Skyview
It’s that perfect time of year to step outside at night and stare up at the night sky. There are a lot of apps out there that can help demystify what’s in front of you be it stars, planets, constellations or even man-made objects like satellites or the International Space Station.
The SkyView app is available for Android and iOS devices. SkyView uses an augmented-reality interface to show you what’s above, focusing on the major stars. The app will show popular constellations, two satellites (ISS and Hubble), galaxies, stars, planets, the Sun and the Moon, and some fun facts about each of these objects.
When you launch the app, SkyView will ask for permission to access your camera as well as location. This helps calibrate the app with your smartphone.
When you rotate the cursor over to a constellation, the app will draw a cartoon that connects all the stars so you can see the cosmic archer clearly in the sky. Then, tap the information button next to the name to give you more information on the celestial object.
You can make a few adjustments within the app, which determine how many stars you can see and how big the planets appear on your screen. You can also capture photos and take videos along with turning on the app’s music and star trajectories.
There is a calendar feature included. This will tell you where an object will be at a given date and time. You can schedule alerts for upcoming celestial events so you don’t miss any of the action. The time travel feature allows you to move into the past or future to see different occurrences.
The graphics are exemplary and helpful without being too much or too sparse. Lines connecting stars help you determine which of them are actually in the constellation while dotted orbits tell you which way the object is going.
