I am retired but taking a college course in Astronomy. Our lab computers have StarGazer but the instructor said SkySafari could easily substitute. One lab question is "on 10/24/17, how are the planets lined up in relationship to the Sun and what phase would Venus be as viewed from the Earth?' I am not familiar enough yet with the app (I have in on my iPad) to figure it out. Can you help?
Date
Votes
7 comments
-
Bill Tschumy If you want to see the arrangement from floating above the solar system, you would have to purchase either Plus or Pro or purchase the Orbit Mode in the basic version. Then just advance time to 10/24/2017 and see how they are arranged.
-
Rdfraz I have SkySafari Plus but, I guess I just need some instruction on how to arrive at that view that you describe.
Thanks
-
Steenkh Use the Time button to set the date, then use the search button to locate the Sun. Now press Orbit and enjoy!
-
Rdfraz Perfect, Steenkh! Exactly what I needed. I just need to play with the app to familiarize myself....thanks for the help.
-
Tim Campbell You can change the time by tapping the clock icon along the bottom.You will notice the date and time with controls to change them. Tap the months then use the arrows to set to October. Tap the day and set it to the 24th. Etc.To view the solar system from above (needs Plus or Pro version) tap the sun (you may have to set the time to mid day to see the sun) then tap the Orbit icon along the bottom. You can pinch or stretch the screen to zoom in or out OR you can use the move-in / move-out arrows in the lower left and lower right corners of the display area. The difference is one just changes your 'zoom' while the other actually changes your imaginary viewing location in space. (Sliding a single finger up or down will change the tilt of the solar system view - by moving your imaginary location in space.)To see the phase of Venus, tap the small icon of Earth (not in the bottom row... just above it. It is only there if you are in orbit mode. )Set the time to roughly an hour after sunset, select Venus, then zoom in. -
Rdfraz Thanks Tim! I have finally got to where I wanted to be with the app. My astronomy instructor was actually quite pleasantly surprised that view was doable on SkySafari Plus. Appreciate all of everyone's help.
Richard
-
Bill Tschumy Glad to hear you were successful.
Please sign in to leave a comment.