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DSO Browser - free astronomy planner

Discussion in 'General Astronomy Chat' started by sebagr, Jul 22, 2016.

DSO Browser - free astronomy planner

Started by sebagr on Jul 22, 2016 at 5:54 PM

18 Replies 13518 Views 4 Likes

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  1. sebagr

    sebagr Member

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    sebagr, Jul 22, 2016
    #1
    I wanted to share with you my astronomy planner site: the Deep Sky Objects Browser - http://dso-browser.com.

    It started out as a simple search tool to find deep sky objects with very specific criteria (e.g. "galaxies that rise at least 40 degrees above the horizon for 2 hours between 10pm and 2am") but it's gradually become more and more complete. The most important features are:

    • Search for DSOs fine-tuning your criteria by type of object, minimum altitude, magnitude, size, catalogues, coordinates, constellation and your local time.

    • Create an observing list - you can keep it online, print it and download it to your computer.

    • Share your astrophotography unlimitedly and for free - similar to Astrobin but nicer and free.

    • Check a Virtual Sky Map right on your browser - similar to Stellarium, less powerful but online to check from any computer without installing anything.

    • Get reminders for specific objects - e.g. "send me an e-mail when Andromeda Galaxy is best seen at 10pm from my location".

    • Check Sun, Moon and planetary rise/transit/set times.

    • Check the Moon monthly and yearly calendars.

    • Save your usual locations ang get monthly suggestions tailored for you.

    You can see some screenshots below. I'm constantly working on the site adding new features and pay special attention to user feedback. Possible next features are adding much more data (more objects, multiple star systems and planets), conversion tools, articles, and other minor features.

    Everything is and will always be free. If you find the site useful, please consider helping me spread the word among your friends, colleagues and clubs :)

    Any kind of feedback is much appreciated!



    1.jpg 2.jpg 3.jpg 4.jpg 5.jpg
     
    Zigarro, Mark Moyer, Orion25 and 1 other person like this.
  2. Dave In Vermont

    Dave In Vermont Well-Known Member

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    Dave In Vermont, Jul 26, 2016
    #2
    I've been using this for awhile now - and it's an amazing and educational venture! My headband is off to you, Sir. I urge any and all finding this to follow the link above and join in. Two things I look for on the net: Beautifuly done and free-of-charge. The DSO-Browser passes this test with (truly) flying-colors!

    Thank you, sebagr.

    Dave
     
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  3. Orion25

    Orion25 Well-Known Member

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    Orion25, Jul 26, 2016
    #3
    Wow! What a wonderful and thoroughly practical tool. Thanks for creating and sharing this, sebagr!

    Clear skies always,
    Reggie
     
  4. aeajr

    aeajr Well-Known Member

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    aeajr, Jul 31, 2016
    #4
    I have tried it and find it quite impressive.
     
  5. sebagr

    sebagr Member

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    sebagr, Aug 9, 2016
    #5
    Thank you for your kind words, guys! I really appreciate it.

    Please do let me know if you have any comment or suggestion about the site. User feedback is what fuels its evolution :)
     
  6. george

    george Developer

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    george, Aug 9, 2016
    #6
    Is your site open source like AstroBin? Is there anyway to contribute?
     
  7. sebagr

    sebagr Member

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    sebagr, Aug 9, 2016
    #7
    It's not currently open source but I'm thinking about it.

    For the time being, I'm really open to suggestions and prioritize those over my ideas, so please do let me know your ideas! :)
     
  8. george

    george Developer

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    george, Aug 9, 2016
    #8
    I'll look at it in greater detail when I get a chance, but it looks great the only grevience I had was on the responsiveness on my phone. It didn't work out too well but I know how tough responsive design is, we even have a bunch of issues on this site that still need to be addressed.
     
  9. sebagr

    sebagr Member

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    sebagr, Aug 9, 2016
    #9
    Ah, yeah, responsiveness is quite a challenge. What's your phone? I've tested the site mainly on Android devices.
     
  10. george

    george Developer

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    george, Aug 9, 2016
    #10
    LG G3
     
  11. george

    george Developer

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    george, Aug 9, 2016
    #11
    You know what I just took a look at it again today after talking with you and alot of the problems I noticed before seem to have been fixed. I believe last time I looked at the site on my phone you had sent us an email through our Agena contact form and that was maybe a week or 2 ago.
     
  12. sebagr

    sebagr Member

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    sebagr, Aug 15, 2016
    #12
    I'm glad you don't notice those problems anymore :) Please do let me know if I can help otherwise.
     
  13. tripod tipper

    tripod tipper Well-Known Member

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    tripod tipper, Sep 1, 2016
    #13
    Great site for me sebagr! I went to the link, looked and registered right away. Back when I last was into astronomy, you had to order book charts or get them from the library. To me, this site makes discovering the skies enjoyable.

    Dennis
     
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  14. sebagr

    sebagr Member

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    sebagr, Sep 9, 2016
    #14
    Hi guys,

    I wanted to share with you a new feature: the Telescope Simulator.

    You can now go to any object page (such as the Triangulum Galaxy) and check how you would frame your picture or check which eyepieces would work best for each object in the Telescope Simulator section.

    Hope you like it!

    [​IMG]
     
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  15. Orion25

    Orion25 Well-Known Member

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    Orion25, Sep 9, 2016
    #15
    I just posted in the software section about the fabulous telescope simulator in your program. Wonderful tool!
    Thanks!

    Reggie
     
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  16. sebagr

    sebagr Member

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    sebagr, Sep 9, 2016
    #16
    Thank you, Reggie! I'm glad you like it! :)
     
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  17. Dave In Vermont

    Dave In Vermont Well-Known Member

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    Dave In Vermont, Sep 9, 2016
    #17
    A very nice and very useful addition to this fantastic program!

    Thank you!

    Dave
     
  18. Zigarro

    Zigarro Well-Known Member

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    Zigarro, Oct 7, 2016
    #18
    Bookmarked & registered, thanks!
     
  19. Mak the Night

    Mak the Night Well-Known Member

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    Mak the Night, Oct 8, 2016
    #19
    Works great in Ubuntu.
     

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