What is StarLog?

StarLog© allows you to log your astronomical observations in the field, right there behind your telescope while you are looking at the object. You no longer need to jot down a few short scribbles on damp paper by the dim light of a red flashlight. You can just log your observations directly on your Android device!

You simply specify which object you are looking at, which telescope and eyepiece you are using, and a simple tap on a button brings you to a prefilled form to log your observation. 

You can even add voice recordings! You can enter all your astronomical gear, even filters and barlow lenses.

To make sure you don't ruin your night vision, StarLog© features a night vision mode that turns the whole interface red, including the keyboard and all pop-up windows! You can even turn the brightness of the app down to a comfortable level.

You can full-text search through all your observations and sort them in various ways. StarLog© can export all your observations in the OpenAstronomyLog format (OAL 2.0), for maximum compatibility with your other astronomical software. Support for exporting to DeepSkyLog.be is built into StarLog© by default. Deepskylog is very popular in Europe. To make it easier to discuss your observations with others, StarLog allows you to make a screenshot of the observation, so that you can post it on forums or include it in e-mails.

To make your transition to StarLog© as painless as possible, you can import observations and instruments from apps like 'Stargazing Log' and 'FOViewer (full or trial)'.

Get StarLog

The following fields are available in the logging form:

• Object
  This is the name of the object you are about to log. The name of the object is passed over from the main screen for your convenience. You are not limited to the objects in the StarLog database, you can change this field to _any_ object you like!
• Date and Time
  These fields represent the observation date and time in the universal date format. By default the current date and time are entered for your convenience.
• Location
  With this field you specify from which location you are observing the object. This field is automatically filled with the default location.
• Telescope
  With this field you specify which telescope you are using to observe the object. This field is automatically filled with the telescope you chose in the main screen.
• Eyepiece
  With this field you specify which eyepiece you are using to observe the object. This field is automatically filled with the eyepiece you chose in the main screen.
• Barlow lens
  With this field you specify which barlow lens you are using to observe the object. This field is automatically filled with the lens you chose in the main screen.
• Filter
  With this field you specify which filter(s) you are using to observe the object. This field is automatically filled with the default filter.
• Magnification
  With this field you specify which magnification you are using to observe the object. The value of this field is automatically calculated based on the telescope, eyepiece and barlow lens you specify.
• Seeing
  With this field you specify the seeing you are experiencing during your observation.
• SQM value
  If you own a Sky Quality Meter, you can enter the value you have measured in this field.
• Visibility
  With this field you specify the visibility of the object.
• Limiting magnitude
  The limiting magnitude is the magnitude of the faintest stars you can just make out with the naked eye.
• Size
  With these fields you specify the estimated size of the object you are observing. By default these fields are filed with the size values from the StarLog database.
• Description
  In this field you type a description of what the object looks like through the telescope. Add as much detailed information as you can to make your observation more valuable.

Screenshots

StarLog testimonials

"I just wanted to share that when I first tried this, I realized what a great app this was. When doing astrophotography, this app is an absolutely wonderful tool to have for planning a session. I place this right up there with SkySafari Pro in importance! With all my telescopes entered, eyepieces, cameras, and visual aids (barlows and reducers) this will show me exactly what scope to use to get the FOV I desire for the night's session. Just for simple observing it will show what eyepiece to use to get the desired FOV of an object in the app catalog. I had requested the ability to rotate the camera FOV and it was updated to do so!! Wonderful app and developer!
I will ensure I share this with all the Astro forums!"
Johnny Irving

What is FOViewer Deluxe (HD)?

FOViewer Deluxe (HD) is a handy astronomy tool for every stargazer. It allows you to calculate things like the magnification of your particular telescope and eyepiece combination. FOViewer Deluxe (HD) will also show your field of view superimposed on astrophotos of well-known objects. That way you can get a good prediction of which eyepieces to use to optimally view your celestial targets. You can add your own equipment to FOViewer Deluxe (HD) to get spot-on predictions for your telescope / eyepiece combinations. If a particular telescope / eyepiece combination results in a magnification that goes beyond the maximum useful magnification of your telescope, then FOViewer Deluxe (HD) will notify you by giving the magnification a red background and showing an alert.

Apart from the magnification, the field of view and the F ratio of your telescope, FOViewer Deluxe (HD) will show you the local time, your GPS coordinates, the current moonphase, a clear sky clock for your location, a bubble level and a compass to help you get that GOTO telescope properly aligned!

Get FOViewer Deluxe

Get FOViewer Deluxe Trial

• Calculates the magnification, F ratio and field of view for a particular telescope / eyepiece combination.
• Calculates the exit pupil for a particular telescope / eyepiece combination.
• Alerts you when your magnifications goes beyond the maximum useful magnification of your telescope.
• Shows you your field of view as a circle drawn on photos of well-known celestial objects. All objects of the Messier and NGC catalogue are available.
• Shows the field of view of your (CCD/DSLR) camera as a rectangle drawn on photos of celestial objects. All objects of the Messier and NGC catalogue are available.
• Let’s you add and remove your own telescopes, eyepieces, CCD camera's and barlow lenses.
• Shows your local time to help you configure your GOTO telescope.
• Shows your current GPS position.
• Shows you where magnetic north is by means of a compass.
• Shows you the current moonphase.
• Shows you a clear sky clock for your current location.

A few pointers on using FOViewer.

• Tap the arrow icons in the top bar to cycle through eyepieces and cameras.
• Tap the arrow icons in the lower bar to cycle through objects in the current catalogue.
• Frequently calibrate your build-in electronic compass by drawing figure 8’s in the air. 

The 30 day trial version of FOViewer Deluxe will display a notice every time you start the application. The full version of FOViewer Deluxe can be purchased for a small fee from the Android Market. (Entered gear can be migrated).

Screenshots