MicroSky Usermanual and Screenshots
 
What is MicroSky
MicroSky is a planetarium for mobile/cell devices with Java-support and a connection to the Internet (preferably GPRS or UMTS). It is a very small J2ME-Midlet client/server application which retrieves its starcharts from the skyserver. It can display 2.500.000 stars, 8.000 deep sky objects, the constellations, the planets, local horizon, 1000 current comets, and minor planets. MicroSky provides lots of functions and settings for customizing the MicroSky-Charts to your individual needs.
 
Microsky v3 extends v2 with even more functions such as a more polished style, Bluetooth-GPS support and a offline mode that reduces the GPRS costs and enables MicroSky for outdoor regions without GPRS reception.
 
Different or additional behavior of MicroSky v3 to MicroSky v2 are marked in the usermanual with  
v2
 
=MicroSky V2
 
v3
 
=MicroSky V3
 
MicroSky v3 is a new Branch of MicroSky with major new features for mobile devices which supports Midp 2.0
  • GPS-Bluetooth connection:
    • Receive your actual location data for MicroSky-Charts per connected internal or external GPS-Bluetooth device
    • Comfortable GPS-Bluetooth-Device search in MicroSky
  • MicroSky Offline Charts:
    • Get and store up to two sets of MicroSky-Charts - calculated for special date and your location - in advance to your mobile device database
    • Offline MicroSky-Charts contain Overview Chart and detailed Charts for Zenit, South, East, North,West and details about their 25 best visible objects
    • The stored MicroSky-Charts can be explore later at any time, without the need of having at that time an online Internet-Connection
    • You can always toggle to online mode and use the online functionality as known of MicroSky v2
  • Search Object:
    • Additional feature to search objects with search-text and get a list of results to choose an object to center
  • Further improvements
    • faster drawing
    • toggle to fullscreen mode
    • a nice running hour glass if MicroSky is busy with internet-request in MicroSky-Chart
 
To use MicroSky on your mobile phone you will need a User and Password to login: Register here for free
 
MicroSky uses a SkyServer-Skyimage named 'Mobile_1', which is created automatically with your registration. You can also view and maintain your Skyimage 'Mobile_1' at the Internet-Server-Application SkyServer. Read more about the settings and behaviour of a SkyServer-Skyimage in SkyServer-Skyimage Usermanual.
 
Requirements
You need a internet connection on your mobile phone (e.g. GPRS or UMTS), because the calculations for MicroSkyCharts are performed on the SkyServer over HTTP-Requests.
Note: You may have to switch your Mobile Phone to a Web-Profile - a WAP-Profile would not be sufficient for MicroSky!
 
v2
 
At least J2ME MIDP 1.0
 
v3
 
MicroSky v3 with Bluetooth-Api: J2ME MIDP 2.0 and CLDC 1.1, JSR 82 and available memory and storage of minimal 500 kb
MicroSky v3 without Bluetooth-Api: J2ME MIDP 2.0 and CLDC 1.1 and available memory and storage of minimal 500 kb
 
MicroSky v3 additional installing hints
If MicroSky v2 is installed on your device - which fulfills the requirements for MicroSky v3 - and you are interested in MicroSky V3, then you can download it additional to MicroSky v2.
Just rename the installed application 'MicroSky' to 'MicroSky v2' before you start installing MicroSky v3. MicroSky v2 and MicroSky v3 do not interfere on your mobile device, each of them use a seperate database.
  • Download 'MicroSky v3 without Bluetooth-Api' if at least one of this cases applies:
    • you know, that your device do not support Bluetooth-Api
    • you never want to search a GPS-Bluetooth-Device per Bluetooth-Api
    • your device supports Bluetooth-Api but 'MicroSky v3 with Bluetooth-Api' do not start propely
  • otherwise download "MicroSky v3 with Bluetooth-Api"
 
How much data is transferred per internet
The data transfer amount for a MicroSky-Chart over Http-Request depends on the display size of your mobile device, the value you choose for the mainsetting 'limit NightSky to size of display' and the MicroSky-Chart-Settings e.g. the grayscale quality and the zoom. Further the transfer amount depends on the compressable parts of the requested MicroSky-Chart, e.g. the amount of stars or similar colors. The greyscale quality option leaves it to you to choose between beauty and size. On most mobiles you will not see any difference between high and normal quality, so normal quality is recommended to reduce data transfer. The transfer amount for a '>Logon'-,'>Go Best Now'- or '>Logoff'- Request is very low.
The foollowing examples use normal greyscale quality, lease consider, that the Http-Protocol adds a small overhead:
 
v2
 
Using MicroSky with Siemens S55 (displayDize:101x80):
The calculated maximum scrollable MicroSky-Chart-Size for this devices is 142 * 112 and there are maximum 5 kilobyte to transfer for a '>Go Now'- or '>Go Constellation'-Request.
 
