Perfect for the hobbyist astronomer  
By: Sneeper - Jul 9, 2009
Version: 1.1
This app has a surprising amount of information, from it's informative help to it's detailed database of planets and stars. Use it without a telescope to identify those bright guys in the sky, or with a telescope to identify farther dimmer objects. The app uses your location to show you the night sky as you would see it! Maybe a future version will use the 3G S compass to orient the horizon to the direction you are facing? You can search planets, stars, and constellations and have it show you where it would be in the night sky above you.
If you have any interest in astronomy, this is a must have.

An excellent app for a great price -- perfect for general sky gazing and use with small telescopes  
By: Astronomy teacher - Jul 21, 2009
Version: 1.1
I have long been a user of their $100 professional package (Voyager), and am very impressed by the features from that which they've managed to pack into a $3 version. I've always found Voyager to be incredibly easy to use, complete, and fast. They've brought that same expertise to this new portable app with a very well thought out design. The operation is smooth, fast, and beautiful. It automatically sets itself to your location and time (and you can easily set it to other locations and times if you want to see what will be visible, say when you're on an upcoming vacation trip.) Drag to move the sky, touch a corner or pinch to zoom in and out, tap on an object to get its name, then double-tap to get a detailed information display about the object, and for the most visible objects a nice description with a beautiful photo. The stars are displayed so that their colors are visible, and they look realistic even when zooming in and out. The constellation lines are visible but not too heavy. The Help menu also includes a section on Basic Concepts which is a like having an easy to read astronomy text. This app is perfect if you're a casual backyard or backwoods star gazer and want to identify the stars and planets you're seeing in the sky. And if you turn on Satellites, it even helps you identify those little human-launched moving lights. It's so cool to be out with friends, point up in the sky and say "that one's a Russian satellite -- Cosmos 407." If you own a small telescope, SkyGazer's database has all of the most popular galaxies, nebulae, and star clusters: enough to occupy many nights of observing. If you turn your telescope to Jupiter, and friends ask "What are those four little stars in a line around it?," then just zoom in on Jupiter and you'll be able to reel off the names of its moons and tell which one is which, even as they move during the night. The company really put a lot of care into creating an app that does everything a typical sky watcher needs, without throwing in the kitchen sink. The usability is phenomenal. Compared to their $15 iPhone version, SkyVoyager, this is a steal. That one adds more stars (many more than you can see, but useful for navigating with a bigger telescope), a huge professional-level database of objects, many more descriptions and pictures, a Milky Way that's a gorgeous photorealistic image instead of an outline, and the ability to wirelessly direct a computer-controlled telescope. If astronomy is a serious hobby, then you'll want that one instead. But if you're like most people, this will do everything you need, and it's so much less expensive and so much more handy than their professional package. I teach high school astronomy, and at this price, I even feel I can recommend it to my students who have iPhones or iPod Touches (it's actually cheaper for them than buying an old-fashioned planisphere with a rotating plastic disk). I'm absolutely delighted with this app!

Universal Star Quality!!  
By: Stem $ell - Oct 16, 2009
Version: 1.2
I'm reviewing this app from the perspective of a tech savy astronomy n00b... And the verdict? It works wonderfully well with particularly brilliant integration of 3GS's GPS 'n compass hardware, providing an intuitive and multifaceted window to the night sky.Favorite features:1. Seemlessly integrated GPS/compass augmented reality (reportedly much better implementation than several of the other sub-$15 astronomy apps--though, I'll admit, this is the only one I've tried)2. Toggleable 'Translucent Horizon' lets you preview below-the-horizon objects if desired3. Available in-depth adjustments to object labels n' abbreviations, types of visible objects and how they're presented as well as links to informative pages with a tap4. 'Natural Sky' mode let's you test your expanding knowledge without the labels5. Absolutely amazes friends n' onlookers--including those with iPhones! (Hey, it even impresses 'em more than my ShamWow/Mentos n' Coke dog & pony show!)Cons:1. Activating 3GS specific features is not at all intuitive (inexplicably buried in the 'Settings>Field of view>Altimeter&Compass sub-menu, a one-time niggle)2. At start-up , app should play moshed-up score from '2001, A Space Oddysee', Twinkle-Twinkle... and Music of the Spheres (only half kidding...)In summary, an incredible convergence of technologies in this galaxy-class app--literally in the palm of your hand--and all for a mere $2.99?! Now I ask you... Is that too much to pay TO BOLDLY GO WHERE NO PHONE HAS GONE BEFORE?

