iOptron Polar Scope
Pole Star Assistant
$1.99
8.12for iPhone, iPad and more
Age Rating
iOptron Polar Scope Screenshots
About iOptron Polar Scope
This is an app to show the position of the Pole Star (Polaris in Northern Hemisphere, or Sigma Octantis in Southern Hemisphere) in the polar scope of all the iOptron(R) telescope/camera mounts.
The app uses the best algorithm to calculate the position of Pole Star: The algorithm calculates 3D space motion of the Pole Star itself, precession, temperature and barometric pressure corrected atmospheric refraction, nutation, parallax, aberration, and etc.). The overall accuracy of the algorithm has reached sub 0.1 arc-seconds now.
The app now using a 10 minute marker reticle, the same reticle used in the polar scope of iOptron(R) telescope mount since 2014.
A must have for iOptron(R) SkyGuider Pro, iOptron(R) SkyTracker Pro, SkyGuider and SkyTracker users!
Also very helpful for any iOptron(R) telescope mount owners. It may also be used with other brand telescope/camera mounts with similar polar scope reticle.
No human interaction required when iOS devices can using location service normally.
iOS users can manually enter the location when location service is unavailable.
The app uses the best algorithm to calculate the position of Pole Star: The algorithm calculates 3D space motion of the Pole Star itself, precession, temperature and barometric pressure corrected atmospheric refraction, nutation, parallax, aberration, and etc.). The overall accuracy of the algorithm has reached sub 0.1 arc-seconds now.
The app now using a 10 minute marker reticle, the same reticle used in the polar scope of iOptron(R) telescope mount since 2014.
A must have for iOptron(R) SkyGuider Pro, iOptron(R) SkyTracker Pro, SkyGuider and SkyTracker users!
Also very helpful for any iOptron(R) telescope mount owners. It may also be used with other brand telescope/camera mounts with similar polar scope reticle.
No human interaction required when iOS devices can using location service normally.
iOS users can manually enter the location when location service is unavailable.
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What's New in the Latest Version 8.12
Last updated on Dec 12, 2021
Old Versions
Now display 2 more decimal digits in longitude and latitude.
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Version History
8.12
Dec 12, 2021
Now display 2 more decimal digits in longitude and latitude.
8.11
Dec 9, 2021
Now display 2 more decimal digits in longitude and latitude.
8.10
Sep 28, 2021
Added support for iPhone 13 mini, 13, 13 Pro, 13 Pro Max and iPad mini 6.
Added support for ProMotion (120Hz refresh) for iPhone 13 Pro and iPhone 13 Pro Max.
Added support for iOS 15.x.
Added support for ProMotion (120Hz refresh) for iPhone 13 Pro and iPhone 13 Pro Max.
Added support for iOS 15.x.
8.02
Jan 18, 2021
Correct the name and description of the app.
8.00
Dec 27, 2020
Added support for new devices (iPhone 12 series, iPhone SE 2nd gen, iPad Air 4, iPad 8th gen and etc.).
Added support for iOS 14 and later.
Updated position data from latest Gaia EDR3 catalog.
Some minor improvements.
Now requires iOS 12.0 and later.
Added support for iOS 14 and later.
Updated position data from latest Gaia EDR3 catalog.
Some minor improvements.
Now requires iOS 12.0 and later.
7.51
Oct 10, 2019
Added support for iOS 13.x.
Added support for iPhone 11/11 Pro/11 Pro Max and iPad 7th generation.
Fixed the bug of displaying incorrectly when using iPad 7th generation.
Fixed the bug of displaying incorrectly when using iOS 10.x.
Added support for iPhone 11/11 Pro/11 Pro Max and iPad 7th generation.
Fixed the bug of displaying incorrectly when using iPad 7th generation.
Fixed the bug of displaying incorrectly when using iOS 10.x.
7.50
Sep 12, 2019
Added support for new iPhone and iPad series.
7.40
Apr 15, 2019
Added support for iPad Air 3rd generation and iPad mini 5th generation.
7.30
Nov 1, 2018
Added support for iPad 11-inch and iPad 12.9-inch 3rd generation.
