Downloads
Most of the following resources were created by me (those that were not
are so noted) and are available for free and unlimited use.
The PowerPoint presentations require Microsoft PowerPoint or a compatible
application. If
you do not have PowerPoint, try Google Slides (search at
https://chrome.google.com/webstore/) or Open Office (https://www.openoffice.org/).
Resources for the NexStar User's Guide can be found arranged by chapter
in the book section.
All downloads related to NexStar Observer List have been moved to their
own section, linked above.
If you have problems with a download, please try later a second time. If you
still have problems, please email me at swanson.michael@usa.net.
Scope
Calculator
This MS Excel spreadsheet allows you to store and calculate the vital
statistics of your telescope and eyepieces. For the telescope it includes
calculations for maximum resolution, maximum field of view and maximum magnification.
For each eyepiece it calculates true field of view and magnification. Also
allows for up to two different barlows. Requires MS Excel 97 or later. If
you do not have Excel, but want to use the Scope Calculator, try
Google Sheets (search at
https://chrome.google.com/webstore/) or Open Office (https://www.openoffice.org/).
Click
here to download
(9KB) |
|
NexStar Control Pad
(NSCP)
A simple program that allows enhanced remote control from a PC
connected to most Celestron GoTo telescopes. (Models NOT supported
are the original NexStar 5/8, the NexStar GT using hand controls
without a Version command on the Utilities menu and the Ultima
2000 line.) NSCP provides on-screen arrow buttons, a unique
"spiral-out" feature for helping to locate objects that miss the
small chips of most web cam and CCD cameras and more.
Click
here for more information and to download |
|
Introduction
to Astronomy - Presentation
Updated January 2005
A presentation I developed to introduce those with no knowledge of
astronomy to our oldest science. Includes discussion of the
night sky, the solar system, deep
sky objects, books, web sites and other resources.
The presentation is in PowerPoint format and includes "notes" pages on slides
that don't already lead the discussion. (Use the View, Notes Page menu command in
PowerPoint to see notes, and you will find an option in Print dialog
box to print the notes.)
The slides can be printed on paper as a handout, or on transparency sheets (in
color) for use with an overhead projector, or if you are fortunate enough to have a PC
projector unit you can make the presentation directly from PowerPoint.
Feel free to use, abuse or improve to suit your needs!
Click
here to download
(1.4MB) |
|
Astronomy
for Cub and Boy Scouts - Presentation
A presentation on astronomy for a younger audience
- suitable for scouts, elementary school students. Includes discussion of the
night sky, the solar system, deep
sky objects, a bit about equipment and astronomy as a hobby.
The presentation is in PowerPoint format and includes "notes" pages on slides
that don't already lead the discussion. (Use the View, Notes Page menu command in
PowerPoint to see notes, and you will find an option in Print dialog
box to print the notes.)
The slides can be printed on paper as a handout, or on transparency sheets (in
color) for use with an overhead projector, or if you are fortunate enough to have a PC
projector unit you can make the presentation directly from PowerPoint.
Feel free to use, abuse or improve to suit your needs!
Click
here to download
(3.4MB) |
|
Equipment Basics
- Presentation
A presentation I developed to discuss basic
astronomy equipment. Includes discussion of binoculars, telescopes,
mounts, accessories, books, web sites and other resources.
The presentation is in PowerPoint format.
The slides can be printed on paper as a handout, or on transparency sheets (in
color) for use with an overhead projector, or if you are fortunate enough to have a PC
projector unit you can make the presentation directly from PowerPoint.
Feel free to use, abuse or improve to suit your needs!
Click
here to download
(322KB) Italian version translated
by Andrea Sciutto (http://digilander.libero.it/andreorig):
Click
here to download
(277KB) |
|
Place the Planets Game
The object of the game is to place the planets in
their correct orbits in respect to the Sun. The pieces of the game
consist of a poster with the edge of the Sun on one side and nine
patches of Velcro in a line extending out to the right. Each planet
has a piece of Velcro on the back and players are then given an
opportunity to stick the planets in their correct location.
This PDF document (requires Adobe Acrobat Reader free from
www.adobe.com)
will allow you print scale versions of the planets and includes
instructions for completing the game.
Click
here to download
(1.9MB) |
|
Eyepieces - Presentation
A presentation I developed for a meeting of our local astronomy club.
Covers eyepieces, Barlow lenses and binoviewers. The
presentation is available below in
PowerPoint or Adobe format.
The slides can be printed on paper as a handout, or on transparency sheets (in
color) for use with an overhead projector, or if you are fortunate enough to have a PC
projector unit you can make the presentation directly from PowerPoint.
Feel free to use, abuse or improve to suit your needs!
Click
here to download in PowerPoint format
(298KB)
Click
here to download in Adobe format
(90KB) |
|
Filters
for Astronomy - Presentation
A presentation I developed for a meeting of our
local astronomy club. Covers solar, Moon, color and deep
sky filters. The presentation is in
PowerPoint 97 format.
