The Night Sky - User Guide

Overview

The Night Sky works by using your devices inbuilt GPS and compass/gyroscope (if available) to know where you are facing your iPhone, iPod touch or iPad. Simply hold your device up to the sky and you will see a star map overlaid on your screen which tells you which stars, planets, galaxies, constellations or even satellites you are looking at! It’s very clever science and it works like magic!

Instructions

Start ‘The Night Sky’ by tapping the icon on the home screen -

Once the app has launched hold your device to the sky and point to the sky to start identifying stars, and constellations on the screen. If you are using an iPod touch 4G & The Night Sky version 1.9.3 or higher, simply swipe your finger across the display until the generated sky matches the actual sky above you, then tap ‘Done’. Automatic sky tracking will then be enabled.

A guide to buttons on the main screen:

Once you tap the earth button you get a 3D view of the earth, you can use your finger to spin the globe and view it from all perspectives:

A guide to buttons on the 3D earth view screen:

You can also pinch in and out to adjust the zoom on the sky view and 3D earth view.

In versions 1.9.2 and above whilst in sky view or 3D earth view, you can tap anywhere on the screen to make all of the buttons fade away so you have a clear view of the sky without anything getting in the way. To bring the buttons back, just tap again!

Sky Information Pack (versions 1.9.4 or higher)

The Sky Information Pack is an optional extra to The Night Sky. When tapping the Sky Information Pack button (shown above) you will be asked if you would like to purchase the pack. Once purchased, The Night Sky will contain information on thousands of celestial objects for you to get more details on. Simply hover the Sky Information Pack target over an object, then tap the target and The Night Sky will present you with lots of detailed information on the object selected.

Information about the Satellites

If you see a satellite that has the symbol "R/B" in it, it is a rocket booster, which are the remains of the launcher of a rocket.

If you see a satellite with a name such as "CUTE-1 (CO-55)" or "OSCAR" it is most likely an amateur radio satellite, which are used for communication on different types of radio equipment. Most people use them to communicate with others on FM or SSB. You must get a license in order to use these amateur radio satellites for communication.

An iridium satellite is basically any satellite with "IRIDIUM" in the name. They orbit the Earth in 100 minutes at 16,832 miles per hour. The satellites can be used with satellite phones, which can be purchased from Iridium. The Iridium satellite phones are more reliable, because you can communicate with other people when your cell network is disturbed or not available.

Any of these satellites can be put into the brightest satellite category. It just depends on how bright they are.

Frequently Asked Questions & Problems

Do I require a cellular data or wi-fi connection to use The Night Sky?

No. Once you have downloaded The Night Sky your all set to go! The Night Sky will function anywhere with or without a connection. The Night Sky will occasionally use a connection to update satellite data, however it will do this discreetly and does not require a connection to function.

My iPod or iPhone won’t track the sky automatically....

Please note early models of the iPod touch (1G, 2G & 3G) and iPhone (2G and 3G models) do not support gyroscope or compass tracking. Therefore you have to navigate the sky with your finger on the screen. iPod touch 4G users should ensure they have updated to version 1.9.3 of The Night Sky as this version has enabled automatic sky tracking for the iPod touch 4G by enabling the gyroscope.

I have the right hardware but my location tracking isn’t working or is acting unexpectedly....

Firstly, please ensure you are not using a third party case on your iPhone, iPod touch or iPad. If you are these can affect the accuracy of the compass readings considerably. We recommend removing all cases from your device while using The Night Sky app for accurate performance of the app.

If your device is compatible with either gyroscope or compass tracking and either the compass icon is not shown, or it is acting unexpectedly, please either tap the ‘Calibrate’ button and recalibrate if you are using the iPod touch 4G, or if you are using an iPhone or iPad, ensure that location services are enabled on your device and permission has been given to The Night Sky to use location services by doing the following:

-Go into your devices main ‘Settings’ from its home screen.

-Then go to ‘Location Services’ and ensure ‘Location Services’ are ON. Then scroll down and also ensure The Night Sky location services are ON.

-After ensuring ‘Location Services’ for ‘The Night Sky’ are set to ON, scroll to the bottom of the ‘Location Services’ section, then tap ‘System Services’. Within ‘System Services’ ensure that ‘Compass Calibration’ and ‘Setting Time Zone’ are both set to ON.

-Once you have taken these steps try using The Night Sky again.

Why do I see most of the satellites below me in sky mode?

While in the sky mode you will appear to see more satellites below you than above you because The Night Sky is configured to only show you your visible sky while holding your device to the sky above you. Your visible sky is quite a small proportion of the sky in your hemisphere therefore you will not see all the satellites at once. When you point your device down The Night Sky creates a full view of the sky of the hemisphere of the earth below you, therefore it appears that there are far more satellites below you than above you. This is accurate even though it will appear that satellites are congregating below you.

Further help and information....

If you need any more help or information for using The Night Sky, please e-mail Support@iCandiApps.com

If you enjoy using The Night Sky, please tell your friends and family about the app, also we would really appreciate a great review ★★★★★ on the App Store if you can spare the time to write one.

Thank you for using our magical app - The Night Sky!

iCandi Apps Ltd.. ® - Registered address: iCandi Apps Ltd., Unit B Rubery House, The Avenue, Rubery, Birmingham, B45 9AL, United Kingdom

Private Limited Company Number: 7936208

This button turns on/off the satellite view. Satellites will appear in yellow.

This button turns on/off the compass/gyroscope. This button is not available on early versions of the iPhone & iPod touch. It also is not available if you denied ‘The Night Sky’ access to your location.

This button turns on the 3D earth view which is detailed below.

This button takes you to the settings screen where you can turn the sound effects on or off, increase or decrease the time star names and other info fades away, and view licensing and support information.

This button takes you back to the main star view screen.

This button places a dot on the globe which indicates where you are located, this is obtained via GPS.

This button overlays the satellite view over the 3D globe.

This button activates ‘red visibility’ which makes it easier to view The Night Sky when it is dark. (only available on version 1.9 and higher)

This button reveals options for sharing The Night Sky with other people easily by connecting it with Facebook, Twitter and E-mail. You can also gift The Night Sky to a friend. (only available on version 1.9.2 and higher)

This button opens up The Night Sky Latest News section where you can get the latest information about the application and also about events that are taking place in The Night Sky! (only available on version 1.9.2 and higher)

This button turns on Calibration mode for iPod touch 4G users. Once activated swipe your finger across the sky until it matches the real sky above you. Try aligning with a large object like the Moon for ease. (Only available on the iPod touch 4G running The Night Sky version 1.9.3 or higher)

This button is only available during the Calibration mode on the iPod touch 4G. Once you have matched the generated sky to the actual sky above you, tap this button to start automatic sky tracking. (Only available on the iPod touch 4G running The Night Sky version 1.9.3 or higher)

This button allows you to manually select your current viewing location.

When you tap the "cross icon" it will change to a light green color to indicate that the current viewing location (shown by the small white dot on the globe) is "unlocked".

While the cross icon is light green, you can drag the global map until the location indicator dot reflects your current viewing location.

Once the location is set, tap the "cross icon" _again_ to "lock" the position which will be indicated by the cross icon returning to the original gray color.

When you then tap the main star view button (to the right of the cross) the sky map will show the sky as it appears from that location at the current time.

This button is the Augmented Reality button. Tap this button to overlay your camera view over The Night Sky map. You can then view the real sky with The Night Sky map labelling the real objects in the sky! (Version 1.9.5 or above only)