v3
 
Using MicroSky Siemens S65 (displaysize 132x176):
OnlineMode:the calculated chartSize for onlineCharts for this devices is 264 * 264 and there are 5 kilobyte to transfer for a '>Go Now'- or '>Go Constellation'-Request with normal greyscale quality.
Getting ChartSet for offlineMode with MicroSky Siemens S65 (displaysize 132x176): getting a chartSet with '>GetOfflineCharts' results in 6 MicroSkyCharts and their best objects and takes 32 kilobyte to transfer.
A little help: In MicroSky v3 you can get information about the requested and lastRequested bytes transfered in your actual MicroSky session from option 'About'.
 
 
 

MicroSky Screens, Options and ShortKeys
MicroSky-MainMenu MicroSky-Chart
MicroSky-MainMenu
MicroSky-Chart
  • Short-Keys and Actions in online-Mode
    • Key 1 or GAME_A: >ZoomIn: zoom in -1
    • Key 2 or GAME_UP: move cross up
    • Key 3 or GAME_B: >ZoomOut: zoom out +1
    • Key 4 or GAME_LEFT: move cross left
    • Key 5 or GAME_FIRE: >Center Position
    • Key 6 or GAME_RIGHT: move cross right
    • Key 7 or GAME_C: >Star Mag Change+: Star Mag Change +1
    • Key 8 or GAME_DOWN: move cross down
    • Key 9 or GAME_D: >Star Mag Change-: Star Mag Change -1
    • Key 0: >Go Constellation
    • Key *: Reset Cross
    • Key #: >Go Best
  • Short-Keys and Actions in offline-Mode
    • Key 1: ZoomIn/Out: switch overview/detail for selected object
  • MicroSky-Chart Touch-Screen support for PDA
    • Tapping once in the MicroSky-Chart for moving cross
Options and Short-Keys starting with '>' perform a Http-Request to the server
 
MicroSky-Chart
The MicroSky-Chart on your mobile phone represents a view of the sky, which is calculated and drawn based on your current individual settings. Constellations are connected with lines and are marked with latin names. Deep Sky Objects, as for example galaxies or star cluster are represented as box. Planets, the sun or the moon are drawn as circles. If planets, sun, moon or Deep Sky Objects are zoomed out, they are represented as cross. The cross of a planet is drawn larger than the cross of a Deep Sky Object. The amount of drawn objects depends on the various settings you can set for your MicroSky-Chart, for instance location, date, zoom, chart settings, visible limits ...
With the curser-keys or by tapping on your touchscreen you can move the yellow cross around the MicroSky-Chart. The displayed area will adapt automatically, so that you can see the broadest view.
 
Generell behaviour
All 'Go...'Options chosen from MicroSky-MainMenu resets the date to current date and resets the view angle.
In MicroSky-Chart the view angle will also be reset, except when you go to an object which is currently visible in view.
When the 'Star Mag Change' option is set to 0 (default), the brightness of the stars will be automatically increased when zooming in.
 
Graphical Information about HTTP-Request progress in MicroSky-Chart
If you choose an option which performs a Http-Request to the server, there appears a yellow hour glass and a scrolling bar in blue on the upper left side of the MicroSky-Chart. After the connection to the server has finished, the hour glass disappears and the scrolling bar becomes green.
 
Graphical Information about Altitude/Azimuth in MicroSky-Chart
MicroSky shows you graphical information to find objects in your local sky. To keep it simple and compact as possible the information about the Altitude and Azimuth degrees is represented as half disks, where the background is painted in dark grey and the Altitude/Azimuth are drawn in yellow. The Altitude disk is always displayed in the middle of the bottom of the MicroSky-Chart. The Azimuth half disk is drawn on the left or on the right side of the MicroSky-Chart depending on the value of the Azimuth. When your selected coordinates are under the horizon, the Altitude disk will be completely dark grey. You find the exact values for Altitude and Azimuth under the Option 'Details'.
Note: Before using any localized features be sure to select your current location and switch on the chart-setting 'show horizon' (default).
 