7.20
Sep 28, 2018
Added support for new iPhone series.
Added support for iOS 12.x.
Removed support for 32-bit devices.
Some minor tweaks and optimizations.
Added support for iOS 12.x.
Removed support for 32-bit devices.
Some minor tweaks and optimizations.
7.10
Jun 4, 2018
Added support for iPad 6th gen.
Updated position data of Polaris and Sigma Octantis from Gaia DR2.
Improved algorithm of calculating atmospheric refraction.
Updated position data of Polaris and Sigma Octantis from Gaia DR2.
Improved algorithm of calculating atmospheric refraction.
7.01
Dec 8, 2017
Fixed the bug of the longitude input dialog has been partly covered when using iPad Pro/Pro 2 12.9-inch.
All iPad models now display the status bar, as same as iPhone X.
Some minor tweaks.
All iPad models now display the status bar, as same as iPhone X.
Some minor tweaks.
7.0
Sep 28, 2017
Added support for iPhone X, iPhone 8 Plus, iPhone 8, iPad Pro 10.5-inch, iPad Pro 12.9-inch 2nd generation and iPad 5th generation.
Added support for iOS 11.x.
Some minor tweaks.
Added support for iOS 11.x.
Some minor tweaks.
6.0
Sep 15, 2016
Added support for iPhone 7, iPhone 7 Plus.
Added support for iOS 10, and the minimum requirement is iOS 10 now.
The app can get temperature automatically when the iOS devices could access Internet. This feature only consumes less than 5KB data per hour.
The app will display the temperature, and take account into the calculation of atmospheric refraction.
You may manually enter location data when location service is unavailable on iPhone, iPad and iPod Touch.
Added a button to switch between English and Simplified-Chinese.
Added support for iOS 10, and the minimum requirement is iOS 10 now.
The app can get temperature automatically when the iOS devices could access Internet. This feature only consumes less than 5KB data per hour.
The app will display the temperature, and take account into the calculation of atmospheric refraction.
You may manually enter location data when location service is unavailable on iPhone, iPad and iPod Touch.
Added a button to switch between English and Simplified-Chinese.
5.2
Mar 29, 2016
Added support for iPhone SE and iPad Pro 9.7-inch.
Now requires iOS 9.0 and later.
Minor correction has been made to the algorithm.
Minor tweaks.
Now requires iOS 9.0 and later.
Minor correction has been made to the algorithm.
Minor tweaks.
5.01
Feb 29, 2016
Fixed the bug of iPad Wi-Fi only edition cannot get position after app launched several seconds and/or randomly.
5.0
Jan 21, 2016
Core algorithm has been rewritten from scratch. The overall accuracy of the algorithm has reached sub 0.1 arc-seconds now.
Redesigned the app icon. Redraw the iOptron logo.
Some minor tweaks.
NOTE: Currently (2016/01/18), This app has better accuracy than iOptron Commander and iOptron 8407/8408 hand controller. iOptron Commander and iOptron 8407/8408 hand controller will be updated to the identical algorithm as this app in a future release.
Redesigned the app icon. Redraw the iOptron logo.
Some minor tweaks.
NOTE: Currently (2016/01/18), This app has better accuracy than iOptron Commander and iOptron 8407/8408 hand controller. iOptron Commander and iOptron 8407/8408 hand controller will be updated to the identical algorithm as this app in a future release.
4.5
Jan 6, 2016
Added support for iPad Pro.
Core algorithm slightly improved.
Fixed a bug somewhere will display Polaris when in the Southern Hemisphere.
Minor tweaks.
Core algorithm slightly improved.
Fixed a bug somewhere will display Polaris when in the Southern Hemisphere.
Minor tweaks.
4.0
Sep 16, 2015
Added support for iOS 9.x.
Added support for iPhone 6S, iPhone 6S Plus and iPod Touch 6th generation.
Added a Widget to display the position of the Polaris or Sigma Octantis.
Core algorithm updated. The position of the Polaris or Sigma Octantis is more accurate.
Fixed a bug caused iPod Touch 5th generation to only display a black screen.
Minor tweaks.
