How to Make and Use a Horizon File for Stellarium or NINA

In this video, I will show you how to make your own horizon file with your phone. Then how to make the horizon file using the data you made on the phone. Finally, I will show how to set up Stellarium and NINA to take advantage of the horizon file.
iPhone Apps
Theodolite apps.apple.com/us/app/theodol...
GyroCam rkinnett.github.io/gyrocam/ (Browser-Based works well with Chrome)
Android Apps
GeoCam Free play.google.com/store/apps/de...
Surveyor Tools Free play.google.com/store/apps/de...
Dioptra Lite play.google.com/store/apps/de...
GyroCam rkinnett.github.io/gyrocam/ (Browser-Based works well with Chrome)
Make a folder on your desktop called my_horizon. Then copy the following below.
[landscape]
name = My Horizon
type = polygonal
author = Me!
description = My horizon as viewed from my driveway.
polygonal_horizon_list = my_horzion.txt
polygonal_angle_rotatez = 0
ground_color = .15,.45,.45
horizon_line_color = .75,.45,.45
Save this in a text editor and call it landscape.ini in the my_hozizon folder you made on the desktop. Then you make another text file that has your horizon file data from the data you captured with the phone. Save this file as my_horizon.txt and save it to the my_hoizon folder. You will now have 2 files in the my_hoizon folder. Move this folder to C:\Program Files\Stellarium\landscapes\
Now open Stellarium and select Sky and viewing options icon on the bottom left. When that window opens. Select Landscapes and then look for and select the my_horizon and you should see your horizon show up in the planetarium view.
For NINA just follow the instructions in the video. Thanks for watching...

[@duiaita2924]

Jeff, nice summary video. I tried to update my horizon and had Stellarium/Windows would not let me save the new landscapes/DDHOI/landscape configuration settings file. I get See the Owner of the file or an administrator to obtain permission. What the heck, I’m the owner of this computer. I suck at Windows. Any advice to make this work? Thx in advance.

[@jeffrh]

Windows will not let you save a file into the Programs Folder. Save the file to the Desktop. Then open a File Explorer window and drag the horizon file into the correct place. Should work and get you going... Hope this helps

[@paulmeesters]

On my Samsung S23 Ultra it says the Dioptra Lite app is not compatible with my device and it can't be installed from GooglePlay...

[@jeffrh]

Paul
I just check my version and it was updated recently. I also checked the Play Store and saw the message saying it isn't compatible with my device. I can assure you that the version on my phone is working. So something has happened in the year since I made this to make this app something that the Dioptra devs no longer wish to have on people's phones... I do know there are other programs of this type in the Play store. Try doing a search for Dioptra and see what pops up... Good Luck...

[@jeffrh]

Paul, I did find this link dioptra-a-camera-tool.en.softonic.com/android Maybe you can sideload the program to your phone... Use at your own risk as sideloading apps is not recommended by Google.

[@jeffrh]

Paul
Did you check any of the other links in the Description below the video? For instance GeoCam is web based and is loaded via your browser. I have used that and it worked well. Give it a shot...

[@paulmeesters]

I decided to use my system camera on a tripod. Don't need Dioptra, or any other app anymore :)
Thanks for all your thoughts

[@cecilepuckhaber1067]

It didnt work at first because u hit dont save. Not because it was open

[@jeffrh]

At my age, that is called a brain fart... Thanks for the tip. ;-)