14 best apps for astronomy lovers

Modern smartphones and tablets almost not inferior to the PC functionality, and in some cases even exceed them. In addition, built-in sensors and gyroscopes allow gadgets to use as a tool for augmented reality in the study of the starry sky. To do this, just need to install the appropriate application and bring the smartphone to the right place, even if over the head - a concrete ceiling.

SkySafari

Lets examine celestial objects from any point of the globe in a mode of augmented reality. It should bring a smartphone to a particular part of the sky, and you will see a map of the space station. Strictly speaking, you can put things on just about anything: SkySafari It focuses only on the coordinates and the gyro data. So it is possible to study the sky and read encyclopedic article about celestial objects even in a concrete box. Would only online.

Classic Star location map in the application is accompanied by pictures from the telescope "Hubble", information about the stars from the catalog

Hubble Guide Star and private information. Thus, with the help of Skysafari can be found on more than 700,000 galaxies and 580,000 solar system objects.

NASA App

If this is not enough, you can go to the fountainhead. In this app you can find information, photos and documents on all missions NASA. These daily and weekly updated, there are news, a selection of tweets employees. Also right in the app, you can watch live NASA Television and the agency to study the trajectory of satellites flying over his head.

ISS detector

It is worth mentioning that The International Space Station It is a joint project of many countries. Maybe that's why she has earned a separate applicationWhich notifies the user about over his head the imminent appearance of the station (5 minutes before the event). If you are lucky, the ISS can be seen with the naked eye or armed.

In addition, the app gives similar information about the Chinese space station "Tiangong" (Tiangong) Telescope "Hubble", satellites and flying by comets.

Solar Walk

It is more academic, but no less interesting program. Solar Walk - a three-dimensional model of the solar system. However, the database has only eight major planets and their satellites. Changing the scale, you can see the Milky Way, but only in general terms. You can also see a collection of educational films about the structure of our solar system.

Redshift

And here Redshift offers a much more interactive pastime: you become a pilot of a spaceship. Approaching the planets and satellites, you can see their face (!) And explore the solar system. More Redshift can act as a time machine and show how there is or will be be the largest astronomical events: the fall of meteorites, the movement of stellar streams and sunny eclipse. The utility regularly updated photo database, able to interact with Google Maps and Digital Sky Survey (DSS). Recent features allow real-time monitoring of events happening directly overhead.

Planet's Position

As the name implies, this application is designed to calculate the positions of the planets in the night sky. You must set your own coordinates, and voila: you can observe with great precision the position of the planets. More, you can set the time of observation: in the database Planet's Position there is information about the position of the planets in 1900. And using the built-in calendar can be determined during eclipses (lunar and solar).

Star Chart

Perhaps the simplest and most useful of all the list of applications. Star Chart - it is nothing like a virtual map of the starry sky. Consider possible all visible stars (more than 5000), and all 88 constellations. For each and each has its own information card with detailed data. There is also a voice search, but only in English.

Star Walk

This program is designed for a 360-degree viewing space. It can display the planets, moons, stars, constellations and nebulae. As in the previous application, every object in the Star Walk equipped with its own card with a description. There is an interesting feature - a private viewing day and night starry sky.

GoSkyWatch Planetarium

Lovely virtual planetarium for the iPad. On the big screen to enjoy all the known planets and the stars will be much nicer. True, shows GoSkyWatch Planetarium only what can be seen with the naked eye. The blessing can even reference information on each site to read.

Sky Map

Google Maps is an interesting add-in. These cards use a compass and GPS data to pinpoint the location of celestial bodies. Sky Map can be applied in several ways. First, you can just look up at the sky through a smart phone (or on the ground to see what is happening on the other hemisphere), and see the current picture of the clouds. The second method allows you to select the desired object, and then using the application tips, send the device in the desired direction. But the function "Time Travel" will tell you where the selected object was or will be at some time or other.

SkEye Astronomy

This application is for real astronomers. At least, its only function is useful only for those who have a telescope. By synchronizing your smartphone with a telescope, you can use the tips: in which direction to send the pipe to see the desired object. The database SkEye Astronomy more than 180 bright objects: planets of the Solar system, Messier objects. In addition, there is a function of Time Machine, which will allow to plan observations of the night stargazing.

Star & Planet Finder

This application allows to select the specific object space from the list (a planet or satellite), and then using the main camera device, watching it on the screen. The app will tell you which way to aim the lens. There is a big flaw in the free version of the list of observable objects is very small.

SkyView

Just like the previous one, only in reverse. Place your device camera at the main blue over you, and SkyView help to find out what is moving in the sky and how it will move forward. You can search for specific objects, including artificial: the app will tell you where to send your phone or tablet. And yet there is integration with social networks. We see something interesting? Immediately submit to Twitter, Facebook or Instagram.

Satellite AR

This application helps to watch not for natural and for artificial objects. With Satellite AR, you can track the trajectory and movement, people running satellites. And it can be done in two ways: watching the specified point, and by searching for a particular item (where to send the device prompts the application).