Sky Map
An AR sky map for iPhone: point it at the sky to name stars, planets and constellations.
Sky Map runs on iPhone. The app is available in 13 languages, including English, Japanese, German, French, Italian and Spanish.
Download on the App StoreWhat to check before you pick a sky map app for iPhone
Most star apps look alike in screenshots. Five things that separate them outside at night, and how Sky Map handles each one.
How to find constellations: start with three you can't miss
Learning the sky works best from a few bright anchors. Start with Orion, the Big Dipper and the Summer Triangle, and use them to find the rest.
What planets are visible tonight, and how to tell a planet from a star
Five planets are easy to see without a telescope. How to check which are up tonight, when to look, and the quick test that tells a planet from a star.
What is that bright star in the sky tonight?
Most of the time the answer is Venus, Jupiter, Sirius or a satellite. How to tell them apart in under a minute, with or without a phone.
How to find your zodiac constellation in the real night sky
Your star sign is a real constellation, but you can't see it on your birthday. When to look for each zodiac constellation and how to find it.
Stargazing with kids: a 20-minute plan that holds their attention
Kids lose interest fast in the dark and the cold. A short plan with the Moon, one planet and one constellation, and how to use a phone without it taking over.
When your sky map app points the wrong way: fixing compass and AR drift
If the labels sit beside the stars instead of on them, the compass is usually to blame. Six fixes, from magnetic cases to iOS compass calibration.
Stargazing in the city: what you can still see through light pollution
From a city you'll see the Moon, the planets and a few dozen stars. How to make the most of that, and where a phone helps.
How to keep your night vision when you're using a phone to stargaze
Eyes need 20 to 30 minutes to adapt to the dark, and one bright screen undoes it. How to set up an iPhone so it barely affects your night vision.
Meteor showers, Moon phases and eclipses: a year of sky events to plan for
The main meteor showers, why the Moon matters for every one of them, and how to watch an eclipse safely. Plus how to keep track without missing dates.
How do you find the North Star?
Polaris is not the brightest star, which is why people miss it. Use the Big Dipper's pointer stars or Cassiopeia to find it, then use it to face north.
Is that a satellite moving across the sky?
A steady dot gliding across the night sky is usually a satellite. How to tell it from a plane or a meteor, why you see them near dusk, and how to catch the ISS.
What is the best time to stargaze tonight?
The best time to stargaze is after astronomical twilight ends, with the Moon down and a clear, dry sky. How to check all three for tonight in a couple of minutes.
What are the Chinese and Indian constellations?
The 88 Western constellations are one map of the sky. Chinese astronomy uses the 28 mansions and Four Symbols, Indian astronomy the nakshatras. How they differ.
What can you see in the night sky without a telescope?
The Moon, five planets, bright stars, satellites, meteors and, from a dark site, the Milky Way. What the naked eye can show you and how to find it.
Does a sky map app need your location?
A sky map needs to know roughly where you are to draw the right sky. What location, compass and camera access are for, and which iOS settings to choose.
How should you plan stargazing around the seasons?
The evening sky changes through the year. Which constellations lead each season in the Northern Hemisphere, and how to plan a night around them.
What do altitude and azimuth mean?
Altitude is height above the horizon, azimuth is direction around it from north. How to read both and find the object with your hand at arm's length.
How many constellations are there, and which can you see?
There are 88 official constellations, set by the International Astronomical Union. Where the list comes from, why you never see all of them, and good ones to start with.
How do you find the Southern Cross?
Look for four bright stars in a kite shape next to two very bright pointer stars. How to find Crux, avoid the False Cross and use it to find south.
Can you see Mercury, Uranus, Neptune and Pluto?
Mercury needs a clear low horizon at twilight, Uranus a dark sky, Neptune binoculars, and Pluto a large telescope. What to expect for each.
What is a planetary alignment, and can you see it?
A planetary alignment or parade means several planets are visible at the same time along one arc, not in a straight line. What to expect and how to check dates.
How do you use a planisphere, and is an app better?
A planisphere shows the stars for any date and time with no battery, but no planets. How to use one, and when a phone app does the job better.
