The best astronomy apps for stargazing this summer

The Webb and Hubble telescopes blessed us with breathtaking new images of the cosmos earlier this month, leaving many folks inspired to learn more about space. 

Thanks to these astronomy apps, you can use your phone to see which stars and constellations are above you in real time, day or night. Whether you’re planning on stargazing, are curious about which constellations are in your location, or simply want to flex on your family and friends around the campfire, the following apps can show you what you’re seeing in the sky.

1. Stellarium

Credit: Rizwana Zafer

Stellarium has been my app of choice for years. It’s very user-friendly, and the filters allow you to customize your stargazing experience. You can opt to have gridlines, constellations, a landscape, atmosphere, and labels. There’s also a night mode option, which tints your phone screen red. This feature lets you use the app at night without disrupting your night vision, which is essential for stargazing.

You can download Stellarium on the Apple App Store or the Google Play Store.

2. Star Walk 2

Credit: Rizwana Zafer

Like Stellarium, Star Walk 2 is a multifunctional app for beginners and astronomy enthusiasts alike. The augmented reality feature connects to your phone’s camera, so that you can see a real-time, mapped out version of your night sky. Star Walk 2 not only tells you which celestial objects are visible at the moment, but also keeps you up to date on the latest astronomy news with its news section. The app also features a night mode option for in-person stargazing.

You can download Star Walk 2 on the Apple App Store or the Google Play Store.

3. Sky Guide 

Credit: Rizwana Zafer

True to its name, Sky Guide provides a comprehensive guide to understanding the stars and constellations. You can customize your night sky viewing on the app, and can also click on each individual celestial object to learn more about it. While both Stellarium and Star Walk 2 offer this feature as well, Sky Guide offers more detailed descriptions. Sky Guide also has a news section, a calendar for upcoming astronomical events, and a night vision mode. 

You can download Sky Guide on the Apple App Store.

4. SkyView Lite

Credit: Rizwana Zafer

SkyView Lite is your basic sky viewing app. Simple and intuitive, you can use SkyView Lite to either use augmented reality to apply the sky map to your sky in real-time, or the sky map and compass as they are. You can also click on various celestial objects to know what they are and where they’re located in space. SkyView Lite also has a night vision mode, and the option to add your favorite celestial objects to a list.

You can download SkyView Lite on the Apple App Store or the Google Play Store.

5. Sky Live: Heavens Above Viewer

Credit: Rizwana Zafer

A sister app of Sky Walk 2, Sky Live technically isn’t a stargazing app. However, it’s an incredibly useful app to consult before going stargazing, as it tells you the viewing conditions of a specific location. Sky Live gives you a percentage of how well the viewing conditions are at the time, so that you’re better prepared on your stargazing mission. 

You can download Sky Live: Heavens Above Viewer on the Apple App Store. 

6. SkySafari

Credit: Mike Pearl

If you’re willing to spare a couple of bucks, SkySafari is a beloved stargazing app that lets you explore the solar system in detail, almost as if your phone were a telescope. You can download SkySafari on the Apple App Store or the Google Play Store.