# Deep Sky Browser > Reference tool for browsing celestial objects and planning astronomical observations. (iPhone/iPad app by Astro Devices.) - Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/deep-sky-browser/id368881403 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`) - Developer: [Astro Devices](https://appshunter.io/developer/368881406) - Category: Reference, Education - Price: $9.99 - Rating: 4.00/5 from 1 App Store ratings · 8 written reviews indexed - Age rating: 4+ - Requires: iOS 11.0 · 14 MB - Languages: English - Released: 2010-05-07 - Data updated: 2026-06-10 - Monetization: paid - User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/deep-sky-browser/id368881403/reviews.md ## What is Deep Sky Browser? "FOR AN INCREDIBLE ON-THE-GO REFERENCE DSS BROWSER (now Deep Sky Browser) IS THE BEST. This app gives you access to the Digital Sky Survey with more than 45,000 celestial objects only a click away… This is a great app for planning a night of observing." - Raymond Shubinski, Astronomy, August 2011. Deep Sky Browser is a tool that allows browsing Digitized Sky Survey (DSS) images of various celestial objects. Deep Sky Browser also shows additional information for the selected object based on the observer's location. Now it also functions as Digital Setting Circles. Just connect it to Astro Devices' Nexus or one of supported encoder interface boxes, do a two star alignment and Deep Sky Browser will show where to move the telescope to locate the selected object. Or use it with Nexus and ServoCAT for full GOTO functionality. Deep Sky Browser is an invaluable tool for observations planning and identifying objects at the eyepiece. The images are loaded from a DSS server and cached automatically. The built-in database of Deep Sky Browser contains in excess of 51,000 objects from popular catalogues: Abell Planetaries, ARP, Caldwell, Collinder, ESO, Herschel, Hickson Compact Groups, Messier, Index Catalogue, King, LBN, Minkowski, Markarian, NGC, Sharpless, Stock, Trumpler and UGC. Object lists can be adjusted to only show objects that have magnitude brighter than the specified magnitude. Image field size can also be adjusted. Deep Sky Browser also displays the current position of the selected object in the sky that is updated in real time. Additional information is also displayed for the selected object: - Rise time - Set time - Transit time - Today's visibility graph - Yearly visibility graph - Page number for Uranometria 2000, 2nd edition - SIMBAD id - surface brightness Proper 'night mode' can be activated during the night observing. *Please note that an Internet connection is required to download DSS images. ## Key features - Browse Digital Sky Survey images - Access over 51,000 celestial objects - Real-time object position updates - Telescope integration for GOTO functionality - Night mode for observing - Object visibility graphs - Detailed object information (rise/set times, magnitude) ## Recent user reviews (8 of 8) All indexed reviews: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/deep-sky-browser/id368881403/reviews.md ### 4/5 — Now a useful reference for deep sky viewing *2015-07-26, version 1.2.9* This app was first introduced as "DSS Browser." At that time it was mildly interesting, a little idiosyncratic in its interface, but it was a little unclear as to what its real strength or value was: it didn't do any one thing exceptionally well. Was it a database, DSS image retrieval program, or a scope controller? That has changed, although the interface is still a little idiosyncratic. It has a carefully thought out selection of catalogs, and each catalog is complete. The selection of catalogs is a complex issue: there are so many and with such large overlap. Deep Sky Browser has selected those that will be of greatest utility to the more advanced observer. Inevitably, some users will miss a favorite specialized catalog, such as the Palomar or Terzan globular clusters. Deep Sky Browser will download and save images for each entry. The user can initiate a bulk download for each catalog, but should recognize that gtheir device memory will be easily consumed and exceeded by the larger catalogs. So, it this app a database, DSS image retrieval program, or scope controller? The answer is “yes” to all, but I find it most useful as a large reference database of deep sky objects with the ability download and store associated DSS images. ### 3/5 — It Leaks! Still!! *2013-08-28, version 1.2.8* I complained about this two years ago with a different device! It hasn't changed! See prior review below - It still will not save data long term. Please fix or tell me what I'm doing wrong! I'm tired of reloading everything! ------------------------------------- This is a handy app for those with a deep sky telescope. Unfortunately, it's not as good as it could or should be. The worst problem is that the downloaded object images don't seem to consistently be saved or stored, but instead are volatile, and many must be downloaded again after a power down/up cycle. There are thousands of deep sky object images available, and downloading them can require lots of time, personal involvement, and bandwidth, so this is quite a problem, especially if you have no internet source available at your telescope location. ### 5/5 — Just what I've been looking for. *2012-10-28, version 1.2.7* This is an intriguing way to evaluate potential observing targets. It has a professional feel to it, and a no-nonsense layout that I appreciate. The NASA website server from which images are downloaded was down when I first tried to connect, which caused some confusion, but the developer was right on the ball, and explained the situation in response to my support contact. I'm very glad I happened to notice this app. I think I'll really find it useful and enjoyable. John ### 5/5 — Great App! *2012-05-17, version 1.2.7* This is a great app. I really like the ability to bulk download pictures for each catalog. When I am in the field I can pull up the picture ot the object I want to see. There is lots of