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Beta Testing SkySafari 6 (Mac OS X) - Read This To Participate!

Invitation to OS X Users:

Everyone here in the Community Forums (with an Mac OS X computer) is invited to participate in the SS6 for OS X beta-testing cycle :) 

Your beta-testing feedback, whatever you can contribute, will be invaluable to the success of SkySafari 6 for OS X!

Please note if you participated in the SS6 iOS beta testing you are ALREADY officially approved for SS6 OS X beta testing.  You can download the beta now.  But please still read completely through this post to understand what we are doing differently (and to remind yourself about our process again) for this round of beta testing.

 

How to Apply:

Please reply here (in a comment below) if you can help us at this time. 

And please outline your experience with SkySafari, including what versions of SkySafari you have run previously, what telescopes you are controlling, what kind of astronomy you are involved in, if you are a power user, etc.  Please do not post requests to join the SS6 beta in other forums, as they will not be accepted.  If you're reading this you can reply here.

When you are approved to participate you will see and have access to the SS6 OS X Beta Testing forum.  The SS6 Beta Testing forum is hidden until you are approved to participate.  

When you are approved, you will be notified via an email and then you will be able to both view the SS6 OS X Beta Testing forum and download the SS6 OS X beta app.

Please note, not all applicants will be immediately included in the beta-testing.  So, if you apply and do not hear back please be patient.

*** If accepted to the SS6 OS X beta-testing forum please do NOT report bug/issues on this post.  See below for workflow ***

 

The Process:

As you find bugs/issues in SkySafari 6 please first review the current discussions in the SS6 OS X Beta Testing forum (which is hidden until you are approved).  If your bug/issue has already been identified please comment on the existing post. 

If your bug/issue has not been identified please create a NEW post in the SS6 OS X Beta Testing forum. 

For clarity regarding this bug reporting process please see the post "Example Bug Report" (hidden until you are officially approved)

Please do NOT submit tickets with bugs/issues.

 

How To Follow The SS6 Beta Forum:

As part of your participation we would appreciate that you follow the SS6 OS X Beta Testing forum.  Following a forum means you will receive email updates when anyone creates a NEW post or comments/replies to one of the existing posts. This is important for two reasons.

 

  1. Following the forum ensures you receive email updates regarding all admin communications to the beta testers.  If admins make a post asking for assistance you will get an email update with that post.
  2. Following is also very important so that you have an on-going status report regarding bugs/issues identified, confirmed, requiring further testing, or have been resolved, etc.  This will help you stay on top of the overall process, and ensure you are not duplicating efforts where issues are already known and resolved.

 

To FOLLOW the SkySafari 6 Beta Testing community forum please see here.  Note, you must have been approved first, and have access to the forum before you can follow it.

 



   

Replying to Email Updates:

When you follow the SS6 OS X Beta Testing forum you will receive email updates regarding new posts (and comments, if opted for).  Please do not reply to email updates using the "Reply" function.  Please first use the "View the comment" link to open the community forum post, then reply to the post. 

This point is crucially important - so please understand the image below (this an example of an SS6 OS X Beta Testing email update as seen using my web browser Gmail email account).

If you use the email update "Reply" function your reply will NOT be added to the community forum discussion.

 



  

Downloading the SS6 OS X Beta app:

In order to participate you will need to download the SS6 OS X app from the download link in this forum post here (note, approval is required first):

https://support.simulationcurriculum.com/hc/en-us/community/posts/360001523393-Get-the-SkySafari-6-OS-X-Beta-here-

 

About Updating the Beta:

When you run the beta app, it will look for a newer version and notify you if there is a newer version available.  There is a button to download the newer version but you will be responsible for unzipping and copying the new beta app to your OSX / Applications folder (and please delete the previous version as well)

 

How to Use the Community Forums:

For clarity regarding how to use the Community Forums (posting/replying/following) please see here:

How To Sign Into The Community Forums (Required For Posting And Replying To Topics)

Browsers Supported by Simulation Curriculum Community Forums (Cookies Must Be Enabled)

How To Use Your New Community Support Forums

  

SS6 OS X Beta Testing Summarized

Please...

  1. SIGN IN or create account on this Simulation Curriculum support website.
  2. REPLY to this post (in a comment below) in order to apply to the SS6 OS X Beta Testing group.
  3. When approved to join the beta testing, download, unzip and copy the beta app to your OS X Applications folder. 
  4. Previous SS6 iOS beta testers are ALREADY approved (you can go get the beta now!).
  5. FOLLOW the main SS6 OS X beta forum to be kept up-to-date of any new posts (bug reports) and discussions thereafter (you get email updates).
  6. REVIEW previous beta testing discussions before posting your bug report.
  7. COMMENT on bugs already reported.
  8. Create NEW posts for bugs not yet reported.
  9. Follow the bug reporting GUIDELINES when reporting or commenting on bugs.
  10. Do NOT reply/comment to community forum email updates.  Instead, VIEW the post first, then comment in the forum.
  11. Post any questions, about anything to do with the beta testing, in the beta forum.  We will reply to you there. 

