Map Controls

Map Pins

	The map always displays a red primary pin marking the location for which rise/set calculations are performed.
	Optionally (see below), the map can also display a grey secondary map pin. This map pin is for use with the geodetics functionality.

The map pins can be moved by touching and then dragging. If using Apple maps, you must touch the pin once to select it before it can be moved. Touch and hold the map pin until it animates up, then move your finger to reposition where required. Avoid moving the pin too quickly.

When the map is moved, such as by panning or zooming, a reticle appears to indicate the centre of the map. The reticle is hidden a couple of seconds after the map move finishes. Tapping the reticle while it remains visible will place the primary pin (see below) at the map centre.

In many situations, the primary pin can be thought of as your shooting location, i.e. where the camera is situated. This is particularly true if you plan to include the sun or moon in your shot. However, if you plan to photograph a building or landscape illuminated by the sun or moon, then red pin should be placed on your subject. In this case, you can set the secondary pin at your shooting location to determine line of sight, distance and bearing.

The following controls appear at the top right of the map:

Track location and heading

Track location off		Other than when first using the app (see below), location tracking is off by default. When enabled, the map will automatically be centred on the current device location.
Track location on		On first using the app, if you grant permission to use your current location, the app will automatically attempt to centre the map on your device's current location, if known. You can enable location tracking by pressing this button.
Track heading on		On devices equipped with a compass, if location tracking is already enabled, a further press of this button will enable heading tracking. When enabled, the map is automatically rotated such that it points to true north. Press again to disable both location and heading tracking.

Note: When using Track heading, the built-in compass in your device is significantly less accurate than the bearings and azimuths calculated by TPE. We recommend using a high quality field compass to determine your bearing if your shot depends on high precision.

If you rely on the internal compass, it is critical to ensure the device is clear of any other objects. Even if not requested to do so by an on screen prompt, we recommend moving the device in a figure-of-eight motion for 10-20 seconds to maximize the chances of an accurate compass measurement.

Recentre primary pin		Press this button to reposition the red (primary) map pin to the centre of the map.
Geodetics		Press to enable geodetics. When enabled, a grey secondary map pin is displayed by default due east of the map centre. This can be used to measure distance and elevation changes between the primary and secondary points and to analyse line-of-sight. See below for more information. If already enabled, you can reset the grey pin to its default position due of the map centre using a long press on this button.
Map overlays		Tap to manage available map overlays. See below for more information.
Selected map type		Tap to change the current map type selection.

Geodetics controls

To disable geodetics, press the 'back' button:

Recentre primary pin		Press this button to reposition the red (primary) map pin to the centre of the map.
Reset secondary pin		Tap to reset the secondary pin to a default position due east of the map centre.
Swap map pins		When geodetics is enabled, this button can be used to swap the red and grey map pin positions.
Zoom to fit		Tap to zoom the map so that both priamry and secondary map pins are shown.

Map overlays

To exit map overlay selection, press the 'back' button:

Back		Return to default map controls
Skyfire		Press to enable or disable Skyfire overlays. Skyfire overlays are shown around sunrise and sunset: you may need to adjust the selected date and time of day and also zoom out to view this map overlay. Skyfire requires a susbcription. This button may not be shown if your device is configured for a region outside the Skyfire coverage area.
Light pollution		Press to enable/disable light pollution overlay. Light pollution is shown during the hours of darkness only: you may need to adjust the selected time of day and also zoom out significantly to view this map overlay.
Stars		Press to enable/disable display of stars and asterisms in Night Mode.

Map type selection

A number of different map types are available within the app. The best choice will depend on your situation - see notes of each choice below. The available choices depend on which map technology (Google or Apple) you have selected in the apps Settings.

Standard		Standard map, particularly suitable for cities and towns.
Satellite Hybrid		Satellite map with overlaid street, road and placename data. Suitable for locations where you need to see details of objects on the ground.
Terrain Google only		Default Topographic map, especially suited for landscape photography.
Open Street Map Google only		Available offline Alternative standard map type using OSM data. Any areas you view within the app will (subject to available storage on your device), remain available to view while offline for up to 1 year after viewing.
Open Cycle Map Google only		Available offline Alternative topographic map type. Any areas you view within the app will (subject to available storage on your device), remain available to view while offline for up to 1 year after viewing.

Hiding the map controls

The map control buttons can optionally be hidden to create additional working space for viewing the map.

Hide controls		Hide the map control buttons.
Show controls		Show the map control buttons.