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 listhttp://mailman.satobs.org/mailman/listinfo/seesat-l__________________ _____________________________Seesat-l mailing listhttp://mailman.satobs.org/mailman/listinfo/seesat-l _______________________________________________ Seesat-l mailing list http://mailman.satobs.org/mailman/listinfo/seesat-l
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