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

Keiron Smith

November 13, 2018 19:05

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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.

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159 comments

• 0
  
  moody hameed December 20, 2018 07:17

  Keiron I have been using the beta SNPP8 on a different computer from SNPP7, when I upgrade to SNPP8 will I have to uninstall SNPP7 on the other computer if I want to use SNPP8 on it or can I simply put it on a different hard drive?  Also can I keep the beta installed on this computer and will it be updated regularly just like the paid upgraded version will be on the other computer?

• 0
  
  moody hameed December 20, 2018 09:57

  Also Keiron, I wanted to ask about the TESS exoplanet 3D modeling, when will this go into effect and how will this be different from the modeling of exoplanets in SNPP7? Or will the modeling and quantity of exoplanets be the same?

• 0
  
  moody hameed December 20, 2018 10:46

  Also the upgrade price from SNPP7 to SNPP8 will always be 99.95? In the email that was sent out it says this: Introductory Sale Ends 1/31/19

• 0
  
  Keiron Smith December 20, 2018 19:32

  Moody, 

  Please do no use this post/thread for Q & A and troubleshooting.  

  Please post all questions and issues in the appropriate community forum. 

  I have created a community forum just for SN8 "official release discussion", which you can now find here:

  Starry Night | Version 8 Software Programs

  Or, if you have access, please continue to post in the "beta" forum here:

  Starry Night | Beta Testing Starry Night 8

  Thanks much!

   

• 0
  
  Keiron Smith February 08, 2019 16:04

  Hi SN8 Beta Testers!

  Starry Night "Beta" 8.0.2 has been built and is ready for testing.  Many fixes included, and more to come.  We need your help testing this very important first update.  

  Please confirm the fixes, and report anything else that needs special attention.  As previously, please continue to report the 8.0.2 beta issues in the SN8 beta community forum here:

  Starry Night | Beta Testing Starry Night 8

  In your reports, please be sure to include:

  1. Exact steps to reproduce
  2. Screenshots
  3. Operating system
  4. SN8 version number

  We're really looking forward to this first official update, and we bet you are too!

  Thanks!

  8.0.2.1649 (and up) BETA Release Notes:
  
  Fixed Bugs / Improvements:
  
  -- Fixed logs sync from LiveSky. Sun observations are not recognized by Starry Night
  [#9784](https://starrynight.unfuddle.com/a#/projects/7957/tickets/by_number/9784)
  [Forum Link](https://support.simulationcurriculum.com/hc/en-us/community/posts/360025928974--Bug-Observing-Log-Synced-From-SkySafari-6-Pro-To-LiveSky-Does-Not-Sync-To-Starry-Night-Pro-Plus-8)
  [TEST PROCEDURE]
  1) On Sky Safari or LiveSky, create an observation of the Sun.
  2) On Starry Night, select the Sun and choose 'Show Info'. The new observations should be visible in the Sun's log entries.
  
  -- Fixed Observing Session times. End times now correctly displayed and saved.
  [#9786](https://starrynight.unfuddle.com/a#/projects/7957/tickets/by_number/9786)
  [Forum Link](https://support.simulationcurriculum.com/hc/en-us/community/posts/360025290613-Problems-in-the-creation-of-observation-sessions-in-SN-Pro-8-W10-?flash_digest=fe376b39667cb0343a65728f628118a51ceff0eb)
  [TEST PROCEDURE]
  1) Select an object and choose 'Create New Observation' from the context menu
  2) Choose a different end time for the observation.
  3) Click OK.
  4) Choose 'Observations (Logs)' from the 'Observe' menu.
  5) The Start and End dates should be correct for the new observation.
  6) Existing observations should now be editable and will correctly save start and end times.
  
  -- Fixed slew limit editing in Telescope Setup
  [#9735](https://starrynight.unfuddle.com/a#/projects/7957/tickets/by_number/9735)
  [Forum Link](https://support.simulationcurriculum.com/hc/en-us/community/posts/360023751933-Cannot-set-slew-limit-in-Starry-Night-8)
  [TEST PROCEDURE]
  1) Open the Telescope setup panel
  2) Enable slewing for either or both Altitude or Declination
  3) Changing any limit to an unacceptable value will reset the limit to an acceptable value after one second. No other limits should be altered, or the cursor position changed.
  
  -- Fixed Star Bayer Designations reported in Info window. Were off-by-one above Serpens.
  [#9751](https://starrynight.unfuddle.com/a#/projects/7957/tickets/by_number/9751)
  [TEST PROCEDURE]
  1) Select any star in any constellation.
  2) Right-click, Get Info...
  3) Ensure that the Bayer Name reports correct constellation.
  4) Select any star in Taurus (or any constellation alphabetically after "T")
  5) Repeat steps 1-3.
  
  -- Fixed spelling of several location names.
  (https://starrynight.unfuddle.com/a#/projects/7957/tickets/by_number/9731)
  (https://starrynight.unfuddle.com/a#/projects/7957/tickets/by_number/2022)
  (https://starrynight.unfuddle.com/a#/projects/7957/tickets/by_number/9770)
  
  -- Favorites menu no longer displays JPG (or other) images from Documents folder.
  [#9760](https://starrynight.unfuddle.com/a#/projects/7957/tickets/by_number/9767)
  
  -- Observing Sites no longer created with altitude above sea level.
  [#9744](https://starrynight.unfuddle.com/a#/projects/7957/tickets/by_number/9744)
  
  
  New Features:
  
  -- Added "Rigel QuickFinder" and "Telrad" to FOV Indicators.
  [#9462](https://starrynight.unfuddle.com/a#/projects/7957/tickets/by_number/9462)
  1) Search "FOV"
  2) Enable "FOV Indicators".
  3) Under Binoculars / Finderscopes enable "Telrad"
  4) Ensure Telrad is shown in sky.
  5) Repeat for Rigel QuickFinder.
  
