SkySafari 6 Pro Hack 6.8.5 + Redeem Codes
Astronomy Guide To Night Sky
Developer: Simulation Curriculum Corp.
Category: Reference
Price: $29.99 (Download for free)
Version: 6.8.5
ID: com.simulationcurriculum.SkySafari6Pro
Screenshots
Description
SkySafari 6 Pro will revolutionize your astronomical viewing experience. It has the largest database of any astronomy app, includes every solar system object ever discovered, offers unparalleled accuracy, flawless telescope control, Augmented Reality (AR) mode, and provides the very best experience under the stars when you depend on it. Discover why SkySafari 6 Pro is the #1 recommended astronomy app for serious amateur astronomers since 2009.
Here's what's new in version 6:
1) Complete support for iOS 13 and iPhone 11. We release regular updates.
2) Clouds and Astronomy. Two words that rarely go together. SkySafari 6 Pro will (optionally) back up all of your observing data in our secure cloud storage and make it easily accessible to multiple devices as well as from our new web interface, LiveSky.com.
3) We Have The Best Stars. Precise, modern and deep. We’ve updated our star catalog to use the latest and greatest, UCAC5 star catalog. If 25 million stars down to 15th magnitude isn’t enough for you, an easy in-app purchase gets you down to 16.5 magnitude and a whopping 100 million stars!
4) We Have The Best Galaxies. The PGC catalog includes galaxies down to 18th magnitude. Want more galaxies? How about 2.6 million more? An in-app purchase gives you access to the largest galaxy database available for your device.
5) Observers First. A redesign of our tools puts the active observer first. Quick access to features like your equipment, observing sites, lists, and observations make it easy and enjoyable to get out, observe, and record your observations. The observing sessions feature lets you collect your observations into groups that span a few hours, or a few nights.
6) Graph It. The completely new graph tool will give a quick visual representation of an object’s altitude above the horizon. Essential for planning your night’s observations.
7) Plan It. Make the most of your time under the stars. Our updated planner is a powerful tool that lets you create a list of targets for your observing session with filters like object types, specific time ranges, constellation, catalog, and more. Plan it and get more done.
8) Say It. Ever just wanted to just yell at your device and tell it what to do!? SkySafari 6 adds basic voice control for a wide range of operations. Say “select Jupiter,” “search for Titan,” “center on Polaris” and SkySafari will do the work for you. Yelling optional.
9) Tilt It. Every old astronomy app these days lets your tilt and pan your device to show different parts of the sky, but who else lets you control your telescope that way!? “Tilt to slew” is an optional mode allowing you to keep your eye in the eyepiece, and, using the accelerometers in your device, gently translate the movements of your hands into smooth telescope motion.
10) Share It. SkySafari 6 is more than just a mobile app, it’s a new system to help organize and share your observing experiences. With a free signup, you can see and share your observing data from our web portal, LiveSky.com! Affordable premium memberships add online editing, so you can not only view, but edit your observations, add new observing sites, manage your equipment and more. Finally, (coming soon) you can view, edit and manage your settings files with SkySafari Web, our fully functional web version.
If you haven't used SkySafari 6 Pro before, here's what you can do with it:
• Hold your device up, and SkySafari 6 Pro will find stars, constellations, planets, and more! The star chart updates automatically with your movements for the ultimate stargazing experience.
• Simulate the night sky up to 10,000 years in the past or future! Animate meteor showers, conjunctions, eclipses, and other celestial events.
• Control your telescope, log and plan your observations.
• Night Vision.
• Orbit Mode. Leave the Earth’s surface behind, and fly through our solar system.
• Galaxy View shows the position of deep sky objects in our Milky Way!
• Much more!
Here's what's new in version 6:
1) Complete support for iOS 13 and iPhone 11. We release regular updates.
2) Clouds and Astronomy. Two words that rarely go together. SkySafari 6 Pro will (optionally) back up all of your observing data in our secure cloud storage and make it easily accessible to multiple devices as well as from our new web interface, LiveSky.com.
3) We Have The Best Stars. Precise, modern and deep. We’ve updated our star catalog to use the latest and greatest, UCAC5 star catalog. If 25 million stars down to 15th magnitude isn’t enough for you, an easy in-app purchase gets you down to 16.5 magnitude and a whopping 100 million stars!
4) We Have The Best Galaxies. The PGC catalog includes galaxies down to 18th magnitude. Want more galaxies? How about 2.6 million more? An in-app purchase gives you access to the largest galaxy database available for your device.
5) Observers First. A redesign of our tools puts the active observer first. Quick access to features like your equipment, observing sites, lists, and observations make it easy and enjoyable to get out, observe, and record your observations. The observing sessions feature lets you collect your observations into groups that span a few hours, or a few nights.
