Deep-Sky Planner 6
Observation Planning and Logging Software
for Astronomers
Announcing the latest and best
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![]() Photo of M 97 by Mark Lang |
| Customers often report that Deep-Sky Planner has the best user interface among astronomy planning software. That's no accident: it's a commitment to making your observing as productive and enjoyable as possible. See why. | "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 |
"I’ve been more impressed by Deep Sky Planner than I have by any astro-soft of any type I’ve tried in a long time." - Rod Mollise, Spring 2012 issue Amateur Astronomy magazine |
"... a planner should be simple and organized in a way that it is easy to follow. Deep-Sky Planner does that and is one of the reasons I like it." - Julian P, New York |
"I love this software and I think you’ve done an outstanding job creating the best logging program I’ve seen to date. It’s highly intuitive and DSP5 has allowed me to be much more productive at the eyepiece, and one of the most important features is the speed at which I can generate an observing list - maybe 1 minute. I love it." - Randy A, Colorado |
"In the past I used XXXX [sic] but that is such a kludgy application that I just had to find something better; and I did -- DSP5. Coupled with TheSky6 it is a great combination. The amateur astronomy community owes you a debt for the enormous time investment you have clearly made."
- Charlie M, Texas |
Product Highlights
Data |
Version 6 has the latest and best deep-sky and stellar data available. Data is taken from the latest professional, peer-reviewed catalogs and now contains 1.25 million objects. Version 6 includes the latest Revised NGC/IC catalog by Dr. Wolfgang Steinicke. Other catalogs have been added and many updates have been made to the database. Stellar data has been added that permit high accuracy double star ephemerides for well-studied visual systems, and predictions of variable star light extrema. Catalog data is treated differently than any other software in the industry. See why. Accurate ephemerides may be calculated for Sun, moon, planets, comets, asteroids. You can do filtered and sorted searches for asteroids and comets.
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Reporting |
Many report styles are included for planning and logging. Each can be printed, saved in HTML, plain text or delimited text (CSV) formats. Reports may be customized extensively. See how. |
Logging |
The logging features are the most feature-complete available, and they are 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 completely customizable. See how
Your observations are also more portable than ever: Deep-Sky Planner 6 supports OpenAstronomyLog 2.x, an emerging world standard for observation exchange. 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 6 or earlier (free). |
Ease of Use |
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| Check out the the video library and see how to plan and log observations. |
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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 6 has a 30 day money back guarantee. |
The latest Deep-Sky Planner News on Facebook
An observing plan that accompanies the Deep-Sky Tour in June's Sky At Night maga...
An observing plan that accompanies the Deep-Sky Tour in June's Sky At Night magazine has been uploaded to the Plan Library. See "Sky At Night Magazine Deep-Sky Tour, June 2013" in the Plan Library.
This month, author Steve Richards explores some popular double stars and deep-sky objects in Hercules and Lyra. You can preview this issue at http://www.skyatnightmagazine.com/issue/june-2013
June 2013 | Sky at Night Magazine
www.skyatnightmagazine.com
- - The world’s best practical astronomy website, Sky at Night has telescope reviews, advice for observing the night sky, beginners astronomy, and how-to guides to getting the most out of looking up at the heavens
Posted on 16 May 2013 | 8:06 am
More targets for the southern observer: see "Binocular Universe May 2013" in the...
More targets for the southern observer: see "Binocular Universe May 2013" in the Plan Library.
Phil Harrington explores southern constellations Centaurus and Hydra in this month's Binocular Universe article at http://www.cloudynights.com/item.php?item_id=2871
Binocular Universe: Songs of the Deep South - Article
www.cloudynights.com
Above: Finder chart for this month's Binocular Universe. Chart adapted from Touring the Universe through Binoculars Atlas (TUBA)
Posted on 3 May 2013 | 7:57 am
Hardware and software requirements:
You need the following hardware and operating system software to run Deep-Sky Planner 6:
- PC with Intel Pentium CPU or later (or a fully compatible and equivalent CPU) . 1GHz or faster on Windows 7 or 8.
- 32 or 64 bit edition of Windows XP, Vista, Windows 7, Windows 8 including the latest Windows Updates from Microsoft
- Internet Explorer 6 or later
- 128 MB RAM for Windows XP, 512 MB RAM for Windows Vista, 1 GB Windows 7 or 8 (32-bit), 2 GB Windows 7 or 8 (64-bit)
- Installation requires about 366 MB of hard disk space
- XGA (1024 x 768) or better with high color Windows XP or Vista , DirectX 9 graphics device with WDDM 1.0 or higher driver Windows 7 or 8.
- 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 8 (64-bit), Windows 7 (32 and 64 bit), Windows Vista (32 bit and 64 bit) and Windows XP (32 bit), including installations on multiple user accounts.

Observing plans can be built containing any of over 1.25 million objects in the database, or any other that you define. There is a library of hundreds of pre-built plans online. Plans run in real-time or for any time and place that you select. Plans can be uploaded to Argo Navis, Sky Commander & SkySafari. 


