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Stargazing with Starmap

by Giles Turnbull Sep 2nd 2008 at 6:00AM

Starmap screeshotStarmap 1.1 (iTunes link) is a pocket-sized map of the sky that packs a great deal into a small package.

One thing that strikes you immediately is the challenge of incorporating all the options available into the iPhone's limited UI space. The button panel at the bottom of the screen is a 3D object that you can spin round to reveal more controls.

And you need them, because there's a lot Starmap can show you. Not just the stars and constellations, but also planets, expected meteors and "deep sky" objects like galaxies, clusters and nebulae.

Features I particularly like include: the night-vision mode (tints everything red to minimise your iPhone's own light pollution); the fact that, by default, only objects you're likely to see are shown in lists of stars and planets (you can toggle this on and off if you'd rather see a list of everything, below the horizon or not); and the general feeling that a great deal of thought has gone into building the app from the outset.

The main issue with Starmap, and it's one you'll notice pretty quickly, is speed. Right now, the app does not use any accelerated graphics and subsequently, the frame rate is 3 FPS. Dragging the night sky around beneath your finger is slow and the animation jagged; as a result, it can be a little frustrating to use. Consider this before you buy.

This is a known issue, though, and work is under way on a fully optimised 3D version running at 20 FPS. It might be released as soon as October, we're told.

That (and one or two crashes) aside, Starmap is a fantastic educational app and very good value for the price ($11.99). Existing users should hold out for future updates -- if they deliver what's promised, Starmap will be an almost irresistible purchase.

Oh, and one other thing would be nice: a function that controls the appalling British summer weather, and clears away the almost permanent cloud cover so that we actually have a remote chance of seeing some stars.



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Starmap 1.1 (iTunes link) is a pocket-sized map of the sky that packs a great deal into a small package. One thing that strikes you...
 

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SwitchinFeature

I've been searching for some cutting edge applications like that for a while, and, surprisingly, stumbled on really kick-ass thingy... I think it beats StarMap on some important points: very user-friendly (you just get exactly what you want in no time by performing simple operations), numerous graphical features, like spinning anything you want here or there, and awesome Time Machine, by which you locate desired celestial mosaic... It's all like wow, and just for five bucks. I think that Star Walk is a nice deal for such a ridiculous amount of money. Just google for Star Walk and you'll see...

November 21 2008 at 8:13 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Roy

tooo expensive! i would totally get it for less than 5 bucks.

September 05 2008 at 1:58 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
gregory haynes

I LOVE this app! Sure, there are a few things that need to be worked on (GPS positioning doesn't work quite as expected, frame rate, etc.), but it works well, and when I e-mailed the developer I got a quick response, and they were already working on the issues I had written about.
Haven't been able to compare to other programs, but in my opinion, it's well worth the asking price for amateur and novice skywatchers.

September 02 2008 at 4:28 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Peteo

Ive been using GoSkyWatch and I like it allot. Seems to have all the features of this app and the frame rate is about 20fps. You can also rotate the phone around to change your direction (see the help page) Works great.

September 02 2008 at 2:21 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Dan Bradley

GoSkyWatch is a much better choice. Same features, no frame rate problems, accelerometer works in all directions, no crashes, and $2 cheaper.

September 02 2008 at 1:09 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
TK101

What is unfortunate (in an otherwise great looking app) is that the red-tinted feature doesn't affect the rest of the phone - so if your phone goes to sleep and you turn it back on, you will be blinded by the wake screen's light. It is the main reason I don't use the iPhone during an observation session - night-adjusted vision can take over a half hour to return.

I will eventually use a piece of red film to cover the phone, but I'll wait until this is a faster app.

September 02 2008 at 12:33 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Ridgerunner

Wow... does this also use GPS to establish your position? I would think a few steps in any direction would establish which way you're "pointing" (as the iPhone doesn't have a compass)

September 02 2008 at 11:45 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Marco

Yes, I agree this is a great app. Another feature you forgot to mention, which I think is pretty cool is its use of the accellerometer to display the sky. Hold the iphone in front of you and move it up, and you'll see the map change according to the movement. Alas, only vertical, but it works nonetheless.
Really worth the $$ if you ask me.

September 02 2008 at 7:08 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
danmarell

It is not tinted red to minimize the iphone's light pollution, it's tinted red to not disturb your eye's adjustment to low light.

September 02 2008 at 6:50 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
3 replies to danmarell's comment
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