Have you ever get a chance to enjoy the scenic beauty of night sky? The answer may be every night. Really, the beauty of night sky put us in many thoughts and we feel like we are in heaven. Have you heard about some Telescope app before? If not then continue reading as you are going to get a recommended list.
The most amazing part of this is the twinkling stars. Thousands of stars of various sizes engraved in the sky sometimes create curiosity as well. You want to explore the space but again disappointed that you don’t have the instruments like a telescope.
You would be happy to hear that you can use your smartphone as a telescope. This would be possible with the help of some Telescope apps. Now your smartphone will be like an entire observatory.
Please note that your phone can’t be the same as the actual Telescope. You just use it for fun and some cool exploration.
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List of best Telescope apps
Here we have listed some of the best Telescope apps you can use.
1. SkyView Lite
You can start your space exploration with SkyView Lite app. Just open the app and point your rear camera to the night sky. The app will start analyzing the stars and the spot and identify cosmological objects in the sky.
This app can identify various things like stars, galaxies, constellations, planets, and satellites. The cool part of this app is, it also shows the ISS (Internation Space Station) when it passes over your head.
When the app detects any object then it shows some brief description of that.
This app can work in the day also. The app has also night mode features so you can enjoy it even night. The app also got the editor choice tag in the Google Play Store.
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2. SkySafari
SkySafari acts as a pocket telescope but more than that. Simply point your device towards the sky and then the app will start analyzing the cosmological objects.
Rather than just discovery, it also packed with interactive information and rich graphics that will help you to know more about the sky.
The star chart updates automatically in real-time as per your movements of the hand. This gives you a stargazing experience that you have not experienced before.
This app is regularly updated and adds more information to its database and give more detailed information.
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3. Star Tracker
Add some more funs in your space exploration with the Star Tracker app. Just install and launch this app on your phone.
Then the app will start exploring the night sky and finds the patterns and the other objects like planets, satellites, etc. When it finds any match, then it shows the pattern in the graphical representation way.
The cool part of this app is all data available offline so no worries about the data connection availability. This app uses your Gyroscope sensor to detect cosmological objects.
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4. ISS Live Now
If you love astronomy then you must know ISS. The ISS is orbiting about 400 kilometers above the earth. With this ISS Live Now app, you can view amazing 4K live video streams directly from the International Space Station’s high-resolution cameras.
The app has six different sources of video live streaming, including Live standard camera placed on ISS, NASA TV, etc.
This app notifies during some of the astronomical events. You can set a reminder if you want to see the sunrise or sunset from the ISS.
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5. Starlight
Starlight acts a telescope and shows some awesome views of the night sky. This is your map to the cosmos fits in your pocket.
Pick your phone and point your camera towards the night sky and see the magic. This app will analyze the sky and shows you constellations through beautiful hand-painted artwork. You can use this telescope app as a small version of the actual device.
This app has all 88 western constellations illustrated in beautiful painted artwork. The fast navigation allows you to scan the night sky quickly and gives you a hustle-free experience.
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6. ISS Detector
If you are lucky enough, then you can see the ISS moving over your head. It seems like a bright moving star. This ISS Detector app helps you detect the moving ISS.
You will never miss a pass of the International Space Station. Because you will get an alarm a few minutes before they pass over your head. You also get bright flashes of the iridium communication satellites. As some apps send you bill reminders, this app send you reminder for the ISS.
With the free version ISS Detector, you will get limited features. If you want more features then you can upgrade the app. The premium version of this app has Radio Amateur Satellites, HAM radio satellite tracking, track dozens of ham and weather satellites, etc.
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7. OSR Star Finder
OSR Star Finder app gives you an amazing way to explore the universe. You don’t need costly astronomical instruments or heavy telescope for this.
Just install and launch the app. Now you are ready to explore the universe in a different way. Just point your phone towards the night sky and the app starts analyzing the sky and search for the patterns.
This app can detect 88 constellations and several famous Landmark Stars. Augmented reality and night modes enhance the app experience.
