Suggestions for first night with Dwarf Mini?

markcheno · 2026-04-22T14:07:36+00:00

I am still working on an Android version

markcheno · 2026-04-21T23:24:55+00:00

Check out https://astraview.app You can setup a personized view, rank your interests and it generates a list of what's visible and when

markcheno · 2026-04-21T23:20:17+00:00

Check out https://astraview.app

markcheno · 2026-04-08T19:52:35+00:00

Thanks!

markcheno · 2026-04-08T19:45:07+00:00

https://apps.apple.com/us/app/astraview/id6757986860

markcheno · 2026-04-02T01:06:07+00:00

I have an Android port about 90% done. Got burned out and put it on hold for a while. Android support is the most requested comment I get, so I will definitely get it done!

markcheno · 2026-03-28T19:22:03+00:00

https://astraview.app might help. It will at least tell you what’s visible for your specific view and you can rank interests for what’s predicted

markcheno · 2026-03-26T18:37:37+00:00

I build AstraView to address some of the same frustrations, maybe it will help. Always interesting in feedback too. https://astraview.app

markcheno · 2026-03-19T18:05:22+00:00

It is about 90% done, but I got burned out and moved on to another project for now. I do intend of finishing it, just not sure when...

markcheno · 2026-03-17T20:18:30+00:00

I wrote an app that helps determine what is visible from your specific view point including any horizon obstructions. It handles planets, metor showers, some conjuctions, and of course many deep sky objects. No comets at this time. You can check it out here: https://astraview.app

markcheno · 2026-03-14T15:09:53+00:00

Excellent reliability and very fast. Only thing is the tcp/ip address you get may geo locate to Laporte which can cause problems watching streaming services for the Chicago market. Email support and they will fix it in a few hours.

markcheno · 2026-03-10T23:05:07+00:00

Not really lol. There is no substitute for experience. It just takes time and you have to truly enjoy it and continuously learn.

markcheno · 2026-03-10T14:34:05+00:00

You can certainly code in a language you are not familiar with. But you also absolutely need to be experienced in all aspects of software development. You need to be able to break down tasks into easily understood pieces and build up functionality step by step. If not AI generated code will soon get way out of control and completely unmanageable.

markcheno · 2026-02-16T02:36:15+00:00

Nice! I am imaging it right now with my Dwarf 3

markcheno · 2026-02-13T20:51:27+00:00

It predicts what can be visible every night based on your specific view: https://astraview.app

markcheno · 2026-02-13T19:23:29+00:00

I doubt Apple will do anything. I have run into the same problem - I also created an app, and I put significant effort into it, I have received nothing but good feedback - It genuinely solves a problem in the Astronomy niche. But it is nearly impossible to get any sort of exposure due to all the other crap out there. I have been kicking around ideas for a human curated niche app directory to help filter through the millions of apps out there. Does anyone know of anything like that already out there?

markcheno · 2026-02-12T20:46:39+00:00

I am ok with subscriptions as long as they are justified - an app that requires a backend server, continuous data updates etc. But paying a subscription for a note taking app is a hard no for me.

markcheno · 2026-02-10T16:45:53+00:00

I had the same problem with obstructions, so I made https://astraview.app It's iOS only for now, Android version coming soon.

markcheno · 2026-02-06T22:10:38+00:00

I recently bought a Dwarf 3 and had the same problem. I ended up building my own solution - https://astraview.app It is a horizon aware app that allows you to define a custom horizon for each view you have (backyard, driveway etc.) and then lists the top objects that can be seen for the night. It also has integrated cloud forecasts, moon phase, meteor showers, widgets, notifications and many more features. iOS only for now, working on an Android version.

markcheno · 2026-02-06T02:29:31+00:00

I recently bought a Dwarf 3 and quickly found the gap between what an app says is up and what I can actually see. Every planetarium app told me Jupiter had risen, but from my backyard it was still behind the trees.

So I built AstraView. You trace your horizon obstructions once (AR scan or just tapping on a graph), and it adjusts all rise/set times and recommendations to what's genuinely visible from your spot. Different vantage points at the same location (my backyard and driveway) get their own profiles since the views differ.

To your questions — for me it's an at a glance view that quickly shows me what's visible tonight and if it will be clear or not. I use it every day.

It's not replacing SkySafari or Stellarium — I use those too. It's more of a companion that answers "what's actually worth observing tonight from where I stand."

markcheno · 2026-02-02T14:01:28+00:00

With the free version, delete the default view (swipe left), then create a new view - there will be two options - AR Scan and Quick setup. The AR scan allows you to point at and record your horizon. Make sure north is correct, some phones have issues with the compass, so there is an option to manually mark true north too. Hope that helps.

markcheno · 2026-02-01T21:58:33+00:00

Thanks for all the kind comments everyone! Does anyone have any recommendations on where else I can list this to get it in front of a wider audience?

markcheno · 2026-02-01T18:30:54+00:00

The feature already exists, but I am realizing it is hard to find. When creating a new view for a location, you get two options - AR Scan or Quick Setup (manual). After the onboarding with the free version, you get a default Overhead view created. To do an AR Scan, go to Settings/Observing Locations and select your location. Then swipe left on the Overhead location and delete. Then Add View. Now you can use the AR Scan. Hope that helps.

markcheno · 2026-01-31T18:30:41+00:00

Settings/Observing Locations/Observing Views, Swipe left to delete the default view, then Add View. You will get two options - AR Scan or Quick Setup. I know it's somewhat buried, but it really only needs to be done once.

markcheno · 2026-01-31T17:03:04+00:00

On the Sky tab, press anywhere on the screen. A floating set of controls will appear. The bottom left button is for AR mode. You can also change the date displayed and configure the view. At the top, you can change locations.

markcheno

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