04-22-2013, 10:33 AM
Quote:Stellarium is available for the Mac, but not (anymore) for iOS. Judging from user comments the iOS version did not come close to the desktop version, so it's likely no loss.
Someone in a forum I just checked recommended SkySafari as an alternative for iOS users. Unfortunately I can't comment if it includes the same features we're looking for in this thread, because I'm currently on a mobile network with no usable WLAN nearby, so I can't download the app (it's more than 50 MB, the mobile network barrier established in the App store).
However: the basic version (SkySafari 3, there are also quite expensive Plus and Pro versions) is free today (April 22nd). So someone else with an iOS device can maybe check the features without any (financial) risk.
-- Markus
Just downloaded it. Thanks for the tip. It looks like a nice, polished application. Didn't spend much time with it, but looks nice. There are two higher level versions, Plus and Pro. for which they charge. Basic has only 120'000 stars, and goes +/- 100 years
plus 2.5 mil stars , 4000 asteroids/ comets, 1 mil years +/-. Pro has 15.3 mil stars from hubble catalogue, 740'000 galaxies ...
So, for photography it looks like the basic version is just fine.
In any case, Stellarium on SkySafari don't replace something like TPE for me. The key of TPE is that you can look at a particular position on a map and know how the light will fall onto buildings at sunrise, sunset etc.