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Beta Testing SkySafari 6 (iOS Only) - Read This To Participate!

 

Invitation to iOS Users:

Everyone here in the Community Forums (with an Apple iOS device) is invited to participate in the beta-testing cycle :) 

Your beta-testing feedback, whatever you can contribute, will be invaluable to the success of SkySafari 6!

 

How to Apply:

Please reply here (in a comment below) if you can help us at this time.  Please outline your experience with SkySafari, including what versions of SkySafari you have run previously, what telescopes you are controlling, what kind of astronomy you are involved in, if you are a power user, etc.  Please do not post requests to join the SS6 beta in other forums, as they will not be accepted.  If you're reading this you can reply here.

When you are officially invited to participate you will see and have access to the SN6 Beta Testing forum.  The SS6 Beta Testing forum is hidden until you are invited to participate.  When you are accepted, you will be notified via a TestFlight email and then you will be able to both view the SS6 beta forum and download the SS6 beta app.

Please note, not all applicants will be immediately included in the beta-testing.  So, if you apply and do not hear back please be patient.

*** If accepted to the SS6 beta-testing forum please do NOT report bug/issues on this post.  See below for workflow ***

 

The Process:

As you find bugs/issues in SkySafari 6 please first review the current discussions in this beta-testing forum (which is hidden until you are invited).  If your bug/issue has already been identified please comment on the existing post.  If your bug/issue has not been identified please create a NEW post in the SS6 Beta Testing forum. 

For clarity regarding this bug reporting process please see the Example Bug Report (hidden until you are officially invited)

Please do not submit tickets with bugs/issues.

 

How To Follow The SS6 Beta Forum:

As part of your participation we would appreciate that you follow the SS6 Beta Testing forum.  Following a forum means you will receive email updates when anyone creates a NEW post or comments/replies to one of the existing posts. This is important for two reasons.

  1. Following the forum ensures you receive email updates regarding all admin communications to the beta testers.  If admins make a post asking for assistance you will get an email update with that post.
  2. Following is also very important so that you have an on-going status report regarding bugs/issues identified, confirmed, requiring further testing, or have been resolved, etc.  This will help you stay on top of the overall process, and ensure you are not duplicating efforts where issues are already known and resolved.

 

To FOLLOW the SkySafari 6 Beta Testing community forum please see here.  Note, you must have been invited first, and have access to the forum before you can follow it.

 

  

Replying to Email Updates:

When you follow the SS6 Beta Testing forum you will receive email updates regarding new posts (and comments, if opted for).  Please do not reply to email updates using the "Reply" function.  Please first use the "View the comment" link to open the community forum post, then reply to the post.  

This point is crucially important - so please understand the image below (this an example of an SS6 Beta Testing email update as seen using my web browser Yahoo email account).

If you use the email update "Reply" function your reply will not be added to the community forum discussion.

 

 

TestFlight:

In order to participate you will need to have TestFlight installed on your iOS device(s).  You can download and install TestFlight from this link here:

https://itunes.apple.com/ca/app/testflight/id899247664?mt=8

 

How to Use the Community Forums:

For clarity regarding how to use the Community Forums (posting/replying/following) please see here:

How To Sign Into The Community Forums (Required For Posting And Replying To Topics)

Browsers Supported by Simulation Curriculum Community Forums (Cookies Must Be Enabled)

How To Use Your New Community Support Forums

  

Beta Testing Summarized

Please...

  1. SIGN IN or create account on this Simulation Curriculum support website.
  2. REPLY to this post (in a comment below) in order to apply to the SS6 Beta Testing group.
  3. When invited to join the beta testing, download and install the iOS TESTFLIGHT app.
  4. FOLLOW the main SS6 beta forum to be kept up-to-date of any new posts (bug reports) and discussions thereafter (you get email updates).
  5. REVIEW previous beta testing discussions before posting your bug report.
  6. COMMENT on bugs already reported.
  7. Create NEW posts for bugs not yet reported.
  8. Follow the bug reporting GUIDELINES when reporting or commenting on bugs.
  9. Do NOT reply/comment to email updates.  Instead, VIEW the post first, then comment.
  10. Post any questions, about anything to do with the beta testing, in the beta forum.  We will reply to you there. 

Thank YOU! 

We are very excited about the up and coming release of SS6 and we're looking forward to working closely with everyone involved in the beta testing.

Again, this is only for Apple iOS devices, at this time.

 

Please let me know if you have any questions.