How to interpret the graphical Altitude/Azimuth information with your mobile/cell phone
Point your mobile phone as good as possible to the south and keep it horizontal with the display showing upboards. If the Azimuth disk is drawn on the left side on the MicroSky-Chart then turn your mobile phone to the right as far as the yellow part of the disk shows. If the Azimuth disk is drawn on the right side on the MicroSky-Chart then turn your mobile phone to the left as far as the yellow part of the disk shows. Then point your mobile phone up in the sky as high as the yellow part of the Altitude disk on the bottom of the MicroSky-Chart shows. Now your mobile phone is pointed to the selected coordinates.
 
Http-Request Progress and Altitude/Azimuth information are shown until you press a key, for example when you move the yellow cross once up/down/left/right.
 
Examples for MicroSky Graphical Information :
MicroSky MicroSky MicroSky MicroSky
High South (Alt:70° Az:0°) High West (Alt:70° Az:90°) High North (Alt:70° Az:-180°) High East (Alt:70° Az:-90°)
 
Main Settings:  
MicroSky MicroSky
v2 1.1 v2 1.1
v2
v2 1.1: select 'MainSettings' from MicroSky-MainMenu options
v2 1.2 These main settings are available
- limit NightSky to size of display:
if you want the MicroSky-Chart having only the same size as your mobile display, select the checkbox . Scrolling will be disabled. This is useful for mobile phones with a high resolution display. Unselect this checkbox to use the maximal possible imagesize your mobile phone can handle for the MicroSky-Chart and enabled scrolling.
- use fast connection:
If your provider does not support connection per Port 8080 then unselect this checkbox and MicroSky will use the save connection without Port 8080 to the server. Otherwise select this checkbox for faster access.
- Host:
The default hostname is 'www.upto.org'. Do not change this field unless there would be a change of MicroSky domain name or Ip Adress.
- GpsPort:
If you want to receive location data from a connected GPS (NMEA), then type here the serial port of your Mobile phone. Default value is 'COM1'.
- GpsBaudrate:
If you want to receive location data from a connected GPS (NMEA), then type here the baudrate. Default value is '4800'.
Confirm your changes with 'OK'.
back to overview
 
 
MicroSky MicroSky
v3 1.1 v3 1.1
v3
v3 1.1: select 'MainSettings' from MicroSky-MainMenu options
v3 1.2 These main settings are available
- use fast connection:
If your provider does not support connection per Port 8080 then unselect this checkbox and MicroSky will use the save connection without Port 8080 to the server. Otherwise select this checkbox for faster access.
- keep Gps-BT-Conn open
This setting is used for GPS-Type is BLUETOOTH. Some phones - like my Siemens S65 - don't like to open Bluetooth-connections again after closing them - without restarting the device
- use full screen
with this setting on the MicroSky-Charts cover the whole screen. Some devices may not like this nice setting, just try it!
- Host:
The default hostname is 'www.upto.org'. Do not change this field unless there would be a change of MicroSky domain name or Ip Adress.
- GpsType:
Select if you want to get your Location data with a bluetooth device or per comm-port
The following settings are necessary if your chosen GPS-Type is BLUETOOTH and if you want to receive location data from a connected GPS (NMEA).
- Gps-BT-DeviceAddress:
This setting is used if GPS-Type is BLUETOOTH. If your device support Bluetooth-Api, this field will be filled automatically with your chosen bluetooth-device-address. If your device doesn't support Bluetooth-Api you have to fill here your bluetooth-device-address manually.
- Gps-BT-Port:
This setting is used if GPS-Type is BLUETOOTH. If your device support Bluetooth-Api, this field will be filled automatically with your chosen bluetooth-device-serial-port. If your device doesn't support Bluetooth-Api you have to fill here your bluetooth-device-serial-port manually.
- GpsPort:
This setting is used if GPS-Type is COMM_PORT. Choose the mobile phone serial port of the connected serial GPS
- GpsBaudrate:
This setting is used if GPS-Type is COMM_PORT. Choose here the baudrate of the connected serial GPS
Confirm your changes with 'OK'.
back to overview
 
>Logon:  
MicroSky MicroSky MicroSky
2.1 2.2 2.3
v3   v2
2.1: Select 'Logon' from MicroSky-MainMenu options
2.2: Fill your username and password and choose Option 'Ok'.
2.3: You get logged in on the server and MicroSky returns to the MicroSky-MainMenu
 
Note: Normally you should not log out!
MicroSky can keep your User with next restarts. The very most Mobile/Cell phones are able to store this data with rms.
back to overview
 
>Go Now:  
MicroSky MicroSky
3.1 3.2
v3   v2
3.1: select '>Go Now' from MicroSky-MainMenu options
3.2: you get your current MicroSky-Chart centered around the zenit at your selected location.
back to overview
 
