Hi Everyone- I thought that you might know of some folks who would be interested in this... It's some information about the new LX200 Satellite viewing system. Feel free to post it anywhere you like! As for a review, the system WORKS! It really is astonishing. For those who said the LX200 could never be used for viewing satellites, It is my pleasure to announce that now it can be done. Call or e-mail if you have any questions, all inquiries will be answered promptly. -Ron PS Saw Mir tonight- WOW! Turned red red red as it went into Earth's shadow. ___________________________________________________________ From: Celestial Computing, Inc. Ron Dantowitz Marek Kozubal RE: Information Requested: NEW! CSAT Satellite Viewing System for the LX200 Thanks for your interest in our software. We're very proud of the CSAT Satellite Viewing System, it was alot (ALOT!) of work, but it's finally ready. Now you can use your LX200 (or other computerized telescope) to view satellites as they orbit over your location... we've even seen sats 40,000 km up with just an 8" LX200... from the city! Whether you're doing satellite science or you just want to see the shuttle up close through the telescope, satellite watching is fun- really. You'll be hooked, mark my words. Here is a short excerpt from the C-SAT manual that (briefly) discusses what the software is and does. Note: when ordering CSAT, be sure to specify whether your computer's serial port (ie COM 1, COM 2, etc) is a 9-pin or 25-pin port (so we can send you the proper connector). If you haven't seen our Ad in November 1995 Sky and Telescope magazine, be sure to check it out... it pretty much says it all. $99 U.S. + $5 S&H, check or money order is fine. Price includes software installation disks, manual, sample orbital elements, and all cables and connectors required. Just load the software, and you'll be seeing satellites the same day. 30 day money back guarantee- but you're gonna like it! Also: let us know if you have performed a 2-star alignment before (if not, let us know what version of the LX200 Software you have). The version # of the software is displayed on the hand controller when you turn the LX200 on. ___________________________________________________________ EXCERPT FROM THE C-SAT MANUAL 1) Introducing CSAT What is CSAT? CSAT is a complete software package that automatically scans for objects as they orbit over your area, calculates their apparent position against your local sky, and points a computerized telescope to them with high precision. CSAT has been designed to be easy to use, and allows you to watch and/or photograph satellites as they pass through your telescopic field of view. CSAT is a dynamic propagator, and it is accurate for any observing site on Earth and any satellite for which orbital elements are available. This software was originally created to auto-point the LX200, but other versions are available to run other computer-driven telescopes as well (contact Celestial Computing, Inc. for additional details). When connected to your computerized telescope, CSAT enables you to see literally hundreds of satellites, many of which would ordinarily be too dim or distant to be seen with the unaided eye. On especially clear nights, 8" and larger telescopes can often be used to view geosychronous satellites 40,000 km away (see appendix E for a suggested list of first targets). The key in seeing satellites is knowing EXACTLY when in time and EXACTLY where in space to point the telescope! How does CSAT work? CSAT uses SGP4 and SDP4 satellite propagation theory. Given some basic orbital parameters, an accurate time, and your precise location on the Earth, CSAT calculates the x,y,z location of the satellite in Earth orbit, the x,y,z location of the observer on a rotating oblate earth, and and projects satellite apparent position on your local celestial sphere. These calcualtions are performed real-time, and are accurate regardless of whether the satellite is accelerating or decelerating, in an eccentric orbit, or experiencing modest atmospheric drag. The propagation models used in CSAT are extremely well suited for the computations required by this application. You may be suprised at how easy it is to find satellites with CSAT. Hit the <space> bar and C-Sat scans the orbital space overhead, looking for satellites. It then displays all objects currently in orbit over your area, and let's you select a target. Press one button, and your computerized telescope automatically slews to the exact position in space, and brings the satellite through the telescope field of view. Special features include Pseudo-Track, a repeated autocentering routine that allows hands-free satellite viewing. Once you "lock onto" a space target, activate Pseudo-Track and the computer continues to auto-point the telescope at the satellite, effectively following it across the sky until it sets. We've even "locked onto" satellites that were in Earth's shadow, and watched them emerge (red) into the sunlight! END EXCERPT FROM THE C-SAT MANUAL If you need additional information, please feel free to contact us at any of thefollowing: Send orders to: Celestial Computing P.O. Box 32 Chestnut Hill, MA 02167 Questions: e-mail spaceman@tiac.net Telephone: (617) 469 - 7213 Again, thanks for your interest in C-SAT! Ron Dantowitz Marek Kozubal Celestial Computing, Inc. Let us know if there's anything else you'd like to know! -Ron Dantowitz Celestial Computing, Inc. > >