Follow the upcoming asteroid's close call with Earth on iOS devices
TweetFollow Us on Twitter

Follow the upcoming asteroid's close call with Earth on iOS devices

This Friday, Feb. 15, a 180,000-ton asteroid dubbed "2012 DA14" will fly past the Earth. And you can follow it with Apple devices.

Whizzing by just 17,200 miles away, this 50-meter space rock will come closer than our orbiting geosynchronous communication satellites. Although there is no chance of a collision, this passage of 2012 DA14 by the Earth is a record close approach for an object of this size.

To let you track 2012 DA14, Southern Stars is releasing an update to its SkySafari Plus and Pro apps for iOS, Mac OS X, and Android. These app updates are a new first in mobile computing, and a solution to an unusual technical challenge, according to Southern Stars founder Tim DeBenedictis. Because the Earth's gravity affects the asteroid's orbit so severely, most desktop planetarium programs -- and all other mobile apps -- will completely fail to predict the asteroid's position correctly, he adds.

To solve this problem, Southern Stars consulted with solar system dynamics experts at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory. With JPL's help, SkySafari has become the first mobile app with a full-blown solar system orbit integrator built in.  

"We're not just playing back the NASA video," DeBenedictis explains. "The iPhone is actually doing the math live in real time."

The asteroid will not be visible to the naked eye, but amateur astronomers with larger backyard telescopes should be able to catch a glimpse through clear, dark skies. SkySafari Plus and Pro were the first mobile apps to offer built-in telescope control, using Southern Stars's wireless SkyFi device or via SkyWire, the first Apple-approved serial cable for iOS devices.

Southern Stars will offer the new app updates to SkySafari Plus and Pro on the Apple App Store, the Mac App Store, and Google Play with sale prices up to 30% off. The sale begins Feb. 14 and will continue through Sunday, Feb. 17. The updates will be free for current SkySafari Plus and Pro owners.

Amateur astronomers wanting to observe the 2012 DA14 flyby with SkySafari should consider the Pro version, because its much larger star database will make it far easier to find the faint asteroid moving across background star fields, says DeBenedictis. But either the Plus or Pro version will simulate the asteroid's flyby accurately, as seen from any place on Earth -- or look back on Earth from 2012 DA14 itself, he adds. To download SkySafari Plus, use the following links:

° iOS (sale price USD $9.99, regularly $14.99): https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/skysafari-3-plus/id437111155?mt=8

° Mac OS X (sale price USD $14.99, regularly $19.99): https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/skysafari-plus/id451902629?mt=12

° Android (sale price USD $9.99, regularly $14.99): https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.southernstars.skysafar...

To download SkySafari Pro, use the following links:

° iOS (sale price USD $29.99, regularly $39.99): https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/skysafari-3-pro/id437112382?mt=8

° Mac OS X (sale price USD $39.99, regularly $49.99): http://www.southernstars.com/products/skysafari_mac/download.html

° Android (sale price USD $29.99, regularly $39.99): https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.southernstars.skysafar...

Note that the basic version of SkySafari doesn't support the new asteroid/comet orbit integrator. This new feature is exclusive to SkySafari Plus and Pro.

 
AAPL
$433.26
Apple Inc.
+0.00
MSFT
$34.87
Microsoft Corpora
+0.00
GOOG
$909.18
Google Inc.
+0.00

MacTech Search:
Community Search:

