gknc6o8FtWplq_WoaD4c7kAJ0iLaT2eBjr8U2Z9qI_FS9G5KVHH5eEo3VwyAeNv9mwHwICB2D9k9JS5L3hW8NVA9vmhtV9FKuBzSThqRCanLqbE_HB6VgJPX/s1600/python.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="305" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhIqe74rwLDVtauugf4Pm_Gknc6o8FtWplq_WoaD4c7kAJ0iLaT2eBjr8U2Z9qI_FS9G5KVHH5eEo3VwyAeNv9mwHwICB2D9k9JS5L3hW8NVA9vmhtV9FKuBzSThqRCanLqbE_HB6VgJPX/s320/python.PNG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Python script that converts data from TheSky 6</td></tr>
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Repeat the examination process for as many points as possible around your horizon. The more points you record, the more accurate the model.<br />
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Import the list of Az/Alts into Deep-Sky Planner. Open the location in the Location Manager that you want to attach the horizon model to in the Location Editor. Click Import to open the Horizon Model Import dialog box. Choose the Input File that contains your horizon model data, choose Comma Separated Azimuth/Altitude format, and enter a name for the new model. Click Import to pull the horizon into the Deep-Sky Planner database.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVpj82qU1pB8hzvr4b7Sx2ad3f0V-o13y6Cbist2CWT_djTIfLFwYU6CZIgmwpMcDp-mcJ3k_PpPP0iBQj-vM3xfzPPuhb99fOnUbZDUcAKgJRFfHoOYvc2wX8p9VBCZ31oUs6RPVb_5Go/s1600/import+horizon.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="236" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVpj82qU1pB8hzvr4b7Sx2ad3f0V-o13y6Cbist2CWT_djTIfLFwYU6CZIgmwpMcDp-mcJ3k_PpPP0iBQj-vM3xfzPPuhb99fOnUbZDUcAKgJRFfHoOYvc2wX8p9VBCZ31oUs6RPVb_5Go/s320/import+horizon.PNG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Horizon Model Import dialog box</td></tr>
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Save the original data file or Export the horizon model to a .horizon data file using the Location Editor in case you need to import the model again in the future.pklhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18416943419958642475noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2727345578497806825.post-71118500917815699812015-12-29T11:51:00.001-05:002015-12-29T11:51:51.701-05:00A Deep-Sky Planer user asked me to create observing plans for objects in the Small Magellanic Cloud (SMC). The data came from 5 catalogs revised by Mati Morel of New South Wales, Australia. I contacted Mr. Morel about the project, and he kindly gave permission for me to use his work. He also sent me the latest updates to his data.<br /><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ0mCOvA3bcckdaRNDyfvwTtrIDy_wzEMTPZlQ3s1uajJLd3FUh7cV76gpWiQDQA72vEy6A54zZAuFr0Y974VcrUUe0wg-hl6Qg4HPl-i0gL6CyTsUnsy_r5cHUYyyvm2kQaBE9fjyuJPr/s1600/smc.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ0mCOvA3bcckdaRNDyfvwTtrIDy_wzEMTPZlQ3s1uajJLd3FUh7cV76gpWiQDQA72vEy6A54zZAuFr0Y974VcrUUe0wg-hl6Qg4HPl-i0gL6CyTsUnsy_r5cHUYyyvm2kQaBE9fjyuJPr/s320/smc.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Small Magellanic Cloud. Credit: NASA/CXC/JPL-Caltech/STScI</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The data in this series of plans are contained in 5 lists compiled from examining the Hodge & Wright atlas of the SMC (1977). Mr. Morel examined the atlas and consulted various sources for position, magnitude and size information for each object. He also included comments on many objects. I have used the latest published data from SIMBAD for position, magnitude and size. There appears to be little difference between the two sets of data, except that magnitude information is somewhat different. There is photometric data available for most objects in multiple bands. The band used for the magnitude data for each object in the plans is indicated. Magnitude data in the V band is preferred where available. I believe this is more useful to visual observers.<br /><br />Together, the 5 plans contain 405 objects. Some entries are duplicated among the catalogs, but together these represent a thorough coverage of nebulae and clusters in the Small Magellanic Cloud.<br />
<br />
The plans in the <a href="http://knightware.biz/community/loginfm.php" target="_blank">Deep-Sky Planner Plan Library</a> are named:<br />
<ul>
<li>SMC Henize nebulae</li>
<li>SMC Hodge Wright clusters</li>
<li>SMC Kron clusters</li>
<li>SMC Lindsay clusters</li>
