Deep-Sky Planner 5
Observation Planning and Logging Software
for Astronomers
Deep-Sky Planner 5 astronomy observing planner software for Windows provides the powerful, accurate tools you need to make your time at the telescope more efficient and enjoyable. Whether you observe planets, comets, asteroids, carbon stars, doubles, variables or deep-sky objects, Deep-Sky Planner helps you get more from your visual and photographic observing time. Use it indoors to prepare for observing or at the telescope while observing. Use it to log and manage your observations. Enjoy open, non-proprietary access to your observing log and exceptional flexibility in reporting.
| Customers often report that Deep-Sky Planner has the best user interface among astronomy software products. That's no accident: it's a commitment to making your observing as productive and enjoyable as possible. See why. | "I've never had it so easy in preparing observing lists." - John O, Pennsylvania |
"I am enjoying Deep-Sky Planner. It's got the best interface I've come across in all the observation planning programs I've tried." - Mark T, California |
There's much more that makes Deep-Sky Planner an exceptional solution to your astronomy planning and logging software needs. Watch the Overview of Deep-Sky Observing video to see how to plan and log an observation, or read about product features in detail on the Product Information page. If you have a question about the product, please send it to Knightware.
Product Highlights
Data |
Support for Sun, moon, planets, comets, asteroids and over 1 million cataloged objects is included. The catalog data is treated differently than any other software in the industry. See why. |
Reporting |
Many report styles are included for planning and logging. Each can be printed, or saved in HTML, plain text or delimited text (CSV) formats. Reports may be customized extensively. See how. |
Logging |
The logging facility is perhaps the most complete logging software available anywhere, and it is fully integrated with all planning features. The software learns which observing session and equipment you are using as you enter observations so that your workflow is optimized. The log is also fully searchable and reports are customizable. See how
Your observations are also more portable than ever: Deep-Sky Planner 5 supports OpenAstronomyLog 2.0. You can also save your log reports as HTML, plain text, or delimited text (CSV). |
Star Charting |
Deep-Sky Planner interoperates intelligently with leading planetarium software products giving you the very best star charting functions available. Use with TheSkyX Pro, TheSky6, Starry Night, Redshift and Cartes du Ciel. See how. |
Controlling Telescopes |
Telescope control is a standard feature of Deep-Sky Planner and requires ASCOM (free). |
Ease of Use |
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The log now supports recording extensive sky and weather conditions data, including direct reading support for Unihedron's Sky Quality Meter models LE, LU and LR. Images and scanned sketches can also be attached to observations.
Enjoy computer control of your telescope, and receive real-time feedback from your telescope or digital setting circles. 
Unlike most observing software,
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Purchase NowPlease visit the Knightware Store to make your secure online purchase using PayPal or Google Checkout. Shipping is free. Astronomy clubs and societies can purchase Deep-Sky Planner at a discount. Click here for details.
Deep-Sky Planner 5 has a 30 day money back guarantee (see policies). |
The latest from the Knightware Blog
Deep-Sky Planner Featured by Embarcadero
Deep-Sky Planner has always been developed in C++, most recently in C++ Builder from Embarcadero. C++ Builder is an excellent rapid application development solution for creating rich GUI Windows applications. C++ Builder is one of the development languages included in Embarcadero's RAD Studio, along with C, Delphi and PHP.
Each year, the new version of the development system is introduced worldwide at "Launch Events", where Embarcadero promotes the newest features in RAD Studio. This year's Launch Events highlight Deep-Sky Planner as a success story produced with C++ Builder. It's an honor to be recognized in this way among software professionals worldwide. If you are a developer of Rich GUI applications for Windows, you might want to have a look at RAD Studio XE.
Posted on 2 September 2010 | 12:15 pm
Hardware and software requirements:
You need the following hardware and operating system software to run Deep-Sky Planner 5:
- PC with Intel Pentium CPU or later (or a fully compatible and equivalent CPU)
- Windows XP, Vista, Windows 7, including the latest Windows Updates from Microsoft
- Internet Explorer 6 or later (version 7 or later recommended)
- 128 MB RAM for Windows XP; 512 MB RAM for Windows 7 or Vista 32-bit; 1.5 GB RAM for Vista or Windows 7 64 bit.
- Installation requires about 255 MB of hard disk space
- XGA (1024 x 768) or better with high color
- CD drive (for installation)
- a pointing device (mouse) is recommended but not required
- Internet connection is highly recommended for license activation, software updates and some product features, but is not required
- Serial port is required for SQM-LR or telescope/DSC connection; data cable is supplied separately by equipment manufacturer
- Ethernet port or wireless NIC is required for SQM-LE connection; data cable is supplied separately by equipment manufacturer
- USB port is required for SQM-LU connection; data cable is supplied separately by equipment manufacturer
This product has been tested with Windows XP (32 bit), Windows Vista (32 bit and 64 bit), and Windows 7 (32 and 64 bit), including installations on multiple user accounts.