You’ve named your star, you’ve given it to your loved one and now you want to go and see it. You may know your constellations from your asterims but it’s not always clear to see what’s right in front of you.
A few years back stargazing would be a garden affair, with you and your family all fighting for a peak through the telescope, but now you can all get the best view with the help of some free astronomy apps. Here is our top 5 picks of astronomy apps that aren’t just super helpful, but are free!
SkyView Lite
The wonders of AR mean that you can point your phone at the sky, and SkyView can instantly identify stars and constellations that are right in front of you. This app is a huge source of astronomy knowledge, with information on satellites, planets and even upcoming stargazing events.
Star Walk 2
Sometimes it’s tricky to tell what you’re looking at in the sky, and Star Walk 2 makes it super easy. All you have to do is point your phone at the night sky and the app doesn’t just tell you what’s right in front of you, but also how close you are other stars and constellations in the sky. The only downside, the free version of the app does have ads, but it’s cheap enough to upgrade to and get an ad-free experience.
Star Chart
As the name suggests, the Star Chart gives you the full picture, giving you a view of the invisible universe at the tips of your fingertips. As well as showing you constellations and star names, you’ll also be able to see information like distance, brightness and object reference. This app is perfect for any budding astronomers!
SkySafari
If you’re looking for a simple, quick stop tour of the night sky then SkySafari is the app for you. By pointing your phone at the sky, it will show you all the basics for stargazing. You’ll see constellations and planets and will also be able to listen to audio tours of what you’re seeing. So stick back, pop your headphones in and enjoy the stars around you.
Night Sky Lite
When you need a quick answer to what you’re looking at, Night Sky is there to help. It’s able to identify stars, constellations, planets and satellites at the click of a button. It can also advise you on weather conditions and the best times to view your constellations. Plus, the app has a community of users all ready to share their suggestions on the best stargazing experiences across the globe.
Why not use these apps and take a look outside this evening and see if you can spot one of the 10 brightest stars in the night sky?! Let us know on Facebook , Twitter or Instagram if you manage to find any of those stars! We love hearing from you.