6) Graph It. The completely new graph tool will give a quick visual representation of an object’s altitude above the horizon. Essential for planning your night’s observations.
7) Plan It. Make the most of your time under the stars. Our updated planner is a powerful tool that lets you create a list of targets for your observing session with filters like object types, specific time ranges, constellation, catalog, and more. Plan it and get more done.
8) Say It. Ever just wanted to just yell at your device and tell it what to do!? SkySafari 6 adds basic voice control for a wide range of operations. Say “select Jupiter,” “search for Titan,” “center on Polaris” and SkySafari will do the work for you. Yelling optional.
9) Tilt It. Every old astronomy app these days lets your tilt and pan your device to show different parts of the sky, but who else lets you control your telescope that way!? “Tilt to slew” is an optional mode allowing you to keep your eye in the eyepiece, and, using the accelerometers in your device, gently translate the movements of your hands into smooth telescope motion.
10) Share It. SkySafari 6 is more than just a mobile app, it’s a new system to help organize and share your observing experiences. With a free signup, you can see and share your observing data from our web portal, LiveSky.com! Affordable premium memberships add online editing, so you can not only view, but edit your observations, add new observing sites, manage your equipment and more. Finally, (coming soon) you can view, edit and manage your settings files with SkySafari Web, our fully functional web version.
If you haven't used SkySafari 6 Pro before, here's what you can do with it:
• Hold your device up, and SkySafari 6 Pro will find stars, constellations, planets, and more! The star chart updates automatically with your movements for the ultimate stargazing experience.
• Simulate the night sky up to 10,000 years in the past or future! Animate meteor showers, conjunctions, eclipses, and other celestial events.
• Control your telescope, log and plan your observations.
• Night Vision.
• Orbit Mode. Leave the Earth’s surface behind, and fly through our solar system.
• Galaxy View shows the position of deep sky objects in our Milky Way!
• Much more!
Version history
6.8.5
2021-06-03
Fixes connection issues with some Celestron WiFi telescopes.
Fixes import of Observing Lists from SkySafari 5 using Files app > Share workflow.
Performance Improvements.
Fixes import of Observing Lists from SkySafari 5 using Files app > Share workflow.
Performance Improvements.
6.8.4
2021-05-12
Corrections for French, Japanese and Italian localizations.
Fixes for SynScan telescopes.
Fixes for SynScan telescopes.
6.8.3
2021-04-28
Fixes for UI in Dark/Light modes
6.8.2
2021-04-07
Jupiter Great Red Spot orientation updated.
Fixed issue with maximum location elevation.
Tonight's Best list sorting fixed.
Some light vs dark mode UI fixes.
Fixed crash when importing Observing Lists.
Corrections to Russian, Japanese and French translations.
Fixed issue with maximum location elevation.
Tonight's Best list sorting fixed.
Some light vs dark mode UI fixes.
Fixed crash when importing Observing Lists.
Corrections to Russian, Japanese and French translations.
6.8.0
2021-01-14
- Fixes for Astro-Physics Mount Control.
- Added Russian translation.
- Added Russian translation.
6.7.6
2020-10-29
- Updated for iOS 14.
- Better support for connecting to telescopes through local networks.
- Corrections to Japanese localization.
- Better support for connecting to telescopes through local networks.
- Corrections to Japanese localization.
6.7.5
2020-09-10
Fixes AR mode initialization.
Performance enhancements.
Fixes problem adding multiple Equipment to Observations.
Performance enhancements.
Fixes problem adding multiple Equipment to Observations.
6.7.4
2020-09-03
- Fix for time display bug introduced in 6.7.3
6.7.3
2020-08-26
Stability and performance issues.
6.7.2
2020-06-11
Comets and other solar-system bodies no longer removed from cache (disappear) after a few days.
Fixes for crashes on some iOS 9 devices.
Fixes for connection problems to some Celestron telescopes.
Fixed Toolbar Configuration settings icons.
Fixes for Japanese translations.
Fixes for German translations.
Fixes for crashes on some iOS 9 devices.
Fixes for connection problems to some Celestron telescopes.
Fixed Toolbar Configuration settings icons.
Fixes for Japanese translations.
Fixes for German translations.
6.7.0
2020-05-04
We are sending you this latest update through hyperspace. Thank you for your continued support.
+ Japanese Localization.
+ Celestron Focus Motor Control.
+ Several Celestron telescope bug fixes.
+ Several fixes in Localized Object Info.
+ Constellation names now localized.
+ Japanese Localization.
