# Astro Locator — Polar Alignment Tool

> Astronomy app for quick polar alignment and celestial data display. (iPhone/iPad app by Progress Concepts Limited.)

- Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/astro-locator/id927483920 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`)
- Developer: [Progress Concepts Limited](https://appshunter.io/developer/788761727)
- Category: Utilities, Reference
- Price: $3.99 (on sale, was $4.99)
- Rating: 4.80/5 from 68 App Store ratings · 22 written reviews indexed
- Age rating: 12+
- Requires: iOS 18.0 · 4 MB
- Languages: American English
- Released: 2014-11-13
- Data updated: 2026-08-24
- Monetization: free
- User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/astro-locator/id927483920/reviews.md

## What is Astro Locator?

Spend less time setting up and more time observing.

Astro Locator helps you quickly and accurately polar align your equatorial mount by showing the precise position of Polaris or Sigma Octantis. Designed for both visual astronomy and astrophotography, it makes polar alignment fast, simple and reliable wherever you observe.

Whether you’re setting up in your garden or under dark skies, Astro Locator provides all the information you need on a single, easy-to-read screen.

Features include:

• Accurate Polaris and Sigma Octantis positioning

• Compass direction and correct elevation for your location

• Latitude, longitude and altitude

• UTC and local time

• Sunrise and sunset times

• Astronomical twilight start and end times

• Current moon phase

• Clean, uncluttered interface designed for fast setup

Astro Locator is ideal for astronomers who assemble and pack away their equipment for each observing session, helping you spend less time setting up and more time enjoying the night sky.

Trusted by amateur astronomers since 2014.

## Key features

- Quick polar alignment
- Locate Polaris/Sigma Octantis
- Display elevation, latitude, longitude
- Show moon phase
- Sunrise/sunset times
- Astro twilight times
- Today Extension widget

## Recent user reviews (10 of 22)

All indexed reviews: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/astro-locator/id927483920/reviews.md

### 5/5 — Outstanding for Polar Alignment

*2025-12-11*

This really makes setting up my scope quite simple!

**Developer response:** Thank you for your kind review.

### 5/5 — Seestar S50

*2025-04-01*

Great app for new equatorial mode on Seestar S50. Allows you to set up scope in twilight/ daylight and then just need minor tweaks to get perfect polar alignment with scope once it’s dark.

**Developer response:** Thank you for taking the time to leave your kind review.

### 5/5 — Love it

*2024-07-27*

Really practical app that all astronomers should have in their toolbox

**Developer response:** Thank you for taking the time to leave your kind review.

### 5/5 — Awesome

*2024-02-14, version 1.6.0*

This app works great and is very much worth it. Thanks :)

### 5/5 — Astro Locator

*2023-08-11*

Very good app for polar alignment. One of the most useful apps that I have are use it every time I take one of my telescopes out I highly recommend this to anyone who is into astronomy either visual or Astro photography.

**Developer response:** Thank you for your kind review.

### 5/5 — Astro Locator

*2023-05-03*

Very good app for polar alignment

**Developer response:** Thank you for your kind review.

### 1/5 — Rubbish

*2022-08-20*

Could only get the first screen to show on my iPhone 6. Really just a good compass and gps readout.

**Developer response:** Thank you for downloading AstroLocator. I am not sure what other screens you are looking for? Astro Locator provides a compass and gps readout, yes, but also provides the elevation reading of the mount / OTA. Please do take a look at the instructions on the Help link, as it is by using all of this data together, specifically using the elevation which highlights the correct elevation based on your GPS data, that allows for the alignment of your mount & OTA. Please do feel free to reach out via the contact option in the app, and mention this review, and I will be happy to help.

### 1/5 — How to find Polaris quickly - other wise it’s just data

*2022-07-26*

Need to provide a brief on how to use the data displayed to find Polaris quickly other wise it’s just data

**Developer response:** Thanks for taking the time to leave your review. Please check out the first part of the help, linked at the top of the About screen in the app (https://www.progressconcepts.com/help/astrolocator/). Hopefully this explains how to use the data.
If you are still struggling, please do reach out to me via the 'Contact Support' link on the About screen, or at appsupport@progressconcepts.com, and mention this review.
Thanks.

