AstroSpotter - For Navigating In The Night Sky

On the back of the fin is the Mark-Toys Esp32 Dev board complete with environmental sensors and a device to tell the precise tilt in 3D of the fin.   The picture above left shows a second device on the pointer that tells the orientation of the pointer.  

The AstroSpotter uses Bluetooth LE to my Android App which allows for all the features of this useful little device. Users need not know the insane math required to make it work!

To the left is shown the AstroSpotter App that first connects to the AstroSpotter and then the user does the 'GET' button to initialize and read in GPS location.

This app does not need an internet connection which is often not available far away from cities where skies are dark.

A user enters a planet name, the name of a constillation or any of the over 500 common objects, bright stars or planet names then hits 'SET'.  AstroSpotter fills in the Object RA and Dec which are coordinates for the night sky.

The user then pushes the AstroSpotter large fin and adjusts the pointer so the same numbers show just below the objects RA and Dec.

An optional green laser on the pointer or looking along the pointer a user finds the location in the night sky above.

AstroSpotter helps locate objects in the night sky for naked eye or binocular observers.

It is meant for people learning the night sky be they students or astro-hobbiests.  With a map of the night skies in one hand and an AstroSpotter this device assists people to do naked eye or binocular observing without the frustration of getting 'lost in space'.   It is frankly hard for people just learning the skies to locate constellations or planets and other bright objects.

No web access required in field use.  AstroSpotter knows where planets, constellations as well as 160 of the brightest stars and over 500 of the most commonly observed objects of the night skies will be at the precise time of night (or day) AstroSpotter is being used. 

On the left below is the new device that mounts on a tripod and connects to an Android phone.  Shown on the right is the AstroSpotter I, my fully manual legacy invention of 1989

AstroSpotter