SkyORB 2021 – User Manual

Overview

SkyORB offers real-time representations of planet positions around the sun. It utilizes GPS, compass orientation, elevation, and even barometric pressure (on some Android devices) to identify visible stars, planets, and phenomena like full moons and eclipses.

Key Features of SkyORB:

1. 3D Real-time Planetarium: Enjoy a photo-realistic rendering of the cosmos.
2. 3D Real-time Sky: Track the sky with your device’s compass and gyroscope.
3. Comets and Satellites: Keep updated with positions via the web.
4. Weather Forecast: Stay informed about the weather.
5. Ephemeris: Access astronomy events for the next 60 days with notifications, even when the app isn’t running.
6. Day/Night Terminator: See the terminator on a world map.
7. Universal Search Engine: Find celestial objects easily.
8. Moon Phases: Get detailed moon phase information, including rise and set times.
9. Sun Rise/Set Times: Know when the sun rises and sets.
10. Time Shift: Travel through time effortlessly.
11. Star Database: Utilizes the Hyparcos 2.0 database with variable star information.
12. Deep Object Database: Includes NGC IC 2000 deep objects and the Messier database.
13. Solar System Planets: Detailed 3D rendering with high-definition textures.
14. Exo-planets List: Updated regularly.
15. Major Town Detection: Locates the nearest major town based on GPS.
16. Minor Planets Information: Retrieve updated data from the Minor Planet Center.
17. Meteor Showers Peak Days: Stay up to date on meteor showers.
18. Accuracy: SkyORB uses the Jet Propulsion Laboratory’s DE404 Long Ephemeris for planet coordinates.
19. Satellites: Utilizes SGP4/SDP4 for precise satellite positions.
20. Automatic Tracking: SkyORB can automatically track visible stars.
21. Comets (MPC): Display comets, meteors, and satellites. (Requires web sync)
22. Orbits: View the sun’s path for the day.
23. Star Names: Display the names of stars.
24. Light Extinction: Simulate light extinction for daylight sky coloring.
25. Space View: Explore the solar system in various views.
26. Real View: View the solar system with true scale animation.
27. Perspective View: Observe the solar system from selected planets.
28. Gallery View: Compare planet sizes in a real-size alignment.
29. Sun Clock: Display rise/set terminators and current location.
30. Moon Phases: Provides moon phase information, apogee, perigee, and eclipse dates.
31. Ephemeris and Weather: View rise/set times, twilight, and current weather.
32. Configuration: Customize location, tracking, MPC sync, graphics settings, and UI settings.
33. Universal Search: Search for celestial objects and locations.
34. Notifications: Get notifications for astronomical events and sunsets.
35. Glossary: Understand key astronomical terms.

Quick Reference: Main Pages

• Sky Page (Local View)
• Orbit Page (Space View)
• Sun Clock Page
• Ephemeris and Weather Page
• Settings Page
• Search Page

Sky Page

• Time Shift: Travel through time.
• Stars Display: Display stars.
• Comets and Meteors Display: Display comets, meteors, and satellites.
• Deep Objects Display: Display deep objects.
• Constellation Display: Display constellations.
• Planet Display: Display planets.
• Tracking Mode: Enable tracking mode.
• Light Extinction: Simulate light extinction.

Space Page

• Orbit Display: Display planetary orbits.
• Time Shift: Travel through time.
• Point of View Display: Choose your viewpoint.
• Gallery View Display: View planets in a gallery.
• Real View Display: Observe the solar system in true scale.

Sun Clock

• Day/Time Terminators: See rise/set terminators.
• Sub-Lunar Position: View the sub-lunar position.
• Sub-Solar Position: View the sub-solar position.
• Current Location: Locate the current location on the map.

Moon Phases

• Moon: Observe moon phases in 3D.
• Set and Rise Times: Get moon set and rise times.
• Apogee and Perigee: Learn about the moon’s apogee and perigee.
• Eclipse Dates: Find eclipse dates.

Ephemeris and Weather

• Astronomical Events Calendar: See upcoming events with notifications.
• Weather: Retrieve current weather based on your location.
• Sunrise/Set Time: View sunrise and sunset times.

Configuration

• Location: Configure longitude and latitude or use GPS.
• Automatic Tracking: Enable or disable automatic tracking.
• MPC Sync: Sync data for meteors and comets.
• Graphics Settings: Configure textures and rendering quality.
• UI Settings: Customize user interface settings.

Universal Search

• Search by typing to find celestial objects currently above the horizon.
• Input your location and coordinates for accurate sky rendering.

Notifications

• Receive notifications for astronomical events.
• Choose from three types of notifications: Astronomy, Sun, and Push.

Glossary

• Definitions of astronomical terms like right ascension, declination, MPC, TLE, Opposition, Aphelion, and Perihelion.

This revised format provides a clearer structure for users to understand the features and functionality of SkyORB 2021.