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Beta Testing Starry Night 8 (New Deep Sky Objects Database + LiveSky Integration) - Read EVERYTHING To Participate!

Invitation To Everyone:

*** If you were approved for the recent SN7.6.4 beta testing (and already created a support account), then you are pre-approved for SN8 beta testing - and can download the beta and access the SN8 beta testing forum now ***

Everyone here in the Community Forums is invited to participate in Starry Night 8 beta testing!

Your beta-testing feedback, whatever you can contribute, will be invaluable to the success of Starry Night 8!

Please read completely through this post to understand what we are doing for this round of Starry Night 8 beta testing (this is a little different again from how we have done it before)

Starry Night 8 officially supports Windows 10 and macOS 10.10+

 

To beta test Starry Night you need 2 accounts!

  1. support.simulationcurriculum.com account - for providing feedback, reporting bugs, in the Starry Night beta community forum.
  2. beta.starrynight.com account - for downloading the beta.

 

How to Apply - The 2 Part Process:

  1. Please reply here (in a comment below) if you can help us at this time.   And please outline your experience with Starry Night (or SkySafari), including what versions of Starry Night (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.  Importantly, your reply shows us that you have registered a support.simulationcurriculum.com account. 
  2. Visit the following URL and fill out the application webform: https://beta.starrynight.com/reqreg.php  Complete the registration process, choosing a password, and then you can access the beta downloads.  If you are already a registered Starry Night beta tester then please DO NOT fill out the web form again - you are pre-approved.  However, you must still reply here (in a comment below) if you can help us at this time. 

 

*** IMPORTANT*** In your comment below please state whether you have previously beta tested Starry Night 7; i.e, whether you already have the beta.starrynight.com account.

*** IMPORTANT*** If you're testing the beta on a computer that is also using Starry Night for important astronomy research please be careful, and understand what you are doing - if you are not sure what you are doing, please ask for my assistance first!  

*** IMPORTANT*** I don't want anyone to lose any important research.  So, please back up your work before you begin!

*** IMPORTANT***

  • On Windows 10, if you have Pro Plus 7 installed you can not install Pro Plus 8.  You will will encounter a conflict during installation.  So, you must install Pro 8 instead.  If you have Pro 7 installed you must install Pro Plus 8. 
  • On macOS, you can install both Pro Plus 7 and Pro Plus 8 side by side (and same for Pro).

 

When you are approved to participate, notified via an email, you will be able to download the beta and also have access to the Starry Night 8 Beta Testing forum.  The Starry Night 8 Beta Testing forum is hidden until you are approved to participate.

 

*** If accepted to the Starry Night 8 beta-testing forum please do NOT report bug/issues on this post.  See below for workflow ***

 

The Process:

As you find bugs/issues in Starry Night please first review the current discussions in the Starry Night 8 Beta Testing forum (which is hidden until you are approved).  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 Starry Night 8 Beta Testing forum. 

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

Please do NOT submit tickets with bugs/issues.

 

How To Follow The Starry Night 8 Beta Forum:

As part of your participation we would appreciate that you follow the Starry Night 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 Starry Night Beta Testing community forum please see here.  Note, you must have been approved first, and have access to the forum before you can follow it.


 

Replying to Email Updates:

When you follow the Starry Night 8 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.

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


Downloading the Starry Night 8 Beta app:

In order to participate you will need to download the Starry Night app from beta.starrynight.com (note, your application approval is required first)

 

About Updating the Beta:

When you run the beta app, it will look for a newer version and notify you if there is a newer version available.

