Observing forms
Record your observations of Jupiter, Mars, Saturn, Venus and the Sun with our handy printable forms.
If you observe the Sun, remember NEVER to look at it with your naked eye; either project it through your telescope or use a solar filter on your telescope's front lens.
Binocular / Deep-sky tour
Download this month's binocular and deep-sky tour charts. The charts are printed in black on white so they can be viewed under red light at your telescope.
Audiobook preview: Astrophysics for Young People in a Hurry
Download chapter 1 from the audio bookAstrophysics for Young People in a Hurryby Neil deGrasse Tyson and Gregory Mone.
Astrophysics for Young People in A Hurry - Ch 1 (mp3)
Audiobook preview: Origins
Download chapter 1 from the audio bookOriginsby Lewis Dartnell.
Interview: Abigail Fraeman (NASA Opportunity)
The NASA Opportunity rover’s 15-year mission on Mars is complete.
Watch our video interview with Abigail Fraeman, the deputy project scientist, who discusses the rover’s investigations into Mars’s history, and whether the Red Planet could ever have hosted life.
Interview: Abigail Fraeman (NASA Opportunity) (mp4 video)
Argo Navis Deep-Sky Tour
This month's deep-sky tour plan file can be imported into the Argo Navis Digital Telescope Computer using Argonaut software, a free utility available fromWildcard Innovations.
Using Argo Navis with this month's deep-sky tour plan file, you can:
• display essential information from the Argo Navis database for each object
• slew your telescope to each object in the plan - requires a compatible mount.
• push your telescope to each object in the plan using the coordinates provided on the Argo Navis display.
To import this month's deep-sky tour plan file into Argo Navis using Argonaut software:
Download and save the file to your hard drive.
Run the Argonaut utility program and transfer the plan into your Argo Navis DTC.
This month's Deep-Sky Tour plan file is produced by Deep-Sky Planner 7 (seeknightware.biz/dsp).
Copyright Wildcard Innovations Pty Ltd.
Deep-Sky Planner
License type: Full software
Platform: Windows
Versions: 7, 8 , 10
Deep-Sky Planner 7 astronomy software for Windows provides the tools you need to make your time at the telescope more efficient and enjoyable.
• sort the objects in the plan according to the best time and order to view each object.
• slew your ASCOM-compatible Go-To mount to each object in the plan - requires ASCOM software (free).
• show a sky chart centered on each object in the plan using one of the top planetarium software titles - requires TheSky, Starry Night, Redshift or Cartes du Ciel (free).
• record your observation in the open, non-proprietary observing log.
Details about Deep-Sky Planner and how to purchase can be foundhere.
Download the Deep-Sky Planner compatible file of this month's deep-sky tour observing plan file so that you can visit each object directly with Deep-Sky Planner. Save the file to your hard drive and double click it to open it in Deep-Sky Planner.
EQTOUR
If you are one of the many astronomers who use the ASCOM driver EQMOD to control your ASCOM-compatible Go-To mount, you can use an add-on application called EQTOUR to call up various sets of sky tours like Messier, Caldwell, Globular Clusters and simply click on an object name to slew to it.
Details about the application and how to download it free of charge can be foundhere.
Download the EQTOUR compatible file of our monthly Deep-sky tour, so that you can visit each object directly from your EQMod control panel. We've also included a PDF document that explains the system and how to get it installed with your telescope setup.
Copy the .lst file from the folder that appears into the same directory as the EQTOUR application file, EQTOUR.exe, and follow the instructions in the link above.
SkySafari
License type: Full software
Platform: iOS, Android
Versions: 4 or later (Plus or Pro editions)
This month's deep-sky tour plan file can be imported into SkySafari software, available fromSimulation Curriculum.
Using this month's deep-sky tour plan file on SkySafari, you can:
• view each object in SkySafari's night sky simulation view
• display essential information from the SkySafari database for each object
• slew your telescope to each object in the plan - requires a compatible mount.
To import this month's deep-sky tour plan file into SkySafari, please see the SkySafari user manual for your device platform and version ofSkySafari.
This month's Deep-Sky Tour plan file is produced byDeep-Sky Planner 7.