Armagh Planetarium has launched ‘Pocket Sky’, a new app for iPhone, iPad and iPodTouch available for free from the iTunes store.  This app is a result of collaboration between Dr. Tom Mason, Director of Armagh Planetarium and Mr John Kennedy of Craic Design.

Culture, Arts and Leisure Minister, Nelson McCausland views 'Pocket Sky', a new app for iPhone, iPad and iPodtouch. This free app, supported by the Armagh Planetarium, allows the user to identify what is in the night sky and what constellations are visible at that time. It is a version of the globally successful 'Pocket Universe' app written by local designer John Kennedy. Pictured left to right: Dr Tom Mason (Director of Armagh Planetarium), Minister McCausland, John Kennedy (app designer) and Norman Apsley (Science Park)

This fantastic new app is a baby version of the very successful iPhone app ‘Pocket Universe’ also written by John Kennedy.  This new FREE app allows the user to identify what is in the night sky and what constellations can be seen at that time. Pocket Sky users can also see the latest news about and from Armagh Planetarium.

This exciting project was launched at the Northern Ireland Science Park (NISP) with support from the Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure (DCAL).

Armagh Planetarium and NISP share common values, promoting careers in science and technology to Northern Ireland’s schoolchildren, so the Science Park is an appropriate location to launch this new app.  NISP is sited at the place where at the beginning of the last century, the creative industry and innovation of Belfast manufactured the iconic White Star ocean liners, most famously Titanic.

image-of-Pocket-Sky-displaying-night-sky

Armagh Planetarium's Guide to the Galaxy: Users of this helpful app can see the night sky as it appears from anywhere in Ireland (Image Credit: Craic Design)

Pocket Sky is a wonderful example of the resources that can be fitted on to small portable devices, giving the user access to high quality data and graphics. Now wherever you go, you can carry a little bit of the Planetarium in your pocket!

Here is a direct link to  Pocket Sky  at the App Store.


13 Comments

Barry Sharvin · March 5, 2012 at 20:43

I have downloaded the app on my phone and iPad and on both the planets are out of sync with the app. What I mean by that is the app shows the moon but in fact it could be 90 degrees clockwise. Any idea how to reset?

    admin · March 6, 2012 at 09:02

    Thank you for your query, but unfortunately we cannot help you. I suggest that you contact the creators of Pocket Sky directly, here is a link to the product support page .

    I hope this helps you.

Toki Allison · October 28, 2011 at 12:02

Broken link?

    admin · October 31, 2011 at 09:02

    I’m sorry but you’ll need to be more specific. The link to Pocket Sky at the iTunes store definitely works.

Philip Mannis · November 12, 2010 at 00:13

I have been trying to download this app but no joy please an you advise?

    admin · November 12, 2010 at 08:56

    Hi Philip, sorry to hear that you’re having difficulties. I’m not sure where the problem lies but try doing the following.
    1. click on the words “Pocket Sky at the App Store” in the last sentence of the blog post. This is a link and will open the iTunes store at the Pocket Sky page.
    2. click on the grey “free app” button just under the Pocket Sky logo. Although it is free, a dialogue box will open asking if you sure you want to purchase it and asking for your iTunes password.
    3. The app should download. Connect your device to your computer and sync it. When complete Pocket Sky ought to be installed on your device.

    I hope this helps, if this doesn’t work I suggest you contact the developers at http://craicdesign.com

Cindy · November 4, 2010 at 10:57

Couldn’t find the app in iTunes. Could you add a link to it? Thanks…

    admin · November 4, 2010 at 12:50

    Hi Cindy, we ought to have a direct link later today. In the meantime, you can find pocket Sky in the Education section of the Itunes App store or by using Itunes’ search function. Hope you find it!

      admin · November 4, 2010 at 13:15

      UPDATE: Link is the end of the article.

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[…] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Sinead Dynan, Armagh Planetarium. Armagh Planetarium said: Our free App is launched today http://su.pr/2g7sdL Download it from iTunes, it's great! […]

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