Version 3.1 is now available as a free update in the App Store. This update adds hi-def textures to many of Saturn’s moons and updates textures on Jupiter’s moons. Also included are artwork updates for several constellations and bug fixes such as problems rendering Saturn’s rings. The update is available in the App Store now. Click the “read the rest” link to see the release notes for this update.
(more…)

Luminos 3.0 brings major new features to Luminos. Observation Lists and Challenge Lists add the ability to make your own target lists and browse/complete pre-configured target lists such as Messier, Herschel and Caldwell lists. All-new atmospheric rendering adds greater accuracy and realism at any elevation within the atmosphere. Also new are observation tools which provide equipment lists, FOV/magnification calculators, reticle displays and Telrad-compatible displays. Click the “read the rest” link to see the release notes.
(more…)

Luminos 2.5 adds two new hydrogen catalogs (RCW and Sharpless) plus constellation figures. The figures are based on Alexander Jamieson’s artwork and are rendered using actual stars from Tycho 2 as the ink! Click the “Read the rest” link for the complete list of changes.
(more…)

Apple has selected Luminos to be featured in the New and Noteworthy iPad apps section of the App Store. User reviews are starting to come in with quotes like “This is probably the most complete [astronomy app] which also has a good balance between fun and science”, “Wow – I’m thinking this raises the bar some for star-gazing apps on the iPad. Like, astronomically.”, “If I didn’t have an iPad, I would buy one just to have this app.” and “A must have”. This is very exciting for me of course, thank you to everyone for your support!

The first major update for Luminos, version 2.0, is now available in the App Store. This significant update adds spaceflight, with the ability to orbit and land on any planet or moon as well as view the whole Solar System at once. It also includes numerous other UI and feature enhancements. Read more on the product page or check it out on the App Store.

It took two weeks to get approved, but Luminos is finally available for download in iTunes! While I was waiting for 1.0 to be approved I finished 1.1, which primarily adds terrain and location databases for the rest of the world. I’ve enabled it for the Northern hemisphere for now since I still need to add some features to support Southern hemisphere users properly, but I should have that done soon.

I’ve completed Luminos, my astronomy app for the iPad and submitted it to Apple for approval! I’m very excited (and tired) as I’ve done little since last April other than work day and night on porting, updating and completing the software that was originally intended to be for PCs and Macs. I don’t know how long it’ll take Apple to approve or reject it, but you can check out the product pages I’m working on by clicking the Luminos link at the top of this page. The User’s Guide section is still being worked on, but the other pages are good to go.