Software Bisque
TheSkyX Pro Upgrade Options and FAQs

Please take a minute to review the following upgrade options. We want to make sure that you can purchase the right product.  With 26 years of product upgrades, and now Mac and Windows versions, addressing every possible TheSkyX Pro upgrade combination is not easy!   Thanks so much for bearing with us.

TheSkyX Professional Edition Upgrade Options

TPoint Add On Upgrade Options

Universal Subscription Upgrade Options

TheSkyX Pro Frequently Asked Questions

TheSkyX Professional Edition Upgrade Options

The table below attempts to address most TheSkyX Professional Edition Upgrade options. 

I own this product... And I want to upgrade to TheSkyX Professional Edition...   

Option 1  

TheSky6 Professional Edition (for 90 days or longer)

 
  1. Register your TheSky6 Pro serial number if you have not done so.
  2. Purchase one of the following TheSkyX Pro Upgrades:

Mac:

Windows:

If you want TheSkyX Pro on both Mac and Windows, consider purchasing the optional TheSkyX Pro Multi-OS and Six License Add On.

If you already own multiple Software Bisque products, and want to have single serial number, downloadable access to essentially every Software Bisque product (including TheSkyX Pro for Mac and Windows, the TPoint Add On, Camera Add On and Dome Add On), consider the Software Bisque Universal Subscription Upgrade.

 

Option 2

TheSky6 Professional Edition (for less than 90 days).  This option is not common.

 
  1. Register your TheSky6 Pro serial number if you have not done so.
  2. Email the Software Front Desk with proof of purchase for TheSky6 Professional Edition to receive a Coupon Code for TheSkyX Professional Edition Upgrade.
  3. Use the supplied Coupon Code to purchase one of TheSkyX Pro upgrades listed in Option 1 above.
Option 3

TheSky Version 5 Level IV

 
  1. Register your TheSky Version 5 serial number.
  2. Purchase one of TheSkyX Pro upgrades listed in Option 1 above.
Option 4

TheSky Version 4 Level IV

 
  1. Register your TheSky Version 5 serial number.
  2. Purchase one of TheSkyX Pro upgrades listed in Option 1 above.
Option 5

All other versions of TheSky

 
  1. Email the Software Front Desk with version of the product you own to receive a Coupon Code that can be applied toward the purchase of one of TheSkyX Pro upgrades listed in Option 1 above.
Option 6

Paramount ME (less than 90 days)
  1. Register your TheSky6 Pro serial number if you have not done so.
  2. Email the Software Front Desk with proof of purchase of the Paramount ME to receive a Coupon Code for TheSkyX Professional Edition ($70 upgrade cost).
  3. Use the supplied Coupon Code to purchase one of the products listed in Option 1 above.

 
Option 7

TheSkyX Serious Astronomer Edition

 
  1. Purchase TheSkyX Serious to Professional Edition Upgrade (Mac or Windows).
Option 8

TheSky6 Professional Edition and paid full price for TheSkyX Serious Astronomer Edition

 
  1. Register your TheSky6 Pro serial number.
  2. Email the Software Front Desk with proof of purchase for TheSky6 Professional Edition and TheSkyX Serious Astronomer Edition to receive a Coupon Code.
  3. Use the supplied Coupon Code to purchase one of the products listed in Option 1 above.

 
Option 9

Any previous version or Edition of TheSky not listed above.

 
  1. Register your TheSky serial number.  If your version of TheSky does not have a serial number, then please email the Software Front Desk with proof of purchase for your copy.
  2. Use the supplied Coupon Code to purchase one of the products listed in Option 1 above.

TPoint Add On Upgrade Options

Software Bisque offers a standalone product called TPoint Telescope Pointing Analysis System for Windows that is compatible with TheSky6 Professional Edition for Windows. 

For TheSkyX Professional Edition, all of the functionality that was available in TPoint for Windows has been integrated into the optional TPoint Add On. 

Note that TheSkyX Professional Edition is not compatible with TPoint for Windows.  (Existing TPoint models must be imported into the TPoint Add On.)

Universal Subscription Upgrade Options

The Software Bisque Universal Subscription gives downloadable access to nearly every Software Bisque software product.   

If you own registered licenses of any two of the following Software Bisque products, you are eligible to purchase the Universal Subscription Upgrade:

  • TheSky6 Professional Edition
  • CCDSoft Version 5
  • TPoint Telescope Pointing Analysis for Windows
  • AutomaDome Dome Control Software

Please register your existing serial numbers before purchasing the Universal Subscription Upgrade.

Answers to Frequently Asked Questions

Q1. What is TheSkyX Professional Edition?

A1. TheSkyX Professional Edition for Mac OS X or TheSkyX Professional Edition for Windows is the next major release of TheSky Professional Edition astronomy software.  TheSkyX Professional Edition for Windows replaces TheSky6 Professional Edition for Windows.  TheSkyX Professional Edition for Mac brings many of the unique, exciting Professional Edition features to Mac OS X. 

 

Q2. Has TheSkyX Professional Edition been released?

A2. Yes!  TheSkyX Pro was released on April 17, 2010 at NEAF and can be purchased from the Software Bisque Store.

 

Q3. I own TheSky6 Professional Edition for Windows.  Can I upgrade to TheSkyX Professional Edition for Mac?

A3. Yes!  See TheSkyX Pro Upgrade Options above.

