Webb Deep-Sky Society News
Welcome to the latest news about the Webb Society, our website and the deep-sky community in general. Please follow the link for details and news about our Annual Meetings.
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Issue 195 of the DSO is out now
31 May 2025
The digital version of the Deep Sky Observer issue 195 is available for those that have registered to download using the same login details as last time.
If you're a Webb Deep-Sky Society member that isn't currently registered for the download version, but would like to be, please contact our membership secretary.
Everyone else can take a look at what's in this issue and read Owen Brazell's editorial whilst considering whether to join us.
James Whinfrey - Website Administrator
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Deep-Sky News
Just for interest, Ronald Stoyan of Oculum Verlag has started the crowdfunding for the next volume of the Planetary nebula atlas.
Information on supporting this can be found on the Start Next site with an option including shipment to the UK. As the book is in German language only, the campaign site is also only in German.
Regarding an English language edition, response to our survey query has been fairly slow until now, I hope that more people will support it in the future. I would like to bring it to attention at the meeting in Cambridge, where I will also bring the German edition.
Deep-Sky News by Owen Brazell - Editor of The Deep-Sky Observer
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Larry Mitchell's visual astronomy challenge
13 April 2025
Larry Mitchell has now released two volumes of his visual astronomy challenge. Advanced Observing, Visual Mysteries of the Universe is based upon the popular Texas Star Party’s (TSP) Advanced Observing Programs.
They are available from Sky as Visual Mysteries, Volume 1 and Visual Mysteries, Volume 2. The third volume does not seem to be out yet.
Checking again on 14 April 2025, it seems that the third volume, Visual Mysteries, Volume 3, is available.
Owen Brazell - Galaxy Section Director
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Deep-Sky News
The makers of Stellarium have just released the 25.1 version. One of the main changes is the use of GAIA DR3 data for the stars, however this has made the external star catalogues very large to download, and the larger ones that cover fainter magnitudes are of the order of gigabytes.
Deep-Sky News by Owen Brazell - Editor of The Deep-Sky Observer
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Deep-Sky News
For southern observers I think that the Large Magellanic Cloud Observing Guide website might be of interest. It has been added to our links web page as well.
Deep-Sky News by Owen Brazell - Editor of The Deep-Sky Observer
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Deep-Sky News
Ronald Stoyan of Oculum Verlag is considering an English version of his Atlas of Planetary nebulae.
In December 2024, the first of three volumes of the Atlas of Planetary Nebulae was published in the German language version. Oculum would like to offer an English language version to an international audience.
In order to be able to do that, they need a minimum of 500 people willing to order a copy, so they have set up a survey (accessible from this link) to find out what potential support there may be for this project.
If this is something that might interest you, please take the time to complete their survey, I'm sure that your input would be valuable.
Deep-Sky News by Owen Brazell - Editor of The Deep-Sky Observer
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Adventures in Deep Space (ADS) mailing list
The Adventures in Deep Space website has been massively updated and they have added a Google Groups mailing list for observers to discuss projects.
Owen Brazell - Galaxy Section Director
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Double Star Section Circular 32
27 December 2024
For those with an interest in double stars, there's a new issue of the Double Star Section Circular (DSSC) available for download.
To see whats in DSSC 32 and to download a PDF copy (free) please visit the double star circular section of the website.
James Whinfrey - Website Administrator
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Deep-Sky News
Ronald Stoyan has published the first volume of his Atlas of Planetary Nebulae, more details are available on the Oculum website.
Although the book is in German it is possible to guess a lot and the selection of images and objects will give people something to look at.
Deep-Sky News by Owen Brazell - Editor of The Deep-Sky Observer
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Adventures in Deep Space (ADS) website updates
22 December 2024
The Adventures in Deep Space (ADS) website had been completely upgraded and with lots of new features added.
The site is now supported by a small core team who intend to add new papers and information as well as bring back missing functionality from the old site.
Owen Brazell - Galaxy Section Director
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New release of Clear Skies Observing Guide
30 November 2024
Yesterday Victor van Wulfen released version 3 of his Clear Skies Observing Guide (CSOG) at www.clearskies.eu. To download requires registration and a support donation which allows you to login and download the files. The support donation is valid for a year. There are many new nebula editions.
