Compass mode always defaults to "Now".
In Settings > Appearance and Behavior > disable "Tilt to use compass".
This way you can not inadvertently reset time by activating the compass mode.
SkySafari did not use to work this way. In other words, activating the compass did not reset the time.
This change was made several versions ago and has annoyed me ever since.
I often use sky Safari to plan photography shoots that involve the sun/moon rise or set. I would set the clock to the appropriate time to see where the object would appear, then switch on the compass and hold my phone up to see physically what direction I would need to look.
Now I must always anticipate the need to use the compass before setting the time. And if I accidentally deactivate it I need to start all over again.
I see absolutely no reason that activating the compass should reset the time to “now”, and respectfully request that it be restored to the way that it previously functioned.
I understand why you would want to have the option to use compass mode at different time and dates for astrophotography. For most users, however, the only long reason they would hold the phone up to the sky with compass mode activated is to see what is in the sky right now.
That said, we are always trying to improvise the app so please include your suggestions in the community forum here:
Developers are always checking that forum to gauge interest and priority for new features and functionality.
