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Deeper Star Catalog Using the New Gaia Data Set

I see the post regarding adding star data from the UCAC4 catalog.  I would like to add my name to the "yes, please" list.  My big, big wish is for a star catalog down to 18th magnitude to match that SkySafari galaxy catalog that goes down to the 18th magnitude.  I think Gaia data is available now, and that would be preferable to UCAC4, I would presume.  People using 20" scopes (not that uncommon) in good skies can get down to around there.  It would help with observing those really faint fuzzies, because I could really pinpoint the location of those edge-of-visibility objects in high power views.  Sometimes, there may only be one or two stars of 15.5 magnitude or brighter in the whole field.

I wouldn't mind if it were an optional extension pack.  And don't tell the marketing guys, but I wouldn't even mind paying extra for it! 

These days, 10-15GB of optional data in an expansion pack for those who want it is not a big deal at all, in my opinion.  Sure, base models of Apple products come with 32GB of space.  But I suspect most users pay the extra $100 to get the 128GB models, and some are no doubt buying the 256GB options.  10-15GB is only going to get "smaller and smaller" as time goes on.  And Android folks, they just add a super-cheap SD card, don't they?  It's not even an issue for them. I really think you could sell this feature.  And you'd win the "arms race" of my-program-has-more-objects, that's for sure.

Thanks again.  You guys are really responsive to your customers, and I really appreciate it.

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    Bill Tschumy

    We have considered having a deeper catalogs as an "in app purchase".  The catalog would have to be separate from the main app download as Apple has maximum app size of 4 GB.  Plus you wouldn't want people to have to download 15 GB everything there is an app update.

    There are no immediate plans for this but we have talked about it.  I will bring it up again with the "team".

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