Source: Tom's Guide US | Keywords: celestron, telescope | Themes: Digital Cameras, Digital Entertainment
13. SkyScout Use Tests
Of course you need to be outside to use SkyScout; the GPS doesn’t work inside. SkyScout doesn’t know if it is day or night, so during the day, you could find out where the stars should be if you could see them!
Depending on the object located, SkyScout displays options to play an audio file, display a text description, or show scientific data. A four-way navigate and select button speeds menu selection, while the Identify function is activated via a separate top mounted button. The menu and help buttons are below the selection star. Additional Identify, Locate, and GPS shortcut buttons are below the multi-line display. Volume and Brightness are controlled by dedicated buttons above the on/off switch.
The SkyScout with illumination on, showing the top menu
The menu, which is very intuitive, guides you through selecting objects to locate. You don’t have to scroll through a very long star list, since star choice is first broken up into sections of the alphabet. I would have preferred to use the Identify button as a short cut, rather than having to first select that choice on the menu, and then have to push Identify when centered on the object in question. Also, the unit-power finder (no magnification) seems to dim objects somewhat, so locating dim stars takes some patience.
Looking through the SkyScout finder, which dims objects slightly.
Mostly, I would take my eye away from the viewfinder, and double check the object, because the apparent magnitude would change.
Main Menu choices include:
- Identify
- Locate
- GPS
- Field Guide
- Settings.
Under Locate, there are these choices:
- Tonight’s Highlights
- Planets
- Stars
- Constellations
- Deep Sky
- Asterisms (a star pattern, not a constellation)
Under Stars, there are the following, similar (as appropriate) to choices under other items above:
- Brightest 20
- By common Name
- Double Stars
- Variable Stars
- SAO Catalog Number
- Hipparcus Catalog Number
I used SkyScout in a very urban environment, but was able to spot multiple stars and objects to identify. My first mistake was attempting to use SkyScout near some telephone and cable wires, though. My attempt displayed the ubiquitous “Acquiring satellites for GPS fix” message, and then “Please relocate and try again.” After moving away from the overhead obstructions and acquiring the satellites-a progress bar in the nice, red backlit display informs you of status-I was good to go, but I kept getting the flashing magnetic icon, indicating that I was near a large metal object, such as a car chassis. D’oh. The perils of using SkyScout in a dark Santa Monica alley!
Even in light polluted Santa Monica, though, with SkyScout, I was able to find the summer triangle through which the Milky Way appears to pass. This consists of the stars Vega, Deneb and Altair. I found Mars, then I located Castor and Pollux, the Gemini twins, and the following bright stars:
- Sirius, in Canis Major, the brightest star
- Rigel, in Orion, the sixth brightest star
- Betelguese, in Orion, the ninth brightest star
- Procyon, in Canis Minor, the seventh brightest star, and vertex of the winter triangle
- Mirfak, the brightest star in Perseus. I used the locate function for this, trying to find comet Holmes. I verified all these sightings with the evening sky map .
Later, I tried to use the SkyScout to ID an object I was pretty sure was Venus, but the SkyScout identified that object as either 99 Vir, 100 Vir, or another catalog entry. Apparently these objects were very close to Venus at the time I sighted the planet. When I examined Venus with the NexStar 6 SE, I saw two other stars in the same field. Using the SkyScout, which has no magnification, is not without risk-I was also near many parked cars, on the sidewalk, near a streetlight. All of these items would either influence the magnetic sensor, or affect my vision. By moving away from the streetlight and cars, I was able to get SkyScout to agree that the early morning object was indeed Venus!
- Previous page SkyScout Accessories
- Next page SkyScout Conclusions
Many amateurs started by using a GoTo. IMHO, the more astronomers the better. Talking to denizens of LAAS and reading cloudyskies.com, there is little sense of elitism. All amateurs are welcome, even and esp. those with GoTos.
I didn't have room to talk about the wedges that covert yoke mounts to equatorial mounts, but they exist for many yoke types. That way you can have the best of both worlds.
Finally, one of the books I recommended does just what you suggest: tries to teach the night sky so you can find stuff without using (or even using) a GoTo. Hope this addresses your comments.
Doug
The fact is that these new generations of scopes make astronomy so much more accessible to people who find astronomy interesting but don't have the time or ability to invest. They also make it simple to introduce new people to astronomy by quickly showing them lots of interesting things.
Plus, as a computer geek, there is nothing more fun than plugging your telescope into your laptop, hooking up a camera and driving it around from your computer. Do an easy DIY project like adapting a webcam to use with the scope and you have yourself tons of fun *and* you learn the night sky, you just don't waste months of time trying to figure out how to see anything.
I really praise the point of your article. I also love to teach everything I know about the topic to anyone who's interested in the subject, like most amateurs.
Like you said, there's no to little sense of elitism in those groups. But I also know this: Like all the really rewarding things in life, Astronomy requires persistence and solid interest.
I decided to comment your article since I disagree on some things you wrote and that contrast may help people who read it, look at the picture from another angle.
Trying to find Deep Sky Objects or the planets (very easy with little experience and knowledge) in the sky, is where most of the fun is! Having a computer doing it for you is like you own a Porsche and let a chauffeur drive you. The only difference here is that, unlike the chauffeur, the computer has no fun at all!
I didn't find anything interesting on cloudyskies.com, apparently is just a domain for sale. Did you mean www.cloudynights.com?
If your interest is solid, you've got nothing to fear, understanding the sky is a lot easier than most people think.
Diogo.
My bad! Yes of course I meant www.cloudynights.com. It's a great site for advice, and mostly cogent tips on purchasing and use.
I think we can agree that for some, starting with GoTos is a great way of getting into astronomy. Then you can progress to star charts and maps, relying less on the GoTo. I want to encourage people to begin this exciting hobby.
Amateur astronomers are one of the few science disciplines where amatuers can and do make professional level contributions!
And even though I understand how the SkyScout works, it is unbelievable to actually use it and watch it ID an object, or have it guide you to some random star in its database...Awesome product. For me, this really helped me better learn the night sky. It's like using a crutch (or a chaffeur) then weaning yourself away from it and driving yourself. Much less pain, and kick butt fun.
Hope this answers your concerns.
Clear skies!
Doug
I am a beginner in the field of astronomy and astrophotography and I would like to purchase some equiptment. Im not exactly sure what types of telescopes and astrophotography equiptment would be best for a beginner and it would be great if you could offer me some advice. I have done a lot of research on telescopes preferably under $500 and CCD cameras along with laptops. If you have any advice that would be great! Thanks.