+ Celestron Focus Motor Control.
+ Several Celestron telescope bug fixes.
+ Several fixes in Localized Object Info.
+ Constellation names now localized.
6.6.4
2020-01-30
Performance improvements for localized search.
6.6.3
2020-01-12
In this update we address some issues due to localization and make some minor improvements. Thank you for your patience and continued support of SkySafari. You all rock like asteroids!
+ Fixed a potential crash on startup when app is localized to a language other than English.
+ Fixed crash with non-ascii characters in FOV equipment names.
+ Fixed mixup between some localized solar system object names.
+ Fixed several localized strings.
+ Measure Tool now displays angular separation info.
+ List reordering UI handles now visible in light mode.
+ Fixed a potential crash on startup when app is localized to a language other than English.
+ Fixed crash with non-ascii characters in FOV equipment names.
+ Fixed mixup between some localized solar system object names.
+ Fixed several localized strings.
+ Measure Tool now displays angular separation info.
+ List reordering UI handles now visible in light mode.
6.6.2
2020-01-05
Happy New Year! In this update:
+ Fixed crash when enabling Augmented Reality (AR) mode.
+ Can now search for solar system objects and constellation names in localized language.
+ Fixed crash when enabling Augmented Reality (AR) mode.
+ Can now search for solar system objects and constellation names in localized language.
6.6.1
2019-12-26
+ Minor updates to address bugs introduced with Localization.
6.6.0
2019-12-20
Thank you for using SkySafari Pro! In this update:
+ Added PlaneWave Telescope Mount Support developed for our partners at Lowell Observatory.
+ Localized SkySafari for French, Spanish, German, and Italian. Additional languages will be translated soon.
+ Several Bug Fixes and Improvements
+ Added PlaneWave Telescope Mount Support developed for our partners at Lowell Observatory.
+ Localized SkySafari for French, Spanish, German, and Italian. Additional languages will be translated soon.
+ Several Bug Fixes and Improvements
6.5.3
2019-11-22
Thank you for using SkySafari Pro! This minor release includes bug fixes and enhancements to better support iOS 13, including Dark Mode.
6.5.1
2019-10-28
Thank you for your continued support! This minor update addresses several user interface issues on iOS 13.
6.5.0
2019-07-16
Celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Apollo 11 Moon landing with a new in-app purchase that allows you to follow the Apollo 11 crew on their historic mission! Explore all Apollo Space Missions (from Apollo 8 to Apollo 17) and place yourself at the exact spot along the lunar trajectories of the Apollo spacecraft, during the most memorable and historic moments of these flights.
Features:
+ Travel along on the Apollo Space Missions, including Apollo 11 and the first lunar landing
+ Includes nine missions flown by the Apollo astronauts during the 1960's and 1970's
+ View the Earth and Moon as it appeared to the crew. Land on the Moon, then blast back into lunar orbit!
+ Links to key moments of the Apollo 11 Lunar Program
+ Moon inbound and outbound trajectories for Apollo 8, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, and 17
+ Accurate 3-D models of the Apollo Spacecraft - including the Saturn V rocket, the Command Service Module and the Lunar Lander Module
+ Lunar Landing site Panorama for Apollo 11
+ The simulated trajectories have been made as accurate as possible, using actual data published by NASA.
Other changes:
• Apollo Mission in-app purchase.
• Fixed bug in the Tonight at a Glance view where the Help button wasn't positioned correctly.
• Tweaked the UI in a few places.
• New icon for Tonight button.
• New user interface for the Observing List repository.
• Fixed crash that could happen while zooming the view in and out.
• Performance improvement in drawing the chart.
• UI changes to make it easier to create multiple observations of an object in a specific observing list.
• Fixed bug where zoom buttons didn't work in chart views other than the main one.
• Added a "Show Last Observation" item to the Observations view. This facilitates easily getting back to your last observation.
Features:
+ Travel along on the Apollo Space Missions, including Apollo 11 and the first lunar landing
+ Includes nine missions flown by the Apollo astronauts during the 1960's and 1970's
+ View the Earth and Moon as it appeared to the crew. Land on the Moon, then blast back into lunar orbit!
+ Links to key moments of the Apollo 11 Lunar Program
+ Moon inbound and outbound trajectories for Apollo 8, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, and 17
+ Accurate 3-D models of the Apollo Spacecraft - including the Saturn V rocket, the Command Service Module and the Lunar Lander Module
+ Lunar Landing site Panorama for Apollo 11
+ The simulated trajectories have been made as accurate as possible, using actual data published by NASA.
Other changes:
• Apollo Mission in-app purchase.
• Fixed bug in the Tonight at a Glance view where the Help button wasn't positioned correctly.
