recommends
A better view
You can even use an app to
watchlivevideooftheEarth
being beamed down from the
Space Station as you sit on
the bus or relax at home!Quick tips for choosing an app
With so many available, here'showtoselecttheoneforyourneeds
Some people have a particular area of interest that
they focus on in astronomy, such as planetary or
deep-sky observation. If yours is quite niche there
might be an app dedicated to exactly that, such asSend your photos to
[email protected]aurorae forecasts or a Moon map, whereas an app
that does everything might be hard to navigate and
take up lots of extra space. You can also rely on other
users' reviews and star ratings in the app store.Your own needs
Before downloading any apps
consider what you specifically
wanttousethemfor.Youmight
not need to download large apps
if smaller, specialised ones will
be more useful. Browse the app store
Go to the site you download
apps from and search carefully
for astronomy apps that will
actually be useful and help you
enjoy stargazing.Read reviews
Make sure you read the users’
reviewsbeforedownloading
an app. You might learn it
is incompatible with your
device or has other issues.Pocket of stars
A planetarium-type
app will help you learn
thesky.Asyoumove
your device the app
will label the stars and
constellations visible
above you.Sky Safari is
a versatile
planetarium app
which will help you learn the
night sky. V5 is free, but the
most advanced version is
£18.49.The free Stellarium
app is not as
advanced, but
simulates the night sky
beautifully and realistically.
It's good for basic
observation planning.The free Heavens
Above is great for
predicting when
and where you can see the
Space Station and other
satellites crossing the sky.
Also has a premium version.The Clear Outside
weather app is
very accurate
and reliable, with useful
information about cloud
cover and seeing conditions
that might ruin your night.Look up!
Other apps will give you early
warnings of when you can
see the Space Station and
other satellites crossing the
sky. They tell you when and
where to look.Choose an astronomy app
STARGAZER
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