
5 Astronomical applications that make stargazing easier
Stars and planets have always been a mystery to many, until now, and yet they are as visible as the next door neighbor’s house. Do you also feel the grandeur of the universe when you see them? Do their existence inspire wonder in you?
Well, even if they are out of your reach (still), you can bring them closer to you by getting to know them better. To do so, at Geektechen we have brought you 5 astronomy apps that will satisfy your curiosity about the miracles of the sky.
1. Map of the sky
Notable Features:
- Allows you to contribute to its functionalities.
- It gives you offline access
- Identify stars, planets and nebulae.
- Participate in the beta testing program to access the latest features.
Available in: Android
Sky Map was created to make your celestial observations more than just a vague look into the unknown, helping you identify stars, planets and nebulas. It is an open source application and invites everyone to contribute to improve it.
You generally won’t need internet access to use this app, but some of its features, such as GPS, will require it. The best thing about this astronomy and planetarium app is that it is ad-free and free.
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2. Star mobile
Notable Features:
- Displays an accurate simulation of the night sky in real time
- Immerse yourself in a vast collection of stars, nebulas, galaxies and more.
- Explore how constellations appear in different cultures in the sky.
- Connect and control NexStar, SynScan or LX200 compatible telescopes
Stellarium offers you an accurate, real-time simulation of the night sky. With its intuitive interface, it helps you learn about stars, constellations, planets, comets, and satellites by simply pointing your phone at the sky.
Its pro version gives you deeper access to its database of over 1.69 billion stars and 2 million deep sky objects and advanced observing tools. Stellarium’s simplicity and minimalist design make it an ideal astronomy app for kids and adults.
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3. SkyView® Lite
Notable Features:
- Identify galaxies, stars, constellations, planets and satellites.
- Capture and share captivating images of the night sky.
- Use your device’s camera to detect celestial objects in the sky
- Explore the sky at different dates and times.
SkyView is designed for people with astronomical knowledge of all levels. So, whether you are a beginner just beginning to explore your curiosity or a professional looking to expand your interests, SkyView has a lot to offer.
To get started, you just need to point your phone’s camera at it to identify all celestial objects day or night. Not only that, it also focuses on enhancing your viewing experience with night mode and augmented reality mode.
You don’t need internet access to use it, making it a perfect astronomy app to use while camping, boating, or flying. With such excellent utility, SkyView was recognized as a Google Editor’s Choice in 2017.
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4. Star tracker
Notable Features:
- All data is available offline
- Explore the Solar System, 88 constellations and more than 8000 stars
- Automatically enters AR tracking mode when you point your device at the sky
- Smooth motion flow and high quality graphic display.
StarTracker invites you to immerse yourself in the wonders of the universe with an engaging and easy-to-use stargazing experience that’s fun when you’re out hiking with your friends.
It gives you offline access to a vast database of celestial objects including the Sun, Moon, planets, 88 constellations and over 8000 visible stars.
But you can make your experience even better with its premium features, which cost just $2.99. With them, you can get more out of it, without ads, more comfortable outdoor stargazing, more precise object positioning, and improved exploration.
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5. The sky tonight
Notable Features:
- Get real-time positions of celestial objects
- Determine the positions of celestial bodies in different periods.
- Set reminders for solar eclipses, full moons, etc.
- Enjoy a perfect stargazing experience with AR mode
What is that bright spot in the sky? What astronomical events can I see tonight? How can I find the object I’m interested in? If you have any of these 3 questions, Sky Tonight is the perfect app for you to find the answers.
Cater to an audience with diverse preferences with customizable features like adjusting the appearance of constellations, setting reminders for celestial settings, and updating you with news about the world of astronomy.
However, its free experience is quite limited. If you want to be prepared and improve your observations, we recommend you purchase its paid version. It offers affordable monthly, annual, and lifetime plans.
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5 Astronomy Apps – Conclusion
The sky is as amazing as it is mysterious. But now you can get a better understanding of the miracles that have always been swirling around you. Try any of these astronomy apps to not only contemplate the wonders of the sky, but to learn about them as well.