Jimco Software Reviews - TheSky6 (continued)
If you've ever spent any time observing through a telescope with a laptop computer sitting next to you, you'll know that the screen on a laptop can ruin your night vision. All it takes is one second of light to destroy night vision for what can seem like an eternity. TheSky6 addresses this with night vision mode, a setting that turns the screen red. (Red does not affect night vision.) This is a feature that any serious astronomy software package has, but TheSky6 does it one better. It uses a Windows theme to turn everything on the computer red. During my testing, I was able to use TheSky6 and occasionally hit the Internet via my wireless connection all without having any impact on my night vision. Great thinking, Software Bisque!
TheSky6 has all of the required visual elements for astronomy software (constellation lines, constellation boundaries, equatorial grid, horizon grid) and it also includes some other impressive visual elements that help to enhance one's appreciation of the sky. For example, TheSky6 can display beautiful artistic renderings of the constellations as shown in figure 9 in addition to incorporating photos of deep sky objects directly into the interface. In fact, you can use your own images if you're lucky enough to own a light bucket and a CCD camera. This is only one of many opportunities for personalization in TheSky6.
Figure 9 - Constellation Images
Beyond the Basics
In addition to the basic functionality I've already covered, TheSky6 offers a wealth of extra features that make it the most attractive package I've seen in astronomy software.
Satellite Data
TheSky6 can connect directly to Space-Track, the organization tasked by the National Security Agency to maintain satellite data. In order to access Space-Track, you must register and be approved. (Don't worry. It's painless, free, and fast.) Once approved, you enter your username and password into TheSky6 and it will grab satellite data for you directly from Space-Track. After all of the data have been processed and satellite tracks plotted (all done automatically by TheSky6), you will be ready to identify any satellite you see in the night sky. In fact, while I was testing TheSky6, I saw a satellite moving overhead. I glanced down at TheSky6 running on my laptop and the same satellite could be seen traversing the virtual sky on my display! I simply clicked on the satellite and I was able to easily identify it. That's pretty amazing and I have to say that it brought a huge smile to my face. I was impressed.
Mosaic
If you're into astronomical photography, you'll appreciate the Mosaic tool in TheSky6. Many deep sky objects are large, and taking photographs requires you to take many photographs of different parts of the sky and then piece them together to make a single image. Doing this without the aid of software can be a frustrating exercise. Fortunately, TheSky6 can help.
Figure 10 - The Mosaic Tool
The Mosaic tool in TheSky6 (shown in figure 10) allows you to superimpose a grid over the virtual sky. You can then easily slew your telescope to the center of each cell in the grid and photograph that cell. Once you're finished, simply reassemble the photographs to create your image.
Eclipse Finder
TheSky6 includes a powerful Eclipse Finder that will not only give you information on future eclipses (both lunar and solar), but can also play them for you in advance! Shown in figure 11, the Eclipse Finder is a valuable learning aid for new astronomers and is interesting and fun as well.
Figure 11 - The Eclipse Finder