<li>SMC Westerlund Glaspey clusters</li>
</ul>
<br />
Notes:<br />
<ol>
<li>Morel's comments are maintained in the User text column. These are essential to his work.<br /></li>
<li>Object types in DSP are not as narrowly defined as those in SIMBAD. For example, 'Open Cluster' is assigned in Deep-Sky Planner to object types 'cluster of stars', 'star association and the like in SIMBAD.<br /></li>
<li>Lindsay's paper is crucial to understanding the clusters in the SMC. You can read it <a href="http://tinyurl.com/jfptr7b" target="_blank">here</a>.<br /></li>
<li>Lindsay 106 and 109 are mislabeled on the Hodge & Wright (1977) atlas of the SMC<br /> </li>
</ol>
pklhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18416943419958642475noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2727345578497806825.post-59722889208486849972015-12-10T09:28:00.000-05:002015-12-11T08:20:30.033-05:00Adventures with Sky CommanderI have used a Sky Commander digital setting circle computer with my telescopes since 1991. I can thank Tom Clark from Tectron Telescopes for turning me on to this wonderful gadget. I wouldn't be without it.<br />
<br />
My first Sky Commander started out on a 20" Dob and later moved to a 14.5" Dob. I also added encoders to a 8" Dob so that I could use the Sky Commander with it. I have been running my Sky Commander on both the 14.5" and the 8" for years.<br />
<br />
I recently got a new Sky Commander XP4 to use on the 14.5" so that I can permanently assign the older one to the 8". The configuration is a little different on the two scopes, so having one Sky Commander for each scope is helpful. <br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbMoQkwF36svXveqGpiaia3w1AZBaa3hcjtVhSCanv85V-xPrqdi5hIlRfo6oeWcEsZX5tyao5GKbMrk_EaDJBlD3LhTEjz7JvAYnAjLuKZljMBYmN0dJkXdCKrFHIPxEF8pM0nDvRQD0Z/s1600/sc2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="119" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbMoQkwF36svXveqGpiaia3w1AZBaa3hcjtVhSCanv85V-xPrqdi5hIlRfo6oeWcEsZX5tyao5GKbMrk_EaDJBlD3LhTEjz7JvAYnAjLuKZljMBYmN0dJkXdCKrFHIPxEF8pM0nDvRQD0Z/s320/sc2.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Old and new Sky Commanders</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
A feature was added to Deep-Sky Planner 6 that allowed users to upload an observing plan to the Sky Commander in its special objects list (entries 0-58). I have used this feature to upload coordinates for comets, asteroids and deep-sky objects that weren't in the Sky Commander database.<br />
<br />
While testing Deep-Sky Planner with the new Sky Commander, I found that I still had to upload plans when the Sky Commander was at the Set Date prompt. That requirement never seemed right to me because I didn't see it documented anywhere.<br />
<br />
I contacted Sky Engineering about this and we found that a firmware change would cure the problem. After some back and forth and some testing, a new firmware version emerged. I flashed the new firmware into the XP4 and the problem was solved!<br />
<br />
Going forward, Deep-Sky Planner users with a Sky Commander having firmware <b>prior </b>to version 5.03 SP02 will need to upload plans when Sky Commander is at the Set Date prompt. Users that are able to update the firmware to version 5.03 SP02 or later should be able to upload plans to Sky Commander when it is at the Set Date prompt or in its normal operating mode. This is an added convenience that will make using Sky Commander with Deep-Sky Planner a little smoother.<br />
<br />
<i><span style="font-size: x-small;">I'd like to thank Victor McKeighan at Sky Engineering for his kind help in resolving this issue.</span></i><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />pklhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18416943419958642475noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2727345578497806825.post-26239234216447823572015-09-08T09:49:00.000-04:002015-09-08T09:51:16.870-04:00More Southern ObservingAnother observing plan of special interest to visual observers and astrophotographers with access to southern skies has been posted to the Deep-Sky Planner <a href="http://knightware.biz/community/loginfm.php" target="_blank">Plan Library</a>. The plan is called "Sandqvist Lindroos Dark Nebulae".<br />
<br />