### 5/5 — Great app

*2022-01-22*

Does what it says and I’m very happy with it

**Developer response:** Thank you for your kind review! Please let me know what I can do to earn your extra star! -- Update: Thank you for the 5 stars!

### 5/5 — Froze up, won’t re-install

*2019-10-18*

Works flawlessly.

**Developer response:** Hi, thanks for your review. I am just trying to figure if you are saying that it works flawlessly, or if you have an issue with your device that is stopping it working?! If you reach out to me via the contact option in the app if there is any issue, I will be sure to help. Thanks, Neil.

## Frequently asked questions about Astro Locator

### What does Astro Locator do?

Astro Locator is designed to help astronomers quickly and easily achieve polar alignment for their telescopes. It aids in locating celestial navigation stars like Polaris or Sigma Octantis, essential for accurate tracking.

### What are the key features of Astro Locator?

Key features include quick polar alignment assistance, the ability to locate Polaris or Sigma Octantis, display of current direction, elevation, latitude, longitude, moon phase, sunrise/sunset times, and astro twilight times. It also offers a convenient Today Extension widget.

### Is Astro Locator free to use?

Yes, Astro Locator is available for free. The application does not feature in-app purchases or advertisements, allowing for an uninterrupted user experience.

### Who would benefit most from using Astro Locator?

This app is particularly beneficial for new astronomers or those who frequently set up and break down their equipment for each observing session, as it simplifies the polar alignment process.

### What astronomical data does the app provide?

The app displays essential data such as the current direction, elevation, latitude, longitude, altitude, moon phase, sunrise and sunset times, and astro twilight start and end times. It also shows accurate time in both UTC and local time zones.

## Version history (last 5 releases)

### 2.0.3 — 2026-07-23

- Improved iPad UI.

Version 2.0.0:
- Astro Locator has been rebuilt in SwiftUI.
- This paves the way for future enhancements.

Supports iOS 18 and above.

### 2.0.2 — 2026-07-15

- Update support links & fix button.

Version 2.0.0:
- Astro Locator has been rebuilt in SwiftUI.
- This paves the way for future enhancements.

Supports iOS 18 and above.

### 2.0.1 — 2026-07-07

- Resolve issue with southern hemisphere display. Sorry.

Version 2.0.0:
- Astro Locator has been rebuilt in SwiftUI.
- This paves the way for future enhancements.

Supports iOS 18 and above.

### 2.0.0 — 2026-07-02

- Astro Locator has been rebuilt in SwiftUI.
- This paves the way for future enhancements.

Supports iOS 18 and above.

Thank you for using Astro Locator.

### 1.8.1 — 2026-04-21

- Background update.

## Apps similar to Astro Locator

| App | Rating | Price | Category |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| [PF-L Assist](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/pf-l-assist/id940306488) | — | Free | Utilities |
| [Astro Kit](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/astro-kit/id432175465) | 4.6 (50) | Free | Utilities |
| [Drone License Wallet Pass](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/drone-license-wallet-pass/id6760306529) | — | Free | Utilities |
| [iOptron Optical Polar Scope](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/ioptron-optical-polar-scope/id564078961) | 2.7 (12) | $1.99 | Utilities |
| [Bubble Level + Compass Pro](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/bubble-level-plus-compass-pro/id988590222) | 5.0 (22) | $0.99 | Utilities |
| [POLARIE U](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/polarie-u/id1489683436) | 4.0 (1) | Free | Utilities |

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All apps by Progress Concepts Limited: https://appshunter.io/developer/788761727

## Related topics

[ioptron optical polar scope](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/ioptron-optical-polar-scope)

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*Data collected daily from the US App Store and indexed by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/). User reviews are verbatim App Store reviews. Ratings, prices and chart positions refresh continuously; this snapshot is from 2026-08-24.*