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This book serves as a comprehensive guide for using a Nexstar Evolution mount with WiFi SkyPortal control, walking the reader through the process for aligning and operating the system from a tablet or smartphone. The next generation Go-To mount from Celestron, this is compatible not only with the Nextstar Evolution but also with older mounts. It is the ideal resource for anyone who owns, or is thinking of owning, a Nexstar Evolution telescope, or adapting their existing Celestron mount. Pros and cons of the system are thoroughly covered with a critical depth that addresses any possible question by users.
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, theuse 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.
List of contents
Preface.- Chapter 1: A Brief History of ComputerizedTelescope Mounts for Amateurs.- Chapter 2: A Review of Celestron GoToComputerized Telescopes.- Chapter 3: Introduction to the Celestron NexStarEvolution and Sky Portal.- Chapter 4: Basic Operation of the Celestron NexStarEvolution and SkyPortal App.- Chapter 5: Basic Operation of the CelestronNexStar Evolution and NexStar+ Hand Control.- Chapter 6: Lessons Learned inUsing the Celestron NexStar Evolution and SkyPortal.- Chapter 7: Introductionto the SkyPortal WiFi Module.- Chapter 8: Advanced WiFi Tricks.- Chapter 9: Accessoriesfor the Celestron NexStar Evolution.- Chapter 10: Mounting Other Optical Tubeson the NexStar Evolution Mounts.- Chapter 11: Maintenance and Care of theNexStar Evolution Mounts and Electronics.- Appendix 1: TroubleshootingChecklist.- Appendix 2: Celestron Timeline.- Appendix 3: Celestron NexStarEvolution Schmidt-Cassegrain Telescope Specifications.- Appendix 4: MessierCatalog.- 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 CompatibleCelestron Mount Specifications.- Appendix 9: Glossary.- Bibliography.- Biographies.-Index.
About the author
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.
Summary
This book serves as a comprehensive guide for using a Nexstar Evolution mount with WiFi SkyPortal control, walking the reader through the process for aligning and operating the system from a tablet or smartphone. The next generation Go-To mount from Celestron, this is compatible not only with the Nextstar Evolution but also with older mounts. It is the ideal resource for anyone who owns, or is thinking of owning, a Nexstar Evolution telescope, or adapting their existing Celestron mount. Pros and cons of the system are thoroughly covered with a critical depth that addresses any possible question by users.
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, theuse 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.
