Tuesday, February 28, 2023

T Stands for A Happy Little Time Waster

 

Last Tuesday, I showed some images of the Skylink satellites visible in the night sky. Thanks to my friends, Teague and Andy Fish, telling me about the app, Skyview, I can show you a happy, little, time waster. With this app, you can point it at objects in the sky and be shown constellations, planets, satellites, the International Space Station, etc.

The cool thing about the app is you don't need to be outside to use it. I was in the studio playing with the app. There's a setting for augmented view so you see the objects as if they were in the night sky instead of the background of my untidy studio.

The above image shows the constellation, Aquarius, the water bearer (and my drink reference ticket for T Day) as the constellation appeared at approximately 11:30 AM on 22. February 2023. Look what else is also in or "near" the constellation, Aquarius. From left to right, the blue dot is the planet, Neptune, the white dot that looks like Aquarius' belly button is Sol, the sun, next is the planet Saturn, and the dot just below the  water bearer's elbow is Mercury.

 
For Iris, the constellation, Leo (also my Zodiac sign) With the app, you can focus on an object and the app will tell you what it is. The object in Leo's rump, is Seasat 1. Searching, I found Seasat was an early satellite launched in 1978 from  JPL and was "designed to test various oceanographic sensors and gain a better understanding of Earth's seas."

All the little stick like things in the image are various satellites from the US and other countries, and bits and pieces of rockets. I was surprised how many satellites and space junk are floating around. It's a wonder there aren't tons of collisions with all the junk circling the earth.

Skyview is available for both iOS and Android. There is a paid version (for less than a cup of coffee or tea) and a Lite or free version.


There's a Skyview Lite tour on Youtube so you can see some of the features of the app.

Okay, I'm going to geek out some more and play because traveling in the augmented Universe is way more fun than cleaning or going through storm prep.

Drop by hosts, Bleubeard and Elizabeth's blog to find out what the rest of the T Stands For gang is up to. If you want to play, include in your Tuesday post a beverage or container for a beverage. Don't forget to link your blog to Bleubeard and Elizabeth's page.

32 comments:

  1. Good morning, we don't have smart phones but what an awesome app thanks for sharing Happy T

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  2. OK, I need this app because I'm very familiar with specific things in the sky. In fact I just stopped writing for a minute to download it. I don't know if I can try it out tonight with the snow, but definitely the first clear and dry night we have, whenever that may be. Stay safe and warm. Sounds like we're in the same amount range. Happy T day too. hugs-Erika

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    1. The beauty of the app is you don't need a clear night to use it. You can find things from your comfy chair by the wood stove without having to venture outside at night or during the day! Ugh to the snow.

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  3. Oh boy! I'm always up for a little time waster! Thanks!

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  4. I'm going to suggest this app for my husband. Thx! Happy T Tuesday!

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  5. We have a big beautiful open sky here in my part of TX .. if only everyone would turn off their outside lights.. People move to the country then turn on all the lights because they are afraid of the dark... ?? I'm definitely going to check out that app Cj! Thanks a million! Happy T day! Hugs! deb

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    1. Afraid of the dark . That just cracked me up 😺

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  6. That App sounds wonderful, I will look into it, hanks for the introduction. Happy T Days, Valerie

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  7. oh now that does sound interesting and not a time waster at all. I will also be checking it out. I took some photos this week of the night sky and had to look up what I was seeing lol so this might be handy. Happy T Day! Elle/EOTC xx

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    1. I was just at your blog. Awesome sky photo

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    2. thanks for visiting, I took the photo from the bathroom window lol. Just opened it on a frosty night as the sky was so clear and it looked so unusual with the two "stars" above and below the moon

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  8. What a fascinating app, I think I will download it. We have a dark night sky area near us, that would be the perfect place to try it out.

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  9. OMG. That's amazing. Thanks for sharing.

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  10. I guess it's a good thing I don't have a cell phone because I definitely don't need a time waster. I'm far behind as it is. Thanks for sharing this app for T Tuesday that I know everyone else greatly appreciates.

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  11. That sounds like a great app. Thanks for sharing. Happy T Day.

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  12. CJ, thank you, I sure will tell Ingo about the app! Oh, if my Dad was still around... he would´ve LOVED this!

    Oh, and Henry!!! (We´re both sorry for being late, yesterday was THE LAST DATE for the tram....

    Thank you for the GREAT video, too!!! Wow, wow, wow!!! I will see The Southern Cross!!!
    Awesome!!!! (Your room is beautiful, btw).
    I will try this (with music on!).
    Reckon you know Germans messed up Hubble with Zeiss, right?!

    This is endless fun-knowledge - THANK YOU! (sorry for yelling... it´s excitement!)
    Fun I will have!

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  13. How interesting. Space command I suppose is keeping an eye on all of that

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  14. This is very cool. I don't do smart phone. Have a nice day.

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  15. Oh my! I must get this for when we visit my sons place in France. He and I went out stargazing one night - the sky is full of stars there! Thanks for the info, Belated Happy T Day, Chrisx

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  16. Quite a fascinating app!

    All the best Jan

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