Cons: Slightly reduced dataset when offline.

OS minimum version requirement iOS 12.0.14 of the best stargazing and astronomy apps One last thing: don't forget to turn your phone's screen red to protect your dark-adapted vision. Some of the apps on our list are free, while others require subscriptions or in-app purchases to take advantage of all the available features. So even if you're the most ardent star chart user, it's worth arming your smartphone or tablet with a good astronomy app, at least as a backup.īut how can you know which are the best stargazing and astronomy apps?īelow we've selected some of the best apps available for both iOS and Android - including a few good astrophotography apps - to find out what makes them so special. Such transient phenomena are not covered by your average star chart or planisphere, as star charts are limited to the predictable, clockwork motions of the night sky like the appearance of certain stars and constellations at the same time every year. They can tell you where Venus is on a particular evening or help you time observations of a lunar occultation. A good smartphone app can tell you when and where to look. It is possible to see the ISS passing overhead in the night sky.

How to use stellarium mobile ios