Software Updates via MacUpdate

AppDelete 4.0.7 - Delete your unwanted a...
AppDelete is an uninstaller for Macs that will remove not only applications but also widgets, preference panes, plugins and screensavers along with their associated files. Without AppDelete these... Read more
OnyX 2.6.9 - Maintenance and optimizatio...
OnyX is a multifunctional utility for OS X. It allows you to verify the startup disk and the structure of its System files, to run miscellaneous tasks of system maintenance, to configure the hidden... Read more
Apple iTunes 11.0.3 - Manage your music,...
Apple iTunes lets you organize and play digital music and video on your computer. It can automatically download new music, app, and book purchases across all your devices and computers. And it's a... Read more
Spotify 0.9.0.133. - Stream music, creat...
Spotify is a new way to enjoy music. Simply download and install. Before you know it you'll be singing along to the genre, artist, or song of your choice. With Spotify you are never far away from... Read more
JollysFastVNC 1.46 - Fast VNC client. (S...
JollysFastVNC is a VNC client which aims to become the best VNC client on the Mac. When I started ScreenRecycler I thought that there are enough VNC clients out there to support it. When the program... Read more
Skitch 2.5.2 - Take screenshots, annotat...
Skitch allows you to take screenshots on your Mac, edit them and share them with others. It makes the sharing process seamless by making it a natural workflow to send the image (with edited arrows... Read more
Backblaze 2.1.0.608 - Online backup serv...
Backblaze is an online backup service, available fo $5/month for unlimited storage. With half of the founding team heralding from Apple, Backblaze is deeply committed to the Mac platform. The... Read more
The Cave 1.0.0 - Adventure game featurin...
The Cave is an adventure game that offers a unique blend of fast-paced action, mind-bending puzzles, and winning humor. Assemble your team and embark on a journey into the shadowy underworld. Once... Read more
StatsBar 1.4 - Monitor system processes...
StatsBar gives you a comprehensive and detailed analysis of the following areas of your Mac: CPU usage Memory usage Disk usage Network and bandwidth usage Battery power and health (MacBooks only)... Read more
Thunderbird 17.0.6 - Email client from M...
As of July 2012, Thunderbird is no longer being actively developed, although security improvements will continue to be released as needed. Thunderbird is a free, open-source, cross-platform e-mail... Read more
 

See All

This Week at 148Apps: May 13-17, 2013
We Are Your App Review Source   | Read more »
Second Home – Xbox Live Indie Developers...
The indie game development scene has been around for an incredibly long time; pretty much ever since people had the opportunity to program for themselves. However it wasn’t until shareware became a common method of distribution the 90s that it began... | Read more »
The Simpsons: Tapped Out Adds New Charac...
The Simpsons: Tapped Out Adds New Character and Locations In Latest Update Posted by Andrew Stevens on May 17th, 2013 [ permalink ] | Read more »
Fast & Furious 6: The Game Review
Fast & Furious 6: The Game Review By Jennifer Allen on May 17th, 2013 Our Rating: :: SPEEDY YET SLOW PACEDUniversal App - Designed for iPhone and iPad It’s not that Fast & Furious 6 isn’t a fun drag racer, it’s just that... | Read more »
N.O.V.A. 3 – Near Orbit Vanguard Allianc...
N.O.V.A. 3 – Near Orbit Vanguard Alliance Is Free For Today Only Posted by Andrew Stevens on May 17th, 2013 [ permalink ] Universal App - Designed for iPhone and iPad | Read more »
Turbo Racing League Is Now Available, Pr...
Turbo Racing League Is Now Available, Provides Players A Chance To Win Cash Prizes Posted by Andrew Stevens on May 17th, 2013 [ permalink ] | Read more »
Running with Friends Review
Running with Friends Review By Blake Grundman on May 17th, 2013 Our Rating: :: FAMILIAR, YET FUNUniversal App - Designed for iPhone and iPad A game may look and play identically to other titles on the market, but this is one that... | Read more »
Festival de Cannes Lets You Experience T...
Festival de Cannes Lets You Experience The Festival In Real Time Posted by Andrew Stevens on May 17th, 2013 [ permalink ] | Read more »
Sonic the Hedgehog’s Remastered Version...
The original Sonic the Hedgehog has been remastered for iOS, a la Sonic CD. | Read more »
tenXer Tracks All Your Activities And Re...
tenXer Tracks All Your Activities And Reports Them For You Posted by Andrew Stevens on May 17th, 2013 [ permalink ] iPhone App - Designed for the iPhone, compatible with the iPad | Read more »
See All

