Now that the summer nights are here, it is a good time to stop and contemplate the beauty of the starry sky. To enjoy this wonderful spectacle of nature, the first thing we must do is get away from the cities and their light pollution. The second is to download one of the many apps to see the stars that we have at our disposal.
These apps are an ideal resource for those who don't have a planetarium to visit or a telescope at home. In addition, they not only guide us in our observations of the celestial vault, but also offer us a lot of information about astronomy.
The list that we present below compiles some of the best apps. Some of them are valid for both Android phones and iOS devices. In any case, they offer us the possibility of projecting a new look at the firmament and fascinating ourselves with the immensity of the Universe:
Night Sky
We kick off our list with one of the best stargazing apps for anyone with an iPhone. An augmented reality planetarium in our hands: night sky.
This app helps us identify the stars, planets, constellations and satellites simply by pointing our smartphone towards the sky. Its list of features and functions is huge, with a didactic section that helps us discover and better understand the secrets of space. Night Sky is available for $5,99 per month or $39,99 per year. It's not a cheap app, but you won't find one like it.
Eclipse Calculator 2.0
This application, only available on Android, deals with a very specific aspect of observing the sky. What the app will serve us for Eclipse Calculator 2.0 is to calculate and simulate eclipses and other astronomical events. For example, it helps us to know which eclipses of the Sun and the Moon will be visible from our location in the coming weeks and months, or how many planetary transits are going to take place in a certain period of time.
The app also houses copious information about these stellar phenomena and how they have been interpreted throughout history. Very interesting.
NASA
Yes, the official NASA app is another one that must be downloaded to your mobile in order to take a deeper look at the Universe. Available on Android and iOS.
Through the simulator NASA app We will be able to see more than 16.000 images and more than 14.000 videos that have been captured from the International Space Station. Very real, beautiful and overwhelming images. How could it be otherwise, the app also collects a lot of information about space exploration projects and all the knowledge that NASA projects have contributed to astronomy and astrophysics.
OSR Star Finder
Like other apps on this list, OSR Star Finder it also uses the augmented reality system to show us the stars and constellations, with really neat and visually impressive illustrations and descriptions.
However, what makes this application something different is the possibility of choosing a star and registering it with the name that we want. A very original gift idea.
Sky View
With more than a million downloads, this is perhaps the great reference application to observe and discover space and its secrets. All we have to do with Sky View is to point our mobile at the sky and begin to identify stars, constellations, planets, satellites and much more.
Very easy to use and lots of handy features available. It is recommended to use it with a good tripod to get the most accurate shots.
Star Walk 2
A walk through the sky, a map of the stars... Star Walk 2 It is one of the best applications to see the stars, constellations, planets, satellites, comets and other celestial bodies, in full detail. A must for any astronomy lover.
Among its multiple and interesting functions, it stands out star spotter, an instrument for observing the sky both day and night. It also incorporates a "time machine" with which to follow the movement of celestial objects, the phases of the moon, etc. In addition, it allows us to apply filters (gamma rays, X-rays, infrared radiation, etc.) as well as establish brightness settings.
Finally, it should be mentioned that it offers its users a huge amount of information and the latest news from the world of astronomy.
Stellarium
Stellarium It is the closest thing to a pocket planetarium that we can have. An app for children and adults with a simple interface, but with numerous functions.
In addition to the pure and simple observation of the sky, Stellarium contains a vast gallery of real images of planets, galaxies, nebulae, etc. It includes a huge catalog of information on the entire known Universe. It also offers the possibility of real-time detailed monitoring of the main artificial satellites that revolve around the Earth.
Although it is a free application, to access its most interesting functions you have to opt for the paid version
