The editorial staff of Telecharger.com has selected four applications to help you observe the sky and stars, whatever the weather and light conditions.
Light pollution, overcast skies, uninformed eyes: there are many reasons that prevent us from correctly observing the sky and the celestial bodies that occupy it. To help you better take advantage of the upcoming meteor showers and other cosmic manifestations visible to the naked eye, Telecharger.com has selected four astronomical observation applications for Android, iPhone and iPad.
SkySafari
Reference in the field, SkySafari convinces all enthusiasts. The application uses your GPS coordinates to determine your exact position vis-Ã -vis constellations, planets and other celestial bodies. Compass mode activates your smartphone’s gyroscope, allowing you to explore the Milky Way in augmented reality. You can easily navigate manually in the sky and focus on a specific star whose identity card you get via the info icon.
To help you represent the evolution of the sky over time, SkySafari includes a time travel module. Go back or leap into the future to observe the changes in the position of celestial bodies over minutes, days, months, years. We appreciate the addition of a night mode thanks to which the night watchers preserve as much as possible the ambient darkness.
Most :
+ Use of the gyroscope to get your bearings
+ Many celestial bodies referenced and detailed
+ Time travel module
+ Night mode
The – :
– Orbit mode in in-app purchase
– Application in English only
Download SkySafari for Android (Free)
Download SkySafari for iPhone / iPad (Free)
Star walk 2
Star Walk 2 uses the GPS position of your smartphone to display the map of the sky currently above you on the screen. Day and night, you can see the position of the stars in space in real time. Star Walk 2 uses your device’s camera to display the sky in augmented reality and increase the feeling of immersion.
Many additional features help you better locate celestial bodies, such as the Apparent Magnitude settings or night mode. The constellations are perfectly identifiable. It is possible to individually identify each star that composes them thanks to the tactile zoom. In premium version, Star Walk 2 offers full access to everything there is to know about the extended solar system, satellites and deep sky objects.
The +:
+ Real-time and interactive sky map
+ Perfectly identifiable constellations
+ Night mode
+ Use of augmented reality
The – :
– Contains in-app purchases
Download Star Walk 2 for Android (Free)
Download Star Walk 2 for iPhone / iPad (Free)
SkyView
Less stingy with information about the stars and satellites that dot the sky, SkyView also uses augmented reality to fully immerse you in your space journey. A central viewfinder makes it easy to point to planets and constellations from which you get the details you want. Additional tools make it easy to take still or video screenshots, allowing you to store and share your memories of cosmic explorations.
To help you better conceptualize the apparent movements of the stars as well as the trajectory of the planets, the International Space Station and the Hubble Telescope, SkyView allows you to change the date and time. Side parameters, the application allows you to adjust the size of the stars to focus on other celestial objects. A night mode reduces the light pollution caused by your screen when you use the app at night.
The +:
+ Works offline
+ Use of augmented reality for total immersion
+ Displays many celestial bodies, including satellites
+ Still screenshots and video
The – :
– Application in English only
– Contains in-app purchases
Download SkyView for Android (Free)
Download SkyView for iPhone / iPad (Free)
Sky Map
Carte du Ciel brings together all the features offered by its competitors, and more. The app prompts you to manually enter your GPS coordinates or enter the name of your city before you launch into the stars. Capable of managing augmented reality to better immerse yourself in the heart of space, Carte du Ciel automatically freezes when you want to explore a specific area in more detail. By tapping on a star of your choice, you obtain an identity card indicating its azimuth, the distance which separates it from the Earth and the Sun, the diameter of planets and galaxies, the spectral type of stars.
The application facilitates the search for specific objects thanks to an index organized according to the type of body, whether it is a planet, a constellation, a star or a messier object. Additional settings include the display of the equatorial grid, moods, orbits, and ecliptic planes. Without forgetting the night mode, essential for those who wish to observe the sky in the most complete darkness.
The +:
+ Manual entry of geographic coordinates
+ Use of augmented reality
+ Shows many constellations and planets
+ Complete information sheets
+ Possibility of zooming to better study a particular star
The – :
– Comets, meteor showers and satellites only available in the paid version
Download Sky Map for Android (Free)
Download Sky Map for iPhone / iPad (Free)
Verdict
Although closely followed by its competitors, Carte du Ciel stands out as the most complete app for those who wish to observe the sky at any time of the day or night. Listing many constellations, stars and planets, the application promises an interstellar journey rich in discovery and detailed content. Display settings and night mode dramatically improve the space exploration experience that you can expand with additional content offered in the premium version.