Details:  
MicroSky MicroSky
4.1 4.2
v3   v2
4.1: select 'Details' from MicroSky-Chart options
4.2: Following details are shown: The description of the selected object, rise and set, available phases, view angle, coordinates: ra/dec and alt/az, actual location with latitude, longitude and timezone
Select 'Ok' to return to your MicroSky-Chart
back to overview
 
>Recenter Object:  
MicroSky MicroSky MicroSky
5.1 5.2 5.3
v3   v2
5.1: your last selected Object is shown in MicroSky-Chart options to give you the possibility to recenter it
5.2: select your last selected Object from MicroSky-Chart options - in this example '>Moon' is last selected
5.3: you get the MicroSky-Chart centered around your last selected object again.
 
Note: Use this option, if your last selected object is out of your MicroSky-Chart and you want to have the last selected object centered again.
The selected object is the recent selected object from '>Go Best', '>Go Brightest', '>Go Solarsystem' or '>Go Catalog'.
back to overview
 
>Go Brightest:  
MicroSky MicroSky MicroSky
6.1 6.2 6.3
v3   v2
6.1: select '>Go Brightest' from MicroSky-Chart options
6.2: select an object from list of brightest objects in your current MicroSky-Chart
6.3: you get the MicroSky-Chart centered around your choosen object.
back to overview
 
>Go Best Now or >Go Best :  
MicroSky MicroSky MicroSky
7.1 7.2 7.3
v3   v2
7.1: select '>Go Best Now' from MicroSky-MainMenu options or '>Go Best' from MicroSky-Chart options
7.2: select an object from list of best objects visible at your selected location
7.3: you get the MicroSky-Chart centered around your choosen object.
 
Following criteria are used for finding the best Objects:
   - beauty
   - brightness
   - height above the horizon
back to overview
 
>Go Local Sky:  
MicroSky MicroSky MicroSky
8.1 8.2 8.3
v3   v2
8.1: select '>Go Local Sky' from MicroSky-MainMenu options or MicroSky-Chart options.
8.2: select a region from list of regions. The setting 'show horizon' will be switched on automatically.
8.3: you get your current MicroSky-Chart centered around your choosen region.
back to overview
 
>Go Solarsystem:  
MicroSky MicroSky MicroSky
9.1 9.2 9.3
v3   v2
9.1: select '>Go Solarsystem' from MicroSky-MainMenu options or MicroSky-Chart options
9.2: select sun, moon or a planet from list of solarsystem objects
9.3: you get your current MicroSky-Chart centered around your choosen object.
back to overview
 
>Go Constellation:  
MicroSky MicroSky MicroSky
10.1 10.2 10.3
v3   v2
10.1: select '>Go Constellation' from MicroSky-MainMenu options or MicroSky-Chart options
10.2: select a constellation from list of all constellations. Use 'More Entries' to get the next 20 constellations
10.3: you get the MicroSky-Chart centered around the chosen constellation.
back to overview
 
>Go Catalog:  
MicroSky MicroSky MicroSky
11.1 11.2 11.3
v3   v2
11.1: select '>Go Catalog' from MicroSky-MainMenu options or MicroSky-Chart options
11.2: insert an Object Number from Catalog and choose the Catalog-Type: M(Messier), NGC or IC
11.3: you get your current MicroSky-Chart centered around your choosen object.
back to overview
 
>Center Position:  
MicroSky MicroSky MicroSky
12.1 12.2 12.3
v3   v2
12.1: pose the yellow cross in the MicroSky-Chart where you want the next MicroSky-Chart to be centered
12.2: choose '>Center Position' from MicroSky-Chart options
12.3: you get the MicroSky-Chart centered around the chosen position.
back to overview
 
>Reset Settings:  
MicroSky MicroSky MicroSky
13.1 13.2 13.3
v3   v2
13.1: to reset your MicroSky-Chart settings (i.e. color, zoom etc.) to MicroSky default values
13.2: choose '>Reset Settings' from MicroSky-Chart options
13.3: you get the MicroSky-Chart with settings reset to MicroSky default values.
back to overview
 
Reset Cross:  
MicroSky MicroSky MicroSky
14.1 14.2 14.3
v3   v2
14.1: to reset the cross to center of the MicroSky-Chart and show Alt/Az Graphic again - without request to server
14.2: choose 'Reset Cross' from MicroSky-Chart options
14.3: the cross is centered in the middle of the NigthSky-View and the Altitude/Azimude Graphic is shown again.
back to overview
 