Nebulae editions
- Hubble Nebulae
- McDonald Nebulae & Regions
- Cederblad Bright Diffuse Galactic Nebulae
- Strohmeier Red Nebulae in the Winter Milky Way
- Courtès Nebulae
- Simeis Nebulae
- Gaze-Shajn Nebulae
- Stromlo Nebulae
- Münch Nebula
- Sharpless Nebulae
- Herbig Nebulae
- Humason Planetary Nebulae
- Kazarian Nebulae
- Kazarian-Parsamian Planetary Nebulae
- Sharpless-Osterbrock Nebulae
- Vorontsov-Vel'yaminov Nebulae
- Van den Bergh (suspected) Supernova Remnants
Galaxy edition
- Karachentsev Isolated Pairs of Galaxies in the Northern Hemisphere - KPG
Observing Program
- The Herschel Sprint
Binocular edition
- Messier
Owen Brazell - Galaxy Section Director
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Issue 194 of the DSO is out now
14 November 2024
The digital version of the Deep Sky Observer issue 194 is available for those that have registered to download using the same login details as last time.
If you're a Webb Deep-Sky Society member that isn't currently registered for the download version, but would like to be, please contact our membership secretary.
Everyone else can take a look at what's in this issue and read Owen Brazell's editorial whilst considering whether to join us.
James Whinfrey - Website Administrator
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Deep-Sky News
Simulation Curriculum have released SkySafari Pro 7.5 for iOS and iPadOS.
This release incorporates much new data, including the long awaited updates to the NGC/IC data, and adds for the first time all the ACO galaxy clusters as well as the Zwicky cluster catalogue. It also adds updates to the PGC catalogue as well as improved planetary positions. There have also been improvements to positions and names for other deep sky objects.
Deep-Sky News by Owen Brazell - Editor of The Deep-Sky Observer
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100 Hours Under One Sky
Go Stargazing are helping to run a nationwide UK stargazing event, "100 Hours Under One Sky," which will take place from October 2nd to 5th, 2024, as part of the International Astronomy Union's (IAU) 100 Hours of Astronomy.
They and the IAU UK National Coordinators have introduced an interactive online platform to engage participants in four simple stargazing challenges. The platform will be accessible at https://100hours.online.
As individuals complete each challenge, their contributions will appear on a real-time map of participants. They can also share their accomplishments with their friends on social media. There's a demonstration of the real-time map in action on Vimeo.
While the stargazing challenges are designed to be accessible and enjoyable for beginners, they are also a great opportunity for your organisation's members to share their passion for astronomy with friends and family. This event is for everyone who loves the night skies.
James Whinfrey - Website Administrator
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New Publication from Alvin Huey
24 August 2024
Alvin Huey has come out with a new guide Observing Extragalactic Objects Within Host Galaxies that will be of interest for large telescope users. To get the downloadable version just follow this link, scroll down to the top of the publications list and click on the cover image.
From Alvin's website
This observing guide with 158 host galaxies with observable extragalactic objects. Each host galaxy has annotated extragalactic objects with scholarship plus links to observing notes and sketches from a few well known and skilled observers. Suggest a 16-inch or larger telescope to successfully observe these objects. A very skilled observer can see some of them with telescopes as small as 6 to 10 inches.
Owen Brazell - Galaxy Section Director
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Deep-Sky News
25 June 2024
Phyllis has released Deep-Sky Planner 9. See her website (www.knightware.biz) for updates and listing of new features.
Additionally, Stellarium 24.2 has been released.
And in late breaking news, Wolfgang Steinicke has updated his NGC IC data files to 2024 editions.
Deep-Sky News by Owen Brazell - Editor of The Deep-Sky Observer
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Issue 193 of the DSO is out now
15 May 2024
The digital version of the Deep Sky Observer issue 193 is available for those that have registered to download using the same login details as last time.
If you're a Webb Deep-Sky Society member that isn't currently registered for the download version, but would like to be, please contact our membership secretary.
Everyone else can take a look at what's in this issue and read Owen Brazell's editorial whilst considering whether to join us.
James Whinfrey - Website Administrator
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Deep-Sky News
26 March 2024
The team behind Stellarium have released Stellarium 24.1 which is available from Stellarium.org.
Deep-Sky News by Owen Brazell - Editor of The Deep-Sky Observer
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Issue 192 of the DSO is out now
12 December 2023
The digital version of the Deep Sky Observer issue 192 is available for those that have registered to download using the same login details as last time.