The plan includes the 42 objects identified by two astronomers working at the Stockholm Observatory in their 1976 paper about dark dust clouds in the southern sky. Sandqvist and Lindroos examined Palomar Observatory Sky Survey plates for dark clouds in previously unexplored declinations (-32° to -46°). They researched the presence of formaldehyde in the nebulae that they identified. As part of their process of identifying these dark clouds, they cataloged the area and opacity of each cloud in the survey - data which appear in the observing plan mentioned above. Objects in the plan also include their corresponding Barnard numbers where appropriate.<br />
<br />
Observing these objects will require dark skies and large aperture. Imaging these objects should offer some interesting results since these objects are not imaged frequently.pklhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18416943419958642475noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2727345578497806825.post-74157956282281319242015-07-27T08:38:00.000-04:002015-07-27T08:38:37.336-04:00Southern Hemisphere ObservingAn observing plan called "RASC Southern Splendours" was posted recently to the Deep-Sky Planner Plan Library. The plan is based on an article of the same name from the "Observer's Handbook 2013" by the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada. The plan contains 75 showpiece objects that are visible to southern hemisphere observers. The most northerly object in the list is M 83 at -29° declination; the most southerly are at -72° (there are several, including the Small Magellanic Cloud).<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img alt="" 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" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Small Magellanic Cloud<br />Image credit: NASA/CXC/JPL-Caltech/STScI</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
We northern hemisphere observers often lament the great observing targets that are enjoyed by our southern hemisphere counterparts but not visible to us. I've read recently of the ongoing show displayed by comet C/2014 Q1 (PANSTARRS), and I admit to some envy.<br />
<br />
While southern observers can enjoy the "Splendours" plan anytime, we northerners can make the trek south to enjoy it too. Such is the case with a small group of long time friends who are headed to the 2016 OzSky Star Safari in April. Unfortunately, those dates collide with the Northeast Astronomy Forum (NEAF) for me, but that's another story.<br />
<br />
I look forward to hearing about the observing at OzSky, and I look forward to making the trip myself in the future. Whether you live in the southern hemisphere or not, the "Splendours" plan is available to all Deep-Sky Planner users now, and I hope observers north and south find an opportunity to use it.<br />
pklhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18416943419958642475noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2727345578497806825.post-66570525705006172922015-06-16T09:22:00.000-04:002015-06-16T09:24:43.846-04:00Observing & Imaging Dark NebulaeObserving and imaging dark nebula is an interesting deviation for most amateur astronomers as we are trying to detect the <b>absence</b> of light - just the opposite of our normal pursuit. Dark nebulae are clouds of dust that obscure light from objects behind them. We have known about dark nebulae for quite some time, but they still remain somewhat enigmatic.<br />
<br />
Both America's Astronomical League (AL) and Canada's Royal Astronomical Society (RASC) have observing programs for Dark Nebulae, and each plan is available in the Deep-Sky Planner <a href="http://knightware.biz/community/loginfm.php" target="_blank">Plan Library</a>. Each program has very helpful information available to help with observing. See <a href="https://www.astroleague.org/al/obsclubs/DarkNebulaeClub" target="_blank">https://www.astroleague.org/al/obsclubs/DarkNebulaeClub</a> if you are pursuing the AL program, or the RASC <u>Observer's Handbook</u> if you are pursuing the Canadian one.<br />