• Tweaked the UI in a few places.
• New icon for Tonight button.
• New user interface for the Observing List repository.
• Fixed crash that could happen while zooming the view in and out.
• Performance improvement in drawing the chart.
• UI changes to make it easier to create multiple observations of an object in a specific observing list.
• Fixed bug where zoom buttons didn't work in chart views other than the main one.
• Added a "Show Last Observation" item to the Observations view. This facilitates easily getting back to your last observation.
6.4.0
2019-05-06
• Incorporated Wolfgang Steinicke's 2019 updates to his NGC/IC database.
• Added better support for having multiple observations of an object in an observing list.
• In observing lists, you can now chose to show all objects, only observed objects, or only unobserved objects.
• When attaching an observation to an observing list, we now show two sections of lists. Those lists that already contain the object and those that don't.
• Added a Quasar type to the Planner for searches.
• In Pro, added the ability to toggle the extension databases between Active and Inactive states.
• For equatorial Celestron Wi-Fi mounts, you now are given the option of doing an All-Star Polar Alignment (ASPA) after a star alignment.
• Fixed a problem with StarSense alignment when using Celestron Wi-Fi.
• Fixed a few issues with the display or editing of times in observations and sessions.
• Improved performance syncing data with LiveSky.
• Various other performance and stability changes.
• Added better support for having multiple observations of an object in an observing list.
• In observing lists, you can now chose to show all objects, only observed objects, or only unobserved objects.
• When attaching an observation to an observing list, we now show two sections of lists. Those lists that already contain the object and those that don't.
• Added a Quasar type to the Planner for searches.
• In Pro, added the ability to toggle the extension databases between Active and Inactive states.
• For equatorial Celestron Wi-Fi mounts, you now are given the option of doing an All-Star Polar Alignment (ASPA) after a star alignment.
• Fixed a problem with StarSense alignment when using Celestron Wi-Fi.
• Fixed a few issues with the display or editing of times in observations and sessions.
• Improved performance syncing data with LiveSky.
• Various other performance and stability changes.
6.3.0
2018-12-13
• In the Observation screen you can now display the info for the object or center the object in the main chart.
• In the Observations screen, we no longer show sessions without any observations. We also show the number of observations in sessions that do have observations.
• When associating an observing list with an observation, we now show all observing lists rather than just those that contain the object. If the chosen list doesn't have that object in it, we give you the option to add it.
• There is a new option in the Object Info's more button to show all observing lists containing the object.
• In the Date/Time Picker dialog, there is now a "Now" button to set the date/time to the current time.
• Improved resizing of H-R Diagram.
• Various modifications for compatibility with soon to be released Starry Night 8.
• Various stability and performance improvements.
• In the Observations screen, we no longer show sessions without any observations. We also show the number of observations in sessions that do have observations.
• When associating an observing list with an observation, we now show all observing lists rather than just those that contain the object. If the chosen list doesn't have that object in it, we give you the option to add it.
• There is a new option in the Object Info's more button to show all observing lists containing the object.
• In the Date/Time Picker dialog, there is now a "Now" button to set the date/time to the current time.
• Improved resizing of H-R Diagram.
• Various modifications for compatibility with soon to be released Starry Night 8.
• Various stability and performance improvements.
6.2.2
2018-10-31
- Added option to allow rectangular custom fields of view.
- In the Scope Display screen, we now show the exit pupil (EP) of a telescope/eyepiece field of view.
- Fixed bug where we weren't showing the GAIA extension database as being installed when it was.
- Miscellaneous stability improvements.
- In the Scope Display screen, we now show the exit pupil (EP) of a telescope/eyepiece field of view.
- Fixed bug where we weren't showing the GAIA extension database as being installed when it was.
- Miscellaneous stability improvements.
6.2.1
2018-10-14
- Switched to using the new GAIA DR2 star data rather than UCAC5.
- Improved catalog search when using Planner.
- Added support native Sync command on NexStar and SynScan hand controllers running the appropriate firmware version.
- Added support for setting date/time/location on SynScan controllers.
- Improved accuracy of planetary position predictions.
- Improved memory usage.
- Improvements to syncing data with LiveSky server.
- Added Sun to HR-Diagram.
- Fixed bug where the AR button was shown on top of the "Current List" button when it was visible.
- Fixed bug where you could get stuck in Stereographic projection after using AR mode.
- Improved catalog search when using Planner.
- Added support native Sync command on NexStar and SynScan hand controllers running the appropriate firmware version.
- Added support for setting date/time/location on SynScan controllers.
- Improved accuracy of planetary position predictions.
- Improved memory usage.