If you're a Webb Deep-Sky Society member that isn't currently registered for the download version, but would like to be, please contact our membership secretary.
Everyone else can take a look at what's in this issue and read Owen Brazell's editorial whilst considering whether to join us.
James Whinfrey - Website Administrator
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Deep-Sky News
18 November 2023
Greg Crinklaw has released a new version of SkyTools for imagers called 4.1. The hope is that next year there will be a new version for visual observers too. Amongst the main things are support for NINA. Full details can be found at one the website. This includes a Skytools 4.0k R22 for visual observers. It should be noted that because of changes to the telescope dialog this will reset all the users, locations and default lists. I don’t think there is any new functionality there.
Wolfgang Steinicke has translated the classic biography of Herschel by Gunther Buttmann. It is available in Kindle from Amazon UK or the book can be bought from Books On Demand, note that all the checkout here is in German, although certain browsers (Chrome and Safari) will translate.
Advance notice that the BAA Deep Sky Section is likely to be holding its 2024 meeting on the 16th March in Northampton. No other details as yet but they will appear on the BAA web site. The DSS is also hoping to hold another Zoom meeting in January 2024. Again no other details but the BAA web site will have them for both events when they become available.
Deep-Sky News by Owen Brazell - Editor of The Deep-Sky Observer
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Deep-Sky News
25 October 2023
A new Atlas of galaxies has been released. The Siena atlas of galaxies contains over 400000 galaxies in the local universe: New Siena Galaxy Atlas Delivers Improved Measurements of Almost 400,000 Nearby Galaxies | NOIRLab.
Image credit: CTIO/NOIRLab/DOE/NSF/AURA/J. Moustakas The survey covers about half of the sky. So far it seems a little challenging to extract data from but with practice should be easier to use.
Deep-Sky News by Owen Brazell - Editor of The Deep-Sky Observer
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Deep-Sky News
10 Oct 2023
A new book on double stars has been published by one of the double star section contributors, Ian Coster. You can find Coster’s Catalogue of 2000 Visual Double Stars at First Light Optics.
Deep-Sky News by Owen Brazell - Editor of The Deep-Sky Observer
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Deep-Sky News
28 Sep 2023
The makers of the popular planetarium program, Stellarium, have just released version 23.3 of the software with many bug fixes along with some new functionality.
Back in January Ronald Stoyan was trying to crowdfund this project: Atlas of Planetary Nebulae, Volume 1. It promises to be
Unique in the world: The large compendium on planetary nebulae in 3 volumes. History, astrophysics and observation - manual and illustrated book
. It seems that he has managed to fund it fully, and it is due to be published in 2024, although it will only come out in German.Deep-Sky News by Owen Brazell - Editor of The Deep-Sky Observer
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Deep-Sky News
8 Sep 2023
A new book on the Barnard dark nebulae has been released looking at how they appeared to Barnard and what we know about them now.
It's available from Amazon at The Barnard Objects: Then and Now (The Patrick Moore Practical Astronomy Series) as well as other bookshops.
Although this is one of the Springer Patrick Moore series publications it seems pretty good and the photographs are reproduced well, albeit a bit small.
Deep-Sky News by Owen Brazell - Editor of The Deep-Sky Observer
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Issue 191 of the DSO is out now
19 May 2023
The digital version of the Deep Sky Observer issue 191 is available for those that have registered to download using the same login details as last time.
If you're a Webb Deep-Sky Society member that isn't currently registered for the download version, but would like to be, please contact our membership secretary.
This digital issue is out a bit early to circulate information about our Annual Meeting on the 17th June 2023 in Cambridge. Our printers are working on the paper hardcopies, I understand that they will be in the post in about a week's time.
Everyone else can take a look at what's in this issue and read Owen Brazell's editorial whilst considering whether to join us.
James Whinfrey - Website Administrator
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Deep-Sky News
7 April 2023
The makers of the program Star-Hop Maker have just release version 1.2.
The new version adds many new catalogues and the ability to produce star charts as well as the previous star hops. There is also an update to the Android App Star-Hop Maker companion. The new options can be seen at NASA’s Webb Scores Another Ringed World with New Image of Uranus (webbtelescope.org) and the downloads from the Store page.