 

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

  

Starry Night 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 Starry Night Beta Testing group.
  3. Apply via the https://beta.starrynight.com/reqreg.php web form to join the beta testing.
  4. When approved to join the beta testing, download the SN8 beta from beta.starrynight.com
  5. Previous Starry Night 7 beta testers are ALREADY pre-approved (you can go get the beta now!) but you must still reply in a comment below.
  6. FOLLOW the main Starry Night 8 beta forum to be kept up-to-date of any new posts (bug reports) and discussions thereafter (you get email updates).
  7. REVIEW previous beta testing discussions before posting your bug report.
  8. COMMENT on bugs already reported.
  9. Create NEW posts for bugs not yet reported.
  10. Follow the bug reporting GUIDELINES when reporting or commenting on bugs.
  11. Do NOT reply/comment to community forum email updates.  Instead, VIEW the post first, then comment in the forum.
  12. Post any questions, about anything to do with the beta testing, in the beta forum.  We will reply to you there. 

 

Please also read the "What's New in Starry Night 8 and What We Need Tested" and "About LiveSky" posts here (approval required):

https://support.simulationcurriculum.com/hc/en-us/community/posts/360019432514-What-s-New-in-Starry-Night-8-And-What-We-Need-Test-

About LiveSky - Please Read - Very Important

 

Thank YOU! 

Please let me know if you have any questions.

Date Votes

159 comments

  • 0
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    Ken Brown

    Hi there, i would like to take part in the beta test also as i have been using SNPP7 for quite a while now.

  • 0
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    Andrew Finlayson

    Available to beta test SN8.   Have not tested for SN before.  Currently running SN7 on Windows 10 64 bit.

  • 0
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    Keiron Smith

    Ken, Andrew, you are approved.

    Importantly, if you haven't done so yet you also need to apply and be approved for a beta.starrynight.com account.  You can do that here:

    https://beta.starrynight.com/reqreg.php

    Please read all the pinned posts at the top of the Starry Night 8 beta testing forum.

    Thank so much!

  • 0
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    moody hameed

    Hi Keiron, I'm available to beta test.  I have had every version since Version 3 so it's been 18 years of Starry Night for me!  I have a Celestron 8 SE which is my primary telescope.  I also do exoplanet research with the program and I have an astronomical CCD imager to help me with that.

  • 0
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    Joseph Quattro

    I'd like to help if possible.  I have been using skysafari for five or more years, primarily with a 127 maksutov.  Recently been more interested in DSO, and have a 102mm refractor for that.

  • 0
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    Keiron Smith

    Thanks, Moody, Joseph, you're approved!

    if you haven't done so yet you also need to apply and be approved for a beta.starrynight.com account.  You can do that here:

    https://beta.starrynight.com/reqreg.php

    Please read all the pinned posts at the top of the Starry Night 8 beta testing forum.

    Thank sooooooooo much!

  • 0
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    Philippe Reverdiau

    Hello Keiron !

    I sign in ß-testing SN with my Facebook account, and in LiveSky with one of my email address ! I think I must create an (new) account for SN-ß-testing . Will this create a problem ?

    Philippe

  • 0
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    dazza gee

    I would be happy to help with beta testing of SN8.  I use SN6 Pro and SN7 Pro Plus and have used Starry Night since 2011.  We also use Starry Night at the observatory.

    Thank you

    David

  • 0
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    Dave Curry

    Hi Keiron,

     

    Thanks for the invitation email.  I am very interested in beta testing SN8.  As a former beta tester for SN7, I am an educational user in Pennsylvania and a LONG time user of starry night, all the way back to version 1, 2, and 3 (which I loved - especially the sneaker shoes!), I used versions 4,5,6 Pro plus when they worked on PPC macs.  I sometimes display astronomical information in my middle school science classroom to show views of Earth and sky and to explain various types of eclipses and other events and occurrences.  I am a beta tester but also a registered purchaser of SN Pro Plus for mac. I have not used SN7 for telescope control yet, but I do have a Meade LightSwitch 6 AND Celestron Skyprodigy 6 in my classroom (with solar filters) that I use with students on occasion.  I am interested in interfacing and controlling them at some point in the future when I have the correct cables. I had a SN support account that I last used back in 2014 but it seems defunct so I re-set it up.  I have a 15" 2015 MBP retina mac with boot camp (win10edu), but spend most of my time in the most recent flavor of Mac OS Mojave Beta. I have Skysafari 5 Plus on my iPad pro 10.5 and iPhone 8 plus that I use when mobile but only as a backup augmented sky viewer or in the classroom Airplaying using AppleTV.  Lastly, I am very familiar with how online forums work and how NOT to reply or reply-all when using email with forum responses. But your instructions above are clear and helpful. Thanks! -Dave C

  • 0
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    Luca Anelli

    Sorry one question I CAN'T find the Beta 8 section in the forum ?!

