Stellarium Mobile

Stellarium Mobile is an educational software designed for astronomy enthusiasts. Users can quickly find the corresponding sky view by simply entering the date and location they want to view. They can drag and zoom to view celestial images of the solar system and even the Milky Way galaxy, and tap on different objects to learn their information. The software features beautifully rendered images of the major planets in our solar system, allowing users to fully explore our galaxy. It supports offline mode, allowing users to view data on millions of stars and celestial objects anytime, anywhere, satisfying their stargazing needs.

Features of Stellarium Mobile:

Point and identify in real time: You point your phone toward the sky and Stellarium labels stars, planets, and constellations as you move. It uses your date, time, and location to match what appears above you, which helps you identify objects quickly.

Accurate sky simulation: Stellarium shows a realistic sky for any chosen date, time, and place. It simulates the landscape and atmosphere, including sunrise, sunset, and refraction, so scenes look familiar during outdoor viewing sessions.

Constellations and deep sky browsing: Explore constellations from different sky cultures with clear shapes and artwork. You can zoom into the Milky Way and view images of nebulae, galaxies, and clusters to see how they are arranged in the sky.

Satellites, planets, and optional Plus upgrade: Track artificial satellites such as the International Space Station and view 3D renderings of major planets and their moons. Night mode helps protect dark adaptation. The base Stellarium APK shows objects down to magnitude 8, and an in app purchase to Stellarium Plus expands catalogs, enables very deep zoom, offline observing sets, telescope control over Bluetooth or WiFi, and planning tools for observability and transit times.

Highlights of Stellarium Mobile:

User Interface and Ease of Use: The app’s user interface is elegantly minimalist, granting swift access to features while keeping distractions to a minimum. Navigating the sky is intuitive: a simple point-and-view system allows real-time identification of celestial objects, while a slider lets users fast-forward or rewind star positions across time. This makes the app especially useful for predicting events like meteor showers or planetary conjunctions. Controls are generally reliable, though some users mention occasional issues such as unintended switches between viewing modes or minor hiccups when attempting to multitask.

Object Data and Accuracy: The app draws from vast star catalogs, and in its free version, delivers sufficient brightness and magnitude information for most night sky objects. However, some advanced users have noted discrepancies in reported visual magnitudes for particular stars, which could affect those seeking high-precision observations. These data inaccuracies appear limited in scope, yet may be significant for experienced astronomers.

Educational Value and Customization: Stellarium Mobile stands out for educational use, offering constellation boundaries, history, and sky cultures from around the world. Children and adults alike can compare different astronomical traditions, enhancing appreciation of how diverse societies interpret the night sky.

User Reviews of Stellarium Mobile:

So far, I've only installed the free version and it is absolutely incredible - I'm stunned. It just opens up the heavens and teaches me. I think I will buy the upgrade which promises to be mind boggling. Our son (we are both complete astronomy beginners) is just awaiting delivery of a telescope that he has bought and he has also installed this app, with which he is equally impressed. Should be an incredible combination.

Very good app. I use it to help plan observation sessions. You can input details of your telescope, eyepiece, light pollution and get a simulated view of what you will see. The camera overlay function means you can find out when different objects will rise over your garden fence or be obstructed by trees etc. which is really useful. Hopefully one day the developers will be able to make deep sky objects appear as they really would in the eyepiece rather than the current over optimistic images.

simple and easy to use app. Some pros include you can enable illustrations for the different constellations to see the animal/creature they are named after. The app automatically sets itself to the "sky" in your location so that the app best demonstrates what you would see outside. It also allows you to see other cultures constellations (Norse, Korean, etc). Finally, it is free with no ads (I'm not kidding). overall, I would keep this app for sure.

Superbb app !! just needs one change about moon Post-Amavasya, while the moon's illuminated phase increases, its orientation remains constant. By the fourth day, the moon should appear as a reverse crescent, yet it is depicted as a bowl shape .Each day it gets bigger but it is still in the bowl shape it is not rotating . pls make that change thanks guys.

FAQs of Stellarium Mobile:

How to adjust date and time? Can Stellarium Mobile simulate the sky in the past or in the future?

Date and time can be adjusted by pressing the time in the lower right corner of the screen, then swiping up.Then you can adjust date and time by pressing the arrow buttons or by typing in your desired date and time.For B.C. dates, affix a (-) sign in the year. For example for 30 BC, type in ‘-30’ in the year.Stellarium can simulate from -4999 to 4999 years.

How to change the language in the app?

Right now, the language used in the app is the same as the one in your phone’s settings.In a future release, we plan on adding an option to change it in the app’s settings so please keep updated.

Where are the usual home, back buttons? Your app hides these buttons. I cannot exit the app.

To view the usual Android buttons, please swipe up from the bottom of the screen and you will be able to exit as usual. Please note that this is standard android behavior.We have also added an Exit button in the App’s Menu and you can exit that way as well.

 I am still very confused. Do you have a User Guide I can read instead?

You will be able to find a User Guide in the app’s Menu > Help& feedback > User Guide. Feel free to also email us at help@stellarium-labs.com for any assistance.

Where are the Satellites? How can I view it in the app?

Satellites are indeed included in the app! You can adjust how much more or how much less Satellite labels you can see by long pressing the ‘Labels’ button and adjusting based on your preferences.Satellites and comets data is updated at every app launch as long as there is internet connection.

Final Verdict:

By combining a wealth of features with an intuitive design, Stellarium Mobile - Star Map serves as an essential tool for anyone interested in astronomy. The app's extensive library, real-time tracking capabilities, and telescope integration make it a valuable resource for both novice stargazers and experienced astronomers alike. As users download Stellarium Mobile, they can look forward to a rich exploration of the cosmos, equipped with the tools necessary to deepen their understanding of the universe.