info for each object and even a reference to find object in Uranometria. The included catalogs provide a wide range of objects. I hope in future releases to see the Abell Galaxy Clusters, Bernard Dark Nebulae, and maybe the PK planetary nebulae catalogs. A 5 star app! Highly recommended ### 5/5 — Very nice app *2011-07-05, version 1.2.4* This is a good app, yes, it does need some work, especially in the downloading of the images. I have emailed the developer and, much to my surprise got a response back in a couple of hours and even replied back to me. That is an encouraging sign. I plan on using this app in the field!!! ### 4/5 — Review so far... *2011-02-07, version 1.2.2* So far the app seems good. A few suggestions though: App should take advantage iPhone multitasking. As it is now, each time you switch out then back in it has to reload. It should go back immediately to where you left off There needs to be a settings for: Ability to make a list or multiple observing lists of images. For ex. If you wanted to observe 15 objects from different catalogues, you should be able make a list of the 15. Then you could click on an image from your list rather than writing down each object on a piece of paper and going in and out of each catalogue to find each object Ability to download batch images at a certain filter setting, like IR. Or even multiple filters ### 3/5 — Good reference, but application lacks polish *2010-07-03, version 0* The catalogs are complete, but many of the images are old and the application needs some tweaking to support features like autorotate. I suppose it's not a bad value for the price. Users should also note that the images of catalog objects are downloaded from the network server only when they are selected. This makes for a compact app, but it also means the app will grow in size substantially as more objects are viewed and saved locally. iTouch (and iPad users without 3G) located at remote sites cannot use this app to access images of new objects (objects not already downloaded). ### 5/5 — Great tool *2010-05-22, version 0* This is just a magnificent astronomy application for any observer who is hunting all those faint galaxies, globulars and nebulas! It is very simple and easy to use - you see the object image in just three steps!!! I used it a few times already and I just love to have images of all (that I need) deep sky objects in my pocket or on my new iPad. :-) Be prepared, because It takes a bit of time to download all the images but the application has a batch download mode, hence no user interaction is required - just leave it downloading, preferably over WIFI. It is great to use at the eyepiece. The application has a night mode, just make sure you set the brightness of your i(thingy) to the minimum and it will not affect your dark adaptation. The application has a magnitude filter so you can reduce the objects list to just objects visible in your telescope. Overall I am very happy with the application. The developer seemed very knowledgeable and willing to improve the application. (this is my very first review on the app store) ## Frequently asked questions about Deep Sky Browser ### What celestial objects can I find with Deep Sky Browser? Deep Sky Browser contains over 51,000 objects from popular catalogs including Messier, NGC, Caldwell, and Herschel. You can filter objects by magnitude to suit your observing preferences. ### Does Deep Sky Browser require an internet connection? Yes, an internet connection is required to download Digital Sky Survey (DSS) images. Once downloaded, images are automatically cached for offline viewing. ### Can Deep Sky Browser control my telescope? Yes, Deep Sky Browser can function as Digital Setting Circles when connected to compatible hardware like Astro Devices' Nexus. It also supports full GOTO functionality with Nexus and ServoCAT. ### What information does Deep Sky Browser provide for each object? For each selected object, Deep Sky Browser displays rise/set/transit times, visibility graphs, SIMBAD ID, surface brightness, and page numbers for Uranometria 2000. It also shows the object's current position in the sky. ### What is the price of Deep Sky Browser? Deep Sky Browser is a paid application priced at $9.99. There are no in-app purchases or subscription fees associated with its use. ### What devices is Deep Sky Browser available on? Deep Sky Browser is available for iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch devices. It is designed to be compatible with iOS devices. ### How often is Deep Sky Browser updated? The latest version of Deep Sky Browser is 1.4.1, last updated on February 26, 2019. While not frequently updated recently, it offers a stable set of features for its purpose. ### What is the age rating for Deep Sky Browser? Deep Sky Browser has an age rating of 4+, making it suitable for users of all ages interested in astronomy. ## Version history (last 1 release) ### 1.4.1 — 2019-02-26 Updated to correctly handle the location. ## Apps similar to Deep Sky Browser | App | Rating | Price | Category | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | [Women Indonesian Bible + Audio](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/women-indonesian-bible-plus-audio/id1606893280) | 5.0 (1) | Free | Reference | | [Catholic Jerusalem Bible+Audio](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/catholic-jerusalem-bible-plus-audio/id1605531940) | 4.3 (26) | Free | Reference | | [Astral Essences](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/astral-essences/id1619706860) | 5.0 (1) | Free | Reference | | [Angelology](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/angelology/id1607575000) | 5.0 (4) | Free | Reference | | [一沐考编考编库事业单位ABCDE类-2023最新版](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/abcde-2023/id1621671540) | — | Free | Reference | | [Telugu Bible + Audio Mp3](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/telugu-bible-plus-audio-mp3/id1606887420) | 4.5 (17) | Free | Reference | --- *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 2026-06-10.*