# Earth & Sky Explorer — AR Compass: Earth, Moon, Sun > AR compass for visualizing Earth, Sun, and Moon paths with GPS data. (iPhone/iPad app by Andreas Joseph Durandi.) - Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/earth-and-sky-explorer/id6743676043 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`) - Developer: [Andreas Joseph Durandi](https://appshunter.io/developer/1803936402) - Category: Navigation, Education - Price: $2.99 - Rating: 5.00/5 from 1 App Store ratings - Age rating: 4+ - Requires: iOS 15.6 · 143 MB - Languages: American English, French (France), German (Germany), Italian, Japanese, Korean, European Portuguese, Chinese (Simplified, China), European Spanish - Released: 2025-04-01 - Data updated: 2026-08-30 - Monetization: paid - User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/earth-and-sky-explorer/id6743676043/reviews.md ## What is Earth & Sky Explorer? "Earth & Sky Explorer" brings this to life in a unique and intuitive way. A beautiful 3D compass with precise GPS data lets you see through and across the Earth, and visualize Sun & Moon paths and key celestial lines in AR — for your location, or in VR for any place and time. No ads. No tracking. Just a powerful tool — for the price of a nice cappuccino. Privacy : www.durandilabs.ch/apps/compass-privacy-en Terms of Use : www.durandilabs.ch/apps/compass-terms-en Features 1. 3D Compass -- Immersive 3D wind rose and magnetic field visualization -- Direction in degrees and 16-wind system (true or magnetic) -- Magnetic declination & inclination (upright mode) -- GPS data: position, speed, altitude (flexible units & formats) -- Barometer: pressure and altitude 2. AR View (Camera & Virtual) -- Live camera overlay with azimuth & elevation -- Sun path, Moon path, horizon, celestial equator & ecliptic (at any place on earth) -- Works with all available backside cameras + zoom -- Fine-tune the compass using Sun or Moon as reference -- Sun & Moon altitude over horizon graph for ±12h -- Freely set time & date to see the tracks for any date and time (minute or day steps) 3. See Through the Earth -- Point your phone down — Have a virtual look through the globe -- Zoom to explore countries and islands -- Tap to identify locations worldwide (online feature) -- See the direct “through-Earth” distance (as the mole tunnels :-) -- Discover your antipode (opposite position on globe) 4. Virtual View from Anywhere -- Set any observer location on Earth -- Know surface distance from your current position to any other location -- Sun & Moon altitude over horizon graph for ±12h -- Earth illumination at selected date/time -- Useful in-flight: - GPS (position, speed, altitude) - Barometer (cabin pressure & equivalent altitude) 5. Global Map Perspective (Equidistant azimuthal projection) -- Center it to any location -- Visualize global distances and directions -- See the correct! Earth illumination on this projection at any time 6. Moon & Time Visualization -- Elegant analog clock -- Moon phase, declination and apparent size in a unique monthly moon graph -- Turn your device into a stylish astronomical clock Notes: Not all iPads are equipped with GPS receivers.
 Even in the age of GPS, the compass is still based on measuring the Earth's magnetic field.
 This measurement can be affected by magnets in the phone case or by other magnetic or electrical objects nearby. Stay curious! ## Key features - Immersive 3D compass with GPS data - AR view of Sun and Moon paths - See through the Earth visualization - Virtual view from any location - Global map perspective - Moon phase and time visualization ## Frequently asked questions about Earth & Sky Explorer ### What is Earth & Sky Explorer? Earth & Sky Explorer is a navigation app that uses augmented reality to visualize celestial paths like the Sun and Moon, and allows you to see through the Earth. It provides precise GPS and barometer data for your location. ### Does Earth & Sky Explorer have ads? No, Earth & Sky Explorer is ad-free. The developers emphasize a clean user experience without advertisements or tracking. ### What devices is Earth & Sky Explorer compatible with? Earth & Sky Explorer is available for iPhone and iPad. Note that not all iPads are equipped with GPS receivers. ### How accurate is the compass in Earth & Sky Explorer? The compass in Earth & Sky Explorer is based on measuring the Earth's magnetic field. This measurement can be affected by magnets in the phone case or nearby magnetic/electrical objects. ### Can I use Earth & Sky Explorer offline? While the app provides precise GPS data, some features like identifying locations worldwide are noted as online features. Core compass and visualization functions are likely to work offline. ### What is the price of Earth & Sky Explorer? Earth & Sky Explorer is a paid application, priced at $2.99. This one-time purchase provides access to all its features. ### How often is Earth & Sky Explorer updated? The latest version of Earth & Sky Explorer is 2.0.1, last updated on April 20, 2026. This indicates a history of updates, suggesting ongoing development and support. ### What is the age rating for Earth & Sky Explorer? Earth & Sky Explorer has an age rating of 4+. This means it is suitable for children aged 4 and older, with no mature content. ## Version history (last 5 releases) ### 2.0.2 — 2026-08-21 - Corrected Sun and Moon rise/set times according to the standard astronomical definition (upper limb at the horizon). - Observer distance from the globe is now adjustable using a two-finger pan gesture. - Minor adjustments to info texts. ### 2.0.1 — 2026-04-20 App & Concept "Compass and Earth" is now "Earth & Sky Explorer" This update brings powerful new visualizations, improved accuracy, and a more interactive experience. New Features Augmented Reality (AR View) -- Visualize Sun & Moon paths anywhere -- See ecliptic, celestial equator, horizon & Earth’s shadow -- Manually fine-tune the compass using the sun -- Toggle individual elements in the submenu -- Capture screenshots -- Adjustable Sun & Moon size -- Zoom in and out Interactive Timeline -- New chart showing Sun & Moon altitude over the full day -- Swipe to adjust time and date -- 24h steps (date mode) / 1-minute steps (time mode) -- Reset to "Now" or "Here" instantly -- Double-tap to reset both Virtual Mode -- Automatically switches to a fully virtual view when not at your current location Through-the-Earth View -- Continuous direct distance display -- Tap locations to identify country, region, or ocean (online feature) -- Stars and Milky Way added when pointing upward Earth View -- Select any location by swiping the map -- Surface distance from your current position -- Automatic update of the interactive chart showing Sun & Moon altitude over horizon -- Earth illumination -- Stars and Milky Way added Equidistant Azimuthal Projection -- Center the map anywhere -- Correct Earth illumination in this projection Moon & Time Visualization (Clock View) -- New chart showing Moon phase, declination, and apparent size -- Time range: ±15 days around now -- Shown declination adapts for southern hemisphere New Settings -- GPS smoothing (speed & altitude) Improvements Enhanced Accuracy -- Improved device orientation tracking — even when pointing at the sky -- No longer sensitive to linear accelerations -- Automatic magnetic field display when held upright Compass View Enhancements -- Barometric pressure & altitude added -- Tap units (km/h, m, hPa) to switch formats -- Tap coordinates to change coordinate format AR & Camera Improvements -- Full support for all cameras (including dual-camera devices) -- Switch cameras by tapping the AR button again ### 1.2.1 — 2026-01-09 Added language support : Simplified Chinese, Japanese, Korean ### 1.1.0 — 2025-04-29 Supports now English, German, French, Italian, Spanish and Portuguese. ### 1.0.5 — 2025-04-08 Added important hint on welcome page. ## Apps similar to Earth & Sky Explorer | App | Rating | Price | Category | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | [RE Precision Kit Pro](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/re-precision-kit-pro/id6761496648) | — | $0.99 | Navigation | | [Flashmark: For Passing Scenes](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/flashmark-for-passing-scenes/id6767462450) | 5.0 (2) | Free | Navigation | --- *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 2026-08-30.*