Date Votes

259 comments

  • 0
    Avatar
    Tommie Wood

    I would like to participate in BETA resting SSv6.  I’ve had v3,4,5 on iPhone and IPad.  I am amateur and hope I could contribute to testing as recreational user.  I am retired and have time to use the app during testing cycle.

    v/r

    Tommie Wood 

  • 0
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    Gary Carter

    Bill,

    I'll volunteer. I'm a power user of SkySafari having utilized it extensively since Version 2. I use it for planning my observing sessions making lists, and executing them either naked eye and with binoculars, and/or using telescopes equipped with DSC/push to hardware on a variety of Alt-Az mounts with either Tangent or Sky Commander control boxes, and with Losmandy/Gemini and AstroPhysics GoTo mounts. I use the SkyFi wireless interface to connect to an iPad Air or an iPad 4.

    -Gary

  • 0
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    Rui Qiang

    Hello Keiron,

    I am happy to accept your invitation to test the beat version of SS6. I am the SS5 pro user and using Celestron SkyProdigy 130 26x345 Telescope. The old version did have some connection issues with this scope and I hope to test the new version to see if those issues still exist. 

    Thanks.

     

  • 0
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    Ccweems4

    I'd like to participate. Have used SkySafari since the first version and Voyager before that (iOS and MacOS). Controlling a Losmandy G11, Celestron Nexstar GPS & SE, via SkyFi. Also use it for an astronomy class I teach each year. I also teach iOS programming. 

  • 0
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    icjm

    Hello, i’m interesting to test the new beta of SkySafari with my iPad Pro and my Celestron nexstar 6;

    Thank’s you.

  • 0
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    Mrbill

    I’d like to participate. I use SS5 Pro for visual astronomy with a 20” Dobson. I use Observing Lists to plan my evening viewing, and make use of the excellent star fields to locate faint targets. 

  • 0
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    Lester F Rowe Jr

    I would like to be a test person for iOS version 6
    Feiman22@icloud.com

  • 0
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    Lester F Rowe Jr

    I would like to be a person iOS 6 of start night
    Fpiman22@icloud.com

  • 0
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    Kris J. Parker

    G'day Keiron, 

    I am happy to participate in the beta trial.  I have been using SS5Pro for a number of years now plus most of the earlier versions.  I integrate this with my LX200 ACF OTA scope on a NEQ6PRO mount.  Looking forward to contributing.

  • 0
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    Lester F Rowe Jr

    I have been using the Sky app since it was an app offered for iOS platform.

  • 0
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    Jean-François Lacouture

    Hi Keiron, I've been using SkySafari for 2 years (current 5 pro) and I would really appreciate to test the new beta version 6 on iphoneX under ios11.

  • 0
    Avatar
    Adarsha Joisa

    Hi, I would be happy to contribute. I'm a software developer and a keen amateur astronomer for a few years now. I'm a member of the Bangalore Astronomical Society in India. I primarily do deep sky visual astronomy, especially, difficult and lesser known objects, and have used SkySafari extensively and exclusively. I've been using Skysafari pro since version 4 both on android and iOS. Ever since I was introduced to Skysafari, that has been the only astronomy software I use for my observations. I use a fully manual 16" dobsonian, so I haven't used the telescope control feature, but other than that I have used pretty much all other features. I observe from a dark site at least once a month, and almost every alternate day from my home in the city. 

  • 0
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    Maurizio Benini Craparotta

    Hello all,

    I would like to participate in the test SS6. My telescopi is a celestron se 8 with Wi-Fi module

  • 0
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    Johnny Watson

    Hi. I would be happy to act as a beta tester for your program. I am current using a 8 in Nextstar Evolution HD scope and I am an active member of the Las Vegas 

    Astronomy Club. I have been a beta tester for other iOS programs so I am familiar with the feedback process. My interested include deep object astrophotography and planetary viewing. I use both the iPhone and iPad to connect with my scope.

    Looking forward to working with you in the future

    Johnny

     

    Johnny

  • 0
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    John McClain

    Would like to participate in beta test. Been using SS pro 5 on my iPad and iPhone to help in public talks, identify star fields to help find stars for asteroid occultation, get general info on objects for personal use and classes I teach. I teach a two semester course in astronomy at a community college and am in the process of writing an observational lab book. I have access to several celestrons including a gps c9. Have used Starry Night for demos, teaching, and for student labs (we have a ten user license).

  • 0
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    Sören Tönnies

    Hey guys i want to join the SS6 Beta for iPhone and iPad. I‘m involved in Hobby Astrophotography with my NexStar 4SE and use the Starry Night Celestron Edition with my Notebook to remote Control my telescope. 

  • 0
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    Augusto Rando

    Experience with SkySafari: SkySafari 4 and 5 Pro Owner.

    What kind of astronomy you are involved in: Astrophotography and planetary imaging using NexImage 10, Celestron 130 SLT (With SkyLink Wifi) control with app.

    Very interested in trying SS6 and its new features. I own both an Iphone X and an Ipad Pro.

    Thanks.

  • 0
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    Zensyd

    I am interested but have little expertise. If there is some way I can assist as a novice I will be happy to do so

  • 0
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    Zensyd

    My telescope is a  6 SE and I use the iPhone6 and a pad. 