The slides can be printed on paper as a handout, or on transparency sheets (in
color) for use with an overhead projector, or if you are fortunate enough to have a PC
projector unit you can make the presentation directly from PowerPoint.
Feel free to use, abuse or improve to suit your needs!
Click
here to download
(59KB) |
|
Precession
- Presentation
A presentation I developed for a meeting of our local astronomy club.
The presentation is in
PowerPoint 2003 format. Be sure to print or at least read the
"notes" below the slides - there is important information about the
animations in the presentation.
The slides can be printed on paper as a handout, or on transparency sheets (in
color) for use with an overhead projector, or if you are fortunate enough to have a PC
projector unit you can make the presentation directly from PowerPoint.
Feel free to use, abuse or improve to suit your needs!
Click
here to download
(3.4MB) |
|
Discovering the Expanding
Universe
- Presentation
A presentation I developed for a meeting of our local astronomy club.
Provides quite a bit of information, but you will still be required to do a little homework
before you can make a presentation. The presentation is in
PowerPoint 2000 format.
The slides can be printed on paper as a handout, or on transparency sheets (in
color) for use with an overhead projector, or if you are fortunate enough to have a PC
projector unit you can make the presentation directly from PowerPoint.
Feel free to use, abuse or improve to suit your needs!
Click
here to download
(70KB) |
|
Exoplanets
- Presentation
A presentation I developed for a meeting of our local astronomy club.
Provides quite a bit of information and online resources about
exoplanets, but you will still be required to do a little homework
before you can make a presentation. The presentation is in
PowerPoint 2000 format.
The slides can be printed on paper as a handout, or on transparency sheets (in
color) for use with an overhead projector, or if you are fortunate enough to have a PC
projector unit you can make the presentation directly from PowerPoint.
Feel free to use, abuse or improve to suit your needs!
Click
here to download
(12KB) |
|
Saturn -
Presentation
A presentation I developed for a public star party of our local astronomy club.
Some of the information for the presentation is in the "notes"
section of the slides. The presentation is in
PowerPoint 2000 format.
The slides can be printed on paper as a handout, or on transparency sheets (in
color) for use with an overhead projector, or if you are fortunate enough to have a PC
projector unit you can make the presentation directly from PowerPoint.
Feel free to use, abuse or improve to suit your needs!
Click
here to download
(393KB) |
|
Mars - Up Close and Personal
Presentation
A presentation I developed for a public star party of our local astronomy club.
Some of the information for the presentation is in the "notes"
section of the slides. The presentation is in
PowerPoint 2000 format.
The slides can be printed on paper as a handout, or on transparency sheets (in
color) for use with an overhead projector, or if you are fortunate enough to have a PC
projector unit you can make the presentation directly from PowerPoint.
Feel free to use, abuse or improve to suit your needs!
Click
here to download
(1.2MB) |
|
Planning Observing Sessions -
Presentation
A presentation I developed for a meeting of our local astronomy club.
The presentation is in
PowerPoint 2000 format.
The slides can be printed on paper as a handout, or on transparency sheets for use with an overhead projector, or if you are fortunate enough to have a PC
projector unit you can make the presentation directly from PowerPoint.
Feel free to use, abuse or improve to suit your needs!
Click
here to download
(450KB) |
|
Observation Logs
Based on samples from several books I have created loose-leaf observation log sheets to
help record observing sessions. There are two sheets, one for just narrative log
entries, the other with a sketching area. I would recommend printing with a laser
printer or, if you must print with an inkjet printer, make copies on a copy machine.
Inkjet printouts tend to smear when covered with heavy dew. |
(5KB) |
Both the narrative log sheet and sketch log sheet in
PDF format. Requires Adobe Acrobat Reader (available at www.adobe.com) to view or print.
Can be printed and hand written or completed on the screen and
printed. |
(6KB) |
Both the narrative log sheet and sketch
log sheet in Microsoft Word format.
Narrative log sheet automatically repeats session information on the
top of successive pages. Requires MS Word to view, print or
edit. If
you do not have MS Word, try Google Docs (search at
https://chrome.google.com/webstore/) or Open Office (https://www.openoffice.org/). |
|
NexStar Object
Lists
These are the
special lists in the NexStar hand control database. Click the
link to open each list in a new window or you can download all the
lists as an Excel (97 or later) workbook by clicking the link below.
These lists are the objects found in the new GT, NexStar
8/9.25/11 GPS
and NexStar 5i/8i models. Older models have slightly fewer
objects. If
you do not have Excel, but want to use these Excel files, try
Google Sheets (search at
https://chrome.google.com/webstore/) or Open Office (https://www.openoffice.org/).