    I just downloded the new v.8 beta but i CAN'T insert the License Key, the SN Welcom screen doesn't accept the license key I can see in the main page of Beta tester

     

    Luca

  • 0
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    Sneh Kesari

    Hi, I have been using starry night pro plus 6 on my windows PC for last several years and Starry night Pro plus 7 on my MacBook. I use SNPP7 for controlling Celestron mounts and planning my observations. I also use sometimes to educate my local amateur group members about upcoming celestial events and what to expect.

    I have not tested this app before and would like to test one in the future.

    I have read the post and understand the risks and problems I may encounter on the field. Looking forward to this.

    Sneh Kesari

  • 0
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    Yakov Grusovsky

    Hi. I would like to participate in beta testing. I use SkySafari Pro for iOS version 4 to 6 and SN7 Pro Plus for Windows. I'm an amateur astronomer, I do astrophotography. My telescopes are mounted on Astro-Physics Mach1GTO, Celestron Evolution. I am also an IT specialist and I have experience in beta testing software from other manufacturers.

  • 0
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    Karl Birgersson

    Hi,

     

    I would love to help with the beta testing. I have been using Starry Night Pro Plus 7 for about a year and a half, mostly for learning the night sky and all its features.

  • 0
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    CarterBoe

    I'd like to participate in the beta testing for SN8.  I have not beta tested SN before, but took part in the beta test for Sky Safari 6.  Currently running Windows 10.  Not a power user, not a controlling telescopes using SN, but am exploring the possibility of upgrading current mount (via WiFi dongle or getting a new mount) to permit direct control.

    Current participation as an astronomer is at the amateur level.  Visual, with some beginning astrophotography, as well as public outreach as a telescope facilitator at Chicago's Adler Planetarium.

  • 0
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    Michael H Webb

    Hello from South Texas.  I have recently joined the night sky watchers; I have several telescopes and have computer control through planetarium programs.   I use Celestron/Simulation products across a number of devices.  I'm a techno-weenie and enjoy getting to the edge of a piece of technology.  Thank you.

  • 0
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    Donald Swetzig

    Hi Keiron,

    I would like to participate in the beta testing for SN8.    I currently use SN7 Celestron, SkySafari Pro 6 for iOS & Android.    I currently have a Celestron ALTZ mount and have used both the WIFI with SkySafari for controlling the scope and a hard wire for using SN7.

    Thanks for asking I look forward to using the new SW.

    Don

  • 0
    Avatar
    Keiron Smith
    Thank you, and welcome to all the latest applicants!  You're support account is approved!

    if you haven't done so yet you also need to apply and be approved for a beta.starrynight.com account.  You can do that here:

    https://beta.starrynight.com/reqreg.php

    Please read all the pinned posts at the top of the Starry Night 8 beta testing forum.

    Please post ALL issues in the Starry Night 8 beta testing forum (not here).

    Thank sooooooooo much - I'm very excited to have such an incredible beta team coming together!