 

Q4. I own TheSky6 Professional Edition?  Am I eligible to upgrade to TheSkyX Professional Edition?

A4. Yes.  See TheSkyX Professional Edition Upgrades on the Software Bisque Store. 

 

Q5. Where can I purchase TheSkyX Professional Edition?

A5. TheSkyX Professional Edition is available on the Software Bisque Store.

 

Q6. What features are included in TheSkyX Professional Edition that are not in TheSkyX Serious Astronomer Edition?

A6. TheSkyX Professional Edition includes all the standard features, plus new and improved features from TheSky6, plus the following additional features that are not available in other TheSkyX Student or Serious Astronomer Editions:

  • Paramount ME Robotic Telescope Mount control (improved from TheSky6 Pro).

  • PrecisionPEC for Windows functionality is now integrated into TheSkyX Pro (Paramount ME only).

  • Image Link (greatly improved from TheSky6 Professional Edition) and precision automated astrometry.

  • Native FITS reading/writing/display capabilities.
  • TheSky6-compatible Windows COM automation model (for scripting and support of third-party Windows automation software).

  • Mosiac capabilities (improved from TheSky6).

  • Create custom tours of astronomical events.

  • Import and place photos on the sky chart.

  • Export high-resolution (vector- and raster-based) star charts.

  • Access Digitized Sky Survey photos from the web or RealSky/DSS media-based formats.

  • Integration with CCDSoft Version 5 (identical to TheSky6 Professional's integration with CCDSoft).

  • Basic SBIG camera control (Mac and Windows) for automated pointing calibration.

  • Optional TPoint Telescope Pointing Analysis Add On.

  • Automated telescope pointing calibration (formerly "automated mapping" or "automap") from the TPoint Add On.

  • Optional Dome Control Add On (similar to AutomaDome for Windows).

  • Optional TheSkyX Professional Edition Database Add On includes new star and other object databases (including the 80 GB NOMAD star catalog and the 8 GB UCAC3 star catalog, and the 10x Palomar Sky Survey.

  • Optional Multi OS and Six License Add On.

Learn more >

 

Q7. Will TheSkyX Professional Edition support Linux?

A7. Yes. TheSkyX Professional Edition is planned to be available for Linux sometime after the Mac and Windows versions are released.   There is no official release date at this time.

 

Q8. Is TheSkyX Professional Edition compatible with Windows 7?

A8. Yes. 

 

Q9. I paid full price for TheSkyX Serious Astronomer Edition, AND I have a registered license of TheSky6 Professional Edition.  What is the cost to upgrade to TheSkyX Professional Edition?

A9. TheSky6 Professional Edition upgrade cost to TheSkyX Professional Edition is $225.00, TheSkyX Serious Astronomer Edition (Download Only) cost is $149.00.  The difference is $76.00.

Q10. I "upgraded" to TheSkyX Serious Astronomer Edition, from TheSky6 Professional Edition (this is technically a "downgrade").   What is the cost to now to upgrade to TheSkyX Professional Edition?

A10. TheSky6 Professional Edition upgrade cost to TheSkyX Professional Edition is $225.00, TheSkyX Serious Astronomer Edition Upgrade (Download Only) cost is $99.00.  The difference, and therefore the upgrade cost for this scenario, is $126.00.

Q11. I purchased a license for TheSkyX Serious Astronomer Edition and do not own TheSky6 Professional Edition.  What is the cost to upgrade to TheSkyX Professional Edition?

A11. The cost to upgrade from TheSkyX Serious Astronomer Edition to TheSkyX Professional Edition is the difference is price between the two editions.  TheSkyX Professional Edition costs $349.00, TheSkyX Serious Astronomer Edition (Download) costs $149.00.  The difference is $200.00.

Q12. I purchased TheSky6 Pro for the retail price of $279.00 less than 90 days before its release.  What is my upgrade price to TheSkyX Pro?

A12. TheSkyX Professional Edition was released on April 17, 2010 at NEAF.  If you have purchased TheSky6 Pro (or a Paramount ME that includes TheSky6 Pro) in the past three months (90 days), you are eligible to purchase TheSkyX Professional Edition for the difference in price between the retail cost of TheSky6 Professional Edition ($279.00) and the retail price of TheSkyX Professional Edition ($349.00), which is $70.00.

Q12. I purchased a Paramount ME after January 17, 2010 (or, 90 days or less before to TheSkyX Pro release).  What is the upgrade price to TheSkyX Pro in this situation? 

A12. See the answer immediately above here.

 

Q13. Is TPoint for Windows compatible with TheSkyX Professional Edition?

A13. No.  TheSkyX Professional Edition is not compatible with TPoint for Windows.  TheSky6 Professional Edition/TPoint for Windows must also upgrade to the TPoint Add On.  Note that the TPoint Add On can be used for a 90 day trial period, and your existing pointing data can be "imported" into the TPoint Add On.

 

Q14. What is TheSkyX Pro Database Add On?

A14. The TheSkyX Pro Database Add On to TheSkyX Professional Edition is a collection of 200 GB of star catalogs (native and optimized NOMAD and UCAC3), as well as the entire Digitized Sky Survey (10x compressed photographic data for the entire celestial sphere).  These catalogs are distributed on a USB hard drive and can be purchased from the Software Bisque Store.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


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