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The objects in these plans typically come from E.E. Barnard's photographic survey of dark nebulae (1927), or from B.T. Lynds' more recent survey (1962) based on the Palomar Observatory Sky Atlas images. These catalogs list size estimates, and the Lynds catalog includes a ranking of darkness - again note that magnitude data are not applicable!<br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnofQMGSNxMJd97LElGxj2lt98LRRdk-FTOgm27XGXVTCUf4MCFml7fIgpnqayFjRJ22dgpMjB2bkV0XmeRpi3gun3MlRzGh_Y-kEms5jhv-NOKU7xLYuDW3rzmKc5gcQ0kCfZhOq9OhEX/s1600/horseheada.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnofQMGSNxMJd97LElGxj2lt98LRRdk-FTOgm27XGXVTCUf4MCFml7fIgpnqayFjRJ22dgpMjB2bkV0XmeRpi3gun3MlRzGh_Y-kEms5jhv-NOKU7xLYuDW3rzmKc5gcQ0kCfZhOq9OhEX/s320/horseheada.jpg" width="314" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Horsehead Nebula<br />
T.A.Rector (NOAO/AURA/NSF) and Hubble Heritage Team<br />
(STScI/AURA/NASA) </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
This is a particularly favorable time of year to observe dark nebulae as many lie along the northern hemisphere's summer Milky Way. Although many lie in the summer sky, dark nebulae are visible throughout the year. For example, B 33/LDN 1630 - the Horsehead Nebula - is visible in northern hemisphere's winter evenings. To observe dark nebulae successfully, you need a very dark sky and very well dark-adapted eyes. Some objects can be observed with binoculars, but most require a telescope. The Great Rift in Cygnus and Aquila can be observed with the <b>unaided eye</b>. <br />
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Observing dark nebulae can be a nice change of pace from observing bright nebulae, galaxies and clusters. Why not give them a try using one of the observing plans available from the Plan Library?pklhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18416943419958642475noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2727345578497806825.post-4542094933494914152015-04-21T07:44:00.000-04:002015-04-21T07:44:49.102-04:00What Was Old Is New Again<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwg9g1TIyr2g6xwA26ODKaqypp-66zRpVg10W0zEPNgf9oAN5xqB8c4C1CZdY_qv0OqNXLZjbH25vJWn0f4sBSh0c0s_VhUfdQBE8aw-bAys_FSzpUCHlb8oNzMXBDhHbdAx2Tetwf2-qx/s1600/1965_11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwg9g1TIyr2g6xwA26ODKaqypp-66zRpVg10W0zEPNgf9oAN5xqB8c4C1CZdY_qv0OqNXLZjbH25vJWn0f4sBSh0c0s_VhUfdQBE8aw-bAys_FSzpUCHlb8oNzMXBDhHbdAx2Tetwf2-qx/s1600/1965_11.jpg" height="320" width="236" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">November 1965 Sky & Telescope</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Recently I had the pleasure of hearing Jim Mullaney speak at the <a href="http://charlotteastronomers.org/southernstar/" target="_blank">Southern Star Astronomical Convention</a> in North Carolina. Jim is a prolific author and longtime contributor to <i>Sky & Telescope</i> magazine. In one of his talks, Jim mentioned a series of articles that he and Wallace McCall wrote years ago called 'The Finest Deep-Sky Objects'. The articles were published in 3 issues of <i>Sky & Telescope</i> spanning November 1965 through January 1966.<br /><br />The objects selected for the articles met the simple criteria that they had to be <b>bright enough</b> and the <b>correct size</b> to be impressive when viewed through telescopes of various apertures from the latitude of the Allegheny Observatory in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The list encompassed 105 objects that were popular on public observing nights over a 5 year period.<br /><br />The articles are important even 50 years later because visual impressions of the authors are included - information
quite useful to any observer. While the list is a wonderful <b>guide for
novice observers</b>, it is also a very useful list for any observer
<b>preparing for a public observing</b> session. While over half the objects
included are double stars, there are excellent examples of all types of
objects in the lists.<br /><br />
The objects listed in the articles are now available as an observing plan file for <i>Deep-Sky Planner</i>. It can be downloaded by licensed users from the <a href="http://knightware.biz/community/loginfm.php" target="_blank">Plan Library</a>. The plan contains 119 objects because several of the objects in Mullaney & McCall's lists are multiple star systems; Deep-Sky Planner lists multiple pairs of stars in these cases.<br /><br />These lists remain a timeless guide for astronomical observers with telescopes of moderate sizes.pklhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18416943419958642475noreply@blogger.com0