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Subject: LX200 and TheSky -Reply
From: Bruce@offserv.pcb.co.za
Reply To: mapug@shore.net
Date: Sat Feb 18 01:58:44 1995

>Has anyone done this hookup? What additional hardware/software do
>you need? How does it perform? Can you really "click on an object" and
>make the scope slew to it?

I have been using the Earth Centered Universe, a shareware program, which includes LX-200 control (Yes, it does support clikc-and-slew). It works fine though I find it a bit diffucult to orientate since it insists on the Scope position being at the zenith of the map. There is not much information on the objects, but if you register they will send you a more comporhensive database (which I havent done) Its available by ftp for trial at hercules.stmarys.ca as

/pub/ecu/ecushare.exe

This is fine as a starting point for LX-200 control. You need to make a an LX-200 Serial Cable though.

My first PC astronomy package was EZCosmos. This was great, easy to use, lots of information, etc, but I was unable to get the upgrade to control the LX-200. I think the company went bust or something.

I am expecting The Sky anyday now which I hope will address the inadequacies of ECU. I am getting the CD-ROM Version which has many images on it as well. The idea being that you can call up a full colour image, of say, the crab nebula, on your CD-ROM in your laptop, slew to it and spot the similiarity ! Or the other way round, when trying to identify features of a galaxy, you strain your eyes to spot the bar and then have a look at the GIF. Should be fun at star parties !

BTW, following the discussion on eye pieces I have just bought a 9.7mm Super Plosol (with an umlate on the "o") and am hoping to get a good look at Mars tonight. Has anyone ever resolved Mar's moons, Phobus & ? with a 10" ?

Cheers for now,

Bruce Gillespie Network Engineer & Internaut Yeoville,Gauteng,South Africa Bruce@pcb.co.za