16 replies to this topic

[Magnum45hp]

Hope I can ask a Stellarium question here.  I have the free copy for Android. What I find when trying to use the compass mode for looking at the sky . When I point it to the North it shows South, same for East it shows West. It will move but always in the opposite direction shows. Going through the guide does not show how to correct it. Maybe have to have pro copy to do that ?

Thanks....

[ChristianG]

Hello.

 

Right now, in my office in a building with a steel structure, Stellarium on iOS (iPhone 13 Pro) shows North where West actually is, i.e. it seems to be off by as much as 90 degrees. So that's one possibility.

 

However, when I am outside, the Stellarium compass gives the proper reading. I did set the phone to use geographical North etc.

 

So you may want to check the settings on your phone as well, since Stellarium would be using that. But I can not help you here, as I joined the dark side of the Force with my phone... Good luck.

 

--Christian

Edited by ChristianG, 11 February 2025 - 01:28 PM.

[emflocater]

I believe you have to set up the Compass via the Android phone. There is a sequence I believe on how to do this. I had to do this with my Iphone thus I think you may have to do the same with Android. Do a search on the internet on how to do this or even YouTube may have a video on this.

 

Cheers

Don

[sevenofnine]

Another option is to try the free version of SkySafari. I find it works very well on my phone. Good luck! 

[Xeroid]

Just a thought but maybe your Android device does NOT have a compass but a gyroscope instead?

[ChristianG]

I am quite sure it has laser gyroscopes to detect rotations. But it might have a magnetic compass as well. Plus it should have some kind of 'Location Service' which can be turned on or off.

 

All these need to be set properly in the phone for apps (softwares) that attempt to use them to work properly.

 

But make sure you're outdoors...

 

--Christian

[tcifani]

Hope I can ask a Stellarium question here.  I have the free copy for Android. What I find when trying to use the compass mode for looking at the sky . When I point it to the North it shows South, same for East it shows West. It will move but always in the opposite direction shows. Going through the guide does not show how to correct it. Maybe have to have pro copy to do that ?

Thanks....

Are you holding your phone over your head for the live view? In this case, just like when you look at a planisphere, when you are standing or seated facing North, the top of phone (top of star chart) will be pointed South. When you face East, phone will be pointed West. The idea is to simulate you looking up at the night sky. Make sense?

[ChristianG]

In the iOS version at least, if you are holding the phone screen up, looking down on it, the compass/alt/az system is off. Only when you aim the camera side of the phone towards the sky (horizon and above) does the display move with the phone, by the way. --Christian

[triplemon]

+1.
Both Sky Safari and Stellarium mobile have a menu option to disable compass orientation when the device lays flat. So it can automatically switch from all manual map to sky tracking mode.

 

The onboard compass (if the device has one ... its not standard on budget tablets) may need to be compensated first. There will be a menu option in the system settings to do this procedure, many apps also have it - it requires some fancy manual movement of the device.

 

-1 on the "laser gyroscopes". I doubt any gadget smaller than a shoe box or priced under a million dollar has one.   You'll have MEMS based acceleration sensors, though. These cost about 10,000x less than a ring laser, which does make them slighly preferred for low, medium, high and even astroniomically high priiced tablets.

Edited by triplemon, 11 February 2025 - 03:47 PM.

[Inkie]

I would uninstall, reinstall, and then go through the setup again, but the app should...might...I hope...prompt you to wave the phone in a large figure '8' around you. At least, my compass apps do that.  It seems weird, and people will rush up and ask you if you need assistance.  Say yes, I can't get this infernal astronomy app to work...got any ideas?  

[A Star Geezer]

Here is an intro to stellarium 

 

 

Sorry it appears the video is no longer available 

Try this one

https://www.youtube....h?v=GnVqnGka9_Q

Edited by A Star Geezer, 12 February 2025 - 10:28 AM.

[Magnum45hp]

Thanks for all the good information.  I should have mentioned I have a Samsung A9 Tablet I am using this with. Tried the suggestions and am still where I started. Kind of give up on it. Inside or outside it is the same. Can't seem to find if it has a compass or just GPS. It is a bit heavy to hold overhead for to long anyhow... The program works fine except for the compass thing..

 

Thanks,  Frank

[DOBguyinGA]

Good afternoon,

 

My situation is somewhat like you have, the app direction can sometimes be significantly off on my iPad tablet, but NOT my iPhone.

 

My tablet gets really messed up by the five tiny niobium magnets on the left side of the case. They are used to attach a keyboard. When I take the tablet out of the case my directional issues go away.

 

BTW, I have checked true north using a compass adjusted for the declination in my area of the country.

 

Try using the tablet without the case.

[Magnum45hp]

DOBguyinGA !!!!!   Do you know what ????  It works perfect without the case..  So glad I asked... One for the books...

 

Thanks, Frank

[DOBguyinGA]

Good evening Magnum45hp,

 

I am glad it worked.

 

With all of the dependence many of us have on the sensors in our cells I think there is a lack of understanding of external influences caused by stuff in our environment we take for granted, and assume are harmless.

 

Personally I love Stellarium. It is my main man as star map software goes.

 

Clear skies!

Edited by DOBguyinGA, 11 February 2025 - 06:42 PM.

[Magnum45hp]

DOBguyinGA...  Thanks again,  it will help with the map program also for trips and such. My case has two magnets, enough to mess it up.....  Frank

[ChristianG]

-1 on the "laser gyroscopes". I doubt any gadget smaller than a shoe box or priced under a million dollar has one.   You'll have MEMS based acceleration sensors, though. These cost about 10,000x less than a ring laser, which does make them slighly preferred for low, medium, high and even astroniomically high priiced tablets.

Yeah, my brains farted here. MEMS-based accelerometers etc. Ring lasers are a bit big...
 

--Christian