The new version seems to work from the 1.1 licenses.
Deep-Sky News by Owen Brazell - Editor of The Deep-Sky Observer
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Deep-Sky News
28 March 2023
The authors of Stellarium have released a new version of the software version 23.1.
It is worth noting that they also have a new version of the extended deep sky database version 3.19 to go with this release, which can be obtained from Release Stellarium DSO catalog, v3.19 on GitHub. This new file should be placed in
Users\<username>\AppDATA\Roaming\Stellarium\nebulae\defaultDeep-Sky News by Owen Brazell - Editor of The Deep-Sky Observer
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Deep-Sky News
28 Feb 2023
A group in Hungary have created a downloadable Messier atlas. The interesting thing about this one is that it tries to tie visual and imaging viewing of each of the objects. The download is free but they are hoping for support for the project.
Deep-Sky News by Owen Brazell - Editor of The Deep-Sky Observer
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Deep-Sky News
25 Feb 2023
NOIRlab have released the 10th data release of the legacy survey. There is a press release and the data can be accessed via the Legacy Surveys viewer. Note this really only a Southern hemisphere coverage and is mostly focused on galaxies and nebulae may appear in rather strange colours.
Another site that maybe of interest is the Czech website, CzSkY, which displays a DSS view of the sky as well as drawings and notes on many deep sky objects.
I may have covered this website before but it is continually updated. This deals with specific objects and has some history and finder charts for them.
Also Victor at Clearskies.eu now posts charts and other information for all the Webb objects of the month which are freely downloadable.
Deep-Sky News by Owen Brazell - Editor of The Deep-Sky Observer
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Issue 190 of the DSO is out now
5 Jan 2023
The digital version of the Deep Sky Observer issue 190 is available for those that have registered to download using the same login details as last time.
If you're a Webb Deep-Sky Society member that isn't currently registered for the download version, but would like to be, please contact our membership secretary.
For those that are perfectly happy with their paper hardcopies, I understand that they're in the post already.
Everyone else can take a look at what's in this issue and read Owen Brazell's editorial whilst considering whether to join us.
James Whinfrey - Website Administrator
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Deep-Sky News
1 Jan 2023
The team behind Stellarium have released Stellarium 1.2 which is available from Stellarium.org.
The CCD Guide team have released a new version of CCD-Guide for 2023. It can be found at Shop - CCD Guide. It includes a lot of new images and a new planetarium type program as well as other enhancements.
Ronald Stoyan is looking for backers for his new Atlas of Planetary Nebulae (in 3 volumes). Unfortunately it will only be in German, but you can find information at on the Astrotreff forum.
Oculum have also come up with a new Herschel Guide similar to their Messier one. It can be found on their website or through Amazon. Unfortunately, again this is only in German, but should be understandable by many.
It looks like the Annals of the Deep Sky Volumes 9 (Magellanic Clouds) and 10 (Draco, Equuleus and Eridanus) are now coming out in, probably, late H2 2023.
The BAA Deep Sky Section meeting is on 19th of March at Bedford school. Details (or lack of them) are on the BAA website.
Deep-Sky News by Owen Brazell - Editor of The Deep-Sky Observer
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Deep-Sky News
4 Nov 2022
The developers of Stellarium have released version 1.1 of the software. This can be downloaded from Stellarium.org.
Deep-Sky News by Owen Brazell - Editor of The Deep-Sky Observer
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Deep-Sky News
6 Oct 2022
CDS have finally released version 12 of Aladin for download. This adds several new features to the software. It can be found at on their download web page.
The developers of Stellarium have released version 1 of the software after almost 20 years. This can be downloaded from Stellarium.org.
Wolfgang has released the 2022 version of his NGC data on his website.
Deep-Sky News by Owen Brazell - Editor of The Deep-Sky Observer
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Double Star Section Circular 30
26 September 2022
For those with an interest in double stars, there's a new issue of the Double Star Section Circular (DSSC) available for download.
To see whats in DSSC 30 and to download a PDF copy (free) please visit the double star circular section of the website.