About:  
MicroSky MicroSky
15.1 15.2
v3   v2
15.1: to get Information about MicroSky choose 'About' from MicroSky-MainMenu options or MicroSky-Chart options
15.2: you get Information about MicroSky (i.e.version etc.)
back to overview
 
Back:  
MicroSky MicroSky
16.1 16.2
v3   v2
16.1: to go back to MicroSky-MainMenu choose 'Back' from MicroSky-Chart options
16.2: you are back in MicroSky-MainMenu
back to overview
 
>Logoff:  
MicroSky MicroSky MicroSky
17.1 17.2 17.3
v3   v2
17.1: select 'Logoff' from MicroSky-MainMenu options
17.2: Confirm Logoff with Option 'Ok'
17.3: you get logged off from MicroSky and you return to the MicroSky-MainMenu
 
Note: Normally you should not log out!
MicroSky can keep your User with next restarts. The very most Mobile/Cell phones are able to store this data with rms.
back to overview
 
Exit:  
MicroSky
18.1
v3   v2
18.1: to leave MicroSky choose 'Exit' from MicroSky-MainMenu options
back to overview
 
>SearchObject:  
MicroSky MicroSky MicroSky
19.1 19.2 19.3
v3
19.1: select '>Search Object' from MicroSky-MainMenu options or MicroSky-Chart options
19.2: insert a searchtext and confirm. You get a list of result objects, if there are too many search results there will only be a first set of them transfered and displayed. In this case please try again with a little more precise search text. Choose your object to center.
19.3: you get your current MicroSky-Chart centered around your choosen object.
back to overview
 
>GetOfflineCharts:  
MicroSky MicroSky MicroSky
20.1 20.2 20.3
v3
20.1: select '>GetOfflineCharts' from MicroSky-MainMenu options
20.2: there are two chartSets available to store offline Images - ChartSetA and ChartSetB. Choose the ChartSet and the specialDate you want the ChartSet to be calculated. If you toggle off the setting "use special date" then the current date at your selected MicroSky-Location will be used
20.3: you get your calculated MicroSkyChartSet and it will be stored in your MicroSkyDB. Explore it later at any time with choosing Option 'Offline' and 'ShowStoredCharts' - and without the need of being online at that point of time!
 
Note: To change any setting such as location, colors etc. you have to choose for example '>Go Now', and go to the MicroSky-Charts Settings to change them before requesting a offline MicroSky-ChartSet.
For more details about receiving GPS-Data for MicroSky-Charts see MicroSky Usermanual and Screenshots - MicroSky-Chart Settings
back to overview
 
Offline/Online:  
MicroSky MicroSky
21.1 21.2
v3
21.1: select 'Offline' from MicroSky-MainMenu options
21.2: MicroSky is now in offlineMode. You can explore your stored MicroSky-ChartSets with option 'ShowOfflineCharts'. Choose option 'online' in MainMenu to switch back to MicroSky-onlineMode .
 
Note: Offline-Mode is only available when there ar stored MicroSky-ChartSets in the MicroSky-DB. See '>GetOfflineCharts'
back to overview
 
ShowOfflineCharts:  
MicroSky MicroSky MicroSky
22.1 22.2 22.3
v3
22.1: in MicroSky offline-Mode select 'ShowOfflineCharts' from MicroSky-MainMenu options
22.2: Choose one of your stored MicroSky-ChartSets you want to explore
22.3: The OverviewChart of the MicroSky-ChartSet will be displayed. The MicroSky-ChartSet consists of an overview chart, and detail dharts for Zenit, South, West, North and East with a set of best visible objects. Option 'Details' shows you useful information about the current chart and the selected object. You can target each of the charts directly with the menu options 'Go Overview', 'Go Zenit' etc. With the Option 'Go Best' you can choose a one of the best objects to center. With Option 'ZoomIn/ZoomOut' you can switch between overview and detail chart for your current selected best object. There is an option to recenter the selected object, if there is one selected.
back to overview
 
GetBTGpsDevice:  
MicroSky
23.1
v3   with Bluetooth-Api
23.1: select 'GetBTGpsDevice' from MicroSky-MainMenu options. If your mobile device supports the bluetooth-api MicroSky starts the inquiry for (GPS-)devices which provide SerialPort-Service. After finishing the inquiry all found Bluetooth-devices with SerialPort-Service will be listed. Select your Bluetooth-GPS-device from the list, and the device adress and the service port will be stored in the MicroSkyMainSettings. This enables you to receive your location data for your MicroSky-Charts.
For more details about receiving GPS-Data for MicroSky-Charts see MicroSky Usermanual and Screenshots - MicroSky-Chart Settings
back to overview