Best Apps for Stargazing
There’s nothing more calming than enjoying the evening sky and watching the stars above.
Stargazing is a fun activity you can experience with your friends and family. Not only you’ll enjoy the beauty of the night sky, but you’ll also get to learn about the stars, meteors, galaxies, and more.
We have a list of apps that could help you locate the constellation of stars you are looking for, discover, and gain more knowledge about the wonders of our universe.
Check out below the best apps for stargazing and the experience of people who have tried or used the app.
Stars and Planets Finder
Star Walk
“One app that I’ve really started to like recently is called Star Walk – I’ve also upgraded to Star Walk 2, as it comes with more features. I use Star Walk 2 on my iPhone – where it costs $2.99. It is a free download on Android, however.”
Pros: “The app comes with an astronomy calendar and connects to your phone’s GPS for accurate tracking. There are also several other convenient features, such as the ability to see when the sun will rise and set.”
Cons: “The only negative point I’ve found is the fact that the app also contains in app purchases, but there are still several free features that you can explore.“
Heather Welch – Ukulele Tabs and Chords
Stars, Planets, Constellations, etc. Identifier and Locator
GoSkyWatch Planetarium
“As a stargazer enthusiast, the GoSkyWatch Planetarium is one of the best apps I have used to watch the stars and planets.”
Pros: “This app has a smooth transition from portrait to landscape whenever it is active. It also offers a unique touchless experience making it simple to use the app. One of the best features of this app is the target circle at the center of the screen that provides information such as the name, constellation, lightyears away, and more of any star or planet that passes through it. This app is very powerful and makes stargazing simple and fun“
Kathy Taylor – WeLoans
Astronomy Guide
SkySafari
“For me, the app that I use the most is SkySafari. I like SkySafari because it’s very comprehensive, and it has a lot of features that are really helpful for stargazing.”
Pros: “it has a built-in compass, so you can always know which way you’re pointing your telescope. It also has a really great database of stars, so you can always find something interesting to look at.”
Cons: “One of the things I don’t like about SkySafari is that it’s not free. It costs about $5, which isn’t a lot, but it’s something to keep in mind.“
Matt James – Visitingly
Astronomy App
Skymap
“The best astronomy app for Android users is Skymap. The app is currently open-source and is not currently in conflict with Google. The fact that this virtual reality astronomy app is completely free and has no ads is its best feature. Skymap is the best app if you’re new to stargazing and want to learn about the positions and other information of the stars, planets, constellations, and satellites.“
Brad Burnie – StarShips.com
Astronomy App
NASA App
“I’ve always enjoyed the NASA app. Though it’s not technically a stargazing app, you can explore a ton of videos, photos, and live streams of space – which you can’t find anywhere else. This app also has all sorts of articles and resources that teach you all about space, and the learning is endless. I’ve learned more about space through this app than anywhere else. But, when I don’t feel like learning, I can still explore all of the photos and videos of stars and planets for pure enjoyment.“
Chris Stevenson – Virtual Reality Rental
Dark Sky Locator
The Light Pollution Map
“The Light Pollution Map app is an absolute necessity for any stargazer. Use it to find spots where lights won’t get in your way of enjoying the night sky. It also offers a countdown timer to when it’s darkest, a cloud-cover overlay to help you find clear spots, and alerts for events like meteor showers. You can download it for free on the App Store.“
Larry Snider – Casago
Meteor Activity Forecast
MeteorActive
“MeteorActive is an essential app for any stargazer. This free app will let you know when and where you can see meteor showers as well as how many meteors you can expect to spot. It’s available on iOS through the Apple App Store. While there isn’t an equivalent app for Android, you can gain the same information through apps like Star Walk 2 and SkyView.“
Nick Mueller – Hawaiian Islands
Stars, Constellation, and Satellites Identifier
SkyView
“You can always track information about various stars with the help of the *SkyView app* (day or night). By pointing your device at the sky, you can use this app to see all the stars, planets, constellations, and galaxies. As you move your phone across the sky, you can see all 58 constellations appear and vanish. Additionally, Skyview’s scheduled event feature will help ensure that you don’t miss any upcoming celestial events. The planet and satellite models created by AR are appealing to students and kids because they give them a brand-new perspective on the cosmos. The app offers a red and green light filter to improve and smooth out viewing.“
Jason Vishnefsk – Santa Barbara Chocolate