James Whinfrey - Website Administrator
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Deep-Sky News
24 July 2022
Phyllis Lang has released some updates to the Deep-Sky Planner 8 software. For the base software there is an update 8.3 which fixes some bugs. There are also updates to the DSPME software for mobile devices. The Android version is available from the website. Note that the Android version has to be side loaded and it not available by the Google Play Store. The process is not complex however. The iOS version will be available through the Apple store when approved. Both these versions are freeware but do require the Windows version to setup plans.
Deep-Sky News by Owen Brazell - Editor of The Deep-Sky Observer
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Deep-Sky News
16 July 2022
The developers of Stellarium have released version 0.22.2 of the software. As usual this can be found at stellarium.org along with the change logs.
Simulation Curriculum have released SkySafari Pro 7 for Android. This can be got from the Google Play Store. It seems like a bit of a rushed release with frequent fixes coming out. The main changes are the UI which promotes more social media interactions and the extra datasets for 3 million galaxies and 75 million stars are now free.
It would appear that Version 7.1 for iOS is in final testing. Unfortunately this version does not include the hoped for DSO database upgrades and these appear to have moved further into the future whilst the social media stuff now takes priority.
Deep-Sky News by Owen Brazell - Editor of The Deep-Sky Observer
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Issue 189 of the DSO is out now
2 May 2022
The digital version of the Deep Sky Observer issue 189 is available for those that have registered to download using the same login details as last time.
If you're a Webb Deep-Sky Society member that isn't currently registered for the download version, but would like to be, please contact our membership secretary.
For those that are perfectly happy with their paper hardcopies, I understand that they're in the post already.
Everyone else can take a look at what's in this issue and read Owen Brazell's editorial whilst considering whether to join us.
James Whinfrey - Website Administrator
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Deep-Sky News
2 May 2022
The authors of Stellarium have released rather quickly version 0.22.1 which is available from Stellarium.org for all supported platforms, i.e. pretty much everything.
Harold Corwin has released the second version of his list of globular clusters aimed at visual users.
Deep-Sky News by Owen Brazell - Editor of The Deep-Sky Observer
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Practical Astronomy Show 2022
Our stand loaded with books, as usual, and our team on the day: (left to right) Jon, Owen and Steve. Well, this year's Practical Astronomy Show in Kettering has been and gone. It seems that it was well attended, so I'd like to thank our three volunteers for their hard work on the Society's behalf.
James Whinfrey - Website Administrator
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Deep-Sky News
28 February 2022
Knightware announce a new release of Deep-Sky Planner Mobile edition for both iOS and Android. This version now supports the exports of plans and other configuration files from Deep-Sky Planner 8. The iOS version can be downloaded form the Apple Store. The Android version is available from the Knightware web site and has to be side loaded.
Deep-Sky News by Owen Brazell - Editor of The Deep-Sky Observer
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Practical Astronomy Show 2022
If you'd like to come a say hello, we'll be at this year's Practical Astronomy Show in Kettering on Saturday 19 March 2022. We intend to be there with our usual stand full our publications.
James Whinfrey - Website Administrator
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Deep-Sky News
15 January 2022
The team behind the program CCD Guide have released the 2022 version of the software and image database. This seems to have some major changes to the look and feel of the software as well as more images and an improved PN database. Although primarily directed to imagers the large database of often off the beaten track objects provides some interest for visual observers as well.
Deep-Sky News by Owen Brazell - Editor of The Deep-Sky Observer
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Community News
3 January 2022
Lunatico Astro Image Processing Competition
Andy Chessum, one of our members, works for Lunatico Astro in Spain who are hosting an image processing competition to mark the New Year which he thought might be of interest to other Webb Deep-Sky Society members.
The competition is open to everyone and runs until January 31. For details follow this link below to Lunatico Astro's website.
I should point out that the Webb Deep-Sky Society has no affiliation with Lunatico Astro, and this news should not be taken as an endorsement, it is supplied for your information only. That said, if you enjoy image processing then this might be for you.
James Whinfrey - Website Administrator
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Deep-Sky News
31 December 2021
To celebrate another year of exciting images and discoveries from the NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope, ESA/Hubble has released a new calendar for 2022 which is free to download.
Deep-Sky News by Owen Brazell - Editor of The Deep-Sky Observer
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Deep-Sky News
30 December 2021
New Stellarium point release
The authors of the popular freeware planetarium Stellarium have released version 0.21.3 which includes a number of bug fixes. It can be obtained from www.stellarium.org for all platforms. Fixes and additions can be found at Stellarium v0.21.3 released.