Please also read the What's New and What We Need Tested post here (approval required):

https://support.simulationcurriculum.com/hc/en-us/community/posts/360001539094--What-s-New-in-SkySafari-6-OS-X-What-We-Need-Tested-

Thank YOU! 

We are very excited about the up and coming release of SS6 and we're looking forward to working closely with everyone involved in the beta testing.

Again, this is only for Mac OS X computers, at this time.

Please let me know if you have any questions.

Date Votes

83 comments

  • 1
    Avatar
    Alan Rockowitz

    I’d love to be a part of the Beta. I’m using SkySafarin Pro on iOS and Sky Safari on OS X.  I have a C9.25 on a CGEM mount with a WiFi adapter from Celestron. Thanks!

  • 0
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    Tony Frazier

     

    I would be happy to help with your beta testing. I've been using SkySafari for iOS since SS5, now using SS6 Pro. I'm not controlling any mounts, but do have an Atlas Pro AZ/EQ acquired for future imaging. I have been researching controlling the mount for visual, just have not made any decisions yet. I am a software engineer accustomed to beta testing procedures and reporting.

  • 0
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    Dwormuth

    I'd like help

  • 0
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    Cmac7203
    • I've been using SS since v4.
    • I run it on iOS and MacOS
    • 4" StellarVue Apo on Vixen SXW mount
    • I've configured SS to bypass the Starbook and run the mount directly.
    • I would like to participate in beta testing.

    Thanks

     

    Charlie McElveen

    Cottage Grove, MN

  • 0
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    Fabioe

    I am a Skyfari 5 pro user controlling a Mead lx6 10" telescope using JMI NGC Max controller.

    Please enroll me in SKySafari Pro 6 beta testing.

  • 0
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    Randy Pufahl

    Hello

    I would like to join the beta test program.

    I am a SkySafari Pro 6 for iOS user.  I use it to control my Losmandy G11 Gemini II (various OTA's).

    Mostly interested in electronically assisted observational astronomy (with Mallincam cameras) in light polluted skies (silicon valley).

    Looking forward to SkySafari Pro 6 on OS X.

  • 0
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    Dirk Lenz

    Hi – says the Starry Night Pro 7 guy ;-)

  • 0
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    陳麒瑞

    Hi, I have Skysafari Pro and Skysafari 6 pro. In the past, I use it to explore plan my astrophotography. Recently, My friend finish a linux Rosebery pi program, AstroMuch.

    I use this connect to Skysafari 6 and Ieq45 pro mount. Slew to the target, and use AstroMuch to auto-guiding and control the camera. I have an easy an happy astrophotography life because of Skysafari 6. I am looking forward to use Skysafari pro 6 beta for MacOS. Hope I can make some contribution.    

  • 0
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    Guyot-Lénat

    I would be pleased to participate at this beta testing. I am a multi-mac os user. I am using Skysafari 2 or 3 versions. It is very usefull for me to prepare observations or camera captures.

     

     

  • 0
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    Anthony Ryder

    Hi Kieron, If still possible could you include me as a beta tester on the OS X. I have Starry Night 6 on Windows 10 and Sky Safari 6 on iPhone X and a Meade ETX 90. Thanks.

  • 0
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    Wolfman Gang

    Würde ebenfalls gerne am Testprogramm teilnehmen. Haben Skysafari Pro in der Sternwarte auf allen Plattformen (IOS, Android, Mac)

    LG

    Wolfgang

  • 0
    Avatar
    Wolfman Gang

    We are Users of Skysafari 5 + 6 (iOS, Android, Mac) in the observatorium and would be glad to be a part of the test.

    Best Regard

    Wolfgang

  • 0
    Avatar
    Randyb

    I would like to participate in SkySafari Beta.

    I currently use SkySafari Pro for iOS to control my telescope via a Skywire cable. I use the planner and create observing lists and I document my observations in the app also. However, I just recently purchased an astro imaging camera for EAA and would like to try SkySafari for macOS to control my telescope since I'll be using my Mac for astro imaging and EAA. I'm not a power user yet, but I'm getting there. I'm involved in visual astronomy, as well as EAA and maybe some light astrophotography soon.

