AstroPlanner, who uses it?

[04Stefan07]

I have been meaning to have a play around with AstroPlanner on my computer. I have used it slightly but want to get to know how to use it.

Anyone here use the program? Registered or unregistered version?

[troypiggo]

Quite a few here using it. I certainly am. Registered version. Love it.

Recommend joining the Astroplanner Yahoo Group. The author Paul Rodman is very active there, very responsive to questions, and implements updates very fast.

[04Stefan07]

Being registered just gives access to catalogues yeah?

[RobF]

Its great value just to figure out when an object will clear your local horizon (trees etc) once configured. I wouldn't dream of leaving home for an imaging run without having done my planning on it.

Paying gets you the latest V2 which controls scope directly and has some other nice features. Very reasonable, extremely helpful.

You still need planetarium software - this is what it says on the tin - planning and collating observations if you're into that.

[Ric]

Hi Stefan,

I'm still using V1.6, I have it all setup for my location and find it to be an invaluable tool.

I must get around to upgrading to V2.0

The Yahoo forum is a great help with lot's of knowledgable people as well.

[troypiggo]

To be honest, no idea what the unregistered version does. I've been registered for as long as I can recall. The price didn't even factor into it, as it's only $45 or so and compared to the prices of all things astro, this is nothing. And well worth it.

[Merlin66]

Pay for the registered version!
The latest V2 is great...combined with internal links to CdC it can really "point and play"
You can set up a variety of objects you want to observe in a plan and then, after the usual set-up and alignment of your mount -just select to slew to the targets...majic!

[peter_4059]

I'm using the registered V2 version to plan and drive the scope.

[04Stefan07]

Cool thanks for the feedback.

Still going to suss out the unregistered version for a bit then will consider making a purchase for the full version.

[DavidTrap]

Just as Rob does, I use the local horizon to work out when objects will clear my house - invaluable!

DT

[AstroJunk]

Have used and loved AP for many years, but recently made the switch to Sky Tools 3 Pro which has a much better Ascom control interface and star catalogue down to 20th Mag. I don't regret the move for a second, but at quarter of the price/free, Astroplanner really is a superb program.

[04Stefan07]

Still having a play around and it is a very powerful program!

Is this program more useful for someone who lives in an area where the sky is very clear (in the country) or can someone such as myself who lives in the suburbs and sees an alright amount of stars on a good night get good use out of the registered version?

[AstroJunk]

I'm not sure that you get much more out of the registered version other than the comforting knowledge that you are supporting a very fine person. That's good enough reason for me :)

And its still great no matter what part of the country you live in!

[RobF]

Jonathon is right - in the city you know when your object will finally be clear and visible and when it'll go "down" behind local horizon.

At a dark sky site, you'll make sure you maximise your available viewing/imaging time by not wasting time hunting for objects at wrong time or sequence. Until clouds come along to much up your carefully crafted plans that is ;)

[dpastern]

I have it, it's a very nice piece of software from memory and the developer is exceptionally nice imho - he really cares about the software and community that uses it. I haven't used it in a while though as I've been pretty much inactive on the Astronomy side of things for a variety of reasons.

Well worth buying it - it's not very expensive and it's nice to support the developer imho.

Dave

[Galah]

Wanting to search for stars with specific spectral classifications, I asked the developer which catalogs contained such data.
Lo and behold - a reply rapidly came listing the relevant ones, and a promise to include such an indication in the next version. And it was!
A fantastic response and a great product that I am sure suits many needs (fun to play with also).

Patrick.

[troypiggo]

His support and willingness to listen to users is second to none.

[allan gould]

It's one of the best astronomy programs there is and at a great price, as well.

[BPO]

Another good one is Deep-Sky Planner. I don't know how it compares with AstroPlanner, but I'm very pleased with it.

[OneCosmos]

I'm looking at using this and see that it can connect to your mount and can therefore be told to slew to the objects you select in your list for the night. Does that mean people who use this also use it as their main planetarium software (instead of The Sky etc)?

Chris

[Merlin66]

Chris,
AstroPlanner certainly can do that job!
I use it with a generated observing list of favourite spectral objects (with CdC in the background)
Select your object and GOTO - majic!!!!

[OneCosmos]

Cdc: Do you mean Cartes du Ciel? That's what I use now but wouldn't using astroplanner just duplicate that? Why have both?

[Merlin66]

AP2 works hand in glove with CdC in the background....
AP2 allows you to pre-select ( from it's countless catalogues) and record a full database of "things to be observed" This plan can then be used to control the mount and record your observations....

[OneCosmos]

I think I understand what AP2 does but I still don't see what you then need a separate planetarium software for. If AP2 allows you to select a list of objects that are visible throughout the night and slew to them at will - what do you then switch to CdC to do?

Chris

[Merlin66]

Chris,
fair comment...
I think it's my "comfort blanket" - I can see were the object is in the star field and the surrounding area - not a functionality thing - just feels good.......

[alistairsam]

Hi,

I've been trying out Astroplanner to plan my imaging sessions and I really like it.
but does the transit time refer to when it crosses the meridian?
I can then program my exposures around the meridian flip window

Cheers
Alistair

[Merlin66]

yes,
the transit time is when the object is on the meridian.

[GeoffW1]

Hi,

I've been turned on to AP as well. I customise and export a lot of plans to the Nexus 7 and use them on site. You can delete a lot of those less interesting columns as you like.

Cheers