Willmann-Bell at Sky Publishing
Sky Publishing and the American Astronomical Society (AAS) have increased the number of Willmann-Bell titles available through Shop at Sky. More will become available as they sort out all the pallets for their new distribution agents. It is not yet clear whether the vendors who used to handle this internationally under the days of Willmann-Bell will be able to do so again.
Deep-Sky News by Owen Brazell - Editor of The Deep-Sky Observer
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Deep-Sky News
7 November 2021
SkySafari 7 has been released for iOS.
The release seems mainly aimed at social media users although there are a lot of weird and wonderful telescope connection options for INDID, ALPACA etc. which will undoubtedly cause entertainment. There are no improvements to the databases, although the previously paid for addons for GAIA and the PGC are now free. Allegedly there will be database improvements in 7.1. The UI seems more complicated and everything is buried deeper than it used to be. Given everything now seems to be on remote controlling of telescopes with SkySafari I suspect the astronomy portion will go down and the technology side go up.
Wolfgang's book on William Herschel
Wolfgang’s book on William Herschel’s discoveries is now out and can be obtained via Amazon at William Herschel: Discoverer of the Deep Sky (ISBN: 9783754397374). Note that this seems to be a print on demand publication so there are delays in getting it. See also Wolfgang's astronomy website. This is a mighty tome so something for long winter evenings.
Deep-Sky News by Owen Brazell - Editor of The Deep-Sky Observer
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Issue 188 of the DSO is out now
17 October 2021
The digital version of the Deep Sky Observer issue 188 is available for those that have registered to download using the same login details as last time.
If you're a Webb Deep-Sky Society member that isn't currently registered for the download version, but would like to be, please contact our membership secretary.
For those that are perfectly happy with their paper hardcopies, I understand that they're in the post already.
Everyone else can take a look at what's in this issue and read Owen Brazell's editorial whilst considering whether to join us.
James Whinfrey - Website Administrator
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Deep-Sky News
28 September 2021
New Stellarium point release
The developers of Stellarium have released a new update to Stellarium with version 0.21.2. This also includes a new updated extended DSO database with some positional fixes in 3.13 which needs to be downloaded separately.
The Sky X Professional now supports the GAIA DR2 catalogue
The latest version of the Sky X Professional will support the GAIAI DR2 dataset. This however needs to be downloaded separately and currently requires 1.2TB or storage – so not for the faint hearted. They do however offer smaller subsets of this data for those who don’t need everything.
Deep-Sky News by Owen Brazell - Editor of The Deep-Sky Observer
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Deep-Sky News
30 August 2021
Double star observing remains popular, both for scientific purposes and recreationally. With the increase in light pollution more and more types of deep-sky objects are becoming invisible to the observer.
Agnes Clarke has produced a guide to observing double stars from light polluted skies available as both a free PDF download and a printed book. Information is available here Discovering Double Stars (transtextuals.web.app). The book covers 179 doubles as seen from northern skies. I will note that the standard of English although good does have some idiosyncrasies as the author is Dutch.
Deep-Sky News by Owen Brazell - Editor of The Deep-Sky Observer
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Willmann-Bell
17 August 2021
It appears that the American Astronomical Society (AAS) has purchased the stock from Willmann-Bell (WB) and will be merging it with their other purchase of Sky and Telescope Magazine – see press release.
Note that due to moving to a new fulfilment agent nothing will be shipping before the end of October. Whether this means that the Society will still be selling WB books after this is unknown as I guess they will have to work out how to deal with international sales and vendors. Certainly buying form Sky Publishing has never been easy.
Deep-Sky News by Owen Brazell - Editor of The Deep-Sky Observer
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Deep-Sky News
14 August 2021
A couple of new French publications that may be of interest for Deep Sky Observers are DeepSky Atlas Ciel Profond, NGC, IC & Messier catalog, with 370 photos and DeepSky Atlas Ciel Profond, NGC, IC & Messier catalog, with 660 photos, both on eBay.
They come with a free PDF English translation if you contact the vendor. They are both spiral bound and appear to have water resistant pages. We may have a review of these in a future Deep-Sky Observer (DSO).
