Which SkyTools?

[theskyhound]

Hello,

Yes, SkyTools can control your mount.

The EAA features will be part of version 4.1. The release of SkyTools Imaging 4.1 is set for early next year. The Visual edition is expected some time later in 2023.

Thank you for the information. For EAA use, can SkyTools replace a planetarium application (i.e., Stellarium)?

And when you release SkyTools 4.1 Visual Pro with EAA enhancements, will it be a free upgrade from 4.0?

It is difficult to answer your question without knowing what you mean by "Planetarium Application." I think SkyTools provides the most useful charts of any software when it comes to observing. Does that mean you can drive all over the sky dynamically with a realistic view and see views from other planets like many planetarium programs? No. The charts are designed to help you find things in the sky and although you can time step and drag the views around, the primary purpose is to find a target that you already know you want to observe without having to spend a lot of time manipulating the view. Finder charts approximate the orientation of the camera and finding devices, plot their field of view, and accurately displays the stars that will be visible in the camera, just as it already does for Visual observations. The EAA addition to SkyTools Visual will help you select appropriate targets, calculate how easy it will be to detect a target with the camera, suggest camera settings, plot the FOV on charts, and to drive an ASCOM controlled mount.

The upgrade to 4.1 will be paid, but the price has not been set yet. It will likely be below $50 USD to give you a general idea. Upgrades will be separate for the Visual and Imaging products, but those who own the bundle will only have to pay for one upgrade.