The cool part of this app is, you can register a star and name your own constellation and draw the pattern. When you scan the sky next time the app shows you the traditional patterns with your own hypothetical constellation.
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8. Satellite Tracker by Star Walk
Have you ever intended to track the revolving satellites? If your answer is yes, then this Satellite Tracker by Star Walk helps you a lot. This can be used as a telescope app.
It is developed by the famous astronomical app Star Walk developer team. We will see more about this app after this.
The app is made of simplicity. The simple and easy to use satellite finder of this app tracks in real-time. There is an option named “fly-with-satellite view”. Choose that option and enjoy the 3D image of the satellite while flying over the Earth with the real speed and location.
This can have great fun finding and tracking satellites and also a great educational activity for kids.
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9. Star Walk
Start Walk is a popular app in this category having tons of useful features. It can be a perfect educational astronomy tool stargazing for space enthusiasts of all ages.
The app will serve you real time-space map of constellations and stars. You just have to open the app and point it towards the sky.
This app has a built-in astronomical calendar that contains various celestial events like a solar eclipse, lunar eclipse, meteor shower, full moon, new moon, etc. If you are in a party mood and have some drinks, then add some more fun with this app.
This app doesn’t require any internet connection. So you can use it anywhere in the world.
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10. Constellation Map
As the name suggests, Constellation Map shows you various constellation maps in the sky. Simply point your phone towards the sky and get the real view.
It shows you names of the stars, various constellations, and planets. You can see the stars below the horizon also. Zoom-in and Zoom-out the map to see in different orientations.
This can only work if your phone has an accelerometer sensor. So make sure that your phone has the same sensor. Almost all modern phones equipped with this sensor. So no worries about that.
This app can display the names of about 100 astronomical objects etc. You can also search for the name of the constellation and the app will show you the photo.
11. Star Chart Infinite
Star Chart Infinite can be used as an educational & augmented reality app. With the help of this app, you have the virtual star chart in your pocket.
This app uses your state of GPS and shows an accurate 3D simulation of the visible universe. Just point your app towards the sky and start tracking your movements to match the sky.
The Time Shift feature, allows you to shift up to 10,000 years forward or backward in time by sliding the button. Powerful zoom function, allows you to view the sky in extra detail.
12. Heavens-Above
Heavens-Above app gives various features that you can use to explore the space in a fun way. Like other apps in the list, this app also provides real time-space tracking and other necessary features.
This app gives predictions for passes of the International Space Station (ISS) over and most visible satellites. The space tracker allows you to track any object in the sky.
The night mode feature is an optional red on black color scheme gives a good feeling. You can add some upcoming events and satellite passes in the calendar so that you won’t miss them.
13. StarMap 3D+ Plus
Startup 3D+ Plus is a very popular app in Apple iTunes having thousands of 5-star reviews. The app works like other apps on this list.
Just point your phone towards the sky and see the data. Real-time positions tracking features allow you to track 150 artificial satellites. It includes the International Space Station (ISS), and the Hubble Space Telescope and much more.
The app has a huge database of over 100,000 stars, with detailed information for each of them. In addition to that, it can detect 6,441 deep sky objects. There are various modes you can use to get different experiences.
14. Star Walk 2 Free
Star Walk 2 Free is one of the most popular apps in this category having 10 million-plus active installation. This app also got Editor’s choice tag in the Google Play Store.
The app has a real-time tracker that that shows the real-time map of the sky on your phone in whatever direction you are pointing the device.
The Satellites scanner of this app scans the sky over your head and shows the Satellites passing overhead. You can also see the ISS if it passes over your head.
There is a free and paid version of this app as well. If you want more features, then you can buy the premium version of this app.
Conclusion
So these are some of the best Telescope apps you can use to expel the space. As I have discussed earlier in this article, you can replace a space observatory with these apps.
You can just use these apps as fun and get some exciting space view directly from your phone. Install and use this type of apps and you have some fun. You can also learn some new things about space using these apps.