🚀 Astro-COLIBRI v2.28.0: AR Improvements, Multi-Source Planning, and VO Compliance

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Hi everyone,

We are excited to announce the release of Astro-COLIBRI v2.28.0! This update brings a suite of new features again designed to improve observation planning, mobile immersion, and our integration with the global Virtual Observatory (VO) ecosystem.

Here are the highlights of this version:

:mobile_phone: Enhanced Augmented Reality (Astro-COLIBRI AR)

The AR mode has received a significant upgrade in both stability and precision. In addition, we implemented:

  • Screenshots: You can now capture your AR view using a dedicated in-app button. Images are saved locally for easy sharing.
  • Direct AR Links: You can now share links that load a specific event directly into AR mode, making it easier to show colleagues or friends where to look in the sky.
  • Free trial: You can now try the AR features for free during a one-week free trial period. Try it yourself at: Astro-COLIBRI

:spiral_calendar: Advanced Visibility & Observation Planning

We’ve overhauled our visibility tools to help you plan your nights more effectively:

  • Multi-Source Assessment: A new API endpoint (visibility_plot_multi_source) and interface allow you to calculate and compare visibility windows for multiple sources simultaneously. This is a game-changer for scheduling complex observation nights.
  • Long-term Planning: The long-term visibility plots now feature configurable start and end dates.
  • Streamlined API: We’ve unified the naming conventions for visibility endpoints (rest assured, legacy names will remain supported until mid-2026).

:globe_with_meridians: Web-Browser Notifications

You can now receive real-time alerts for new transient events directly in your web browser. No worries, we will not spam you: you have to activate them yourself :wink:

  • Sync: Settings can be synchronized with your mobile notification preferences.
  • Smart Filtering: In all notifications, we’ve implemented logic to avoid duplicate notifications if you are subscribed to multiple overlapping streams.

:telescope: Further Virtual Observatory (VO) Integration

Astro-COLIBRI is now even more interoperable with professional tools like ALADIN:

  • A++ Compliance: Our IVAO “Simple Cone Search” endpoint has been validated with the highest level of IVOA compliance and is officially registered.
  • Standard Formats: You can now download events as VoEvents and lightcurves as VOTables directly via the web interface or our new API endpoints.

:hammer_and_wrench: Other Notable Improvements

  • Custom Events: You can now create your own events and save them to your personal watchlist.
  • Landscape Mode: The mobile interface now features a timeline view when held in landscape mode.
  • GRB Updates: Improved redshift consistency across multiple instruments and a new redshift filter for GRBs.
  • Apple Login: Support for signing in with Apple iCloud accounts (in addition to the Google signin).

As always, this update includes a range of bug fixes and performance “behind-the-scenes” updates to ensure the smoothest experience possible.

We look forward to hearing your feedback!

Clear skies,
The Astro-COLIBRI Team

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