Field astronomy and iPhone

peppe · #1 29-10-2009, 08:03 PM

I have been an avid user of the Palm Pilot for many years and have used the Tungsten T3 for all my astronomy needs on the field. In my opinion one of the best astronomy applications for the handheld is Astromist. However, recently I purchased an iPhone 3GS (32 GB). With a compass/gps on board it is a very well suited tool for field astronomy.

Without wasting any time I got on to the apple store looking for astronomy applications. The list of applications is growing at a very fast rate and there are several programs that, not withstanding their limitations, are worth considering. However, when it comes to field astronomy ‘Starmap Pro’ has set a new level of expectations and in my opinion there is not a better astronomy program for the iPhone to date. I would describe it as a ‘must have’ tool on the field.

Another program that I would love to have on my iPhone is ‘Best Pair’, I find it indispensable when carrying out a two star alignment.

Please, somebody out there, come up with a ‘Best Pair’ alternative for the iPhone.

Spanrz (Brett) · #2 29-10-2009, 08:43 PM

I need Ipod apps.

Are they the same? (as in, can they both be used for iPhone and iPod?)

I need a compass/gps, is there apps for this?

Wavytone · #3 29-10-2009, 08:46 PM

Best pairs... I used to carry a list of about 20 pairs for two star alignment inside the cover of my Sky Atlas 2000.

On the iPhone/iPod it doesn't really require an app to do this, you may as well manually make a list and save it as a PDF in the phone.

If you don't have StarMap Pro, buy it. There are literally dozens of compass apps, some free if you search the store.

Omaroo (Chris Malikoff) · #4 29-10-2009, 09:04 PM

I don't think that the iPod Touch has either compass or GPS hardware onboard. You need an iPhone 3GS for these.

lacad01 (Adam) · #5 30-10-2009, 12:13 AM

I went over to the dark side a couple of weeks ago getting a 3GS and the tools available for the field are fantastic: compass with gps, level & inclinometer, Star Map Pro, etc

peppe · #6 30-10-2009, 02:52 PM

Brett, I also have an iPod touch and all apps for iPhone work fine as they use the same OS, the only features you are going to miss out are those needing compass/gps/level/inclinometer.

dugnsuz (Doug) · #7 30-10-2009, 05:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by peppe

Brett, I also have an iPod touch and all apps for iPhone work fine as they use the same OS, the only features you are going to miss out are those needing compass/gps/level/inclinometer.

Unfortunately all the ones needed for Astro apps - bugga!!

TrevorW · #8 30-10-2009, 05:05 PM

There is a level program that does work on the Ipod touch

Omaroo (Chris Malikoff) · #9 31-10-2009, 08:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TrevorW

There is a level program that does work on the Ipod touch

The iPod Touch HAS an accelerometer - which it of course needs in order to respond to games and applications such as the Safari browser and email where tilting the unit changes display orientation. Inclinometers and levels use this accelerometer too. It just doesn't have the compass or GPS.

dugnsuz (Doug) · #10 31-10-2009, 09:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Omaroo

...It just doesn't have the compass or GPS.

And, it's the lack of those two things on the iPod Touch which have held me back from a purchase. The functionality of apps like Star Map Pro in conjunction with the compass/GPS equipped iPhone look awesome. I just can't justify the $600 difference from 8Gb iPod to iPhone 3G S.
I wonder if Apple will include these features in next generation iPods?
Hope so.
Doug

allan gould · #11 31-10-2009, 11:09 AM

There is a gps feature in the 3g iPhone as well as in the itouch
I'm using the gps functions at the moment for seting up my scope in the field. It's not documented but it's there. In the apps there are several diferent gps applications that give position as ell as universal time. I will post them when I scan my apps

allan gould · #12 31-10-2009, 11:18 AM

The first app is astro ww lite, the next is my coordinates lite while the last is yourhere. I use my iPhone with starmap pro and a 3g in the field. While is doesn't have a compass it does use the inclinometer to let you know wher you are pointed in the sky as long as you have figured out your location. I love the Starmap pro app and it was worth the money spent and I love this iPhone. I had the palm previously but this is so seductive and easy to use

seanliddelow (Sean) · #13 18-12-2009, 01:06 AM

Does any one know about the satelite tracker? Its got an inclometer and can show the positions of the Sun and Moon. It shows a diagram of the sattlites path against the sky. It has thousands of satelites and even new ones that are just being launced. It can be downloaded onto an Ipod Touch so you dont need an Iphone. Also no internet connection is required.

A useful app

leinad (Dan) · #14 18-12-2009, 02:13 AM

I just installed this app. It rocks!
http://www.ononesoftware.com/detail.php?prodLine_id=38

Using liveview you have to manually focus at the camera or use EOS utility and the netbook to get correct focus. Fire up the appserver, control and view the exposures from the iPod via an Adhoc Wifi network created on your netbook.

pmrid (Peter) · #15 19-12-2009, 05:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by leinad

I just installed this app. It rocks!
http://www.ononesoftware.com/detail.php?prodLine_id=38

Using liveview you have to manually focus at the camera or use EOS utility and the netbook to get correct focus. Fire up the appserver, control and view the exposures from the iPod via an Adhoc Wifi network created on your netbook.

I can't get the server to run. Tried it on 3 different XP machines and every time when I try to run it (after a standard install) it say it can't open due to configuration error and I should re-install. Mind if I ask you how you installed it? I'm obviously missing something. I've downloaded the server software twice now (just in case there was a glitch in the first one). The file I downloaded is Install_DSLR_Camera_Remote_1.2.ZIP and it installs itself and the Apple Bonjour service. Seems straight forward so far. But then, nothing.
Peter

leinad (Dan) · #16 19-12-2009, 05:34 AM

I just installed it as normal Peter. I'm running W7 here so can't help with XP not running it.

That's the same server file I ran.

Try here. You may need to reinstall .NET 3.5, and disable anti-virus when you install the server program.

pmrid (Peter) · #17 19-12-2009, 06:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by leinad

I just installed it as normal Peter. I'm running W7 here so can't help with XP not running it.

That's the same server file I ran.

Try here. You may need to reinstall .NET 3.5, and disable anti-virus when you install the server program.

Well, progress of a sort.
I got the server to load and recognise my Canon. I'll spell out what may have been the problem in case anyone else is in the same boat.
On the 3 machines I tried without success, the advanced dialogue for setting up an Ad-Hoc network DID NOT have a tick-box at the top saying "Connect even if network is not broadcasting". I found a machine that did have this and the server does load on that machine. It may be a SP3 issue or it may have something to do with the level of XP (home, pro etc). I'm not sure.
But I mention also that when I try to operate my Canon 300D it has managed once but not again. This may be a problem with the older Canon being USB 1.0 compliant and not USB 2.0. Not sure about this.
Peter