starfinder PRO01
Scope and developer
This policy covers the Starfinder Pro application and this website. The developer is Burak Akbay. You do not need a separate Starfinder account for the core app. Apple accounts and accounts for optional external services are managed by those providers.
02
Your observing library
Observations, notes, saved sites and coordinates, equipment, plans, favorites and preferences are stored in the app’s local storage. Files selected through the system photo or file picker can be copied into your journal. These originals may retain metadata, including location. The app can retain a previous library backup or a recovery copy.
03
Location, motion and camera
Device location permission is optional: you can enter observing coordinates and a time zone manually. Location and motion support sky calculations and pointing. Place searches and reverse geocoding use Apple location services. The live camera finder displays its feed on the device and does not upload or record that feed. These statements do not cover a separate photo upload you choose.
04
Weather and scientific services
Your selected observing coordinates are sent to Apple Weather for forecasts. Small-body requests send the selected object, dates and observing coordinates/elevation to NASA JPL. Deep-star and survey requests send a celestial sky area and query options to ESA Gaia and/or CDS. Satellite elements come from CelesTrak and, when needed, AMSAT. These services also receive ordinary connection information such as an IP address.
05
Optional iCloud sync
When you start iCloud sync in Settings, your observing library and journal attachments are uploaded to your Apple account’s private CloudKit storage and merged with device records. This can include notes, saved geographic locations, equipment, plans and media. Stopping a sync does not undo uploads that have completed.
06
Photo processing and remote solving
Local image processing and plate solving do not require an image upload. If you choose remote solving and confirm the upload, a working PNG without the original image metadata is sent to your selected Astrometry.net-compatible server. Your API key is sent to that server for authentication and saved in this device’s Keychain. The app requests private visibility and no modification or commercial-use permissions; the server’s own practices apply. Cancelling does not delete a job or image already received by the server.
07
Voice and Siri
Listening starts when you request it. Recognition runs on the device where supported. If you enable optional Apple online recognition and local recognition is unavailable, audio and context such as target names may be sent to Apple. The app does not save raw microphone audio files. Notes you dictate and save become part of your journal. Siri and Shortcuts are separate Apple system services.
08
Sharing and companion devices
Invited shared observing uses Apple CloudKit to share a session title, selected sky time, targets and sequence. The app’s session packet excludes your observing site, notes, equipment and media; Apple manages invitation and participant information. A summary including your observing site and coordinates, selected target, time zone and events is shared with your paired Watch and widgets. Notifications and Live Activities may display some information on system screens.
09
Telescope and camera connections
When you connect equipment, commands, celestial target coordinates and settings are sent to the device server you select; telemetry and camera images are received from it. Compatible local hardware may use unencrypted local HTTP or TCP protocols. Use equipment connections on networks you trust.
10
Purchases
Apple manages payments, introductory offers, renewals and refunds. The app checks Apple-verified subscription status to determine access. It does not ask you to enter card details. Prices and any trial eligibility are shown before purchase.
11
Retention, deletion and your choices
Removing a record removes it from the active journal; it does not immediately erase every backup, recovery copy, export or completed iCloud upload. The current app has no single command to delete all private iCloud library files. A shared-session host can end and delete their session; leaving as a participant does not end the session for others. A 24-hour session validity limit is not automatic cloud deletion. Remote image jobs follow the chosen server’s deletion controls. You can change permissions in device Settings, remove a stored solver key, and choose what to export or share. Exports may contain notes, dates, observing coordinates and media, depending on the format. When you share an export, it is sent to the app or destination you select. Rights and provider procedures vary by your location and the service concerned.
12
This website and support
This website does not ask for your location, run an app-account sign-up, or collect payment details. We have not added advertising pixels or third-party analytics. Hosting through OpenAI Sites and Cloudflare involves processing technical request information, such as IP address, requested page and browser information, to deliver and protect the site. Their privacy policies apply to their processing. The support page provides self-service guides and links to relevant Apple services. This website does not collect support messages.
13
Children and policy updates
Starfinder Pro is a general-audience astronomy app. Parents or guardians should supervise children’s use of optional online services, sharing and purchases. This policy may change as the product or connected services change; the effective date identifies the current version.
Developer
Burak Akbay