Price Scanner via MacPrices.net

15-inch Retina MacBook Pros on sale for $200 off M...
 B&H Photo has 15″ Retina MacBook Pros on sale for $200 off MSRP including free shipping. B&H will also include free copies of Parallels Desktop, Bento Database, and LoJack for Laptops... Read more
Apple refurbished iPad minis available starting at...
The Apple Store has a full lineup of Apple Certified Refurbished iPad minis available starting at $299 – up to $40 off new models. Apple’s one-year warranty is included with each mini, and shipping... Read more
MacBook Air Inventory Shrinking In Leadup To Apple...
Appleinsider’s Neil Hughes reports that with Intel’s next-generation Haswell processors set to launch in a couple of weeks and Apple’s Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) coming next month,... Read more
Battle Of The 13-inch MacBooks: Which One To Buy?
iMore’s Peter Cohen has posted a comparitive profile of Apple’s three current distinct 13-inch display notebook models – the MacBook Air, the MacBook Pro and the MacBook Pro with Retina Display... Read more
Lenovo Launches Yoga 11S Windows 8 Convertible
Lenovo has announced that customers can now place orders for the IdeaPad Yoga 11S on http://www.lenovo.com or pre-order on http:/www.bestbuy.com. The 360 flip and fold Yoga 11S hybrid premiered in... Read more
Apple now offering full line of refurbished iMacs...
Apple has Apple Certified Refurbished 2012 iMacs in stock today for up to $330 off MSRP – 15% off. Each iMac comes with an Apple one-year warranty, and shipping is free: - 21″ 2.7GHz iMac: $1099 $100... Read more
Save up to $200 on MacBooks with Apple Education p...
Purchase a new 2012 MacBook Pro, MacBook Pro with Retina Display, or MacBook Air at The Apple Store for Education and take up to $200 off MSRP. All teachers, students, and staff of any educational... Read more
15″ MacBook Pros (Apple refurbished) in stock star...
The Apple Store has several Apple Certified Refurbished 15-inch MacBook Pros in stock today, with models starting at $1489. Each MacBook Pro comes with Apple’s one-year warranty, and home shipping (... Read more
Save up to $100 on iMacs with Apple Education disc...
Take up to $100 off the price of a new 21″ or 27″ iMac at The Apple Store for Education. All students, teachers, and staff at any educational institution qualify for the discount, and shipping is... Read more
Mac mini Server on sale for $50 off MSRP
B&H Photo has the 2012 Mac mini Server on sale for $949 including free shipping plus NY sales tax only. Their price is $50 off MSRP, and it’s the lowest price available for this model. B&H... Read more
 

Jobs Board

*Apple* Retail - Manager - Apple (Unite...
Job SummaryKeeping an Apple Store thriving requires a diverse set of leadership skills, and as a Manager, youre a master of them all. In the stores fast-paced, dynamic Read more
*Apple* At-Home Team Manager - Apple (U...
Changing the world is all in a day's work at Apple . If you love innovation, here's your chance to make a career of it. You'll work hard. But the job comes with more than Read more
*Apple* Retail - Manager - Apple Inc. (...
Job SummaryKeeping an Apple Store thriving requires a diverse set of leadership skills, and as a Manager, you're a master of them all. In the store's fast-paced, dynamic Read more
*Apple* Support Engineer - Systemtec, I...
Apple Support Engineer SYSTEMTEC. FIND YOUR NEW CAREER PATH! Technology projects within organizations present unique opportunities. By offering your expertise within a Read more
*Apple* Engineer - DP Professionals Inc...
DP Professionals is seeking an Apple Engineer for a contract in Charleston, SC. The Apple Engineer will provide Mac and iOS device and application support, and Read more

  • Generate a short URL for this page:



All contents are Copyright 1984-2011 by Xplain Corporation. All rights reserved. Theme designed by Icreon.