How do you find the Pleiades in the night sky?
Follow Orion's Belt up and to the right past Aldebaran to a tiny misty cluster of stars. How to find the Pleiades and tell it apart from the Little Dipper.
How can you see the Milky Way?
You need a dark site, no Moon, clear air and 20 minutes for your eyes to adjust. When the bright core is up, where to look, and why city skies hide it.
Can you see the Andromeda Galaxy without a telescope?
Andromeda is visible to the naked eye as a faint smudge under a dark sky. How to star-hop to it from Cassiopeia or Pegasus, and what binoculars add.
What should you bring and check before a stargazing trip?
A stargazing checklist for dark-sky trips: check clouds and the Moon, bring a red light, warm layers and offline maps, and tell someone where you are going.
Stargazing at Nobeyama Radio Observatory: what can you see and hear?
Stargazing at Nobeyama: the radio observatory is open by day only, free, 8:30 to 17:00. What its 45 m telescope listens for and how to plan a night nearby.
Stargazing at Achi Village: how does the night tour work?
Stargazing at Achi Village: the Night Tour rides a ropeway to 1,400 m at Heavens Sonohara. Season dates, winter hours, booking and what to wear.
Stargazing at Kiso Observatory: can you visit the 105 cm Schmidt telescope?
Stargazing at Kiso Observatory, Nagano: free daytime visits to the 105 cm Schmidt telescope April to December, the yearly open day with night viewing, and bears.
Stargazing on Ishigaki and Iriomote: what makes the Yaeyama sky special?
Stargazing on Ishigaki and Iriomote: Japan's first DarkSky park since 2018, 84 of 88 constellations, the Southern Cross, and why the Hateruma tower is closed.
Stargazing at Bisei: why is this Okayama town so dark?
Stargazing at Bisei, Ibara: Asia's first DarkSky Community (2021), Japan's first light pollution ordinance (1989) and the 101 cm telescope at Bisei Observatory.
Stargazing at Rikubetsu: how do you visit the Ginga no Mori Observatory?
Stargazing at Rikubetsu, Hokkaido: the Ginga no Mori Observatory has a 115 cm telescope open to the public. Hours, closed days, fees and how to handle the cold.
Stargazing at Kozushima: how dark is Tokyo's dark sky island?
Stargazing at Kozushima: Tokyo's first DarkSky park since 2020, about 180 km south of the city, 4 hours by boat or 30 minutes by air. How to plan a night.
Stargazing at Mauna Kea: what can you do at the Visitor Information Station?
Stargazing at Mauna Kea: the Visitor Information Station at 9,200 ft is free and open 9 am to 9 pm daily. No nightly public telescopes since 2019; how to plan.
Stargazing at Death Valley: where and when should you go?
Stargazing at Death Valley National Park, a Gold Tier DarkSky park since 2013. Ranger-picked spots, new moon timing, summer night heat and what to bring.
Stargazing at Big Bend: where are the best spots?
Stargazing at Big Bend National Park, Texas: Gold Tier DarkSky park since 2012 with the darkest measured skies of any lower-48 national park. Spots and tips.
Stargazing at Cherry Springs: which area should you use?
Stargazing at Cherry Springs State Park: a 2,300 ft dark sky park with a public viewing area and a permit-only astronomy field where white light is banned.
Stargazing at Bryce Canyon: when are the ranger programs?
Stargazing at Bryce Canyon, an International Dark Sky Park since 2019: summer ranger telescope nights at Sunset Point, the June astronomy festival, and the cold.
Stargazing at Grand Canyon: is it a dark sky park?
Stargazing at Grand Canyon: an International Dark Sky Park since 2019, with an annual June Star Party on the rims. What to expect and how to prepare.
Stargazing at Jasper: where and when to look up?
Stargazing at Jasper National Park: a Dark-Sky Preserve since 2011, over 11,000 km². Best spots, the October Dark-Sky Festival, aurora chances and cold nights.
Stargazing at Mont-Mégantic: why was it the first dark sky reserve?
Stargazing at Mont-Mégantic, Québec: the world's first International Dark Sky Reserve (2007), with a 1.6 m research telescope and the ASTROLab visitor centre.