  • 0
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    Ken Simpson

    Hi, I use SN to plan my sessions (about 2x per week). Not using it for computer guidance at the moment, though I can do limited testing on a VX mount with my SCT9.25

  • 0
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    Jean-François Lacouture

    Hi Keiron,

    I'm available for beta testing SN8. I've been currently using SN7 on my Windows10 PC and my MacBookPro under MAC OS Mojave beta 10.14.2 518c38b). I'm an advenced user

    Thanks

    Jean-François

  • 0
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    Jean-François Lacouture

    Hi Keiron,

    I'm available for beta testing. I've been currently using SN7 on PC and MAC

    Thanks

     

    Jean-François

  • 0
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    Leighton Powell

    Hi there Simulation Corp,

    I would like to help beta test the new software you have. I believe  may be enrolled already but the email address is not working  Can you fix this for me please? I have helped with testing past versions of sky safari in the past for iOS and for mac and would like to continue with it with the new version of Starry Night. Hope that I can be of help for the next versions of your software to make them the best in class astronomy software for amateurs across the world 

  • 0
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    Keiron Smith

    Ken, Jean-Francois, Leighton, you're all approved.

    If you haven't done so yet you also need to apply and be approved for a beta.starrynight.com account.  You can do that here:

    https://beta.starrynight.com/reqreg.php

    Please read all the pinned posts at the top of the Starry Night 8 beta testing forum.

    Please post ALL issues in the Starry Night 8 beta testing forum (not here).

    Thanks for joining!

  • 0
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    Peter Arebalo

    hi... would really like to participate again with your beta test program.  I participated with your SS6 Pro beta program.  I use SS6pro exclusively to control my Celestron Evo 9.25 scope.  I do a great deal of visual work, and supplement my observing with EAA and some astrophotography.   I run SS6 on my iPad Pro, and iPhone X, as well as my Macpro.   I can’t imagine traversing the Universe without SS.  Thanks... Peter A.

  • 0
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    Keiron Smith

    Peter, you are approved!

    If you haven't done so yet you also need to apply and be approved for a beta.starrynight.com account.  You can do that here:

    https://beta.starrynight.com/reqreg.php

    Please read all the pinned posts at the top of the Starry Night 8 beta testing forum.

    Please post ALL issues in the Starry Night 8 beta testing forum (not here).

    Thanks for joining!

  • 0
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    James Gorrell

    Hi Keiron,

    I am new to serious amateur astronomy and use Starry Night SE7, but have not yet used it to control my SkyQuest XT10g. My telescope arrived just on time for the cloudy (and cold!) Chicago autumn nights so viewing thus far has been limited, but I am equally fascinated by planets as I am DSO's. So far, I use Starry Night to locate items of interest to me on my Mac, then armed with that information, go outside and find what I am looking for.

    I have years of experience as a support specialist for enterprise-wide applications, and even though I am new to Starry Night, I believe can bring something to the table with regard to software quality testing and bug reporting. I am sure most have a much deeper knowledge of Starry Night, but I would very much like to be part of this effort.

    Thank you,

    James

  • 0
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    Grant Martin

    Hi Keiron, Grant Martin here. Ready to test V8. As you may recall, I've been onboard with Starry Night since Version 2 and have been a power user since V4. I've been using Sky Safari on my PDA since V3. I'm involved in practically all aspects of amateur astronomy especially outreach to the general public.

    Thanks for your consideration - G

  • 0
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    Larry Koehn

    Hi Keiron, 

    I would like to test SNP 8 beta. Larry Koehn

  • 0
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    Bo Hu

    I'm interested in beta testing. I have Starry Night Orion Special Edition 6 (obtained from Orion 130ST), Celestron SE 7 (obtained from C11) and SkySafari 6 Pro.

  • 0
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    Keiron Smith

    James, Grant, Larry, Bo, you're all approved!

    If you haven't done so yet you also need to apply and be approved for a beta.starrynight.com account.  You can do that here:

    https://beta.starrynight.com/reqreg.php

    Please read all the pinned posts at the top of the Starry Night 8 beta testing forum.

    Please post ALL issues in the Starry Night 8 beta testing forum (not here).

    Thanks sooo much!

  • 0
    Avatar
    Keiron Smith

    FYI - your username and registration can be found here.  Licence Key = Registration Number.

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