10 Best apps for finding constellations

It wasn’t all that long ago that stargazing was considered expensive. Telescopes could be prohibitively priced for most people, at least telescopes that could see further than the other side of the room.

These days as technology advances, the prices go down. Now, that is all well and good but you need to know where you are looking too. This is where the technology we already have comes in handy, and add to this the fact that constellations are the best place to start your stargazing journey, and you have a winner.

What we have listed for you here, in no particular order, is our 10 best apps, for iOS and Android, for finding constellations.

1. Star Rover – Stargazing Guide

Available on Android for £1.79 and iOS for £1.99.

Star Rover is ideal for learning about constellations. To use it, you aim your device at the sky and it will give you a good idea of what you are looking at.

When the app has your location it will give you details of the night sky objects that it can ‘see’, and this updates as you move the device across the sky.

2 Cosmic Watch: Time and Space

Available on Android for £3.39 and iOS for £6.99.

This app is a 3D planetarium, assisted by AR (Augmented Reality). It allows for the exploration of the whole Solar System. The clock function allows you to move back and forth through time so you can see how time affects the locations of astronomical bodies.

With layered views, Cosmic Watch makes for an excellent educational tool.

3 Pocket Universe

Available on iOS for £2.99.

Similar to Star Rover, with Pocket Universe you need to point your device up at the night sky. This is a great app for those starting out. Hold up your phone to the sky and the app makes use of the built-in compass to identify the heavenly bodies above you.

This app also comes with quizzes to help you with your learning and understanding.

4 SkEye | Planetarium

Available on Android for £0.00

If you have ever gazed up at the night sky and wondered what you are looking at? With this free app, you will be able to get familiar with constellations, stars and planets.

This app is also great for amateur astronomers by providing a Push-to guide to make navigation easier.

5 SkySafari

Available on Android for £0.00 and iOS for £2.99

SkySafari uses data from NASA spacecraft and the Hubble Telescope to provide fresh and up to date information and images of planets and moons.

You can simulate the night sky from anywhere, and from any time past or future using its Time Flow feature.

6 Sky Map

Available on Android for £0.00

Developed originally as Google Sky Map, this uses the compass and GPS built into your device to track and identify the celestial body you are interested in.

Want to find a particular constellation? Point your device at the sky and the app will tell you where you need to be looking.

7 Star & Planet Finder

Available on iOS for £0.00

Why not put your camera to work? Using this app is easy, you just pick a star, planet or constellation from its directory. Next, with your camera facing the sky, move your device according to the directions on the display.

The app is free but you can use in-app purchases to unlock various planets.

8 Starmap

Available on iOS for £0.00

One of the more comprehensive apps on the list, it offers details on 2.5 million stars and all 110 Messier objects. You can search for a constellation or other night sky viewing pleasure spot, and the app will help you find it in the sky.

The Tonight feature will also help you get closer to your new favourite hobby.

9 Night Sky

Available on iOS for £0.00

This is a seriously impressive app, not least because it is free. It will help you identify a wealth of celestial objects, and importantly their locations so you can find them (the same as other similar apps) but it is the global community that makes this stand out.

The community can suggest excellent stargazing spots from across the globe. It will also tell you if your local weather will make a good stargazing night or not.

10 DSO Planner Plus

Available on Android for £13.49

This is an advanced astronomy planning app that helps you in finding constellations, stars and various other objects in the night sky. It comes with an extensive database of its own but users can create their databases too.

Users are also able to import digitised sky survey images, of any part of the sky, for use within the application’s star chart.