Stargazing at San Pedro Mártir: can you visit Mexico's national observatory?
Stargazing at Sierra de San Pedro Mártir, Mexico: the UNAM national observatory sits at about 2,800 m. Free daytime visits, rules, and how to plan a night.
Stargazing on La Palma: can you visit the Roque de los Muchachos Observatory?
Stargazing on La Palma: daytime guided visits to the Roque de los Muchachos Observatory at 2,400 m, booked via the Starlight Foundation. Altitude, cold and rules.
Stargazing at Teide: how do you see Tenerife's night sky?
Stargazing at Teide: Teide Observatory guided visits (closed December to March), free June open days, and night stargazing near the cable car base at 2,356 m.
Stargazing at Alqueva: why is the Alentejo sky so clear?
Stargazing at Alqueva: Dark Sky Alqueva was the world's first Starlight Tourism Destination (2011), with about 286 clear nights a year and an observatory in Cumeada.
Stargazing at Kielder: how do you visit the observatory?
Stargazing at Kielder Observatory in Northumberland's Gold Tier Dark Sky Park (2013). Ticketed sessions only, booking tips, no phone signal, and winter nights.
Stargazing in the Brecon Beacons: how dark is Bannau Brycheiniog?
Stargazing in the Brecon Beacons: Bannau Brycheiniog became Wales' first International Dark Sky Reserve in February 2013, the fifth in the world. How to plan.
Stargazing at Pic du Midi: what happens on a star evening?
Stargazing at Pic du Midi de Bigorre: an observatory summit at 2,877 m and France's first International Dark Sky Reserve (2013). Star evenings and how to prepare.
Stargazing at Hortobágy: why does the Hungarian plain work so well?
Stargazing at Hortobágy: Hungary's great plain became an International Dark Sky Park in 2011. Wide horizons, the official star park site, and planning tips.
Stargazing at Westhavelland: where is the darkest spot near Berlin?
Stargazing at Sternenpark Westhavelland near Berlin: Germany's first International Dark Sky Reserve (2014), with its core zone around Gülpe. How to plan a night.
What should you pack for an astrophotography trip when you fly?
What to pack for a stargazing photography trip by plane: camera, lenses and tripod in carry-on, lithium battery rules from the FAA and IATA, and gear protection.
How do you back up night sky photos on a trip without a laptop?
How to review and back up astrophotography on a trip with only an iPhone: card reader into the Files app, a portable drive, cloud upload on Wi-Fi, and card habits.
How do you plan a night to photograph the Milky Way?
Plan a Milky Way photography night: pick a dark site, a moonless window and clear forecast, scout the horizon by day, and check what will be up with a sky map app.
When is the Geminid meteor shower in 2026, and how do you see it?
The Geminids peak on 13-14 December 2026 with only a thin crescent Moon. Expected rates, the best nights for your region, and how to find the radiant.
When is the Orionid meteor shower, and how do you see Halley's Comet dust?
The Orionids peak around 21 October each year with 10 to 20 meteors an hour. What happened in 2026, what to expect in 2027, and how to find the radiant.
How do you read a star map, and why does it look back to front?
Why east and west look swapped, what the dot sizes mean, and how to match a star chart to the real sky. Plus free monthly star charts and IAU maps.
When is the Leonid meteor shower in 2026, and how do you see it?
The Leonids are expected to peak on 17-18 November 2026, with a half Moon that sets near midnight. Expected rates, best hours, and Mars and Jupiter in Leo.
When are the supermoons in November and December 2026?
The last two supermoons of 2026: the Beaver Moon on 24 November and the Cold Moon on 24 December, the closest full Moon of the year. Times, moonrise, tips.
When is the Mars and Jupiter conjunction in November 2026?
Mars and Jupiter pass 1.2° apart before dawn on 15-16 November 2026, in Leo near Regulus. Best mornings, times for five cities, how to tell them apart.
When is the winter solstice 2026, and how short is the day?
The December solstice 2026 is on 21 December at 20:50 UT (3:50 p.m. EST). Day length for your city, earliest sunset, and what to see on the longest night.