LX200 Satellite Viewing System WORKS!
spaceman (spaceman@tiac.net)
Wed, 18 Oct 1995 10:34:26 -0400
Hi Everyone-
I thought that you might know of some folks who would be
interested in this... It's some information about the new
LX200 Satellite viewing system. Feel free to post it
anywhere you like!
As for a review, the system WORKS! It really
is astonishing. For those who said the LX200 could never
be used for viewing satellites, It is my pleasure to
announce that now it can be done.
Call or e-mail if you have any questions, all inquiries
will be answered promptly.
-Ron
PS Saw Mir tonight- WOW! Turned red red red as it went
into Earth's shadow.
___________________________________________________________
From: Celestial Computing, Inc.
Ron Dantowitz
Marek Kozubal
RE: Information Requested:
NEW! CSAT Satellite Viewing System for the LX200
Thanks for your interest in our software. We're very proud of the CSAT
Satellite Viewing System, it was alot (ALOT!) of work, but it's finally ready.
Now you can use your LX200 (or other computerized telescope) to view
satellites as they orbit over your location... we've even seen sats 40,000
km up with just an 8" LX200... from the city! Whether you're doing
satellite science or you just want to see the shuttle up close through the
telescope, satellite watching is fun- really. You'll be hooked, mark my
words.
Here is a short excerpt from the C-SAT manual that (briefly) discusses
what the software is and does. Note: when ordering CSAT, be sure to
specify whether your computer's serial port (ie COM 1, COM 2, etc) is
a 9-pin or 25-pin port (so we can send you the proper connector). If you
haven't seen our Ad in November 1995 Sky and Telescope magazine, be
sure to check it out... it pretty much says it all. $99 U.S. + $5 S&H, check
or money order is fine. Price includes software installation disks, manual,
sample orbital elements, and all cables and connectors required. Just load
the software, and you'll be seeing satellites the same day. 30 day money
back guarantee- but you're gonna like it!
Also: let us know if you have performed a 2-star alignment before (if not,
let us know what version of the LX200 Software you have). The version #
of the software is displayed on the hand controller when you turn the LX200
on.
___________________________________________________________
EXCERPT FROM THE C-SAT MANUAL
1) Introducing CSAT
What is CSAT?
CSAT is a complete software package that automatically scans for
objects as they orbit over your area, calculates their apparent position against
your local sky, and points a computerized telescope to them with high
precision. CSAT has been designed to be easy to use, and allows you to
watch and/or photograph satellites as they pass through your telescopic field
of view. CSAT is a dynamic propagator, and it is accurate for any observing
site on Earth and any satellite for which orbital elements are available. This
software was originally created to auto-point the LX200, but other versions
are available to run other computer-driven telescopes as well (contact
Celestial Computing, Inc. for additional details).
When connected to your computerized telescope, CSAT enables you to see
literally hundreds of satellites, many of which would ordinarily be too dim or
distant to be seen with the unaided eye. On especially clear nights, 8" and
larger telescopes can often be used to view geosychronous satellites 40,000
km away (see appendix E for a suggested list of first targets). The key in
seeing satellites is knowing EXACTLY when in time and EXACTLY where
in space to point the telescope!
How does CSAT work?
CSAT uses SGP4 and SDP4 satellite propagation theory. Given
some basic orbital parameters, an accurate time, and your precise location
on the Earth, CSAT calculates the x,y,z location of the satellite in Earth
orbit, the x,y,z location of the observer on a rotating oblate earth, and and
projects satellite apparent position on your local celestial sphere. These
calcualtions are performed real-time, and are accurate regardless of
whether the satellite is accelerating or decelerating, in an eccentric orbit,
or experiencing modest atmospheric drag. The propagation models used
in CSAT are extremely well suited for the computations required by this
application.
You may be suprised at how easy it is to find satellites with CSAT. Hit the
<space> bar and C-Sat scans the orbital space overhead, looking for satellites.
It then displays all objects currently in orbit over your area, and let's you
select a target. Press one button, and your computerized telescope
automatically slews to the exact position in space, and brings the satellite
through the telescope field of view. Special features include Pseudo-Track,
a repeated autocentering routine that allows hands-free satellite viewing.
Once you "lock onto" a space target, activate Pseudo-Track and the computer
continues to auto-point the telescope at the satellite, effectively following
it across the sky until it sets.
We've even "locked onto" satellites that were in Earth's shadow, and
watched them emerge (red) into the sunlight!
END EXCERPT FROM THE C-SAT MANUAL
If you need additional information, please feel free to
contact us at any of thefollowing:
Send orders to: Celestial Computing
P.O. Box 32
Chestnut Hill, MA 02167
Questions:
e-mail spaceman@tiac.net
Telephone: (617) 469 - 7213
Again, thanks for your interest in C-SAT!
Ron Dantowitz
Marek Kozubal
Celestial Computing, Inc.
Let us know if there's anything else you'd like to know!
-Ron Dantowitz
Celestial Computing, Inc.
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