Stargaze Easily With The Best Astronomy Apps!

Whether someone’s interest in astronomy has been sparked by the Super Pink Moon in April or they want to be ready when the Perseids meteor shower arrives in hotter seasons, they can start by trying out the best astronomy apps. Much of the time, all one has to do is direct them at the night sky, and they’ll illustrate what one is looking at, whether it’s stars, constellations, planets, or man-made objects like space ships or satellites. A lot of them can also notify one of the future astronomical activities, guaranteeing that they never skip another Super Moon.

Many of them have a kind of enhanced functionality that can sense one’s position and show what the star map above them might look like above. Thus, one does not need the experience of a planetarium docent to recognize what they are looking for. All one has to do is launch the application to be an astronomical expert. 

Although costly equipment isn’t needed, any stargazer will benefit from having an arsenal of astronomy apps at hand. If one likes to avoid artificial light or find a specific world in the sky, these are the applications they should have on their main screen.

CHARACTERISTICS OF ASTRONOMY APPS

• Predictions based on astronomical data
• Preparing for a Telescope Observation Session 
• Preparing for a Photography Venture (Astrophotography)
• Planetary Motion Monitoring
• ISS Passes 
• Aurora Notification
• Detection of Galaxies and Nebulae 
• How to Align a Telescope to Maintain Night Vision
• Astronomy Researching

SOME OF THE BEST ASTRONOMY APPS FOR BOTH ANDROID AND IPHONE:

1. NASA App: With the NASA app, not only can one get the most recent images, video recordings, features, as well as watch NASA activities in real-time but they can even look down at Earth from the International Space Station. The software is compatible with both the Android and iPhone systems.
2. Star Walk 2: This one requires the GPS to calculate the approximate positions of celestial objects. One has to simply aim their phone at the sky. If someone is looking for something to do with their children, there are even Star Walk Kids for iOS and Android. For Android users, Star Walk 2 is one of the best astronomy apps, available for free. However, it costs $3 for iOS platforms on iPhones.
3. SkyView: This app also utilizes an amplified interface to monitor what’s overhead, and one can watch their favorite constellations as they pass through the sky. Users appreciate that this one only displays main stars and does not overwhelm one with planetary systems that one may not be able to see. It is appropriate for both iPhone and Android.
4. Star Chart: Aim this at the ceiling, much like the rest, and see what’s up there. Then, aim it down on the horizon to see the sky but at the other side of the country. The version is developed for both iPhone and Android devices.

MORE APPS FOR ANDROID ON IPHONE

1. SkySarfari: It contains all of the magnified features you’d expect to see in a Stargazing app, and one can even monitor them with your voice. This app can be used for free on Android platforms but costs $3 to be run on an iPhone.
2. Solar Walk: This app is particularly appealing to children because it supplements its 3D space design with video clips that illustrate various celestial concepts. The app requires $3 to be launched on Android devices and $8 for iPhone users.
3. Star Tracker: The Star Tracker application for Android and iOS (lite) and displays eighty-eight constellations, over 8,000 deep-sky stars, as well as the planets, moon, and sun in actual environments. In AR mode, the app employs a 3D compass to denote the location of items you’ve looked for. One can consider it a handheld planetarium. Star Tracker has a graphical option for the six popular constellations and twelve astrological signs and to improve the experience.
4. International Space Station: The International Space Station (ISS) application, which is free on iPhone and Android, does not technically view stars; however, it does display planets and the ISS itself. The app keeps track of where the in-space lab is at any given moment above the Earth. It informs one how frequently they can anticipate seeing the ISS in the sky. The app also maintains notes of how long it will be before the ISS passes over the same spot again, as well as how long it will be available. The ISS is noticeable in a given region one or two times per day.
5. Stellarium: Thankfully, this is one of the best astronomy apps which makes this an easy process. This planetarium app provides a realistic 3D visualization of the skies for any single night in any part of the planet, showcasing the must-see views and demonstrating how to locate them. Overall, Stellarium is an excellent companion for any novice astronomer. It can be run on both iPhone and Android devices. 

ASTRONOMY APPS AVAILABLE ONLY ON ANDROID

1. Sky Map: This one began as a Google project and later became open source. If one does not know where to begin, point it at the sky and it will guide them to something interesting.
2. Sky Wiki: Set it to schedule mode and one will never forget another significant celestial occurrence ever again.
3. SkEye: One can use it as a daily planetarium app, or if one has a telescope, one can use it in combination to direct it to objects of interest.

ASTRONOMY APPS AVAILABLE ONLY ON IPHONE: 

1. Star and Planet Finder: Rather than aiming the phone at the constellations and waiting for the app to show what’s there, one can instruct what they want to see and the app will advise them where to see. The free version only comes with a handful of planet and star options, but one can buy more.
2. Pocket Universe: Even though it is a little pricey, costing $3, one will get a list with 80,000 stars as well as a chart that will show what else is in the night sky above even though there are clouds.
3. NightCap: Its AI changes the camera’s quality, white balance, ISO shutter settings, and other configurations to capture clearer shots of the sky at night. There are also camera settings dedicated to depicting things like star studies and the International Space Station. When one integrates all of this with the opportunity to record nocturnal images and time-lapses, NightCap is the perfect beginner’s astrology app.
4. Dark Sky: This is one of the best weather and astronomy apps that provides hyperlocal, up-to-the-minute predictions that determine when the sky will clear right where one is. As an additional perk, it will inform one of the latest phases of the moon, as well as sunrise times and wind patterns. 

Instead of a telescope, private astronomers now use mobile and tablet applications to learn about the position and discover stars, planets, and galaxies. Mobile applications will provide a variety of knowledge about what’s going on above, irrespective of location or time. That’s how the best astronomy applications make use of a mobile or tablet’s compass and gyroscope. Best of all, even though one is in the middle of nowhere, miles from a Wi-Fi or mobile network, astronomy applications will provide one with the astronomical knowledge they need.