Viewing on Laptop or Desktop Computer Browsers

Make sure your browser window is wide enough so the chat box sits on the right side of the video player window.  That’ll make it easier to watch the astrovideo and the conversation in the chatbox provided by Chatwing.com.

Select “Log in” and enter a username (of your choice) and to select an avatar (of your choice) that will be displayed next to your username. I’d prefer if you used your real name, or some way that I can identify you, because I kind of like to know who I’m chatting with….but that’s just me and you’re free and welcome to do as you wish. Users will be automatically logged out after 30 minutes of inactivity. You may find that Chatwing might prompt you to login again if you navigate away from the page. I haven’t quite figured out what causes this but that’s how it works for now.

Use Wikipedia/Google

I find it handy and interesting to keep a browser tab opened up to Wikipedia or Google.  There you can type in the NGC number or other object identifier info and learn more about the object in view. Selecting the images function in Google brings up an array of amateur and professional images of the object as well.

Viewing on iPads:

The downside of live streaming in Adobe Flash is that iPad users have to use either Puffin or Photon browsers. My current website design isn’t optimized for use on these two Flash browsers on smaller tablet screens. To view the chat window, scroll down below the video window.

To view the Flash video stream on a iPad you will need to download and install either Puffin or Photon browsers on your iPad. In my opinion, Puffin is the better of the two options. Puffins’s display when in Theater mode is better that that of Photon and it seems significantly more responsive to finger gestures across the screen. (On that note, I also recommend getting a stylus for your iPad. Keeps screen cleaner, easier to enter text and navigate websites with small font hyperlinks.) Below are some notes to help you with both Puffin and Photon.

Puffin Web Browser

Note that there is a Free version of Puffin only supports Flash-based content on non-peak hours–which are daytime hours (8AM-4PM). At night, when we’re watching the heavens, I think Puffin is mostly serving the popular Flash-based online gaming community. The charge for 24/7 Flash access in Puffin (Free) is a reasonable 99 cents for six months which can be acquired via an “in-app” purchase.

You can also purchase a Paid version of Puffin that includes unlimited 7/24 Flash support for $3.99.

Photon Flash Player for iPad

Photon costs normally $10.00 although it is often on sale at $4.99.

Be sure to tap the Lightning Bolt icon in upper right to activate Flash streaming.

Night Skies Network

Be sure to check out nightskiesnetwork.com if you want to see more live streaming of the night skies from various locations.