Release Notes

Cedar Aim app updates are usually automatic, via the Apple (iOS) or Google (Android) app store.

Hopper firmware updates must be applied by the user; see Updating for instructions.

Cedar Aim and Hopper firmware need not be updated in lock-step; newer versions of Cedar Aim can work with older versions of Hopper firmware and vice-versa. But it is best to keep both updated together to get the latest features and fixes.

September 2026

Cedar Aim 1.2.5

  • Tweaks for new catalogs.
  • Show magnitude range for variable stars.
  • Catalog browser shows up to 100 results.

Hopper 1.5.0

  • Added catalogs:
    • AAVSO Binocular Program of bright variables stars (154)
    • Abell planetary nebulae (73)
    • Collinder open clusters (471)
    • Herschel 400 (391)
    • Sharpless HII regions and emission nebulae (313)

August 2026

Cedar Aim 1.2.4

  • Tweaks for Arp catalog.
  • Long object notes get scrollbar instead of truncation.
  • Add 'transit' ordering in catalog browser.
  • Improve visibility of keyboard keys.
  • Allow updates even when Cedar Server is unreachable.

Hopper 1.4.0

  • Added catalogs:
    • Barnard dark nebulae (349)
    • Arp peculiar galaxies (338)
    • More to come...
  • Add CPU/thread usage report
  • Cap focus-mode frame rate

Cedar Aim 1.2.2

  • Updater fixes
  • UI improvements for added catalogs
  • Object rise/set/transit times
  • Added search button and ra/dec goto button in Catalog browser
  • Saved image is saved to mobile device local storage
  • Goto alt-az option
  • Fixed menu that would not stay open on some iOS devices

Hopper 1.3.0

  • Improved accuracy of planets.
  • Added catalogs:
    • Asteroids (5821)
    • Comets (945)
    • More to come...

Hopper 1.2.0

  • Added catalogs:
    • Bayer star names (1,517)
    • Bright star catalog star names (471)
    • Washington Double Star cagtalog (79,320)
    • Caldwell catalog (109)
    • More to come...
  • Refined star detection and hot pixel rejection
  • Improve WiFi compatibilty with client devices

July 2026

Cedar Aim 1.1.3

  • Bluetooth improvements
  • Updater fixes

Hopper 1.1.6

  • Improve WiFi access point stability
  • Fix WiFi access point compatibility problem preventing some devices from connecting
  • Detect and recover failed Bluetooth connection.
  • Fix LX200 (SkySafari/Stellarium) position reporting so objects near 0 hours right ascension are no longer rejected as invalid.
  • Software updates are now verified for completeness guarding against a corrupted or interrupted download.