We support JPEG, PNG and WEBP file formats for image uploads. TIFF will follow shortly after in phase two of the launch. WebP is preferred as it will massively reduce your file size but add absolutely NO compression. The platform doesn’t use compression anyway so don't worry. Your data is all available in the full resolution you upload it.
What file formats are supported for image uploads?
Yes, the maximum file size for uploads is 120 MB for JPEG. Larger files may need to be resized or reduced before uploading, but Picastro will never add compression to your image data. See above but WebP is the best format.
Are there any size limits for images?
When uploading an image, you’ll see a text field where you can enter a description and an image title. This helps other users understand the context and details of your image. Don't worry there is also a comprehensive walkthrough on the app too.
How do I add a description to my image?
Yes, you can follow users, view their posts, and engage with the community very similar to the way you would expect on a normal social media platform. You will also be able to block people if they get a bit, you know, annoying! The platform works in a similar way to normal the social media apps, but this is only for astro content.
Yes you can
The Notification Centre helps users manage alerts for comments, likes, and new followers. If you allow for notifications on your phone you can also receive them direct to your phone as well as in app. Easy.
Notification Centre helps you manage alerts
While Picastro fosters community interaction and engagement, it does not and will never use algorithms to highlight specific content or trending reels typical of social media platforms.
In short, yes it is.
Groups can be created based on interests or equipment or anything else in between, and you can look for existing groups that match your preferences. The groups are administered and controlled by the person who set the up the original group so you will need to be asked so you can be in StarCamp® groups.
It’s really easy to do this.
Picastro is £4 per month for a 12 month subscription and this helps us to improve on the platform, keep bots, fake accounts and spam accounts from using the platform. It also allows us to innovate and add new features to what is already a fantastic platform with a growing user base.
It costs less than an astronomy screwdriver ;-)
Leading Lights are this wonderful people who engage regularly and comment positively on others peoples posts. They post images that inspire and they are people who just want to give back. The whole platform is about giving back after all. So, if your MO is about gaining followers and click bait, don’t bother. If you have an elitist approach t the hobby, probable best you stick so some other platforms, they might be better for you. Picastro is all about the community with no hidden agenda!
Leading Light® is part of the rewards system on Picastro
For support, visit the contact page on this website or contact the team directly through the app or the WhatsApp page. I’m here for you. I’m Tom, that's me!
There is customer support in app
Picastro is a dedicated mobile first social media platform for sharing images of deep sky objects and space content. It is not designed for storing your images. Please be sure you keep your own local copies of all of your data. If you delete your account on Picastro, your images will no longer be available and we will remove them from our system.
Picastro is not a repository for storing your images
But within reason. If you spam the platform with all of your images in one day, it will be noticed and you may be notified gently with the platform not to do that. We use systems to make sure that the platform runs super smooth, AWS etc, but from time to time you may experience small glitches in the machine. Be gentle, remember we are not Facebook or Instagram.
No, fill your boots.
Most social media platform are FREE because they are stealing your browsing and data to sell to other third parties. They server you adverts and the FREE platforms are filled with bots, spam, hate speech and fake accounts. Picastro is paid for the opposite of all these reasons. And at £48 per year for full access it’s cheaper than an astronomy screwdriver. Plus it means I can provide you with full hi res images so you can admire yours and other images in full Hi res with NO compression.
No, it is not FREE to use and here’s why
I will of course be very sad that you do not wish to use Picastro anymore, but if you go in to your account and your setting, you can delete your account from there. I will be sad to see you go though. :-(
Yes, you can.
Yes, Picastro is committed to providing an ad-free, spam-free experience. We do not use algorithms to sell or serve you content based on your browsing history and viewing history on other social media platforms. There are no trackers following you. The platform is paid to help mitigate this.
Yes it absolutely is.
Picastro was designed from the ground up so that anyone in astro can use it, no matter what stage of their cosmic adventures. The UI/UX has been expertly crafted to make sure that beginners in the field of astronomy and astrophotography as well as experts in the hobby Inca use it too.
It absolutely is for anyone to use
The Picastro roadmap is a good one. Phase two is the dedicated tablet version and a dedicated desktop version for this who don’t like using their phones so much. So each platform will have its own unique layouts to suit the way you use Picastro. Without giving to much away, Phase three is going to be amazing utilising AI in a really positive way to benefit everyone on the platform; B.E.K.A.H, and if you are an an MCU fan you just might make the connection!
So many ideas for Phase two and the future of Picastro