Astrophotography apps have made it easier than ever to go on a trip through space. These apps bring the wonders of the universe right to your phone. You can use these best Astrophotography Apps on your phone or tablet to take beautiful pictures of the night sky, no matter how experienced you are as an astronomer or just someone who likes to look at the stars. The best Astrophotography Apps have a lot of features that are meant to make your astronomy experience better, from taking beautiful pictures of constellations to finding faraway galaxies.
These apps make it easy for people to find their way around the night sky by working with telescopes and showing real-time maps of the stars. Astrophotography is easy for people of all skill levels to use because the software has simple controls that let you find the universe’s hidden gems. Below, we have mentioned the best Astrophotography Apps.
What is Astrophotography App?
Astrophotography apps are customised mobile programmes for amateurs and professionals who want to take pictures of celestial objects like galaxies, nebulae, stars, and planets using their smartphones or special cameras. Star maps, calendars of astronomical events, exposure calculators, and guides for finding astronomical objects in the night sky are common features of these apps. With some astrophotography apps, you can also use tools to improve the quality and detail of photos you’ve already taken to make stunning astronomical pictures.
Best Astrophotography Apps Comparison Table
Astrophotography apps revolutionise stargazing with celestial maps, star charts, and real-time sky tracking. They help photographers find planets, stars, and galaxies for stunning cosmic images. These apps help you explore and marvel at the universe with exposure calculators and celestial event notifications.
| Feature | Stellarium | PhotoPills | Astrospheric | Camera FV-5 | Heavens-Above |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Platform | Desktop, Mobile | Mobile | Mobile | Mobile | Web |
| Astronomy Info | Yes | Yes | Yes | Limited | Yes |
| Planetarium | Yes | Limited | No | No | No |
| Astronomical Data | Extensive | Moderate | Extensive | Limited | Limited |
| Photography Tools | No | Yes | No | Yes | No |
| Satellite Tracking | Limited | No | Yes | No | Yes |
Stellarium
Features:
- Astronomy software for desktop and mobile devices.
- Offers a realistic 3D sky simulation.
- Provides information about celestial objects, constellations, and planets.
- Helps users plan observing sessions and identify celestial phenomena.
Stellarium is a powerful and easy-to-use planetarium programme that lets people all over the world see the wonders of the night sky. Stellarium makes astronomy more fun by letting you see stars, constellations, planets, and nebulae in real time and in great detail. Its customisable features and easy-to-use interface make it a must-have for both amateur astronomers and people who just like to look at the stars. Still, it is one of the best Astrophotography Apps that you can consider.
Pros
- Provides a highly detailed and realistic view of the night sky.
- Offers a vast database of stars, planets, constellations, and celestial objects.
- Allows users to simulate astronomical events and view them from any location on Earth.
Cons
- Can be overwhelming for beginners due to its extensive features and options.
- May require some time to learn how to navigate and utilize all of its functionalities effectively.
PhotoPills
Features:
- Photography planning app for landscape and astrophotography.
- Helps photographers plan for sunrise, sunset, moonrise, and moonset.
- Provides augmented reality tools for visualizing the position of the sun, moon, and Milky Way.
- Offers features for calculating exposure settings and depth of field.
PhotoPills is a planning and tracking app for photography that can be used by both amateur and professional photographers. It lets users accurately guess and picture where the sun, moon, and Milky Way will be, which helps them take stunning pictures. PhotoPills changes the way you compose and create photos with its many features. Overall, it is one of the best Astrophotography Apps that you can consider.
Pros
- Comprehensive tool for planning and executing photography sessions involving the sun, moon, and stars.
- Offers features such as augmented reality views and night mode planning.
- Provides detailed information on sun and moon positions, rise and set times, and Milky Way visibility.
Cons
- Steeper learning curve compared to some other photography planning apps.
- Relatively high upfront cost may deter some users.
Astrospheric
Features:
- Weather forecasting app for astronomers and astrophotographers.
- Provides detailed forecasts for astronomical observing conditions.
- Offers cloud cover, transparency, and seeing forecasts.
- Helps users plan observing sessions and astrophotography outings.
Astrospheric is the most cutting-edge forecasting service available to astronomers in North America. Using the incredible astronomy data that is produced by the Canadian Meteorological Centre, NOAA, and other sources, Astrospheric is able to produce a 48-hour forecast that is extremely accurate for any location in the continental United States or Canada in a very short amount of time. This is the best Astrophotography Apps that you can consider.
Pros
- Provides detailed weather forecasts specifically tailored for astronomy and stargazing.
- Offers features like cloud cover maps, light pollution overlays, and visibility forecasts.
- Allows users to plan stargazing sessions based on optimal viewing conditions.
Cons
- Availability may be limited to certain regions, especially outside of the United States.
