Stargazing is a peaceful, inspiring activity for all ages. With just the naked eye alone on a clear night, one can spot numerous stars, constellations, planets, satellites and even galaxies at dark sky locations. But astronomy apps can make the experience even more engaging by identifying celestial objects, providing details and stories, and guiding you to great stargazing spots.

SkyView

SkyView is one of the most popular and easy to use astronomy apps for iOS and Android. Key features include:

• Augmented reality (AR) mode uses your phone’s camera to precisely identify stars, constellations, planets, satellites by just pointing the camera to the sky.
• Night mode changes the screen to red to preserve night vision.
• Detailed information cards provide data on celestial objects like bright stars, deep sky objects, planets etc.
• Search function helps locate stars, constellations, Messier objects, planets etc.
• Horizon panorama shows an outline of nearby landmarks and terrain which aids orientation.
• Time travel mode shows how the sky will look at future dates and times based on your location.

SkyView excels at augmented reality and is perfect for young stargazers due to its intuitive and interactive interface. It’s great for learning major stars and patterns in the night sky.

Star Chart

Star Chart is another top rated sky map app on iOS and Android that emphasizes education and usability. Some key features:

• Interactive celestial maps that respond to device movement and orientation. Just aim your phone to see constellations labeled.
• Toggle display settings like constellation lines, star names, deep sky objects etc.
• Search function to find stars, planets, satellites and more.
• Ongoing notifications on phenomena like meteor showers, eclipses, space station passes for your location.
• 3D rendering of the solar system with positions of planets on a given date.
• Detailed information cards on individual objects with historical facts, mythology etc.

With great customization and learning features, Star Chart excels for astronomy education and makes an interactive stargazing companion.

SkySafari

SkySafari is arguably the most advanced and feature-packed astronomy app for iOS and Android. It's highly acclaimed by amateur astronomers. Some key capabilities:

• Massive database with over 27 million celestial objects including stars, galaxies, asteroids etc. All based on actual data from scientific catalogs and surveys.
• Adjustable magnitudes lets you limit objects based on brightness/faintness.
• 3D simulation of the solar system as well as the night sky.
• Search, visualize and track satellites, comets, asteroids.
• Adjustable time controls allow fast forwarding to see how the sky will change.
• Create detailed maps and charts with object labels for printing/sharing.

While more complex than apps like SkyView, SkySafari's superior database and computational features provide professional-level sky simulation that's invaluable for serious amateur astronomy.

Night Sky

Night Sky is a popular stargazing app for iOS and Android focused on simplicity and usability. Some key features:

• Easy placefinding AR function to identify stars, planets, constellations just by pointing your phone.
• High quality images and graphics of the night sky.
• Time travel to see how the sky looked in the past or will look in the future.
• Quick toggles to easily display stars, constellations, star names, meteor showers.
• Notifications for upcoming celestial events like eclipses, meteor showers etc.
• Information on each planet in the solar system like size, moons, orbit etc.
• Ability to save favorite locations for quick access even offline.

The intuitive user interface of Night Sky makes it a great choice for casual stargazers and beginners who want an uncomplicated app to enrich the night sky experience.

Stellarium

Stellarium is an open source sky map software available as web, mobile and desktop versions across platforms. Key features:

• Huge database of 600k+ stars, constellations, planets, galaxies etc with images/models.
• Realistic night rendering with landscape, fog, light pollution effects.
• Detailed telescope control settings for computer-controlled scopes.
• Support for plugins, scripts and custom sky cultures to add new objects.
• Ability to create and share custom sky maps, with labels and markers.
• 3D renderings and animations of planetary systems and satellites.
• Multi-language interface including text-to-speech capabilities.

Stellarium offers advanced tools for planning observation sessions along with impressive visualizations, making it great choice for amateur astronomy enthusiasts.

Sky Guide

Sky Guide is an intuitive stargazing app focused on AR and next-gen features, available for iOS and Android. Some key capabilities:

• Handheld AR overlays for effortless object identification by just pointing device to sky.
• Voice search to simply ask for objects to locate and track.
• Apple watch support enables wrist navigation of stars and planets.
• Daytime sky guide unlocks augmented sun safety features.
• Spotlights highlight top seasonal celestial events and objects.
• Timelapse feature lets you relive events like eclipses, night sky motions.
• Brightness meter utilizes device light sensor for optimum night adjustments.

With innovative augmented and adaptive features, Sky Guide removes stargazing complexity and makes astronomical phenomena easily accessible.

Gas Giants

Gas Giants focuses specifically on planets and moons within the Solar System. The highly detailed iOS/Android app has these standout features:

• Interactive 3D models of planetary systems and surfaces, based on actual NASA imagery.
• Augmented reality mode overlays planets and objects into the sky by pointing your device.
• Detailed orbit diagrams with current, future and past positions of moons and planets.
• Astronomer tips on ideal dates/times to view planets and interesting phenomena.
• Notifications for upcoming conjunctions, ideal viewing times, meteor showers etc.
• Quizzes and info cards to learn more about planets, moons and space missions.
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For planetary astronomy, Gas Giants has no parallel in its immersive AR mode and interactive 3D visualizations of our solar neighborhood.

Celestron Mobile

Celestron's astronomy app is designed to complement their telescope range but offers useful utilities for any amateur astronomer:

• Planetarium-like sky simulation in augmented reality and night modes.
• Searchable database of celestial objects including stars, nebulae, galaxies.
• Detailed 3D models of spacecraft with key facts and NASA data.
• Augmented vision overlay for navigating sky using mobile device compass.
• Ability to control and align Celestron telescopes with Bluetooth.
• Handy utilities like SD card file explorer, polar alignment, GPS coordinates.
• Detailed information on observing objects like suggested eyepieces, magnitude etc.
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Celestron Mobile is unmatched in its deep integration with Celestron scope hardware. But the advanced AR and sky sim also make it a great standalone astronomy app.

SkyPortal Mobile

SkyPortal is a pro-level sky simulation app developed by astronomy software company Simulation Curriculum. Key features include:

• Planetarium-quality virtual sky rendered with constellations, stars, planets in positions accurate to the minute.
• Search database with over 33,000 celestial objects including stars down to 14th magnitude.
• Adjustable focal length and eyepieces to simulate telescopic views.
• Charting tools generate finder charts, measure angular separation between objects.
• Video timelapse simulation captures sky motions and phenomena.
• Remote desktop mode extends features of the premium desktop version.

With its highly realistic charts and data-driven precision, SkyPortal is used by professional astronomers and ideal for planning detailed observation sessions.

NASA

NASA's official app provides latest news, images, videos and discoveries from their space missions and research. Some key features for sky watchers:

• Stunning real images, animations and sounds from NASA satellites and spacecraft.
• 3D models, views and facts on spacecraft, planets, solar system bodies.
• Spot the Station allows tracking the International Space Station passes.
• Countdown clocks and updates for upcoming rocket launches around the world.
• Breaking updates on astronomical events like meteor showers or visible planets.
• Free wallpapers, screensavers, ringtones to customize your device.

NASA's exhilarating media and timely updates on celestial phenomena make it a must-have educational and inspirational tool for amateur astronomers and space enthusiasts.

The variety of stargazing apps offer many amazing features to enhance your night sky adventures. Augmented reality apps like SkyView provide the easiest entry for beginners to start identifying stars overhead. More advanced apps like SkySafari have expansive catalogs catering to experienced astronomy buffs. And apps like Star Walk 2 blend education with their engaging interface. With these apps in your arsenal, even greater cosmic wonders await you beyond the naked eye!