- Improvements to syncing data with LiveSky server.
- Added Sun to HR-Diagram.
- Fixed bug where the AR button was shown on top of the "Current List" button when it was visible.
- Fixed bug where you could get stuck in Stereographic projection after using AR mode.
6.2.0
2018-08-09
Thank you for using SkySafari Pro. We have some exciting new features and improvements in this release!
+ New Augmented Reality (AR) mode available when using the compass. AR blends a simulated sky chart of your sky with a real view of your surroundings, captured from your device's camera. AR mode makes it even easier to find your favorite planets, stars, and constellations. Requires iOS 10+.
+ Added support for latest iOptron firmware.
+ Improved accuracy of Telescope GoTos when talking to StarSense hand controller.
+ Corrected issue where you could resize the H-R Diagram rectangle so it was inside-out, making it invisible..
+ Corrected issue where in some cases you could't scroll the object info on iPad to see the last line or two.
+ Various performance and stability improvements.
Some pointers on using Augmented Reality mode in SkySafari:
To use AR in SkySafari, first activate the compass by either tapping the icon in the toolbar or simply tilting your device up to the sky. A small AR icon appears above the toolbar, near the bottom of the screen. Tap the AR icon to turn on your device's camera. If this is the first time you've used AR, your device will ask for your permission to use the camera. To turn off AR mode, tap the AR icon again. When AR is active, the toolbar and on-screen buttons will be hidden.
During daylight hours, point your device's camera at an area of clear blue sky. SkySafari will fill that area with a star chart. At night, point your camera at a black sky area. SkySafari will attempt to draw the star chart only over the sky area, and not walls, buildings, trees, etc.
You can increase or decrease the amount of sky chart blending with the camera's video image by swiping up or down. At maximum blending, the star chart is drawn everywhere above the horizon, not just in clear sky areas.
You may find that the simulated objects in the sky chart don't quite line up correctly with the real objects shown by the camera. This is due to the inaccuracy inherent in your device's digital compass. To fix this problem, swipe the chart left-to-right. This way, you can align objects drawn in the chart with their images shown by the camera. The Moon is a great object to align on. The planets and brightest stars should also be visible in the camera and can be used for AR alignment.
+ New Augmented Reality (AR) mode available when using the compass. AR blends a simulated sky chart of your sky with a real view of your surroundings, captured from your device's camera. AR mode makes it even easier to find your favorite planets, stars, and constellations. Requires iOS 10+.
+ Added support for latest iOptron firmware.
+ Improved accuracy of Telescope GoTos when talking to StarSense hand controller.
+ Corrected issue where you could resize the H-R Diagram rectangle so it was inside-out, making it invisible..
+ Corrected issue where in some cases you could't scroll the object info on iPad to see the last line or two.
+ Various performance and stability improvements.
Some pointers on using Augmented Reality mode in SkySafari:
To use AR in SkySafari, first activate the compass by either tapping the icon in the toolbar or simply tilting your device up to the sky. A small AR icon appears above the toolbar, near the bottom of the screen. Tap the AR icon to turn on your device's camera. If this is the first time you've used AR, your device will ask for your permission to use the camera. To turn off AR mode, tap the AR icon again. When AR is active, the toolbar and on-screen buttons will be hidden.
During daylight hours, point your device's camera at an area of clear blue sky. SkySafari will fill that area with a star chart. At night, point your camera at a black sky area. SkySafari will attempt to draw the star chart only over the sky area, and not walls, buildings, trees, etc.
You can increase or decrease the amount of sky chart blending with the camera's video image by swiping up or down. At maximum blending, the star chart is drawn everywhere above the horizon, not just in clear sky areas.
You may find that the simulated objects in the sky chart don't quite line up correctly with the real objects shown by the camera. This is due to the inaccuracy inherent in your device's digital compass. To fix this problem, swipe the chart left-to-right. This way, you can align objects drawn in the chart with their images shown by the camera. The Moon is a great object to align on. The planets and brightest stars should also be visible in the camera and can be used for AR alignment.
6.1.2
2018-06-04
Thank you for using SkySafari 6 Pro! In this update we left all the good stuff the same but now there's more of it! And ... huh ... we also killed a few bugs because we figure you'll have enough of those to deal with in the spring/summer.
What's new:
+ Optional Interactive H-R Diagram that displays where a star is in its evolutionary stage.
+ Toolbar buttons no longer disappear after previewing a settings file.
+ Onscreen highlighting of a list is now properly updated after an observation is deleted or an observing list is added or deleted to an observation.
+ Numerous enhancements and performance fixes
What's new:
+ Optional Interactive H-R Diagram that displays where a star is in its evolutionary stage.
