At Rabbit Valley Observatory, you can choose a visual observation program that is as simple or complex as you desire. One example of a program we did several years ago at a local Bed and Breakfast can be accessed through this text link.

Visual observation can start with a review of the constellations and bright stars and planets visible. We can (and should before any observing session begins) refer to a plethora of printed reference materials (to the dismay of his wife, Mr. Greiner actually collects old-school printed planisphere star charts and star atlases -- even celestial globes, even gigantic ones -- of all vintages!) as well as sophisticated online atlases and observing aids.

A lifelong collection of vintage (print) star charts and object catalogues -- honestly just a sampling! (please forgive the upside-down seminal Atlas Coeli 1950.0 reference text on far left)

Fabulous Spherical Concepts Starship Earth II celestial globe, 30 inches in diameter -- no longer available! (from Spherical Concepts -- "Starship Earth II will help you explore the universe that surrounds us – from the many constellations in our heavens, to the movements of the Earth, Sun, and stars, the secrets of navigation, and much more. A beautiful work of art, as well as a superb learning/teaching tool, the Starship Earth II is a three-dimensional star atlas for the unaided eye.")

One such available online "atlas" (usually now called planetarium programs) is TheSky -- I had an opportunity to review (essentially personally learn the basics because I didn't get it!) of this program with the very patient co-founder/inventor, Mr. Thomas Bisque of Software Bisque in Golden, Colorado -- below, the brothers Bisque -- that's Tom second from the left and brilliant brother and co-founder Steven Bisque to Tom's right -- brother Daniel to Tom's left, and Matthew to his left -- all at an astronomy trade show. Employee Richard A. Wright (not pictured here) is a frequent contributor to Sky and Telescope magazine, and is a preeminent astrophtotgrapher.

TheSky is now considered the finest planetarium, telescope and camera control and remote observing program(s) in the world. The brothers Bisque essentially invented remote computer-driven astronomical observing. Most professional observatories use their software package. Software Bisque also makes the best commercially-available mount in the world.

Also, TheSky has always been cross-platform and now is a leader in the iPad astronomical app category as well -- this is appreciated by Mac enthusiasts such as myself! Example screen shots below.

TheSky's constellation display with beautifully-rendered mythological figures	TheSky's typical constellation star chart display with labels -- note use of the green laser pointer -- we use one, too, both for visual and telescopic pointing	TheSky's magnified interpretation of the Orion Nebula -- compare with my image

A typical TheSkyX (most recent desktop version) screen shot including landscape terrain and various labels (all customizable)

Another commonly used and equally excellent planetarium program available at RVO is Starry Night. Both this and TheSky can be useful for object location and identification, among many other uses.

Having recently installed the automated go-to Celestron CGX mount in the roll-off building observatory, I now needed to "communicate" with it. For WiFi communication I use Celestron's WiFi dongle attached to the CGX mount to communicate with the simple, yet useful, SkyPortal software. It is a simplified version of Starry Night -- a more compete WiFi iPhone and Android app is the highly-acclaimed SkySafari. I am just working out the digital details of "talking" with the mount via the open-source Stellarium software. If all is successful, a "visual" observing session will involve calibrating the mount with a hand controller/WiFi tablet (teaching it what day, time, and location it occupies) and then plugging it into a portable Windows 10 tablet. Multiple observers can then view the screen of either the Windows or Android tablet, which ought to display various deep-sky objects in near-real-time video, as delivered by the superb Atik Infinity camera, mounted on the 10-inch reflector, as below. I have used this camera on the ES127ED 'scope with great success -- gallery linked here. Observers can even save their images on a flash or MicroSD Card-- examples as linked in the gallery -- and captured during THEIR observing session, to take home and keep!

Celestron's SkyPortal WiFi dongle	Screen shoot of SkyPortal/SkySafari software	Screen shot of Stellarium software	Due to it's very fast optical speed, the 10-inch GSO f/4 reflector (mounted on Celestron's CGX automated platform) will be used for visual/video observing

A wonderful star-charting program, available on-line at NO CHARGE, is the magnificent Cartes du Ciel, linked from this text and/or by clicking the images below. These screen shots demonstrate several examples of its feature-filled and accurate sky depictions, especially deep sky objects under various magnifications as shown below. This is the star-charting program I now most commonly use.

Every month publications like Sky and Telescope Magazine and Astronomy Magazine publish reference star charts. Further, they offer online tips for visual and photographic observation with a plethora of different types of equipment. I would strongly suggest referencing their websites and subscribing as well.

Relatively new among astronomical applications is a group know as "astronomical observation planning" software. Many are cross-platform, and similar to TheSky are also available for mobile devices. We use AstroPlanner at RVO. With such programs you can plan your observing session by setting basic parameters in the program. It will show you the location, apparent size of a desired observational object and has an immense data base linkage capability for descriptive analysis of objects of all types.

AstroPlanner object list tab