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MySky accessories - Jun 22, 2007

One of the concerns that was recently voiced to me was about the accuracy of handheld sky computers like the Celestron SkyScout and Meade Mysky. What if your sky computer makes a mistke? How is a beginner to know? This is a valid concern. The My Sky and Sky Scout are, after all, computers and, as we all know, computers are less than perfect at times. (I'm being nice, here.) My suggestion is to back up the Celestron Skyscout and the MySky with a standard star book that shows constellations. Good choice here would be the Meade Star Chart Guide, which won't set you back much more than a good supply of batteries for the MySky. The idea here is to use the SkyScout or the My sky to identify a star and get you into a constellation. Then, check the book and use it to trace the constellations outline. If both the book and the MySky agree, you know you are in the right neighborhood. In other words, use the My Sky to get you to the constellation, then use the book to see the big picture. Besides being a good way to self-check the MySky, this is also a great way to learn your basic constellations. This turns the Meade Mysky into an even better learning tool, not to mention a fun way to spend an evening. Oh, on those rainy evenings, when the MySky is out for the count, you still have your star book to review.

posted by OpticsPlanet @ 7:36 AM 0 Comments Links to this post

Meade MySky telescope - Jun 21, 2007

Here's another question I received, lately, on the Meade My Sky. It also applies to the Celestron SkyScout. "Do I need to use a telescope with the Meade MySky?" The answer is a definite "No" The My Sky and the Sky Scout are self contained units. All you need is batteries and a clear sky to put them to work for you. With either unit, you just aim at the star or other object in the sky you wish to identify, then hit the "identify" button and the computer searches its data bank and supplies you with not only an identification, but also a description. Of course, the idea, here, is that this will stimulate an interest in astronomy and possibly lead to the purchase of an astronomy binocular or a telescope. The MySky does take this one step beyond the SkyScout, in that you can attach it to certain computerized Meade telescopes (see my post from yesterday).

posted by OpticsPlanet @ 6:30 AM 0 Comments Links to this post

Meade MySky telescope compatibility - Jun 20, 2007

One of the questions we have been getting on the new Meade MySky is about its unique ability to add a GPS function to certain Meade telescopes. Which ones? The following is a typical question I received, yesterday. "Can I add the Meade MySky to my Meade NGC-60 telescope to get GPS capability. Will it give my NGC-60 automatic tracking, too?" The answer to the first question is, no. The MySky will only work with Meade telescopes equipped with the Meade Autostar computer. Although the NGC-60 telescope has a computer, it is not the Autostar. However, the Meade MySky will add GPS capability to any Meade telescope that has an AT, PE, LX Classic or LNT in the model label/description. Examples include any of the DS series, such as the Meade DS-2130ATS-LNT 130mm and any of the ETX series in an AT or PE (but not EC), such as the Meade ETX 90PE UHTC Telescope Premier Edition. (This will add even more capability to an already excellent telescope series). Adding the MySky would also be a great way to upgrade the older LX90 LNT models to the current GPS equipped LX90GPS telescope version, since Meade does not offer a dedicated GPS upgrade for the older LNT version. On to the second question. For the same reason, the answer to the second question is also, no. The NGC-60 has a manual GOTO computer, not an Autostar computer. In other words, the NGC has no motors - you must move the telescope manually, following the computers instructions, to find an object. Adding the MySky will not add motors to the mount. Sorry.

posted by OpticsPlanet @ 7:45 AM 0 Comments Links to this post

Bogen 3180N Tripod - Jun 19, 2007

When folks purchase a spotting scope or telescope they often try to save a bit of money on the required tripod. This is certainly a mistake. Too may folks think that their regular photo tripod is adequate, but this is rarely the case. The amount of vibration and shake often reduces a fine telescope's usefulness to near uselessness by not being able to hold a steady picture on such distant objects. Also, the weight distribution is so different with a long, heavy astronomical telescope as opposed to a camera that a real concern of the tripod falling over is obvious. A couple of favorites for medium sized optics are the Bogen 3180N and the Bushnell 784040. Both are exceptionally sturdy and using them is a joy. They are great investments that will last lifetimes. You can also certainly use them with your photo equipment.

posted by OpticsPlanet @ 12:03 PM 0 Comments Links to this post

MySky technology - Jun 18, 2007

How do they do it? How do star locaters like the Celestron SkyScout and the new Meade MySky find and identify objects in the sky for you? Seems hard to believe that you can just point an instrument at one of the many hundreds of stars visible in the night sky on any given night and getting an identification. The answer is basically GPS and a software star map data base that knows what the sky should look like on any given time, date and location. First, the GPS provides the MySky with your exact location and time, same as any GPS model. Once the MySky has the location and time, it then produces a map that is correct for your position and time. Finally, when you aim the MySky, sensors detect the exact object in its sights and you get an identification. Sounds simple. It's not. Everything must be coordinated and working properly to get the job done, but when it works, it is truly amazing.

posted by OpticsPlanet @ 9:39 AM 0 Comments Links to this post

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