This
is the third installment of Astronomy with a Macintosh:
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Currently XEphem 3.5.2, Star Chart III, Starry Night Pro, AstroPlanner, MPj Equinox and Scope Driver can all be used to control telescopes in OS X. I have used these with an LX 200 and with an Orion Sky Wizard 3. XEphem is a scientific grade Unix based astronomy program that I have successfully used to run a Meade LX200 SCT under MacOS 10.1.4. It can perform a multitude of computations for nearly any astronomical event that you can think of.
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I've used TheSky to successfully operate an LX200 under MacOS 9.2.2. It not will control a telescope under Classic - or at least I was unable to get it to work. I understand that an OS X version is being developed.
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MacAstronomica has an OS X version available as of July '03.
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I was unable to get a SkySensor 2000-PC for my Great Polaris Mount. I am told that both TheSky and XEphem will be able to control it.
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For
the interface I have been using a KeySpan dual USB to Serial adapter and an
iBook 600 to interface with the telescope. Also, a Mac Serial adapter cable connected
to the LX200 and the KeySpan.
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I
have been using a portable rechargeable 17 amp-hr battery pack and a DC to AC
converter to power the LX200. This set up works out very well and negates the
need to string a 120v power line out to the telescope.