There are many stargazing apps on the market, however few have the worth tag supplied by Sky Map — or lack thereof. The app is totally free, and whereas it does lack among the extra spectacular options supplied by newer contenders, it is nonetheless a good way to determine stars and planetary our bodies.
Sky Map app: Specs
Working System: Android (Android 8.0 and up)
Measurement: 10MB
Value: Free
We really discovered Sky Map’s old-school look a bit of endearing, and it positioned simply as many stars as extra premium apps like Night time Sky in our testing. In truth, it has the benefit there, as a result of none of its knowledge is obfuscated behind a paywall.
It will not win any design awards, however Sky Map is nicely value a glance, particularly with some fairly fundamental system necessities and round 10MB set up dimension.
Sky Map app overview
Sky Map app: Pricing and Subscription
- Free to obtain
- No additional cost required
- Lacks options of different, costlier apps
One in every of Sky Map’s largest perks is that the app is completely free to make use of. And that is not only for a trial interval, there actually isn’t any price ticket hooked up in any respect.
That makes it a straightforward obtain for anybody even remotely interested by figuring out stars and different objects within the night time sky, though what’s on provide is barebones in comparison with the likes of Night time Sky or Stellarium Cellular.
Sky Map app: Person Interface
- Appears a bit of dated
- Precisely identifies stars and extra
- Straightforward to filter skywatching views
Sky Map arguably does not give the perfect first impression, with a gap splash display screen that is not even HD, however when you’re in you understand that is a part of its appeal.
With stars, planets, and constellations splayed out throughout the display screen, every categorized by shade coding, it might be truthful to say it is not the sharpest-looking stargazing app we have used. However some could admire the extra retro look, and provided that it debuted in 2012, it is maybe not shocking.
Nonetheless, it is easy to make use of, with planets, stars, constellations and gridlines that may be turned off by tapping on the left-hand facet of the display screen to indicate or conceal every individually. This provides a satisfying granularity to issues and in addition helps you to add or take away every till you get the format as easy or complicated as you want.
We appreciated the addition of a darkish mode, which dims the display screen and turns the icons to darkish pink — in any case, it is not simple to see the skies in case your cellphone is lighting up all the things round you. That is toggled with a faucet on the ‘eye’ icon on the high.
There’s additionally a search bar (extra on that in a second), and whereas the app might be managed utilizing gyro motion to go searching, you may decide to maneuver via the galaxy with a faucet or swipe as a substitute — excellent for these with disabilities.
Sky Map app: Key Options
- Lacks AR options of some rivals
- Helpful planet gallery
- Time journey operate
Sky Map’s antiquated consumer interface is not the one means the app has been left behind by a lot of its contemporaries within the stargazing app house.
Whereas a lot of its rivals have embraced AR as a method to convey the dimensions of our universe, and those past, Sky Map’s planetarium view stays flat. This can be anticipated given the dearth of paid membership, however when different choices allow you to open a portal to Mars and past, it is value noting.
Fortunately, you may see planets within the ‘gallery’ view. This allows you to get an thought of the dimensions of every planet, and you need to use this to pinpoint every of them within the sky by following the arrow. It provides a enjoyable dimension understanding there is a planet to be discovered, and following the instructions is one thing that is prone to be nice for instructing youthful stargazers.
There’s a enjoyable ‘time journey’ possibility as nicely, with knowledge from each previous and future included. Sky Map does a great job of recommending occasions equivalent to eclipses so you may verify them out at your leisure, too.
As talked about earlier than, you need to use the search bar on the high to determine planets, stars or the rest and be guided to them.
Do you have to obtain Sky Map app?
Sky Map, regardless of its ‘traditional’ design (and which may be beneficiant), is unquestionably value downloading. It is free, it is highly effective and it packs loads of knowledge into an easy-to-filter design.
It is also bought very modest system necessities, which makes it the form of app you may set up in your child’s first cellphone they usually can use it with ease.
If Sky Map app is not for you
When you’re on an iPhone, you may must look elsewhere as a result of Sky Map is barely out there on Android units. In that case, we might suggest Night time Sky in that case because it affords a lot of what is on provide right here, however with further premium options which may be value trying into.
SkySafari 7 Professional is one other different that packs an enormous roster of options in a single app. In our overview, we famous its spectacular new LiveSky and SkyCast options. Plus it may management Celestron StarSense telescopes.
Unsure if both of these apps are best for you? Try our roundup of the Finest stargazing apps in 2023.
