Astronomy

Holmdel, NJ (PRWEB) December 22, 2010

Applix Software LLC, an emerging mobile software developer focused on applications for the iPhone, today announced the launch of StarPicker for the iPhone 4 and 3GS. Designed to be the first app where the iphone is used as a pointer to actively guide a user?s eyes as they search for a given night-sky object. Users can choose from a catalog of 150 brightest stars, 89 constellations, comets, and clusters ? not to mention all of the planets in our solar system. Capable of giving anyone a hands-on way to learn and visually navigate the night sky, StarPicker is now available on the iTunes App Store for iPhone 4 and 3GS ? running on iOS 4.1 or later.

StarPicker includes a number of features that enhance the user?s experience while navigating their eyes through the sky to specific stars and other objects of interest. Chief among these features is StarPicker?s utilization of sounds and blinking guide arrows that serve to orient the user as accurately as possible. Once the user has successfully located their desired star or cosmic feature they can switch to Sky View with a single tap on their mobile device?s screen. While in Sky View, users can zoom to see finer details. Keeping education in mind, users can also switch to the app?s Accessory View, which provides them with additional information on the specific object they?ve chosen to locate.

StarPicker utilizes the fourth generation iPhone 4 and 3GS compass, accelerometer and GPS capabilities, to their fullest extent, in order to precisely calculate the user?s position in relation to the selected celestial object. The user is then guided by means of an effective and accurate two-step process. Users first hold the iPhone level, slowly rotating to the calculated angle of the selected object by following the flashing guidearrows. Once this angle ? termed the azimuth — is locked, users simply tilt their mobile device up or down until it is oriented directly towards the cosmic feature they wish to observe. A perfect app to captivate and enlighten avid sky gazers anywhere, StarPicker provides a blend of high-tech engineering and scientific computing with an enthusiastic sense of astronomic adventure that is not to be missed.

Available on the app store.

http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/starpicker/id401656247?mt=8

About the Developer:

Located in Holmdel, New Jersey, Applix Software specializes in developing applications for the iPhone. The studios? engineering team is devoted to embedded systems software design, real-time signal processing and high level software development. This unique blend of skills continues to aide the organization in creating sophisticated industry leading mobile applications. ? Applix Software LLC. 2010. All Rights Reserved. Apple, the Apple logo, and iPhone are registered trademarks of Apple Inc. in the U.S. and/or other countries.

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Related Astronomy Press Releases

Lakewood, Ohio (Vocus/PRWEB) March 28, 2011

What is ?redshift?? How old is the Sun? What is ?string theory?? Millions of people ask these and other questions about our Universe every day. Now, the new book Astronomy: Selected Topics (published by Trafford Publishing) by Dr. Charles H. Grace provides readers with a primer to better understanding these and many other inquiries regarding the universe.

Almost every child has asked ?why do we have summer and winter seasons?? Every night, people gaze up into the sky and ponder the scintillating, shimmering points of light. Curiosity about our surroundings and what lies beyond is hardwired into the human mind. Astronomy: Selected Topics endeavors to answer questions not only about the Universe around us, but about the scientists who study it as well.

While there are many books about physics, astronomy and the various theories regarding the mechanics of the Universe, most are written in a way that is hard for the average person to understand. Astronomy: Selected Topics presents information in an easy to understand format and in language that does not require an advanced degree in physics. For example, did you know that the sun is physically below the horizon at sunset while it is still visible in the sky?

?At sunset, when the bottom edge of the Sun appears to just touch the horizon, the Sun is actually entirely below the horizon, with its top edge geometrically at the horizon! Refraction in the atmosphere causes the ?rays? from the Sun to bend downward by about 1/2 degree, which happens to be the size of the Sun as seen from Earth. As a result, the entire Sun is still in sight even after it is entirely below the horizon.?

Astronomy: Selected Topics uses anecdotes, stories and simple explanations to better describe how the Universe around us works. Its straightforward text and easy manner make it ideal for anyone wishing to unravel the secrets of the Universe.

About the Author

Charles H. Grace earned a doctoral degree in electrical engineering from Carnegie Institute of Technology and a law degree from Cleveland State University. During his career, he was an engineering manager, consulting engineer and supervisory lawyer. Dr. Grace is a member of several astronomy organizations. He currently lives in Lakewood, Ohio.

Trafford Publishing, an Author Solutions, Inc. author services provider, was the first company in the world to offer an ?on-demand publishing service,? and has led the independent publishing revolution since its establishment in 1995. For more information, visit http://www.trafford.com.

EDITORS: For review copies or interview requests, contact:

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