+ Toolbar buttons no longer disappear after previewing a settings file.
+ Onscreen highlighting of a list is now properly updated after an observation is deleted or an observing list is added or deleted to an observation.
+ Numerous enhancements and performance fixes
Cheat Codes for In-App Purchases
| Item | Price | iPhone/iPad | Android |
|---|---|---|---|
| Apollo Lunar Missions (3D Models and trajectories of Apollo Missions) |
Free |
FF397663819✱✱✱✱✱ | DC2F153✱✱✱✱✱ |
| PGC Extension Database (Adds 3 million galaxies (200 MB)) |
Free |
FF043974933✱✱✱✱✱ | 785B8C6✱✱✱✱✱ |
| Interactive H-R Diagram (Displays the evolutionary stage of a star) |
Free |
FF375579099✱✱✱✱✱ | D4B3447✱✱✱✱✱ |
| GAIA Extension Database (Adds 90 million stars (1.64 GB)) |
Free |
FF954411543✱✱✱✱✱ | 80EE2D3✱✱✱✱✱ |
Ways to hack SkySafari 6 Pro
- Redeem codes (Get the Redeem codes)
Download hacked APK
Download SkySafari 6 Pro MOD APK
Request a Hack
Ratings
4.8 out of 5
6 203 Ratings
Reviews
Alaskaman 1963,
Awesome! Except?
This app is great except that every time I go to use it, if I haven’t used it for a week the app won’t open and I have to delete it and download again. I then must re-enter all my scope data. What a hassle huh? A real short coming for such a well thought out app. Still, it beats using the controller that came with my scope, especially in the field and, in cold weather. If not for that I would give 5 stars, maybe they’ll fix it.
Addendum, it appears I may be mistaken about having to reload my equipment data. I know I had to the first time I deleted the app but in subsequent deletes I discovered that my equipment data and observer lists were still there. They must store that elsewhere on the smart phone. That being the case I’m changing my rating to 5 stars despite the glitch.
To the developer, you requested specific information but provided a link to your support community without any way to reach you. It’s version 6.7.6.2 , when I touch the icon to open the app the opening page displays momentarily then quits and returns to my phones Home Screen. That’s all I can tell you. Am using iPhone 8 with automatic iOS updates.
Addendum, it appears I may be mistaken about having to reload my equipment data. I know I had to the first time I deleted the app but in subsequent deletes I discovered that my equipment data and observer lists were still there. They must store that elsewhere on the smart phone. That being the case I’m changing my rating to 5 stars despite the glitch.
To the developer, you requested specific information but provided a link to your support community without any way to reach you. It’s version 6.7.6.2 , when I touch the icon to open the app the opening page displays momentarily then quits and returns to my phones Home Screen. That’s all I can tell you. Am using iPhone 8 with automatic iOS updates.
MacHutch,
Increadible
I’m using this app to control a Celestron 8” EdgeHD on an AVX German Equatorial Mount. The Network interface is via Celestron’s SkyPortal WiFi adapter.
This app is a huge improvement over Celestron’s own hand controller. The alignment is process is faster, and the tracking accuracy has been excellent. The app has improved my entire astronomical experience with a wealth of data and having the ability to customize the “scope display” using the exact specifications of my gear. This is also great for simulating the FoV of various eyepieces and imaging equipment for possible future purchases, and for planning imaging session dates & times. The telescope controls are smooth and everything works great. I can certainly tell that some serious effort has been put into this app.
The only changes I could suggest would be to enlarge the telescope directional buttons. With a hand controller, you can feel the buttons physically, and it’s easier to direct the scope without having to come off the eyepiece to look at the hand controller. Having these controls on screen makes it a little more difficult to make small finely-tuned adjustments.
This app is a huge improvement over Celestron’s own hand controller. The alignment is process is faster, and the tracking accuracy has been excellent. The app has improved my entire astronomical experience with a wealth of data and having the ability to customize the “scope display” using the exact specifications of my gear. This is also great for simulating the FoV of various eyepieces and imaging equipment for possible future purchases, and for planning imaging session dates & times. The telescope controls are smooth and everything works great. I can certainly tell that some serious effort has been put into this app.
The only changes I could suggest would be to enlarge the telescope directional buttons. With a hand controller, you can feel the buttons physically, and it’s easier to direct the scope without having to come off the eyepiece to look at the hand controller. Having these controls on screen makes it a little more difficult to make small finely-tuned adjustments.
