Star Hoppers 2.7

Star Hoppers was awarded the “Smart Mobility (Smart Tourism) Certificate of Merit” at the Hong Kong ICT Awards 2019, underscoring its innovative approach to stargazing.

The application creatively combines Chinese and Western star charts, along with information on astronomical events and related activities, while also narrating the stories of constellations through audio recordings.

With its advanced digital star chart, users can explore the differing systems of constellation and asterism developed by ancient Chinese and Western cultures, each reflecting unique celestial associations. Star Hoppers offers three distinct operational modes:

• Virtual Reality (VR) Mode: This mode simulates the star field based on the device's location and orientation data, assisting users in identifying celestial objects and constellations.
• Augmented Reality (AR) Mode: By utilizing augmented reality technology, this mode dynamically marks celestial objects, constellations, and asterisms on the camera feed in real-time.
• Manual (M) Mode: This mode allows users to freely navigate the star chart. Users can tap on various celestial bodies to listen to recorded stories about them.

Star Hoppers also introduces essential stargazing principles to promote responsible observation practices, thereby assisting novices in identifying constellations more effectively.

The app features a Calendar function that provides up-to-date information about various astronomical events and activities organized by the Hong Kong Space Museum. Users can also utilize the Share function to invite friends to participate in these activities, enhancing their stargazing experience.

Key Features of the App:

• Facilitates learning and identification of celestial objects and constellations through a real-time generated digital star chart applicable globally.
• Presents a distinctive ancient Chinese star chart that encompasses the complete ancient Chinese asterism system, including the Three Enclosures and twenty-eight lunar mansions.
• Offers over 200 bilingual audio recordings detailing celestial objects and asterisms from both Western and ancient Chinese perspectives.
• Employs augmented reality technology to instantly label celestial objects and constellations when users point their device’s camera skyward.
• Delivers timely updates about upcoming events at the Hong Kong Space Museum, such as astronomical films, lectures, and stargazing activities.
• Simplifies sharing information about astronomical events and activities, allowing users to easily invite friends to join them.