Close to Perfect  
By: Bozocity - Oct 23, 2009
Version: 1.2
The naked-eye star gazer will never need any other app, quite a deal for three bucks. An astonishing combination of encyclopedic depth and ease of use. Maps are clear, blessedly necessetating their not being flashy. Built-in Help's introduction to astronomy is itself more than worth the price. Costs $2.99 and is more informative than far costlier apps. Clearly sold cheaply as a loss leader to tempt purchase of their $14.99 SkyVoyager, which I don't yet have but is likely as good.Unlike many competing apps, the display is never cluttered. Settings offer perfect control of the magnitudes of both stars and deep space objects, and the DSOs wisely appear dynamically only at a close enough zoom that there is room to display them. Why only four stars for such greatness? Biggest flaw is white backgrounds on pages of text and Preferences blinding one's night vision. Should be light colored text on black backgrounds, as is common in other astronomy apps. Those pages would then be similar in brightness and contrast to the maps. Red Night Vision feature does not fix this, because by the time text backgrounds are sufficiently dark as not to be blinding, there is insufficient contrast between the then red backgound and black letters, rendering the pages illegible. Similarly, at that setting, the stars on the maps become so dark and red against the reddish-black sky as to be utterly obscured. So, enjoy the maps outside at night, but plan ahead and don't look at any other screens!A good update would add grids for the sky (both equitorial and azimuthal) and a time slider. Still, in conception and depth, this app is close to perfect.

We love this app!  
By: majken2 - Dec 16, 2009
Version: 1.3
We live in an urban area, so we don't see many stars, but at least we now know which stars we are seeing!It's also fun to be able to track satellites that go by. Very easy to use.

Perfect for the hobbyist astronomer  
By: Sneeper - Jul 9, 2009
Version: 1.1
This app has a surprising amount of information, from it's informative help to it's detailed database of planets and stars. Use it without a telescope to identify those bright guys in the sky, or with a telescope to identify farther dimmer objects. The app uses your location to show you the night sky as you would see it! Maybe a future version will use the 3G S compass to orient the horizon to the direction you are facing? You can search planets, stars, and constellations and have it show you where it would be in the night sky above you.
If you have any interest in astronomy, this is a must have.

It's Full of Stars  
By: ThirdPyramid - Jul 22, 2009
Version: 1.1
I missed the sale but bought it anyway. No regrets - I'm really amazed at the accuracy and detail. What's that star in the sky? Open up skygazer.. It's Venus. Zoom in and there's actual photos and other detail. Hours of nighte (or daytime since you can go back and forth in time) fun. Nice find in all the junk apps out there tjese days and I give it five stars!

An excellent app for a great price -- perfect for general sky gazing and use with small telescopes  
By: Astronomy teacher - Jul 21, 2009
Version: 1.1
I have long been a user of their $100 professional package (Voyager), and am very impressed by the features from that which they've managed to pack into a $3 version. I've always found Voyager to be incredibly easy to use, complete, and fast. They've brought that same expertise to this new portable app with a very well thought out design. The operation is smooth, fast, and beautiful. It automatically sets itself to your location and time (and you can easily set it to other locations and times if you want to see what will be visible, say when you're on an upcoming vacation trip.) Drag to move the sky, touch a corner or pinch to zoom in and out, tap on an object to get its name, then double-tap to get a detailed information display about the object, and for the most visible objects a nice description with a beautiful photo. The stars are displayed so that their colors are visible, and they look realistic even when zooming in and out. The constellation lines are visible but not too heavy. The Help menu also includes a section on Basic Concepts which is a like having an easy to read astronomy text. This app is perfect if you're a casual backyard or backwoods star gazer and want to identify the stars and planets you're seeing in the sky. And if you turn on Satellites, it even helps you identify those little human-launched moving lights. It's so cool to be out with friends, point up in the sky and say "that one's a Russian satellite -- Cosmos 407." If you own a small telescope, SkyGazer's database has all of the most popular galaxies, nebulae, and star clusters: enough to occupy many nights of observing. If you turn your telescope to Jupiter, and friends ask "What are those four little stars in a line around it?," then just zoom in on Jupiter and you'll be able to reel off the names of its moons and tell which one is which, even as they move during the night. The company really put a lot of care into creating an app that does everything a typical sky watcher needs, without throwing in the kitchen sink. The usability is phenomenal. Compared to their $15 iPhone version, SkyVoyager, this is a steal. That one adds more stars (many more than you can see, but useful for navigating with a bigger telescope), a huge professional-level database of objects, many more descriptions and pictures, a Milky Way that's a gorgeous photorealistic image instead of an outline, and the ability to wirelessly direct a computer-controlled telescope. If astronomy is a serious hobby, then you'll want that one instead. But if you're like most people, this will do everything you need, and it's so much less expensive and so much more handy than their professional package. I teach high school astronomy, and at this price, I even feel I can recommend it to my students who have iPhones or iPod Touches (it's actually cheaper for them than buying an old-fashioned planisphere with a rotating plastic disk). I'm absolutely delighted with this app!

