SkySafari 4 Pro: Professional Telescope Astronomy! Explore Sun, Moon, Mars, Stars, Planets, and Satellites! Go where NASA space missions have not! App Reviews

This has been my one and only astro app for many years. Although they changed companies to Simulation Curriculum, the staff continues their excellent support and development of the best astro app around. When combined with my iPad Air, the SkyFi module, and the goto of my Celestron scope, it makes an observing night productive and much more enjoyable. The best value for dollar.

seamless across Mac OS, your iPad iOS and your iPhone, what more could you ask for? Ohh how about the best planetarium app there is and your can control your scope from your iPad too. Tech support 2nd to none!

I have used all of the versions. This Astronomy app stands head & shoulders above the rest.

I spent months with my finger itching to hit the purchase button over that staggering price, $39.99. That was tough to swallow. Once I finally went for it though, I knew it was the right choice of the three available versions. I have been using SkySafari 4 Pro for 9-10 months now, on a daily basis. It took me a few weeks to transition completely from the other apps I had purchased and grown accustomed to, simply because the app has a multitude of features over my other apps. The sky map is beautifully done and I love all the customizable features; choose the surface brightness of deep space objects (example is, I only want to see magnitude 11 and under for DSOs), choose how to see the constellations, choose whether you want object names displayed, customize the grid display in the sky (particularly useful when youre simultaneously using a telescope and need different sets of coordinates), and so many more. Im a total astronomy junky, so something that I just cant get enough of for fun/educational purposes is the fast forward and rewind ability.. Want to see what past/future north stars will be? All that data is here and ready to be viewed with a staggeringly accurate and beautiful display. Want to see what the sky looks like right now in China, Chile, Fiji right now? View it as if you were there. Want to see the sky in the 18th and 19th centuries from the same location as those astronomers who first catalogued all our favorite objects? How about what the sky looks like from Mars, or the Orion Nebula, or andromeda? Piece of cake. SO FREAKIN COOL! Id pay the $39.99 just for that. A few months ago I bought the Orion wifi module for my GoTo mount; I was happier than a pig in you no what on those freezing philly nights to be able to go in when the cold got unbearable, but still be able to use my phone to point at different objects. Set up was a breeze. I also use this app to compile nightly and seasonal lists for imaging sessions; great organizational tool. I could go on and on and on. Basically, if you choose a different app due to cost, youre just burning money my friend... Youll soon find that apps limitations, and take the same plunge I did. I can assure you that you will not regret it!

I love this App! I use or refer to it every day. Ive purchased a few astronomy apps and Im telling you dont waste your time or money on the others, SkySafari 4Pro is the best hands down! I use it for planning an observing session, during public outreach events or like right now Im planning what to image during the Winter Star Party February 2016!

For those interested in an easy to use, versatile, and powerful planetarium APP this is it. Great for checking the skies to see what astronomical object is up or when it will be above the horizon. Great for those imaging the sky as there are tools to help with framing and planning the shot. Great for obtaining a bit of history and information on the astronomical object too. Its graphics and user interface are second to none. You will not be disappointed.

Ive taught astronomy for 14 years now and been an avid amateur for nearly 40. Ive tried many apps, both desktop and mobile. Sky Safari has always been the easiest and most comprehensive, even dating back to its prior incarnation as Voyager. The current release continues to stand far above the competition. With its three versions, it is tailored to meet the needs of a wide range of users. I recommend the basic level to my students and anyone who just wants an app that can quickly and simply tell them what they are seeing in the sky, whether it be a constellation, star, or planet. Its interface is intuitive and easy to learn for general interest observing, but a little exploration leads to a wealth of educational content and amazing abilities. For friends with telescopes, I recommend the plus version, which goes to much greater depth, and can be used to wirelessly direct many scopes to objects that you might never think to look for, including any passing comets. The pro version is a powerful tool for people with advanced, large telescopes who are doing photography. I cant recommend this highly enough. If you want an app that really works, is fast, easy, and accurate, save yourself the effort of trying its lesser rivals and discovering how frustrating they are. Sky Safari is a worth every penny.

Not user friendly and will soon be obsolete when Sky Safari 5 is released. Trust me, stay away.

Does it all

I just bought this app for too much. A couple of weeks later they come out with 5.0 or better. A little notification to wait a few for the newest now they want to charge me 20 bucks to update. Right

I see version 5 was just released, no free upgrade to current users of version 4, being rolled out as a "new" program. I will not buy into this crooked scheme.

Without flaw and fascinating

Looking for an App for visual astronomy, and one that has reference capabilities as well -- look no further....

Great app! There is just one thing Id found was very useful in other apps that this app lacks. At Least one other app allows for what is called "star hopping". In amateur astronomy, there are only a few ways to find objects so as to position them in your scopes field of view. 1) You can use a mount that uses encoders, in either its horizontal or verticals axis, to allow you to position you scope, either by hand or by electric motors, to point it toward the object you want to view. 2) Or you can use detailed maps, allowing you to "star hop" from a nearby bright star toward the object. This apps map has GREAT detail that is under-used. Ive used this app. Great app. Unfortunately, its more academic that useful in the field trying to locate an object at a telescopes finder scope. If this app allowed for "star hopping" along a line between a brighter star and the dimmer object that you want to view, it would save many newly bought small telescopes from being sold on consignment. Another competitors app does offer

It took me a while to figure out all the options with this wonderful Mobil program. Each time I use the app I see how much more it has to offer. I look forward to seeing just how far this app will go as I learn more about the night sky. I hope that if anyone looking at this app as a replacement or a new part of their program, it is well worth the the time & the cost.

terrible search engine try search Star of Bethlehem

Im an armature astronomer with numerous telescopes for differing seasons and locations. Ive purchased most astronomy apps and several software programs. In my opinion there is no better app than Sky Safari for finding objects of interest, developing a viewing list and then finding the "faint fuzzy" youre looking for. If youre not a "serious" observer then the "pro" version might cost more than youre co for table with, but trust me that sooner or later youll outgrow all those other apps. Youll save more and have an easier time viewing if you start with this program...

This is my go-to app for astronomical information or armchair stargazing. A definite must have.

The best app ever!!

This is the best Astronomy program on the market period.