Skyview has been available for over ten years and has had many upgrades. There are free and paid versions of the app, which offer slightly different features.

Sky View has been used at Space.com. It is excellent for locating specific stars, planets, and nebulae. It's a cheaper option than Star Walk 2, but it's still a good tool for amateur astronomer.

SkyView stargazing app review: Functionality

SkyView review: Image shows the Hubble telescope inside the app.

(Image credit: Future)
  • The app is easy to get started
  • Ambient music may frustrate regular observers
  • Extremely accurate once smartphone's compass has been aligned

The app is simple to use. Setting the screen to 'night-view' and turning off the ambient music can be adjusted to your liking. If you are in a region of high light pollution, you can increase or decrease the star magnitude visibility.

When searching for stars and constellations, the screen art and information disappears with only a small movement away from the intended target, and that the camera is too dark at night to be used, two things that rankle slightly.

RECOMMENDED VIDEOS FOR YOU...

SkyView review: Image shows information about Hubble.

(Image credit: Future)

The app is very accurate once you know where you are and where you want to go. If your device can't locate north, there is a manual option to adjust the screen. If the stars on your screen match what you can see in the sky, you've done your job.

If you have a real-world compass, you can use it to find Polaris or the southern cross if you are in the north. There are many ways to make sure the app is aligned.

SkyView stargazing app review: Design

SkyView review: Image shows Jupiter.

(Image credit: Future)
  • Interactive star map automatically recognizes objects
  • Detailed descriptions of objects and constellations
  • Man-made and celestial objects have relevant Wikipedia links

Skyview's star map is the most useful feature. The user can see which region of the sky they are looking at without having to refer to star guides. The path of an object, planet, or star can be seen from the central region of the screen.

SkyView review: Image shows textual information about Saturn.

(Image credit: Future)

The ability to get detailed descriptions of objects is another cool feature. If you tap a second time on the 'i' symbol, you will get a more detailed description of the object, with information such as launch dates, funding agencies and usage of satellites. There is a link to the relevant page on the internet.

SkyView stargazing app review: Additional features

SkyView review: Image shows Saturn.

(Image credit: Future)

The ability to save interesting objects allows for quick location when you want to look at them. If you own a telescope, you can use it to observe the planets.

Skyview has an app extension called 'Space Navigator' that will allow you to direct your telescope or binoculars to a star, planet, or object in the night sky. You won't find telescopes or binoculars in our lists of the best telescopes or the best binoculars.

SkyView stargazing app review: Cost

There is a free, lite version of Skyview that doesn't have ads but does count less stars, constellations, and other space objects than the paid version. Extra packages with extra stars and satellites are also available. The free version of the app costs 99 cents. SkySafari Pro is an in-depth stargazing app that costs around $40.00.

Should you buy SkyView stargazing app?

We recommend that you purchase this app if you are a beginner astronomer.

There are more detailed professional and semi-professional apps and software available, however, they naturally cost a lot more to purchase (some even require monthly/annual subscription packages, some even require monthly/annual subscription packages, for example, the iCandi app will cost $7 per month or $450 This app is an excellent place to begin. The artwork used to show the constellations is bright and easy to understand. The level of interest in the paid version of the app is not obvious in competitors.

It's not perfect. You can only see the app graphics on the dark screen at night, which can make lining up to a particular heavenly body a little awkward. If you are an amateur astronomer or have children who are interested in the night sky, this is a great app that can help deepen your interest.