     

  • 0
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    Dennis Chung

    I want to be a beta tester. My current version is SS5 pro and driver a Meade LX-200 and Takahashi EM-200. I also use SS on my MacBook air

  • 0
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    Charles Real

    Hello Keiron,

    I accept your invitation to help beta-test SS6 for iOS.  I have been a user since SS3 (first on android then iOS), SS4, and now SS5 Pro on an iPAD.  I have used it with SkyFi wirelss to control a Celestron C8 with an Advanced CG-5 mount having enhanced viewing via a Mallincam Xtreem astro-video camera. I have recently added Celestron StarSense auto alignment, and, with help from the SCC support forum, changed over the wireless component to Celestron Sky Portal, which has since worked fine with SS5 Pro and StarSense. Thus far, however, SS5 Pro does not support StarSense polar alignment so that must be done independently using the hand control before initiating SS5 control.  My interest is in deep sky observing, which is why I have incorporated an astro-video camera, which effectively triples my scope aperture. I use the SS5 Pro custom observing lists for planning the evenings work, and the equipment settings, sky chart with camera FOV for both the main scope and video finder. Sky Safari is a great product, and I am happy to help out on future versions.

  • 0
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    D Lewllvy

    Hello. If the cadre for Beta Testing phase is still forming please add my name to the team. I have been a Sky Safari Pro user since version 4. My observing equipment is Celestron SLT 130 which is WIFI connected to both my iPhone6 and iPad Pro.
    I live in the city but go to the Poconos and Appalachians for astronomy weekends with a local club when not performing solitary observations.
    Thank you, in advance.
    Donald Lively

  • 0
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    Markclaire50

    Hi keiron

     

    i would like to help. I have used SS4 and SS5. I have an Apple Air 2 with iOS 11. My interests include visual and astrophotography. I am also keen on looking for any errors in astronomical data presented in the app which I have found in previous versions which I think is always useful for developers to know about.

    Best regards

    Mark

  • 0
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    Kyriakos Vlachokyriakos

    I am at your disposal for testing. I really love skysafari, i have used ss5 on macbook air. I am interested in observation astronomy and astrophotography.

    Thank you. 

  • 0
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    Mark Burkhardt

    Hello, I have IPadian IPhone Emulator on my Windows PC and would like to Beta Test the IOS Version of SkySafari 6. I am also waiting for the Android Beta Testing as well.

  • 0
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    Mark D Wetzel

    Keiron,

    If you are still adding beta testers for SkySafari 6 on iOS, I would like to participate.

    I have SkySafari 6 Plus on an iPhone 7+ to control a Celestron CGEM II mount through the Celestron SkyPortal WiFi module.  I have the StarSense accessory.

    I am anxiously awaiting the new release that adds ASPA to SkySafari (Plus?).

    Best regards,

    Mark Wetzel

  • 0
    Avatar
    Keiron Smith

    Hello SkySafari 6 (iOS only) Beta Testers!

    We are releasing beta version 6.4.0.1 today and we would like your help testing!

    You should automatically receive a notification from TestFlight when the beta is read for download.

    Please continue to follow the beta testing protocol, as outlined in the very beginning of this post (perhaps re-read to refresh your memory).

    All discussions and troubleshooting is to take place in the community forum here:

    SkySafari | Beta Testing SkySafari 6 (iOS Only)

    The first pinned post at the top of that forum is a What's New in 6.4.0.1 and what we need help testing.

    Please do not reply to this post with issues regarding the beta app.

    If you have requested to join this beta, but have yet to receive an official invite, you will be included in this round of testing.

    Thank you, Stargazers!

  • 0
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    Mark D Wetzel

    Hi Keiron,

    I use SS 6 Pro on iOS iPhone 7+.  I will be a willing beta tester.  I have a Celestron CGEM II mount and the Celestron SkyPortal WiFi module.

    Best regards,

    Mark W

  • 0
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    Dennis Chung

    Hello
    I am using both ipad and iPhone with my SS pro 6.3.0.0. Currently, I am controlling Meade LX-200 300mm and Takahashi EM-200 Tema 2 with SS.

  • 0
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    Skaiser3

    Hi Keiron

    I assume this is for Skysafari 6 not 6 pro?

    I would again like to participate in the evaluation of your software.

    I was a previous reviewer of your Skysafari 6 pro beta software. 

    My equipment :

    Using  skysafari 6 pro v 6.3.0.0
    Starsense HC or Nexstar + HC
    CGX mount, Skyportal wifi module, SCT 9.25 scope
    Ipad Pro 10.4 128gig ram, IOS V 12.2
    Ipad air 2 ,64 gb, IOS 12.2
    Iphone 6s IOS V 12.2

    Thanks for your consideration.

    Take care

    steve

     

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