    Telescope: Sky-watcher 14" goto dob

  • 0
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    Dave Chapman

    I have used SkySafari since at least version 4 (and Voyager before that). I use it to control various Skywatcher telescopes over SkyFi. I also use it to plan outreach programs, including the creation of graphics of Sky circumstances. I use it to plan personal observing programs and have created and shared observing lists. I consider myself a Power User. I currently run version 6 Pro on iOS.

  • 0
    Avatar
    Mculmore

    Hello Keiron,

    iPhone new version working well.

    Sign me up for macOS betas of Sky Safari 6 as well as for SNPro 8 when available.

  • 0
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    toddthomas

    Hi Keiron. I’d like to beta test SkySafari 6 for macOS.

    I’ve used SS Pro on a Mac since whichever version Southern Stars was selling in Sept. 2012 (version 4?), and on iOS since version 3 Pro in March 2012.

    I'm currently using 5 Pro on macOS, and 6 Pro on iOS (with UCAC5 DB add-on). I use them both to plan visual observing sessions with my C9.25 on an AVX mount, and to find suitable objects to show to the public at Chamberlin Observatory in Denver, where I’m an operator of the 20” Clark refractor. I don’t do imaging with my own equipment, but I recently got an iTelescope.net membership, and I’m using SS on macOS to plan imaging sessions on their telescopes and cameras.

    I’ve also used Starry Night since 1998, and I enjoyed contributing to the SN version 7 beta program.

    Thank you!

  • 0
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    Keiron Smith

    Hi SS6 OS X Beta Testers,

    Everyone is approved so far, and has access to the beta downloads.  We've already received lots of great feedback.  Thanks to everyone so far!  However, the SkySafari team is pressed for time.  We need to deliver (i.e. officially launch) SS6 for OS X by end of this coming week.  So, if you have the time this weekend please bang away on the app, and see what you can break.  We are very grateful for your continued efforts, and look forward to a rock-solid release of SkySafari 6 for OS X for everyone around the world.  The entire SkySafari community is indebted to your work at this time.

    Kind regards, 

    Team SkySafari

  • 0
    Avatar
    Brian Clements

    I too have been using Sky Safari Pro since about version three on iPhone and iPad , now on ver 6.    Currently have Version 5 on my iMac and MacBook air running OSX High Sierra Ver 10.13.3

    I use  the app to plan viewing sessions either in advance or on the fly. I use the SkyFi from my iPad to control Synscan EQ6 mount. It allows me to centre on objects that are not available in Synscan catalogues. Also offers a number of alternate names for the same object which is handy when going between platforms. I have a number of home made dogs, my latest being an 18" F3.5 The dogs are fitted with ArgoNavis push to system, but I rely on SS to provide object names that are included in the Argo catalogues. I am happy to participate in the beta testing program

  • 0
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    chocksta

    Hello. I have been using Sky Safari Pro 1.8 and use Sky Safari 6 Pro on iOS using an iPhone SE. I would really like to have the opportunity to Beta test Sky Safari 6 on my MacBook Pro running Mac OS High Sierra. I am using a Sky Watcher 127 Mak as a private user, as and when I am able (and the weather here in Wales allows) with a self built mod of a power pack, motor focus and an adapted webcam. I have not been using my computer to control my Scope but this is something I have been thinking of doing and if selected to Beta test Sky Safari 6 it would bring that functionality decision to the top of the to-do list. Thanks.

  • 0
    Avatar
    Bob

    Bob Sayer

     

    Good morning,

    I have been a Beta tester in the past for SkySafari on both iOS and Mac.

    I have a MacbookPro running EL Capitan and an iMac running High Sierra.I use SkySafari on my iPhone and my Macbook for control of my EQ6 and Nexstar GPS. I use the iMac for planning my captures and creating observing lists, for both local sights and remote telescopes i.e. iTelescope project.

    I have been using SkySafari for for a long tine now and would be more than happy to help you develop this further and give you support.

    Kind Regards,

    Bob Sayer Cornwall UK.

  • 0
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    jablowm

    Please include me in the MacOS Beta test.

    I use a Losmandy G11GT mount with Explore Scientific 127mm APO for Exoplanet photometry and Astrophotography from Shrevepor,t Louisiana, USA.

    The software suite I use include TheSkyX, AstroimageJ, FITSLiberator and SkySafari.

    Thanks much,

    Mark J.

  • 0
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    Mrigo

    Hello

    I would like to join the beta test program.

    I am a SkySafari Pro 6 for iOS user and Starry Night 7 Pro Plus on MacOS (iMac Retina 4K, 21.5-inch, Late 2015).