Rob-cva,
Excellent Product Features with Poor Support
I have very mixed emotions about SkySafari 6 Pro. It’s feature packed and a very capable iPhone/iPad planetarium program. The telescope control features work very well, and I’m able to interface to my Meade computerized telescopes through the Meade Stella wifi interface. But I had difficulty using the audio for the app, and discovered that the support for the product is very limited. When you try to call the company, there is no number to call for the iOS products. When you go to submit a service ticket online, you’re directed to the community bulletin board. So I submitted my problem online, and had no responses after 4 days. I posted a question (my second try on the forum) and have not gotten an answer after 7 days. If the company is going to direct people to the community bulletin board, they should certainly monitor the board and provide assistance when needed. I finally figured the audio problem out myself. My experience with SkySafari 6 Pro is that it’s a 5-star product with zero-star support. It’s a feature-packed program but you might be on your own if you have a problem. Further, you have to buy the program again each time there is a major update—running counter to other iOS apps. That might be ok if they supported the program, but doesn’t work for me if the company doesn’t provide support.
Largo 1972,
Works when it wants to but great when it does
This app was great when I first loaded it a little over a year ago but now the connection stability is intermittent. Also, when I turn the screen off and stick the phone in my pocket to observe a target then, turn the phone back on to use the app, reconnection is slow and at times it will not connect and I’ll lose alignment. There also seems to be a bit of a lag between completing three star alignment and start of tracking which brings the target off center. So, if you goto a target it will also be off center or sometimes out of FOV and you have to do a little searching around to find the object. I try to fix this by centering the object in the eyepiece the hitting align in the app but this function work maybe half the time. The lag also happens with the Celestron hand controller so it may be a scope software issue. When using this app you are connecting it via the telescopes wifi so if you want to control any other devices via wifi (I use a Sony a7ii for Astrophotography connected via wifi) you will need another phone, laptop, tablet to control both simultaneously. The live telescope view does not work 90% of the time.
JeffinSugarLand,
Great but version 6 could have been better
I have been a SkySafari Pro user since version 3. As an amateur astronomer and astrophotographer, I consider this app an essential tool for planning targets for both outreach and imaging due to the convenience of having this powerful app on my phone.
I consider this a 5 star app but am only giving 4 stars on version 6 for the following reasons and the upgrade experience could have been better.
1. I held off upgrading from 5 to 6 for a year. I expected most of the bugs to be wrung out by now but when I upgraded after taking advantage of the 50% off, I found an existing basic feature in 5 not working in 6 and one of the new key selling point features not working either. SC is aware of these issues and have already fixed one and will be coming out with a fix for the other soon in 6.6.3.
2. The new features since 5 did not seem to be worth upgrading. Augmented Reality is probably the most interesting one but I am not sure how useful it will be to me. The voice control is all but useless. The reorganization of the toolbar seems to be an improvement but I am still trying to get used to it. The planner and graph are fairly simplistic but may be of some use to me.
The main reason for my upgrading is to get the latest supported version. I am still a very happy SkySafari user and am just offering my review as constructive criticism.
I consider this a 5 star app but am only giving 4 stars on version 6 for the following reasons and the upgrade experience could have been better.
1. I held off upgrading from 5 to 6 for a year. I expected most of the bugs to be wrung out by now but when I upgraded after taking advantage of the 50% off, I found an existing basic feature in 5 not working in 6 and one of the new key selling point features not working either. SC is aware of these issues and have already fixed one and will be coming out with a fix for the other soon in 6.6.3.
2. The new features since 5 did not seem to be worth upgrading. Augmented Reality is probably the most interesting one but I am not sure how useful it will be to me. The voice control is all but useless. The reorganization of the toolbar seems to be an improvement but I am still trying to get used to it. The planner and graph are fairly simplistic but may be of some use to me.
The main reason for my upgrading is to get the latest supported version. I am still a very happy SkySafari user and am just offering my review as constructive criticism.
AmillVmill,
One of the best available - but having some problems with in-app upgrades
This is a remarkable tool and is definitely great for serious stargazers as well those new to the hobby. However, as mentioned by others, the in-App purchases look to be very interesting, but have problems installing correctly. For instance, I purchased the Apollo Missions add on and, despite my best efforts, it still won’t launch. I even uninstalled and reinstalled the whole app and still no success. Maybe it’s not compatible with Apple’s newest OS? Who knows. But I am unable to get any support from the developers in the forum. At this point, I wished I could get a refund. It‘a not much money...but it is the principle. They need to remove them until the problem is fixed.
LostInSpace!,
Don’t Bother
There needs to be a way to leave zero stars.
