Supports only iOS6 and older iOS. For iOS7 devices, please use StarPicker2.
StarPicker is a stargazing application for the iPhone that precisely guides you to a selected star, planet, constellation, comet or cluster. Unlike other stargazing apps, StarPicker uses your iPhone like a pointer and guides you to your target using a sequence of audio and visual cues. You can choose from 150 of the brightest stars, over 80 constellations, all of the planets in the solar system and numerous comets and clusters. Of course the Sun and Moon are thrown in for good measure too. This is a must have application for all astronomy enthusiasts and sky-gazers!
The StarPicker application allows easy navigation through the different views. A tracking view combines both audio and visual information to point you directly to the selected sky object, so there is no guess-work as to where you should be looking. Once you have located your final object, a simple tap on the screen will launch a sky-shot which can be zoomed for finer detail. Additional information about the sky objects is also available through the accessory views.
StarPicker uses the iPhone 3GSs or iPhone4 compass, accelerometer and GPS to precisely calculate your position relative to the selected celestial object. The application designers have found that the most accurate method of locating an object is to use a two step process. By first holding the iPhone level, you slowly rotate to the proper azimuth following the guide arrows. Once the azimuth is locked, you then slowly tilt the iPhone to the proper angle of elevation until the objects final position is located. Audio and visual information in the tracking view will let you know if you are on the right track to locating the selected sky object.
App Features Include:
• GPS, accelerometer, magnetometer assisted star tracking
• 150 brightest stars location and tracking
• Planets location and tracking
• 205 comets location and tracking
• 89 constellations location and tracking
• 30 clusters location and tracking
• Sun & moon location and tracking
• Above/Below horizon indicator
• Full ephemeris data
• Detail information about the selected sky object
• Embedded Instructional video