In case you did not even know what astrophotography is before, we are ready to explain it to you beforehand. Astrophotography is a leisurely process of taking pictures of all celestial objects that you may not even notice with the naked eye.
Celestial objects are too dull, so you’ll need to keep the camera shutter open for a long time to take beautiful pictures. That is, you will need to set the maximum shutter speed for your device to be able to shoot successfully.
As you may have realized, you can take professional astrophotography only with the help of additional equipment. This is much more difficult than taking a normal photo, so you will need to acquire some skills.
It is worth mentioning that weather plays an important role in astrophotography, as well as knowledge about the current position of stars and celestial objects. There are separate sites and applications to get current information and learn about the stars, which we want to tell you about.
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SkyPortal
If you want to look at the stars and the sky in a new way, you should go deeper into astronomy. SkyPortal is a unique application from Celestron’s planetarium that will help you change your perception and explore all celestial bodies in more detail.
Not only will you be able to explore the solar system, but you can also plan all your observation sessions or photos. The application takes into account your time zone and your current location.
What makes SkyPortal special is that you can connect to Celestron telescopes from your smartphone. You can control them from your device, as well as explore the sky with them.
The application also includes many legends, photos, images from spaceships, and much more. The main feature that allows you to create high-quality astrophotos is computerized control of telescopes. In the application you will always be ready to explore and study the starry sky. Keep your eyesight even in the dark!
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Star Walk 2 – Night Sky Map
Many people would like to travel through space, both in the literal and figurative sense. With the Star Walk 2 app, such a journey can become real as you really begin to explore space through your device.
With no effort at all, you will travel through comets, stars, and constellations just by observing what’s going on in the sky. Star Walk 2 will be your little introduction to astronomy in science and will also help to satisfy your interest in space photographs.
The map of the sky presented in the application is displayed and changed in real time. With the help of sensors on your smartphone Star Walk 2 determines where you can look at the moment.
You can also bring the sky closer and see 3D models of real constellations and star objects. Astrophotographers will find “Visible Tonight” useful – so you can learn about all the upcoming events in the sky.
Star Tracker – Mobile Sky Map & Stargazing guide
Star Tracker allows you to enjoy the starry sky with your friends while you’re outdoors and simply raising your eyes to the sky. The application was created so that people can explore the universe as well as watch the stars.
In addition to the typical bright sky, you can also see deeper celestial objects that are above you at the moment. Star Tracker uses smartphone sensors to determine your orientation in space.
You can set your GPS either on your own or access the data in the application itself. Star Tracker guarantees you a high-quality graphical display of celestial bodies, as well as easily responds to your actions or clicks.
There are 2 versions of Star Tracker – paid and free. Pro version gives you access to more constellations and deep objects, and you can literally travel in your smartphone. In any case, Star Tracker is a great way to explore the universe in detail – even if you were not interested in it before.
Nightshift: Stargazing & Astronomy
Stars’ lovers and true professionals – everyone will find something interesting for themselves in the Nightshift app. It may come in handy even if you’re just watching the stars – with the app the process will become better.
If you’re planning a date under the stars or would like to take some photos with a telescope, you can find out the best time to do so right in the app.
Nightshift displays over 15,000 deep-sky objects that you can view and explore. Nightshift will warn you of the best conditions so you don’t have to worry about poor visibility when you’re watching.
The application also always has up-to-date information about astronomical events that you can see, as well as currently visible planets and meteors. To keep you informed about visibility, you can add your favorite viewpoints to Nightshift, so you can plan the best moments for lunar observations.
SkyView® Lite
You don’t have to be an astronomer to love the sky. You can just be an amateur or watch the starry sky.
SkyView® Lite can help you identify the constellations you’re currently observing, and indicate what else you can see from your location.
The app is intuitive and simple – just point your device to the sky and start exploring.
Once you point your SkyView® Lite camera at the sky, the app will automatically detect stars, galaxies, constellations, and even satellites flying over your head.
In order for you to also be able to watch at night, the application has a night mode with improved visibility. For each object in the sky you will be able to track its path so that you can see its exact location at any time.
Even time travel is available on SkyView® Lite, so you can choose the exact time and see what’s in the sky at the exact moment.
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SkySafari – Astronomy App
SkySafari is an application that was designed by developers as a complete mobile planetarium. Here you will hold the whole universe in your hands, exploring stars, constellations, and satellites.
Just like in the previous application, all you need to do to get started and learn is to lift your smartphone up into the sky. The app will automatically quickly show you exactly what is above you at the moment.
SkySafari is the ideal companion for your observation. There’s enough information in the app so you can study every celestial body you see right now. You can also see the sky on SkySafari at any time – even if it’s long gone.
Here you can see what the sky looked like 500 years ago and what it will look like in the future. The graphics used to display celestial objects are truly stunning. You can know in advance what’s going to happen in the sky tonight.
SkEye
SkEye is a stargazing app. The app is designed to help users identify and learn about celestial objects in the night sky.
The app has an intuitive interface that allows you to easily navigate and explore the night sky. It includes a huge amount of information about the stars, planets, constellations and other celestial objects. you can search for specific objects, set bookmarks for quick access, and even track the movement of stars and planets.
One of the app’s most noteworthy features is the use of augmented reality (AR) technology. Users can point their device at the sky and see an overlay of constellations and other celestial objects in real time.
One of the potential disadvantages of the app is that it requires a reliable internet connection to work properly. Users may experience lag or delays when downloading information if their Internet connection is weak or unstable.
Users praised the ease of use and richness of information. However, some users have expressed dissatisfaction with the app’s performance on certain devices, especially older or low-end devices.
Application features:
- Helps in the study of the starry sky
- Lots of useful and interesting features
Application cons:
- Internet connection required
NASA App
NASA App is a mobile application that allows users to access the latest NASA news and updates, as well as view images, videos, and live streams of various NASA missions and projects.
Some of the app’s features include the ability to track current and upcoming missions, view 3D models of spacecraft and celestial bodies, and read articles and stories from NASA scientists and researchers.
You can also access NASA social media accounts and engage in chats with NASA experts.
One of the downsides of the app is that it can sometimes load slowly or experience technical glitches.
In addition, some users have expressed dissatisfaction with the app’s user interface and navigation, stating that it can be difficult to find specific information or features.
Despite these shortcomings, the NASA app remains a valuable resource for anyone interested in space exploration and science.
It provides a wealth of information and resources that are easily accessible and updated regularly, making it indispensable for space enthusiasts and general users alike.
Application features:
- Keeps you up to date with all the latest developments in space exploration
- Convenient viewing format
Application cons:
- Internet connection required
- Inconvenient interface
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Sky Tonight
Sky Tonight is an educational mobile app designed to help you explore the night sky by pointing your smartphone or tablet at the stars.
The app uses the device’s GPS and compass to determine the user’s location and orientation, allowing it to display a real-time map of the stars, planets, and constellations as seen from their position.
You can navigate the sky by moving your device and the app will display the names and information about the celestial objects they are looking at.
The app offers several useful features, including a time travel feature that allows users to see what the sky looked like in the past or will look like in the future.
The app also includes a search feature that allows users to find specific objects in the sky, as well as a night mode to save night vision.
One potential downside is that it relies on the device’s sensors to determine orientation, which can sometimes be inaccurate or unreliable. Additionally, some users have reported issues with the application crashing or freezing.
While it may have some drawbacks, it offers a wealth of information about the night sky and is a great way to learn more about our universe.
Application features:
- Helps in the study of the starry sky
- Lots of useful and interesting features
Application cons:
- Internet connection required
