The Object Browser is accessible from Tools tab,
The Custom tab gives possibility to enter additional objects as well as importing objects saved by other users or exported by other applications. Here the columns are similar to these in Deep Sky tab. The last column - Size (px) contains the calculated size in pixel for your camera/telescope setup. It will be populated when the camera and focal length are defined in the
Object Calculator.
The option "Type filter" allows limiting the list by the object type like showing only globular clusters.
The option
"Altitude filter" allows limiting the list by the objects altitude above the horizon in the current moment. In order the calculation to be correct you have to enter your observing site coordinates in
Location settings tab. The calculate altitude is displayed in the "Alt" column. When the option is disabled the "Alt" column shows N/A.
Selecting an object will show its current Alt/Az coordinates. There is need to enter your observing site coordinates in
Location settings tab in order the calculations to be correct.
To change the list order click on the column you want to define the order.
The interface is intuitive, but let give some hints and information:
- You can use Shift+Click or Ctrl+Click to select multiple lines for deletion.
- Show button shows the selected object in the
planetarium application.
- "Add in ToDo" button adds the selected object in the
ToDo tab.
- If Camera Angle is populated and there is connection to a
Rotator, on OK the value will be populated in the
Gear tab.
- The button Export saves all the objects in a file that can be used as backup or to share with friends.
- The Import button can be used to import objects saved in several file formats:
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APT Native format - data exported by other APT users or from the following applications:
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Mosaic plans created by Asimoplan (mosaic planning software -
www.asimoplan.com). Each panel of the mosaic creates a separate object. When using Asimoplan select the “Application Specific” page in the “Export Frame Coordinates” window and check the “Astro Photography Tool – APT” check box before clicking the “Export” button. Once imported each frame's object contains that frame's central RA and Dec coordinates. Double-clicking any listed frame transfers those coordinates to the
Gear tab or in
PointCraft GoTo++ where they can be used to slew the connected telescope into position for imaging.
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Lists from AstroPlanner (
http://www.astroplanner.net/). In AstroPlanner go to “File” menu then “Export” and select “APT Object List...” option.
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Lists from Deep-Sky Planner (
http://www.knightware.biz/) In Deep-Sky Planner go to “File” menu then “Export” and select “Export APT...” option.
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Tips&Tricks Shift+Click on OK button will but in the clipboard the command #GoTo with the RA/Dec of the selected object.
When "Add New" or "Edit" is clicked the section "Object Details" becomes like the one on the next screenshot.
Here are some useful features:
-
If you have used the
Store button in
PointCraft, the RA, Dec and Camera angle fields will be populated with the results from the last
plate-solving.
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If you are creating a new object and there is
connection to the telescope, you can use the button "Get Scope Ra/Dec" to populate the Ra/Dec with the current telescope position.
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If there is connection to your
planetarium application, you can use the button "Catch RA/Dec/Angle" to populate the Ra/Dec (and if it is possible the Angle) from the planetarium.