Click here to download all in Excel format
(100KB) |
|
NexStar SAO Star List for Cartes du Ciel
This list was provided by Chris Rowland for adding the NexStar
SAO star catalog to Cartes du Ciel. Cartes du Ciel is a free
planetarium program available at http://www.stargazing.net/astropc. |
(667KB) |
Unzip and run the installation file to
install the list as a "catalog" set to be active in a 15 degree or
smaller field of view. |
|
Star Lists
The stars in the NexStar 5/8 and original GT hand control are accessed via a
Celestron specific identifying number. A cross reference is necessary to lookup the
Celestron number if you know the SAO number. Star lists are available on Celestron's
web site, but previously the 60/80/114/4 star list provided on the Celestron web site had
several major errors. If you downloaded the list from them after about January 23,
2001, you have a good list.
Stars in all the newer hand controls are
accessed via SAO numbers. The lists here just identify which
stars are in the hand control databases and identify additional
double stars.
In each file, there are separate sheets for the entire star list, the alignment stars
(original alignment stars, not the newer lists available in hand
control version 4 - those are available a bit higher up on this
page),
double stars and variable stars. The variable stars listed are just those originally
identified by Celestron, but I expanded the double star lists substantially.
The first three star lists are in Excel (97 or later) spreadsheet
format. If
you do not have Excel, but want to use these Excel files, try
Google Sheets (search at
https://chrome.google.com/webstore/) or Open Office (https://www.openoffice.org/). |
(135KB) |
Star list for the NexStar
60/76/80/102/114/4/130 GT models with hand controls prior to
version 4/104. 2,823 stars including 563 double stars. |
(393KB) |
Star list for the original
NexStar 5/8. 10,384 stars including 1,367 double stars. |
(1.2MB) |
Star list for the NexStar 8/9.25/11
GPS, 5i/8i, CPC, LCM, SE, SLT, AS-GT, StarSeeker,
CGE, CGE Pro, CGEM
and the GT with version 4/104 hand control. 29,522 stars including 2,566 double stars. |
The following three star lists are in Adobe PDF
format. Adobe Acrobat Reader is available at www.adobe.com. These lists are the double stars only. You
can get the full star lists in PDF format on the NexStar pages at Celestron's web site - www.celestron.com.
Telescope models as above. |
(50KB) |
List of 564 double stars for the
NexStar 60/76/80/102/114/4/130 GT models referenced by NexStar and SAO numbers. |
(102KB) |
List of 1,367 double stars for the
original NexStar 5/8 with NexStar and SAO
numbers cross referenced. |
(163KB) |
List of 2,566 double stars for the NexStar 8/9.25/11
GPS, 5i/8i, CPC, LCM, SE, SLT, AS-GT, StarSeeker,
CGE, CGE Pro, CGEM
and the GT with version 4/104 hand control.
Referenced by SAO numbers to allow use of the star list in the hand
control. |
|
Deep Sky Object Lists
I have extracted the following Deep Sky Object lists from either
the source of the list or other reliable sources and converted
them to Microsoft Excel 97 and Adobe PDF format. The Excel
lists allow easy sorting by RA, Dec, magnitude, constellation, etc. If
you do not have Excel, but want to use the Excel files, try
Google Sheets (search at
https://chrome.google.com/webstore/) or Open Office (https://www.openoffice.org/). |
(10KB) |
(10KB) |
|
All 110 official Messier objects, including the best
estimate of the disputed and otherwise non-existent M102. |
(9KB) |
(8KB) |
|
The 109 objects from Sky and Telescope's
Caldwell
list. |
(435KB) |
(460KB) |
|
The entire NGC list, including
Dreyer's descriptions.
All current hand controls include the entire NGC list. |
(211KB) |
(77KB) |
|
The 1,165 NGC objects in
the NexStar 60/76/80/102/114/4/130 GT hand control database
for versions prior to 4/104, including
Dreyer's descriptions. |
(562KB) |
(258KB) |
|
The entire IC list, including
Dreyer's descriptions. |
(237KB) |
(97KB) |
|
The first 2712 Abell Galaxy Clusters
- as found in the GPS, 'i' series, CPC,
AS-GT, CGEM,
CGE, CGE Pro hand controls.
Provides information on the number of galaxies in each cluster. |
(55KB) |
(27KB) |
|
The Herschel 400 - 400 of the best objects
from the NGC list as selected by the
Astronomical League. Includes
Dreyer's descriptions. |
|
Select Alignment
Stars - Version 2
Updated 24
January 2004
This program was written by Jean Piquette to aid in the selection
of two good alignment stars. You provide the program with your
longitude, latitude, time zone and the date and time you will be
observing and it provides you with a list of alignment star pairs in
order from best to worst. The selections are based upon
separation of the stars as well as their placement in the sky.
If you have ever wondered which stars are the best for a given
session, this program is for you. After downloading the program,
unzip it into a folder on your Desktop and read through the "readme"
file.
Click here to download
(92KB) |
|
Mars Previewer II
I didn't make this one, Leandro Ríos did. It is
freeware and it doesn't have a permanent home on the Internet, so I
have included it here to insure it doesn't disappear or become
unavailable.
Click here to download
(3MB) |
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