Stellarium Plus – Star Map


Rating: 4.7	Downloads: 100,000+
Category: Education	Offer by: Stellarium Labs

Stellarium Plus – Star Map is an advanced astronomy application designed for both beginners and professional stargazers. It provides an interactive and detailed map of the night sky, allowing users to identify stars, planets, and constellations. Whether you’re planning your first stargazing session or tracking celestial events, this app is your essential companion.

The primary value of Stellarium Plus – Star Map lies in its user-friendly interface and comprehensive data. Development focused on accessibility combined with scientific precision makes it ideal for education, navigation for camping trips, or simply enjoying a stargazing hobby. With real-time tracking and location-based content, users gain a deeper connection to the cosmic environment around us.

App Features

Real-Time Sky Mapping: Instantly view the current night sky configuration from your location using AR technology. This feature helps campers locate constellations and astronomers identify celestial objects without needing heavy equipment.
Constellation Identification: Tap on any star formation to reveal detailed information including mythology, coordinates, and visible dates. For educators, this instantly creates engaging astronomy lessons without requiring star charts.
Solar System Tracking: Quickly find your planets by searching their names or viewing them in a simplified heliocentric diagram. The highlight here is its prediction of Great Conjunctions like the 2020 Jupiter-Saturn event months in advance.
Nautical Almanac Integration: Plan observations for any date in the past or future by adjusting time settings. Perfect for query planning around total solar eclipses or meteor showers, this feature makes the app truly valuable for observational astronomy.
Multi-GPS Compatibility: Works seamlessly with various smartphone GPS setups including older phones and budget devices. This accessibility ensures that stargazing learning isn’t limited to high-end technology.
Augmented Reality Alignment: Point your phone to view an actual planet or star cluster through your device’s camera. This innovative feature transforms potential into practice by allowing immediate celestial confirmation in the field.

Pros & Cons

Pros:

Exceptional night sky visualization
Intuitive educational interface
Extensive celestial database
Planning tools for astronomical events

Cons:

Mobile data required for updates
Weather-dependent functionality
Some advanced features behind paywall
Occasional GPS lag on older devices

Similar Apps

App Name	Highlights
Nebula Navigator	Premium stargazing with AR navigation and telescope control. Known for expansive binary star data and PDF export options.
Star Walk Cosmos	Focuses on immersive AR and real-time night sky changes. Great for beginner engagement through gamification.
Astrospheric	Specializes in celestial event calendars and solar system interactions. Excellent for educational institutions with guided explanations.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How accurate is the positional data for the night sky? Do stars ‘drift’ throughout the night?
A: Stellarium Plus – Star Map uses precise astrophysics models and real-time localization to maintain high accuracy. While stars appear motionless for casual observation, you’ll notice subtle positional shifts with 24/7 tracking.

Q: Can I use the app to identify deep-sky objects? How far south can I travel before data gets inaccurate?
A: Yes, the app reliably identifies Messier objects, galaxies and nebulae based on your GPS location. Coverage extends to the Southern Cross from most populated regions.

Q: Does the app support constellation mythology in different languages? I’m interested in using this for teaching.
A: Absolutely! The app includes creation myths from major world cultures and presents them in 6 major languages, complete with pronunciation guides and cultural context.

Q: How power-efficient is AR mode during extended stargazing sessions? My battery worries me.
A: The AR module conserves power with adjustable refresh rates but needs to keep sensors active. Plan ahead for recharging stops—ideal session length depends on your battery capacity and ambient temperature.

Q: Will Stellarium work with both stellarium and planetarium definitions? I often confuse the distinction.
A: Yes, the app clearly differentiates stargazing (includes constellations, stars and planets) versus planetarium view which emphasizes deep-sky objects. You’ll see usage examples in the app interface itself.