    I use  the apps to plan variable star photometry sessions. Other software I use include AstroimageJ, AstroDSRL and Code Obsession Observatory.

    I have a Celestron Nexstar Evolution 8''.

    Thanks.

     

     

  • 0
    Avatar
    Robert James Maisano

    Hello!
    I'm very glad to see a new version and type to be announced. This will greatly improve my research and I will have much data to return to you regarding the program. Owning Sky Safari Pro 4 and 5 on both Apple and Android for over 3 years, I use it quite often. With the once in a lifetime events occuring regarding our moon until 2024 I am very pleased to use my favorite program to capture my images and what I need.
    Primarily I will be utilizing this on my iMac 5k 27 inch maxed out machine and for on location testing a MacBook Pro.
    If selected for the beta. I will be utilizing the entirety of the program and give you honest feedback regarding the good, glitches, (been on computers since the days of the commodore and DOS), and of course my opinion on improvemenrs and praise for areas in the program that work the best.
    The highest versions of OS X is installed on both machines. I noticed in the forums some functions do not work with certain OS, I can confirm this with my 3 other older iMac's and older Macbook.
    Thank you very much for your time and a fine product,
    I hope I am considered in the beta testing,
    Robert

  • 0
    Avatar
    Alfredo Sayalero

    Hi, I have been using SkySafari on my iPhone since version 1 , currently SS Pro 6 and SkySafari Pro on my Mac, I use SkySafari Pro to control my Mount Takahashi EM200M , I would like to participate in SkySafari Pro beta testing.

  • 0
    Avatar
    Dkarow

    I am interested in the beta testing as well. I am currently using SS5 on OS X (and SS6 on iPad/iPhone). I have a Meade LX 850 14inch ACF with German equatorial mount. Do both planetary and dso imaging. Thanks

  • 0
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    Theodore Bade

    Hi - I just moved from a older Meade scope to a new Celestron Evolution. I would be happy to help see how this new version works with that scope's controls. I currently own the latest versions of Sky Safari Pro on my Mac and iOS devices.

  • 0
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    Ron Bokleman

    I've been using SkySafari since v4.0 Pro on both iOS and macOS.  I've made the leap from SkySafari 5.0 Pro on my iOS devices to SkySafari v6.0, but now need SkySafari 6.0 Pro on macOS (High Sierra) 10.13.3 in order to fully make the switch possible.  Meaning, my observing lists (55 and growing) need to stay in synch between macOS and iOS so having access to the beta would be very beneficial.

    I use SkySafari on my iPad Pro to control my AVX mount during outreach events.

    I also use SkySafari for planning my Astrophotography sessions typically with an iOptron mount, AT130EDT or C8 Edge SCT with ZWO 1600MM-Cool camera.

    https://www.astrobin.com/users/rjbokleman/

    One of the search features you recently added was the ability to search for items via Size in ArcMin.  I'd made that suggestion a year or more ago to aid in picking targets for my specific equipment FOV's.  Nice to see it in v6.0. 

  • 0
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    Aaron Edwards

    Hey I'm Aaron Edwards, I'd like to try/test the new beta ss6 for Mac osx. I had one if the original versions of ss, got it in 2012 and loved it.

    I use it for planning out my astronomy nights out, I also used it to read about the objects that I was viewing. The night vision mode was one of my favorite features of this, if your out in the field it really makes the difference in viewing the subtle details of some of the faint objects out there. I look forward to seeing how much this differs from the original one!

  • 0
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    Bill Allen

    I have been using SkySafari 5 Pro on macOS, and on iOS.  On iOS I was an early downloader of SkySafari 6 Pro.  I have a 9.25" Celestron Evolution and a 102mm Explore Scientific Achromatic Doublet.  I also have a Celestron AVX mount, which is just powerful enough to handle the 9.25" SCT with a DSLR, and which handles the ES doublet (and cameras) with ease.  I started out observing just visually, but lately I have been capturing both deep space, lunar, and planetary images.  I do NOT generally use SkySafari for controlling the scope, as I find the WiFi connection to the iPhone unreliable and unpredictable.  This is true for both the StarSense and the NexStar+ goto systems.  I have never tried to use a Mac with SkySafari to control the mounts; I would be willing to try it as a part of beta testing, but it means taking an additional laptop into the field.   I would test both the Evolution Alt-Az mount and the AVX Equatorial mount.

  • 0
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    Christopher Mortimer

    Hi. I own an iMac running latest OS. I own sky safari 4 and 5 plus for iPhone. Sky safari 5 plus for Android, and sky safari 5 pro on OS X. I have a celestron SLT series scope using skyq wireless. I could help out with test if needed

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