Quote:
Originally Posted by richardda1st
Hi Norm, now look at what you started. Are you sure that this wasn't a ploy to advertise the Apple iphone, very sneaky  .
Hi Henry,  can you tell me if you are satisfied with the ipod touch regarding using it for astronomy. I would appreciate your comments.
1.Do you use "Starmap Pro" or something similar?
2.Are you able to read az/alt settings for a given object and if so is it updated in realtime.
3. Do you think the screen effects your dark adaption as does a laptop?
Richard |
Richard, I think I can help with this question as I use my iPod Touch for Astro.
There are two main apps people use for Astro with the Touch or Phone and that is Distant Suns or Starmap Pro. Distant suns has a FREE version called Distant Suns Lite and it's perfect for all but the most professional of us amatuers. And yes, it updates in Real time. Just have to input your time/zone and long/lat into its settings.
The only downside about the Touch compared to the phone is there is no link to GPS as such you cannot use the 'autopoint' feature. Where if you hold the Touch/Phone up at a particular angle on a particular bearing it WILL NOT show you that particular region of the sky. With the iPhone, you CAN.
2.Are you able to read az/alt settings for a given object and if so is it updated in realtime. I've only got experience with Distant Suns Lite and yes. When you move your view around with the simple touch and drag method, it shows you what alt/azi you are on. Also if you centre your view (mainly with the targetting crosshair feature turned on) it will show you the details of the object you are looking at, including its Alt/Azi.
Do you think the screen effects your dark adaption as does a laptop? Not that I've noticed. Then again, even though my town has dark skys, my eyes are never fully adjusted to darkness due to only having left the house lights within half hr or so, most times. But, you CAN dim the level of brightness of your Touch or Phone from what I understand.
Hope that helps. Enjoy