I cannot get this app to align my telescope and it works poorly on my IPad. When I connect to my telescope the app flashes between where the app thinks the telescope is pointing and where the scope is actually pointing. The rest of the app is interesting and useful. It is unfortunate that it will not align my telescope. I have SkyPortal, Starry Night and SkySafari 6 Pro. All are written by Simulation Curriculum and work poorly if you have a Celestron scope with a WiFi device, Wedge and Starsense camera. Good luck with this app. I give up!
I had this apple on my phone and I had to delete it because the performance was too poor. I have it on my IMac as well. None of the three versions of this app would properly align my celestron CPC 11 inch deluxe edge hd telescope. The app remembers where you last had the telescope pointing when you shut it off. It will not forget that setting. I set up my telescope each night and have no need for the app to remember anything about where I had my telescope last pointed to. It routinely points to the ground when I try and align it. Support has not been of any help.
I cannot get this app to align my telescope and it works poorly on my IPad. When I connect to my telescope the app flashes between where the app thinks the telescope is pointing and where the scope is actually pointing. The rest of the app is interesting and useful. It is unfortunate that it will not align my telescope. I have SkyPortal, Starry Night and SkySafari 6 Pro. All are written by Simulation Curriculum and work poorly if you have a Celestron scope with a WiFi device, Wedge and Starsense camera. Good luck with this app. I give up!
I had this apple on my phone and I had to delete it because the performance was too poor. I have it on my IMac as well. None of the three versions of this app would properly align my celestron CPC 11 inch deluxe edge hd telescope. The app remembers where you last had the telescope pointing when you shut it off. It will not forget that setting. I set up my telescope each night and have no need for the app to remember anything about where I had my telescope last pointed to. It routinely points to the ground when I try and align it. Support has not been of any help.
AppPERFORMANCE,
There Is No Other
The amount of information, calculations, and corresponding graphics output (or telescope control) being done (in the palm of your hand), is mind-boggling! And yet, the controls are well implemented and intuitive. Plus, for all this, its cost is amazingly economical!
If only we had another “Einstein” to make use of all this technology, and take that next “giant leap” in our theories.
I fear, though, that someone like him would never be heard in today’s science, which has become almost as dogmatic as the medieval church. Only one scientist, in all the science shows I’ve watched, has CORRECTLY said that “true science” is about being “wrong” as well as about being “right”! Almost every other scientist has said something like: And we sat on our findings for a year or two, and recalculated them over and over again, for fear of making a mistake and being “wrong”.
Most common human endeavors are NOT competitions (especially science), as TV and the Internet would have us believe. We really do all live on this tiny “blue dot” together! Spend just a few minutes with this app, and you’ll get all the proof you need for Carl Sagan’s comment, said so long ago about the Voyager I photograph of the planets.
If only we had another “Einstein” to make use of all this technology, and take that next “giant leap” in our theories.
I fear, though, that someone like him would never be heard in today’s science, which has become almost as dogmatic as the medieval church. Only one scientist, in all the science shows I’ve watched, has CORRECTLY said that “true science” is about being “wrong” as well as about being “right”! Almost every other scientist has said something like: And we sat on our findings for a year or two, and recalculated them over and over again, for fear of making a mistake and being “wrong”.
Most common human endeavors are NOT competitions (especially science), as TV and the Internet would have us believe. We really do all live on this tiny “blue dot” together! Spend just a few minutes with this app, and you’ll get all the proof you need for Carl Sagan’s comment, said so long ago about the Voyager I photograph of the planets.
Blue Pine,
I come back to this app often 😍
I love this app!!! My fav thing about it is the level of customization that I can apply, depending on how I'm using it on a given night (or day). One caveat though. Once in awhile information about an object may seem a little off. So confirm with multiple sources. That doesn't bother me because I love researching and picture surfing anyway. A recent example is the object known as SagDEG. My version of SkySafari Pro has it as 46,000 light years from Earth. Elsewhere, it is thought to be 70,000 light years from Earth (which seems more likely to me for a couple of reasons). But get the app, enjoy it, and dig deep into the info. Let SkySafari be your guide, and the vast night sky will astonish you over and over again.
Wolfram the Jam,
Amazing Precision!
With this wondrous app, you can go back 2000 or more years and see eclipses mentioned by the ancients exactly as they witnessed them! Sunrise and moonrise times are exact to the second. You can plan photographs to include alignments between celestial objects and monuments to the nearest 1/16 inch of tripod location. You can see how the precession of the Earth’s axis over 1000’s of years changed the view of of the night sky during the winter solstice. Phases of the moon are very realistic. Amazing number of exotic objects you can track, like the quasar 3C 273. And of course, fantastically precise placement of all celestial objects. Easy manipulation of time and any location on earth from which to view the night sky. I’m overwhelmed with delight about this app!