Awesome Fun  
By: Amigalander - Aug 6, 2009
Version: 1.1
Very well done app! Intuitive, responsive, and so informative. It helped me identify Jupiter and understand magnitude ratings. I love it.

I love it, Awesome!!  
By: Sunbum22 - Jul 21, 2009
Version: 1.1
Thanks for the free gift on the anniversary of the Apollo 11 moon landing! I found and identified every star and planet above my head within minutes after installing the app!

nice  
By: transit-byzantium - Aug 8, 2009
Version: 1.1
Clean lines, simple graphics, perfect for viewing on a small screen. Easy on the eyes. Even with names of stars and planets turned on, sky appears crisp and uncluttered. Definitely beats Distant Suns in this regard.

Brilliant!  
By: Frodov - Jul 20, 2009
Version: 1.1
Thanks for the great app!!

Compass feature works well  
By: Mrcoolbp - Aug 12, 2009
Version: 1.2
New compass feature is great!! Better implementation the PocketUniverse. Very cool!!

Universal Star Quality!!  
By: Stem $ell - Oct 16, 2009
Version: 1.2
I'm reviewing this app from the perspective of a tech savy astronomy n00b... And the verdict? It works wonderfully well with particularly brilliant integration of 3GS's GPS 'n compass hardware, providing an intuitive and multifaceted window to the night sky.Favorite features:1. Seemlessly integrated GPS/compass augmented reality (reportedly much better implementation than several of the other sub-$15 astronomy apps--though, I'll admit, this is the only one I've tried)2. Toggleable 'Translucent Horizon' lets you preview below-the-horizon objects if desired3. Available in-depth adjustments to object labels n' abbreviations, types of visible objects and how they're presented as well as links to informative pages with a tap4. 'Natural Sky' mode let's you test your expanding knowledge without the labels5. Absolutely amazes friends n' onlookers--including those with iPhones! (Hey, it even impresses 'em more than my ShamWow/Mentos n' Coke dog & pony show!)Cons:1. Activating 3GS specific features is not at all intuitive (inexplicably buried in the 'Settings>Field of view>Altimeter&Compass sub-menu, a one-time niggle)2. At start-up , app should play moshed-up score from '2001, A Space Oddysee', Twinkle-Twinkle... and Music of the Spheres (only half kidding...)In summary, an incredible convergence of technologies in this galaxy-class app--literally in the palm of your hand--and all for a mere $2.99?! Now I ask you... Is that too much to pay TO BOLDLY GO WHERE NO PHONE HAS GONE BEFORE?

Perfect  
By: IBrakeForNades - Sep 12, 2009
Version: 1.2
I have bought alot of other astronomy apps, and this one tops them all 100 times over. I can only imagine what buyying the $15 version would do! the only bad thing about this app, is that no matter how hard i look, is that i dont have a use for all the other astronomy apps.

works great with compass  
By: gonzo_earth - Aug 11, 2009
Version: 1.2
I enjoy using this app, the compass feature is well done. I like the altimeter setting.

Heavenly  
By: Datamad - 15-Sep-2009
Version: 1.2
Stunning app I can't give this app justice with words.I have learned more in one night than all my schooling.Well worth my hard earned cash.

AS AWESOME AS SKYVOYAGER APP!  
By: Pebbles83 - 20-Jul-2009
Version: 1.1
A BIT LESS CRAMPED DUE TO LESS CONSTELLATIONS, less INTIMIDATING, and easier to SELECT! Great info for professionals, PRETTY INTERESTING for children and adults! Great BATHROOM ESCAPE!You won't run out of stars to explore!

if you have any interest in stars/space, get this!  
By: riders4ever - 26-Jul-2009
Version: 1.1
If you have any interest in stars or space, this is the app you wanted without knowing you wanted it.
Great for just casual gazing up in space and wondering what you're seeing. And if you want more details info - it's there. Just dive right in!

Wow....  
By: ainsb - 11-Aug-2009
Version: 1.1
By far the best astronomy app I've ever came accross. Includes all you need to know about what your seeing with the tap of a finger.... I would have given it six as many stars as it had on the screen if it let me, trust me, that alot of stars...