
The NexStar Evolution and SkyPortal User's Guide
Description
Beginning with a brief history of Go-To telescopes and the genesis of this still new technology, the author covers every aspect of the newly expanding capability in observing. This includes the associated Sky Portal smartphone and tablet application, the transition from the original Nexstar GoTo system to the new SkyPortal system, the use of the Sky Portal application with its Sky Safari 4 basic software and Celestron WiFi adaptations, and discussions on the use of SkyPortal application using the Celestron adapter on older Celestron mounts. Comments and recommendations for equipment enable the reader to successfully use and appreciate the new WiFi capability without becoming overwhelmed. Extensively illustrated using actual screenshots from the program interface, this is the only guide to the Nextstar SkyPortal an observer will need.
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Persons
Author - James Chen: Retired Department of the Navy and Federal Aviation Administration Radar and Surveillance Systems Engineer. Former Program Manager for Advanced Navigation and Positioning Corporation. Guest lecturer at local Washington DC/Northern Virginia/Maryland astronomy clubs on amateur astronomy topics of eyepiece design, optical filters, urban and suburban astronomy, and lunar observing. Author of an Astronomy Magazine article on Dobsonian telescope design in November 1989 issue, and contributor to Astronomy Technology Today magazine. First book, published in June 2014 by Springer, entitled How to Find the Apollo Landings Sites. Second book entitled A Guide to the Hubble Space Telescope Objects, is also available from Springer. Third book entitled The Vixen Star Book User Guide, is also available from Springer. Served as a part-time technical and sales consultant for two Washington DC area telescope stores for over 30 years.
Graphics Designer - Adam Chen: Former Program Manager of media support for NASA Headquarters in Washington DC. Creator and executive producer of major NASA publications, including the book and web-book application documenting the history of the Space Shuttle Program "Celebrating 30 Years of the Space Shuttle Program". Served as graphics designer for all three James L. Chen books. Currently works in marketing for Brown Advisory, an investment firm in Baltimore, MD.
Content
Telescope Mounts for Amateurs.- Chapter 2: A Review of Celestron GoTo
Computerized Telescopes.- Chapter 3: Introduction to the Celestron NexStar
Evolution and Sky Portal.- Chapter 4: Basic Operation of the Celestron NexStar
Evolution and SkyPortal App.- Chapter 5: Basic Operation of the Celestron
NexStar Evolution and NexStar+ Hand Control.- Chapter 6: Lessons Learned in
Using the Celestron NexStar Evolution and SkyPortal.- Chapter 7: Introduction
to the SkyPortal WiFi Module.- Chapter 8: Advanced WiFi Tricks.- Chapter 9: Accessories
for the Celestron NexStar Evolution.- Chapter 10: Mounting Other Optical Tubes
on the NexStar Evolution Mounts.- Chapter 11: Maintenance and Care of the
NexStar Evolution Mounts and Electronics.- Appendix 1: Troubleshooting
Checklist.- Appendix 2: Celestron Timeline.- Appendix 3: Celestron NexStar
Evolution Schmidt-Cassegrain Telescope Specifications.- Appendix 4: Messier
Catalog.- Appendix 5: The Caldwell Catalog.- Appendix 6: Selected Non-Messier Catalog NGC Objects.- Appendix 7:
The Herschel 400.- Appendix 8: Current Sky Portal WiFi Module Compatible
Celestron Mount Specifications.- Appendix 9: Glossary.- Bibliography.- Biographies.-
Index.