Stellarium v0.10.3 – A great program just got better
I just got back in from a very cold and thus brief observing session with my ETX-LS 6. I wanted to test out the telescope control feature of the newest version of Stellarium. I am impressed, not only is Stellarium one of the most beautiful planetarium software out there, but they have added some very nice features. Here are just a few.
1. Expanded database of stars. 600,000 by default! HIP and Alpha references for thousands of stars, and you can expand to over 210 million simply choose to download the optional databases (9 total).
2. Satellite tracking in real time. I haven’t yet verified the accuracy with an actual observation, but seeing the ISS arc across the screen is very cool.
3. Eyepiece field of view. You can now get an idea on how a deep-sky object will appear in almost any eyepiece simply by entering in a few parameters. Then you have the option of zooming in on that object to get a field of view comparable to what you would see at the eyepiece of your specific telescope and eyepiece combo.
4. Telescope control. To me, this is the most interesting new feature. There were external program components in Stellarium 0.10.0 that just never worked for me at all, but this version was tested tonight and it work flawlessly with my ETX-LS. I’ll post a screen cast one night to my blog. Extremely easy to interface.
5. It’s FREE! Still a open-source program. Can’t beat that.
I’m impressed with Stellarium 0.10.3, it has opened up a whole new method of observing. You should check it out, even if you do not own a computerized telescope.
February 26, 2010 at 2:21 AM
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February 26, 2010 at 4:42 PM
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May 3, 2010 at 9:50 AM
I would like to ask you a question. Can the Meade LS be controled by a netbook (Asus Eee PC 1201N) via usb port. I have read that the driver installs at a com port wich then is remaped to a usb port. The netbooks don’t have a serial (com) port, so is it possible???
May 5, 2010 at 3:07 PM
You should be able to use Stellarium from a netbook to control a telescope. Just install the Meade software first, then the latest Stellarium. It may run slower, but it should run. THe PC I use has only 1gb of memory, and it runs fine. Most netbooks that I see have at least that much memory. You should make sure the netbook is XP however, I’m not sure of compatibility with Win7, and I’m sure they don’t have 64bit drivers anyway.
May 5, 2010 at 4:38 PM
Yes, the install sets up a Serial like emulator for the software. The software will think its talking to a COM port, but actually it will be communicating via a USB port. My PC is same way, no serial ports.
John http://attheeyepiece.blogspot.com
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