Re: Off topic = apple Ipad 2 is useless to me for my sat observing

From: Djlaszlo (djlaszlo@aol.com)
Date: Sat Mar 05 2011 - 01:44:59 UTC

  • Next message: Cláudi Martins: "Re: Off topic = apple Ipad 2 is useless to me for my sat observing"

    Answers from  Sky Safari's author:
    
    > Questions are coming from the satellite observing community:
    >
    > 1.  Can we edit or add satellite elements?  How often are elements 
    updated?
    
    No, you cannot directly edit them.  You can update them as frequently 
    as you
    like.  Go to the Settings > Solar System screen.  At the bottom there 
    is a
    button to "Update Minor Body Orbit Data".  This puts the latest data 
    from
    celestrak.com
    
    >
    > 2.  Can the telescope and software system slew to keep up with LEO 
    objects?
    Max slew is?
    
    We don't have anything in the program to directly track satellites.  
    You can
    GoTo a satellite, but it may be out of the field by the time you get 
    there
    (unless geostationary).
    
    >
    > I'd be happy to forward your answers to the SeeSat-L mailing list, 
    unless
    you're on there.
    >
    > thanks for your great app!  Dan Laszlo
    
    --
    Bill Tschumy
    Think Astronomy -- Longmont, CO
    http://www.thinkastronomy.com
    ===============================================
    
    -----Original Message-----
    From: Michael & Caroline Rice <mc.rice@bigpond.com>
    To: seesat-l@satobs.org
    Sent: Fri, Mar 4, 2011 3:42 pm
    Subject: RE: Off topic = apple Ipad  2 is useless to me for my sat 
    observing
    
    
    Recently started using Skysafari on iPad for telescope control 
    (LX-90).It works _wirelessly_ using SkyFi (or Orion's licensed/branded 
    equivalentStarSeek) boxwhich sets up an ad-hoc (peer-to-peer) wireless 
    network that the iPad joins.The box is velcro-ed to the scope's fork 
    arm and outputs RS-232 to theAutostar's input.The price of the box and 
    software are very reasonable and I got my box inthe mail from 
    Bintelshop here in Oz in a matter of days.Had to buy the Orion 
    branded/licensed version as the SkyFi was out of stockeven at the 
    maker's website.I can control the scope from quite a distance. Not sure 
    of the maximumrange.It's stated to work with any scope that accepts 
    RS-232 commands (there is alist to choose from in the setup of 
    Skysafari).Cabling was a little cumbersome until I bought a crimping 
    tool and some 6P6Cjacks and customised a telephone handset cable to be 
    the link.Eliminated a StarSeek-DB9 and home-made Meade #505 in favour 
    of just thecurly cord. Looks quite schmick.The Orion version came with 
    a DB-9 cable and a couple of cables for Orionscope controllers. I think 
    there's something there to update the firmwaretoo. No USB version 
    available for scopes like ?ETX or Ioptron cube/towermounts (though 
    could try a serial-USB converter if there is such a thing?)Also a cable 
    exists for use with the same software: provides RS-232 serialout of 
    iPad/Pod and potentially useable for other serial devices.If you want 
    to go this way you can do without the StarSeek/SkyFi box ofcourse, and 
    it's cheaper (but not as cool).Yet to get much use out of it as the 
    summer monsoon weather keeps cloudingor raining us out.Once I get it 
    working on the more fixed objects I'll try some satellites.As 
    commented, it shows the sats well, including a lovely chain of 
    geosats.Updates are available. Not sure if it accepts TLEs directly or 
    manuallythough.  Michael & Caroline Ricemc.rice@bigpond.com10 Samantha 
    Rd, CEDAR VALE Q 4285ph 5543 1873 mob 0428 154 912 or 0407 735 192 
    -----Original Message-----From: 
    seesat-l-bounces+mc.rice=bigpond.com@satobs.org[mailto:seesat-l-bounces+m
    c.rice=bigpond.com@satobs.org] On Behalf Of KevinFetterSent: Saturday, 
    5 March 2011 2:24 AMTo: seesat-l@satobs.orgSubject: Off topic = apple 
    Ipad 2 is useless to me for my sat observingI was looking at the info, 
    on the apple Ipad 2 that's coming out.Let's see, unless I am mistaken, 
    there's no usb port like I have on mydesktop = can't use a usb to 
    serial adaptor, to connect my scope to it.So the nexremote software, 
    which could run on it from what I see, has no wayto connect to the 
    mount and control it, just like the satellite trackersoftwareSo no 
    thanks, I stick to my pc. 
    Kevin_______________________________________________Seesat-l mailing 
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