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iandh2010
super member
Reged: 04/24/05
Posts: 140
Loc: England
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Hi,
I'm using SkyTools 2 to locate objects to view through my scope. I am hoping that someone else out there might use this software and can help me.
I have a problem with an Observing List that I generated on 17 April 2008. When I viewed it on 17 April it had data and icons under the Columns for Optimum. When I opened the same list on 18th April the Optimum data and icons had disappeared. Then when I reset the date to 17th April all the Optimum data re-appeared! Is there any way of updating the list so that it will display the Optimum data on subsequent nights?
Thanks
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Ian
11" Nexstar GPS
8" LX200
ETX-125
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Tim A.
super member
Reged: 09/19/07
Posts: 103
Loc: 40 30'55.0"N 105 3'19.0W
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It has to do with the way SkyTools2 defines "optimum". The term doesn't mean "best time tonight", because that would frequently mean "still a rotten night". The way SkyTools2 seems to work, an object has to cross a threshold of reasonably good viewing before it makes it into the list.
This threw me off at first, too. Eventually, you come to realize the value of not wasting time on stuff that won't look very good on your planned night. But it means the list changes night-to-night as the moon phase progresses.
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Starbuckets 12.5" Dobsonian
Celestron CPC800
Celestron CR-150 HD on CG5-GT
Meade Starfinder 6" f/8
Oberwerk Deluxe II 20x80
Oberwerk Ultra 10x50
Celestron Regal LX 8x42
"Me? Crazy? Oh, yeah. Crazy like an ox!"
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Mike K
sage
Reged: 04/01/07
Posts: 464
Loc: Central Texas
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I sometimes get tripped up with similar problems when I fail to pay attention to the "List Filters" at the top of the screen. Try selecting "Above or Below Horizon" and "Day or Night", and set the magnitude filter to "No Limit". This should show you the entire list.
Of course, some of the items on your observing list may not be visible in your scope, or at the time you are observing, or may be washed out by moonlight, etc. Setting the filters to the appropriate settings for your observing session will remove any objects from the list that may not be good candidates for that night.
Clear skies,
Mike K.
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Clear skies,
Mike K.
30°31" N 97°44" W, LP: Red
Observe: Once or twice a week back yard, once a month under dark skies
Favorites: Globulars, planets, face-on spirals
Equipment: CPC925/XT10i/TMB-92SS/Lunt LS60THaDS
Eyepieces: Naglers, Ethoi, UO HDs, Hyperion Zoom
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iandh2010
super member
Reged: 04/24/05
Posts: 140
Loc: England
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Hi Tim & Mike,
What confused me was that I had already set the filters to "Above and below horizon" and observing time from 00:00 - 23:59 so naturally thought that they would show up.
However, you are both correct, I got the following message from Greg at SkyTools
"SkyTools doesn't even know what night an observing list was "created on." It only knows the currently selected night. Optimum times are only displayed for objects that are deemed observable on the given night. The 18th was full moon... so presumably none of your objects were observable that night."
Only thing is, Greg was wrong about the full Moon! It was totally cloudy so there was nothing visible. Strange how one tends to forget to go outside to observe when playing with the software! Although of course the reason I was indoors playing with the software was because the skies were hopeless (as they usually are in the UK)!
Regards
Ian
Edited by iandh2010 (05/16/08 02:59 AM)
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Mike K
sage
Reged: 04/01/07
Posts: 464
Loc: Central Texas
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Maybe the next version of SkyTools will factor in the clouds... 
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Clear skies,
Mike K.
30°31" N 97°44" W, LP: Red
Observe: Once or twice a week back yard, once a month under dark skies
Favorites: Globulars, planets, face-on spirals
Equipment: CPC925/XT10i/TMB-92SS/Lunt LS60THaDS
Eyepieces: Naglers, Ethoi, UO HDs, Hyperion Zoom
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iandh2010
super member
Reged: 04/24/05
Posts: 140
Loc: England
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Hi Mike,
That would be an incredibly simple mod for the UK version. Total whitewash!
Ian
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Ian
11" Nexstar GPS
8" LX200
ETX-125
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