Arcus Lunae

iPhone / Navigation

This app shows the complex path of our moon indicating its rise and set, lunar noon and its current azimuth. At night and sometimes during the daylight the moon may be clearly visible. It is a constant source of reference for outdoor explorers enabling the user to use its current bearing (azimuth) to orientate themselves. Using the moons azimuth the user can easily verify where true North is and from there East, South and West. If you carry a magnetic compass you can easily calibrate it against the true bearing of the moon. This gives you confidence in your electronic or analog devices by constantly being able to cross check your bearing. The illumination indicate shows the best day for night travel as its reflected light from the sun will enable you to safely walk in the brighten night skies. If you are walking overnight the time of lunar noon is key as at that time the moon will bear exactly due South or 180°. The time of moon rise and set will enable you to determine the length of the moon's visibility and again those azimuths of rise and set can be used to verify your own direction of travel. Finally the Altitude of the moon will confirm whether it visible or will become visible at your current location. Our ancestors used such methods to travel safely across short and long distances. For many this app may become an important backup and assist them in exploring the great outdoors. Tested on physical watches 40mm/44mm/46mm screens and uses GPS to determine geographical position in order to calculate the various elements of the Moons Path.