Added support for iPhone 6S, iPhone 6S Plus and iPod Touch 6th generation.
Added a Widget to display the position of the Polaris or Sigma Octantis.
Core algorithm updated. The position of the Polaris or Sigma Octantis is more accurate.
Fixed a bug caused iPod Touch 5th generation to only display a black screen.
Minor tweaks.
3.1
Apr 1, 2015
Added a new feature to let iPad users to manually enter location when location service is unavailable.
Added support for iOS 8.2.
Fixed a bug caused the text to be truncated on iPad when in Southern Hemisphere.
Fixed a bug sometimes given an incorrect position of Sigma Octantis in Southern Hemisphere.
Fixed a bug sometimes will show "**h60.0m".
Added support for iOS 8.2.
Fixed a bug caused the text to be truncated on iPad when in Southern Hemisphere.
Fixed a bug sometimes given an incorrect position of Sigma Octantis in Southern Hemisphere.
Fixed a bug sometimes will show "**h60.0m".
3.0
Dec 12, 2014
Only supports for iOS 8.x.
Added native support for iPhone6, iPhone 6 zoomed mode, iPhone 6 Plus, iPhone 6 Plus zoomed mode, iPad Air 2 and iPad mini 3.
Using a new reticle of 10 minutes marker instead of the old 15 minutes marker reticle.
Using latest UCAC4 Catalog for calculating position of Polaris and Sigma Octantis.
The kernel algorithm updated, now have better accuracy and compensate for atmospheric refraction.
For iPhone 6, iPhone 6 Plus and iPad Air 2 users, The apps now using built-in barometer to get accurate barometric pressure to calculate the value of atmospheric refraction.
For other users, The app will use elevation from Location Service to estimate the barometric pressure.
Added native support for iPhone6, iPhone 6 zoomed mode, iPhone 6 Plus, iPhone 6 Plus zoomed mode, iPad Air 2 and iPad mini 3.
Using a new reticle of 10 minutes marker instead of the old 15 minutes marker reticle.
Using latest UCAC4 Catalog for calculating position of Polaris and Sigma Octantis.
The kernel algorithm updated, now have better accuracy and compensate for atmospheric refraction.
For iPhone 6, iPhone 6 Plus and iPad Air 2 users, The apps now using built-in barometer to get accurate barometric pressure to calculate the value of atmospheric refraction.
For other users, The app will use elevation from Location Service to estimate the barometric pressure.
2.01
Nov 24, 2013
Fixed a bug of displaying incorrect crosshair on iPad running on iOS 7.
2.0
Nov 18, 2013
Added support for iPhone 5S, iPhone 5C, iPad Air and iPad mini 2.
Added support for iOS 7 and later.
Added support for 64 bit iOS.
The minimum requirement has been raised to iOS 6 due to support 64 bit iOS.
We will add the feature of manually enter latitude and longitude when iOS devices cannot get them in the next version.
We will release a new app about comets calculation and prediction, especially for ISON very soon!
Added support for iOS 7 and later.
Added support for 64 bit iOS.
The minimum requirement has been raised to iOS 6 due to support 64 bit iOS.
We will add the feature of manually enter latitude and longitude when iOS devices cannot get them in the next version.
We will release a new app about comets calculation and prediction, especially for ISON very soon!
1.01
Jan 25, 2013
Added support for iPad 4, iPad mini.
Added support for iOS 6.1.
Fixed a bug for displaying incorrect date in some conditions.
Fixed a bug for iPad not displaying R at southern hemisphere in some conditions.
Added support for iOS 6.1.
Fixed a bug for displaying incorrect date in some conditions.
Fixed a bug for iPad not displaying R at southern hemisphere in some conditions.
1.0
Oct 10, 2012
iOptron Polar Scope FAQ
Click here to learn how to download iOptron Polar Scope in restricted country or region.
Check the following list to see the minimum requirements of iOptron Polar Scope.
iPhone
Requires iOS 12.0 or later.
iPad
Requires iPadOS 12.0 or later.
iPod touch
Requires iOS 12.0 or later.
iOptron Polar Scope supports English, Simplified Chinese