- Some users may find the interface less intuitive compared to other weather apps.
Camera FV-5
Features:
- Manual camera app for Android devices.
- Offers manual control over exposure, focus, ISO, and white balance.
- Supports RAW image capture for post-processing flexibility.
- Provides advanced features for photography enthusiasts and professionals.
Camera FV-5 is a flexible photography app for Android phones and tablets that lets you control your photos manually, like with a DSLR camera. It gives users control over things like exposure, ISO, focus, and white balance, which makes it easier to be creative. Fans who want professional-grade mobile photography experiences love it because it supports RAW files and has an easy-to-use interface. Overall, this is one of the best Astrophotography Apps.
Pros
- Offers manual camera controls for advanced photography enthusiasts.
- Provides features such as manual focus, exposure compensation, and ISO adjustments.
- Allows users to capture high-quality images with greater control over camera settings.
Cons
- May not be as user-friendly as some other camera apps, especially for beginners.
- Some advanced features may only be available in the premium version of the app.
Heavens-Above
Features:
- Provides real-time information about satellites, ISS, and other celestial objects.
- Offers predictions for satellite passes and visible celestial events.
- Helps users locate and track satellites and other objects in the night sky.
- Provides information about upcoming astronomical events and phenomena.
Heavens-Above is a celestial app offering real-time tracking of satellites, the ISS, and astronomical events. With its intuitive interface, users locate and identify celestial objects easily. Detailed predictions, including satellite passes and astronomical phenomena, enhance stargazing experiences. Heavens-Above is a must-have tool for amateur astronomers and space enthusiasts alike. Currently, this is one of the best Astrophotography Apps.
Pros
- Provides predictions and visibility information for satellites, including the International Space Station (ISS).
- Offers real-time tracking of satellites and their trajectories across the sky.
- Provides alerts for upcoming passes of satellites and other celestial objects.
Cons
- Interface and user experience may feel dated compared to more modern astronomy apps.
- Focuses primarily on satellite tracking and may not offer as many features for general stargazing and astronomy.
Benefits of Using Astrophotography Apps
Astrophotography apps are useful for both amateur and professional astronomers and astrophotographers in many ways. Here are some of the good things about it:
Exploration and Identification of the Sky: Many astrophotography apps have interactive sky maps and databases of celestial objects that let users look through the night sky right now. People can use their phones or tablets to find constellations, stars, planets, galaxies, and other objects in space, which helps them understand and appreciate the universe more.
Astronomical Event Tracking: A lot of astrophotography apps let you know about and get alerts for upcoming astronomical events like meteor showers, lunar eclipses, solar eclipses, and planetary alignments. Users can make plans ahead of time for these events to make sure they don’t miss out on rare and amazing celestial events.
Planning for Night Sky Photography: Astrophotography apps have tools and features that can help you plan and get the most out of your night sky photography sessions. Users can pretend to be in the path of celestial objects, follow their paths through the night, and find the best time and place to take stunning astrophotographs.
Star and Satellite Tracking: Astrophotography apps have features called “star trackers” and “satellite trackers” that help users find and follow certain stars, planets, satellites, and other celestial bodies as they move across the sky. These features help photographers get good astrophotography pictures by helping them frame and focus their shots correctly.
Long Exposure Calculations: Many astrophotography apps have built-in calculators that can help you figure out the best exposure settings for long-exposure photography. Users can enter information like focal length, aperture, ISO sensitivity, and the brightness of the target object to find exposure times that reduce noise and improve image clarity when there isn’t much light.
How to Choose the Right Astrophotography App for Your Needs
The right astrophotography app for you will depend on your needs, your level of skill, and the type of astrophotography you want to do. This list will help you choose the best app for astrophotography:
Write down your goals: Figure out what kind of astrophotography you want to do. Are you interested in taking pictures of the night sky, planets, deep space objects, or events in space like eclipses and meteor showers?
Compatible with Camera: Make sure the app you pick works with your camera or smartphone. Some apps are made to work only with DSLR or mirrorless cameras, while others are made to work only with smartphones and astrophotography.
Features and Functions: Look for apps that have features that are useful for astrophotography. This could include star maps to help you find your way in the sky, night sky calendars to keep track of astronomical events, tools for editing and stacking photos to make them look better, and guides for taking pictures of certain celestial objects.
User Interface: Choose an app with an easy-to-use interface that is simple to navigate, especially for astrophotography sessions when there isn’t much light.
Accuracy and Reliability: Pick an app that gives you accurate information about astronomy, like where celestial objects are located, when the Sun, Moon, and planets rise and set, and when you can see astronomical events.
FAQs
SkyView is a free, simple star and planet finder with some minor issues.
SkyView lets you point your Android’s camera at the sky and identify stars, planets, and constellations. Identify satellites like the Hubble or ISS.
