2023-01-13, 08:49 PM
(This post was last modified: 2023-01-13, 09:37 PM by theskyhound.)
Hello,
This hasn't been a priority because SkyTools offers specialized charts. The atlas is best thought of like an atlas. An atlas has a fixed orientation, which is usually an advantage, putting some sort of cardinal at the top. Remember, SkyTools is designed for observing, so it offers features that support planning for, and the act of, observing. Arbitrary rotation of the atlas doesn't really have much practical use for observing, especially since there are other charts that can be rotated.
An alternative is the finder charts, which have multiple views, the widest of which naturally orient to the horizon, as a user would in the field. The eyepiece view is rotatable in the way you are asking. Grab the circle at the end of the west-pointing arrow and drag.
Another rotatable chart is the eyepiece view connected to the atlas. Click the "Eyepiece View" from the top of the atlas window. This view is also rotatable so you can adjust it to match what you see, or expect to see, in your telescope.
One advantage to both of these charts over the atlas is that the view is simulated: the objects drawn can be seen, and the magnitude limit of the stars matches what you would actually see. That's a big plus over what the other software you have mentioned can do.
One last thing: I suspect that you are trying to accomplish something that you didn't tell me about. Rather than asking for a feature, tell me what you are trying to do.
This hasn't been a priority because SkyTools offers specialized charts. The atlas is best thought of like an atlas. An atlas has a fixed orientation, which is usually an advantage, putting some sort of cardinal at the top. Remember, SkyTools is designed for observing, so it offers features that support planning for, and the act of, observing. Arbitrary rotation of the atlas doesn't really have much practical use for observing, especially since there are other charts that can be rotated.
An alternative is the finder charts, which have multiple views, the widest of which naturally orient to the horizon, as a user would in the field. The eyepiece view is rotatable in the way you are asking. Grab the circle at the end of the west-pointing arrow and drag.
Another rotatable chart is the eyepiece view connected to the atlas. Click the "Eyepiece View" from the top of the atlas window. This view is also rotatable so you can adjust it to match what you see, or expect to see, in your telescope.
One advantage to both of these charts over the atlas is that the view is simulated: the objects drawn can be seen, and the magnitude limit of the stars matches what you would actually see. That's a big plus over what the other software you have mentioned can do.
One last thing: I suspect that you are trying to accomplish something that you didn't tell me about. Rather than asking for a feature, tell me what you are trying to do.
Clear skies,
Greg
Head Dude at Skyhound
Greg
Head Dude at Skyhound