Deep-Sky News by Owen Brazell - Editor of The Deep-Sky Observer
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Deep-Sky News
29 July 2021
Our Galaxy
Bill Tschumy, one of the former authors of SkySafari and the author of Where is M13, has released a new free App for all main platforms, including Windows, iOS and Android, called Our Galaxy. This is an educational app that shows the locations of deep-sky objects in 3D within the galaxy. The App is available from the Microsoft Windows Store, Apple App Store and the Google Play store. Although not an observational App per-se it does give you information on what you are looking at and is useful from the educational point of view. More information can be found on Bill's web page at (https://www.otherwise.com/). It can be quite useful in showing the location of objects you are reading or writing about. The program has pre-canned displays for certain types of objects or you can make your own.
CCD Guide 2021
The Austrian Imaging group has released the latest version of their CCD-Guide. This is a planning and display program for CCD imagers. The latest version comes with over 5000 images and the C-Guide software to access and display it. There are also a number of videos on how to use the software, as always on YouTube. The current version is distributed now via a USB disk rather than a physical DVD as is becoming more common with newer systems no longer having built in DVD drives. Prices vary depending on whether you have an earlier version or if this is the first version you are purchasing. Information on the CCD-Guide website (http://ccdguide.com/)
Star Hop Maker
A new program for designing star hops has been released by a Greek team, I think. The program has a pretty comprehensive database and allows you to create star hops. These can be selected from either database searches or selected form charts.
The program also comes with a simple Android addition to display the star hops on a tablet or a phone running Android 8.1 or greater. I believe you also need a Google Drive account to use the Android version to pick up the plans you make. There is no iOS version.
My feeling is that the program would work best on a multiple monitor display. There are several videos on how to use the software available on the website and a restricted version (in terms of the database) is available for trial. Information can be found on the Star-Hop Maker website (https://starhopmaker.com/)
CSOG 2.4
Victor van Wulfen has released his latest version of the Clear Sky Observing Guides with version 2.4. There appears to be only two new guides from version 2.3 with isolated Triplets of galaxies for both Northern and Southern skies from the Karachentseva surveys. There is also the Astronomical League (AL) list of Carbon stars. The note says accompanying objects have been updated in the other guides, although whether this is worth the download time may be debatable if you already have them.
Victor has also made available sets for the Webb Society Objects of the Month, at least the galaxy and cluster/nebula ones. There are also guides for the Deep Sky Forum Object of the Week.
The main difference between 2.3 and 2.4 is that you have to subscribe to download the main guides. Currently the suggested rate is 25 Euros. The site for this is Clear Skies | Clear Skies Observing Guides - CSOG be aware that many of the guides are extremely large, multi gigabyte, and come in various parts.
The other changes can be found in the release Notes. As always this is an enormous volume of work. The software also comes with plans for AstroPlanner as well as catalogues for the Argo Navis units and Meade tours. There are no lists for SkySafari, or by extension, the Nexus DSC because of the lack of ability of those programs to support objects that are not in their databases.
Megastar 5.
With the demise of Willmann-Bell there are plans afoot to make Megastar 5 freely available. When/if this happens, a further note will be put out.
Note this will just be the older software. There will be no extra features and apart from the fix for the DSS download no other bug fixes. Feel free to post and share. Anyone else can share it as well.
Update
The Megastar download is now hosted on Bob and Cathy Bunge's website. The original direct Dropbox link we posted on our mailing list overloaded Emil's bandwidth allowance. Please note that the Webb Deep-Sky Society has no direct link with the Bunge's, but the link seems genuine.
Deep-Sky News by Owen Brazell - Editor of The Deep-Sky Observer
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Double Star Section Circular 29
21 July 2021
For those with an interest in double stars, there's a new issue of the Double Star Section Circular (DSSC) available for download.
To see whats in DSSC 29 and to download a PDF copy (free) please visit the double star circular section of the website.
James Whinfrey - Website Administrator
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Issue 187 of the DSO is out now
30 April 2021
The digital version of the Deep Sky Observer issue 187 is available for those that have registered to download using the same login details as last time.
If you're a Webb Deep-Sky Society member that isn't currently registered for the download version, but would like to be, please contact our membership secretary.
For those that are perfectly happy with their paper hardcopies, I understand that they're in the post already.
Everyone else can take a look at what's in this issue and read Owen Brazell's editorial whilst considering whether to join us.
James Whinfrey - Website Administrator
