Astronomy with a Mac 4

I have been informed that the SkySensor 2000 is no longer available (it is pending FCC emission testing and validation - it may be available in the future). I ordered and received an Orion SkyWizard 3, encoders for my Great Polaris Mount and an Orion SkyWizard RC1. The SkyWizard 3 has a 10,000 item database and is primarily a digital Setting Circle system ... the RC1 is an RS 232 interface to my computer and does not contain a data base.

The SkyWizard works with The Sky software with Mac OS 9.2.2 it will not work in Classic mode. A special cable is necessary (different pin out from the LX 200 cable).

I have also been informed that SBIG will no longer support Macs ... the excuse they used was that it takes too much effort to program for it. Now ... I understand that they have a Linux version of their software ... why can't they port that to the Mac OS X ?????

3.26.04 If you have an older SBIG parallel input CCD Camera (before their USB models) you can use SBIG's E2P (Ethernet to Parallel) interface along with Equinox 5.0 software (requires a new registration for use with SBIG cameras) and Mac OSX (10.3.3). It will work with most of their older cameras (I'm using it with a ST-7E). However SBIG does not provide some key information in their documantation like the IP address for the E2P.

Here is how I hooked it up and the IP addresses I used:

The E2P has a fixed address (192.168.0.99) ... the computer needs to have a compatible address ... In the Network preference one needs to set up a new Ethernet location:

IP Address I used: 192.168.0.100
Subnet Mask: 255.255.255.0
The rest is left blank ...

Enter 192.168.0.99 when Equinox asks for an IP address ...

That's all that needs to be done for a direct hookup to a computer (using a crossover cable). This way one is not limited to being near a hub.

If one uses a network/hub (using a regular Ethernet cable)... Then one needs to use a PC and HyperTerminal to setup a compatible IP address, Subnet mask, router, etc in the E2P. I gave up on PC's many many years ago.

PS: Equniox will also work with the newer USB CCD cameras.

I recently purchased an Orion color CCD electronic eyepiece ... thanks to an input from MacFixit I learned of an Interview USB cable with video input and Interview Software ... I can now use my Macs to view and take snapshots of the CCD images without having to drag a TV outside and running long extension power cables. With my iBook 600 I can take the telescope/eye piece anywhere. The iView device also works with EvoCam, BTV Pro and CamGrabber.

I also tried the Interview cable/software with my SBIG STV and it works fine also ... again no need to drag a TV outside.