Decide what you need
Take time to figure out just what you
need apps for – only download those
that suit your needs.Read the reviews
Some might highlight compatibility
issues with your device or bugs.Check for permission
requirements
Be very careful to check what an app
will want to do with your information
and access to your device. Many want
to access your contacts, emails and
texts for no good reason. Avoid those.You get what you pay for
Although some basic, free astronomy
apps are very good, it is often worth
paying for the more advanced apps.Be patient with your apps
More advanced apps have so many
features, they take a little while to
figure out everything they can do.You’ll need:
Smartphone
ortablet device
GPS enabled
onyour device
Access to the
internet via WiFi
Sufficient memory on
your device to download
large apps
Before the advent of apps, amateur
astronomers used to rely on books
and monthly magazines for our
astronomy news, information about
space missions and details of what
wouldbevisibleinthenight
sky. Then home computers entered
our lives, and suddenly we were
able to use amazing planetarium
programs to simulate the night sky
and help us plan observing evenings
in advance. They were very crude
and simple compared to what we
have today, but they genuinely
revolutionised the hobby.
A second revolution followed
when the internet exploded in
popularity. Now we were drowning
in information about space missions;
able to access the actual images
taken by space probes and landers
exploring distant planets, comets
and asteroids and even talk to the
people involved in the missions.
Soon online communities of amateur
astronomers had formed, places
where people could give advice, share
photographs and learn from others
withthesamepassion.
Inrecentyearstherehasbeen
athird,evenmoredramatic
revolution in amateur astronomy
as smartphones and tablets have
takenoveroureverydaylives.There
are now hundreds, and perhapseven thousands of astronomy apps
available – far too many, to be honest.
Some apps turn your mobile device
into a ‘pocket planetarium’, generating
detailed sky charts for where you live.
Others predict when you will be able
to see the International Space Station
crossingthesky,oradisplayofthe
northernlightsoreclipsesoftheSun
and Moon.
With so many apps available it’s
important to decide exactly what you
want apps for before downloading
any. Some basic apps are free, and
still very useful, while others cost a
fortune and are bloated and hard to
usebecausetheytrytodoabsolutely
everything, gorging themselves on
your device’s memory and power as
they chug away. Do your research in
advance and only download apps you
will actually use.“Some basic apps are free, and
still very useful”
Tips & tricks
Amateur astronomyhas been revolutionised bythe use of appson
smartphones and tablets. How do you pick the right ones for you