  -- Added "Add FOV Indicator..." to right-click menu.
  [#9719](https://starrynight.unfuddle.com/a#/projects/7957/tickets/by_number/9719)
  [#9737](https://starrynight.unfuddle.com/a#/projects/7957/tickets/by_number/9737)
  
  -- Added editable colours to FOV Indicators
  [#9742](https://starrynight.unfuddle.com/a#/projects/7957/tickets/by_number/9742)
  1) Observe > FOV Indicators... > New... > Circular (or Rectangular, or From Equipment...)
  2) Choose color other than the default (red.)
  3) In Universal Search, type "FOV".
  4) Enable "FOV Indicators".
  5) Switch on your new FOV.
  6) Ensure color displayed in sky is what you have chosen.
  7) Repeat for Rectangular, From Equipment... or existing FOV Indicators.
  
  -- Added editable rotation to rectangular FOV Indicators
  [#9708](https://starrynight.unfuddle.com/a#/projects/7957/tickets/by_number/9708)
  1) Observe > FOV Indicators... > New... > Rectangular (or From Equipment...)
  2) Edit rotation to anything other than the default (0 degrees.)
  3) In Universal Search, type "FOV".
  4) Enable "FOV Indicators".
  5) Switch on your new FOV.
  6) Ensure displayed rotation in sky is what you have chosen.
  7) Zoom in to your FOV.
  8) Use mouse to click and drag/rotate FOV directly in the sky.
  8) Repeat for Rectangular, From Equipment... or existing rectangular FOV Indicators.
  
  -- Can now import Observing Lists from our huge database (200+) of predefined lists.
  [#9792](https://starrynight.unfuddle.com/a#/projects/7957/tickets/by_number/9792)
  1) To add, click Observe > Observing Lists > From List..., choose one and "Add to my data..."
  
  -- Added option to disable syncing data to LiveSky server.
  [#9764](https://starrynight.unfuddle.com/a#/projects/7957/tickets/by_number/9764)
  1) To disable, click Observe > Backup Data to Cloud.
  
  -- Added option to immediately sync data to LiveSky server
  [#9765](https://starrynight.unfuddle.com/a#/projects/7957/tickets/by_number/9765)
  1) To sync, click Observe > Sync With Cloud Now.
  
  - Added new "maximum results" field to Ephemeris generator. (No longer limited to 5000).
  [#9734](https://starrynight.unfuddle.com/a#/projects/7957/tickets/by_number/9734)
  1) Select any object. Right-click "Generate Ephemeris..."
  2) Edit value in "Results:".
  3) Generate some values
  4) Ensure that the number of results is not greater than the maximum you have set.
  
  - Ephemeris generator now uses "Astronomical Dawn/Dusk" rather than Sun at 0 degrees altitude
  for the "daytime" filter.
  [#9734](https://starrynight.unfuddle.com/a#/projects/7957/tickets/by_number/9734)
  1) Select any object. Right-click "Generate Ephemeris..."
  2) Check/Uncheck "Astronomical dusk to dawn only."
  3) Ensure altitude of Sun is below 18 degrees for each entry. (Left as an exercise to the reader.)

• 0
  
  1fwurya February 11, 2019 23:14

  I'm interested in being a beta tester for SN8. I think that all astronomers, amateur and proffesional, should use SN, so I would like to be a beta tester. I have been involved in astronomy since 2014. I have not tested any previous versions. 

  Thanks,

  Ryan

• 0
  
  Keiron Smith February 14, 2019 18:17

  Hi Beta Testers, 

  We appreciate all the 8.0.2 testing so far, the feedback is great, and we are getting a lot fixed.

  In parallel with the 8.0.2 update we would also like to release our entry level app CSAP - Complete Space & Astronomy.  With this goal in mind we would appreciate a little help testing the CSAP beta specifically.  So, if you have the time and interest, please download CSAP 8 from beta.starrynight.com and hammer away on the app for an hour, see if you can break anything.  Please also keep in mind this is our entry-level/beginner astronomy program, and as such, we are open to your feedback regarding how well you believe CSAP delivers to a new SN8 user, someone who would also be an astronomy newbie.

  Thank you for any attention you can show CSAP in the next couple of days!

  We are almost ready to release 8.0.2.  If you have't done so yet, please get your reports in.

  Thanks everyone!

• 0
  
  Colin Pedicini August 29, 2019 14:28

  Hi,

  If SN8 beta testing is still available, I’d like to be added. Currently an amateur astronomer, looking at celestial events like meteor showers and eclipses mainly.

  User of SN since v4.5 and previously beta tested v7.

  I’m intending to try on macOS Catalina on release. (I still have v6 but that won’t work on Catalina due to 32 bit.)

• 0
  
  Jean-François Lacouture August 29, 2019 14:35

  Hello Keiron,

  I'm running SN7 PRO PLUS under W10 and macOS Mojave/Catalina. I use SN to control my MEADE ETX telescope. I also use SkySafari on iPad and iPhone X

  Regards

  Jeff