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AstroGPS

What is it for​

The AstroGPS Timer program automatically calculates sunrise and sunset using geographic coordinates.

It is used when you want to reproduce the natural pattern of the sun in a place, while maintaining control of the lighting inside a closed room.

The device uses two references:

  • Controller place, i.e. the real position in which the device is installed;
  • Simulated place, i.e. the place whose light pattern you want to reproduce.

Menu path​

Route:

MENU -> Usa il programma -> Prg: AstroGPS Timer -> OK

Screenshots:

  1. Controller place / Lat:
  2. Controller place / Long:
  3. Controller place / UTC:
  4. Simulated place / Lat:
  5. Simulated place / Long:
  6. Twilight:

Control unit location​

The Controller place indicates where the device is physically located.

The real position is used to correctly place the local solar noon and keep the simulation consistent with the local time.

Latitude and longitude​

Latitude is displayed as:

N+DDD.DD or S-DDD.DD

Longitude is displayed as:

E+DDD.DD or O-DDD.DD

On the display the letter O indicates West.

Keys:

| Action | | button | --- | --- | | Move the cursor | left arrow / right arrow | | Increase the | value up arrow | | Decrease the | value down arrow | | Confirm | OK |

UTC​

The UTC: screen sets the difference between local time and UTC.

For Italy, under normal conditions, the reference is:

  • +01:00 during standard time;
  • +02:00 during summer time, if you want to follow summer civil time.

Simulated location​

The Simulated place is the place where we want to reproduce the natural cycle of light.

The device uses these coordinates to calculate the length of the day and, if enabled, the twilight stretch.

Twilight​

The Twilight: screen allows you to enable or disable twilight.

Values:

  • Enabled;
  • Disabled.

With dusk enabled, light starts rising before the calculated sunrise and ends after sunset, simulating a more natural transition.

With dusk disabled, the device uses sunrise and sunset as primary references.

Recommended checks​

After configuring AstroGPS Timer, check:

  • device time and date;
  • coordinates of the real place;
  • offset UTC:;
  • coordinates of the simulated place;
  • status of Twilight:;
  • sunrise and sunset times displayed on the main page.