PolarisView: A Utility App for Astronomy Enthusiasts
PolarisView is an Android app designed for astronomy and astrophotography enthusiasts who use a German Equatorial Mount (GEM) for their telescopes. The app helps users align their GEM or equatorial mount for their astronomy viewing sessions or astrophotography nights. PolarisView displays Polaris on the screen of the device, exactly as it should appear in the polar finder scope. By adjusting the GEM mount to match the view in the polar finder scope with the screen display, users can achieve polar alignment for viewing the night sky. The alignment is even accurate enough for short exposure astrophotography. With PolarisView, users can enjoy uninterrupted viewing sessions as their motorized mount will keep the object in view all night long. It is important to note that while the app can run on devices in the Southern Hemisphere or near the Equator, it cannot align the mount as Polaris will be below the horizon.
