Have you ever looked up at the night sky, and wondered what exactly you were looking at? Pocket Universe is an easy-to-use app that will help you learn constellations, bright stars and planets. You can literally hold up your iPhone 3GS/4 or iPad in front of you, and the app will use the built-in compass to display the same view of the sky you see - but one that's complete with names and information. If you want your kids to learn the constellations, or to impress a date with the names of the stars, this is the only app you need.
New! Compass orientation mode! Fine-tune your view for improved accuracy on compass models, and easier configuration on all devices.
For support or to ask a question, feel free to send a direct message on Twitter to @CraicDesign or email info@craicdesign.com.
Note: The new iPod Touch with built-in gyroscopes is supported. Just face North and tap the Motion control. :-)
"The app works beautifully, making astronomy a bit less mysterious—but no less remarkable", MacWorld
"It’s truly an impressive marvel. 5 Mice out of 5", MacWorld.
"..one of the prettiest and easiest to use. And at three bucks, it’s a steal", Cult of Mac.
Augmented Reality
Pocket Universe was the first iPhone astronomy app to support the built-in compass, and it was also the first to add a true augmented reality view using the iPhone's built-in camera! Use the camera view in the evening or morning sky to overlay the labelled view over the real sky.
Simply hold up your iPhone in front of you, and the view will be exactly what you see - but with names and information at your fingertips. Move the iPhone around to see the view change in real-time. As previous iPhone models and the iPod Touch do not have a compass, the up/down movement is automatic, but you will need to drag the display left/right yourself.
• Apple App Store Staff Favorite
• Voted Best Educational iPhone Application by AppAdvice
Pocket Universe now supports the iPad as well as iPhone. There is also an iPad specific version available which includes more features and with a user interface optimized for the larger screen.
Key Features
• Easy-to-use astronomy application, which focuses on helping you answer the question "What's that in the sky?"
• Works on all iPhones and iPod Touch devices with latest firmware (iPhone 3GS/4/iPad2 required for compass support)
• Tracks the ISS, and predicts sightings
• Special "Show Me" mode will guide you to named stars, planets, constellations as well as the brightest galaxies and nebulae.
• "Tonight's Sky" and "Objects and Events" will keep you up-to-date, and give you suggestions for what to look for when you head outside.
• Constellation and Star Quiz to help you learn your way around the sky.
• Links to Wikipedia articles for the latest information.
• Responsive customer support, frequent updates.
Please note: Network access is only required to view supplementary web-based news and Wikipedia text. The rendering of the 3D sky and positions of the stars and planets are all calculated in real-time with no access to 3G, Edge or WiFi required.
Specifications
•Plots the position of the Sun, Moon and Planets (including Pluto)
•Displays 10,000 stars and the Messier Catalog of Deep Sky objects.
•Draws Constellations outlines, with mythological artwork
•Lunar phases for the current, next and previous months
•Plan observations with list of meteor showers and visible planets
•Constellation and Star Quiz games
•Jupiter's and Saturn's Moons (visible in a telescope)
•Regularly updated news section for viewing suggestions
•Night Vision mode
•Augmented Reality camera mode for use during evening/dawn on iPhone/iPad2 devices.
•Location found automatically or may be specified manually.
Note: Non-English localizations focus on solar system objects and constellation names. Translations will be expanded with future releases. 2011 Craic Design
Pocket Universe: Virtual Sky Astronomy reviewed by Users
Sweet! Was reluctant to purchase, but glad i did. Excellent app!
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Version 1.1
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May 25, 2009
- Pocket Universe: Virtual Sky Astronomy review by
tsteng272
Bad! Do not dounload horable app not what they say don't dounload app!!!!!!!!!!!!
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Version 1.1
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May 5, 2009
- Pocket Universe: Virtual Sky Astronomy review by
Ghdhgdh
Accuracy This is a very nice program ideal for using your iphone to investigate the night sky. The reason for 3 stars instead of 4 has to do with it accuracy in reproducing the sky for a specific region. Last night at 10pm I stared at Orion right above my house in the SW part of the sky. However, pUniverse had Orion significantly out of frame even with the horizon off. I tried changing my location to a more southern location but nothing moved the viewpoint to properly depict what I was looking at.
The problem is related to the time component. PUniverse has sunset for all of the eastern time zone at 4:11 pm while it should between 7-8 pm depending on your position.
Resolved with update. Five stars!
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Version 1.1
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Apr 16, 2009
- Pocket Universe: Virtual Sky Astronomy review by
rtaylor61
I really like it! Ok, so the UI departs from the Apple standards a bit, but this is a really well-done app. Very complete, very accurste, very informative, and very fun to use
The only reason I don't give it 5 stars is that I can't figure out how to directly enter location coordinates. Auto locarion got me fairly close but I'd like to be able to manually add nearby cities.
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Version 1.1
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Apr 21, 2009
- Pocket Universe: Virtual Sky Astronomy review by
jim.barr
Just ok I think it's ok but not great. This app is worth 99cents. I'll look for something better.
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Version 1.0
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Apr 9, 2009
- Pocket Universe: Virtual Sky Astronomy review by
Sevipants
Accuracy Constellations are not shown in proper positions at time viewed in the Eastern Time Zone.. Constellations are about 3 hours ahead of where they are supposed to be.
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Version 1.0
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Apr 7, 2009
- Pocket Universe: Virtual Sky Astronomy review by
JPlumb349
Works like a dream! Great work Craic Design, love this app
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Version 1.0
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Apr 4, 2009
- Pocket Universe: Virtual Sky Astronomy review by
Jumping Johnny Peters
I like the app. 11:00pm went out to compare the night sky to the phone map it looked perfect.
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Version 1.0
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Mar 30, 2009
- Pocket Universe: Virtual Sky Astronomy review by
Hogiman
Very fun and useful application with a very compelling feature Even under light polluted skies this application can tell you what celestial objects are visible from your location. No more looking for Saturn when its still below the horizon. However a key feature is that the application will give you direction arrows to find the next object. So for example if you could locate Orion and then say show me the planet Saturn, the application would show you arrows pointing to the object. This application will be with me next time I am outside with my telescope and DSLR camera - highly recommended and will no doubt get 5 stars from me when new features are added.
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Version 1.0
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Mar 18, 2009
- Pocket Universe: Virtual Sky Astronomy review by
JonnyBritish
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