# Eclipse Explorer — Explore Solar Eclipses > Solar eclipse viewer with location-specific timing, simulation, and weather overlays. (iPhone/iPad app by Joshua Berlin.) - Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/eclipse-explorer/id1252295023 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`) - Developer: [Joshua Berlin](https://appshunter.io/developer/1252295022) - Category: Education, Reference - Price: Free - Rating: 4.00/5 from 1 App Store ratings · 3 written reviews indexed - Age rating: 4+ - Requires: iOS 10.3 · 47 MB - Languages: American English - Released: 2017-06-26 - Data updated: 2026-06-01 - Monetization: free - User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/eclipse-explorer/id1252295023/reviews.md ## What is Eclipse Explorer? Eclipse Explorer is a free mobile app that allows you to view the circumstances for solar eclipses that occur between 1900 and 2100 using your GPS defined location. It uniquely features countdown timers to eclipse events at your specific location, simulates the position of the Sun and Moon, and draws the location of the Moon's shadow on the Earth in real-time. A solar eclipse is one of nature's most amazing spectacles, however, clouds can ruin your day. Use this app to overlay satellite and radar data on the day of the eclipse to make sure you stay within the path of totality and away from the clouds! Find out exactly when the eclipse starts and finishes for your location with countdown timers. Be ready for the total eclipse in August of 2017! Free, with minor ad support. Only one full page ad will be displayed per app start, then one banner ad, which will automatically close in less than 20 seconds. Please check out my website for full details and instructions on how to use the app. http://www.solareclipseapp.com Please keep in mind this is a CPU/GPU intensive app. Recommended for phones a tablets made within the last 2 years. Full Release Notes Welcome to Eclipse Explorer version 3! Now has a beautiful material design. Multi-threaded performance improvements. Improved accuracy. Improved shadow details. Newly designed map. Map works offline. Show weather overlays on the eclipse map. Optionally, show eclipse circumstances, map, and simulation on a single screen. Your all-in-one app for the Great American Eclipse of 2017. Full version history: v3.4.1 Fixed: iOS only: Upside down orientation fix. v3.4.0 New: Lunar limb profile for improved contact times (TSE2017 only) New: Solar corona shown during total phase in eclipse simulation Improved: GPS time correction sync. (Green clock is GPS time) Fixed: Offline map does not load in some situations. v3.3.0 New: Moon's shadow speed shown in realtime or during animation, only when (ant)umbral shadow is touching Earth. New: Distance to totality/annularity or distance to eclipse centerline shown. New: Max duration of totatlity/annularity at closest point along centerline shown. New: Info ball shows click for hint. Fixed: Another timezone crash bug. Fixed: Offline map sometimes did not display after app restart. Changed: Hints last longer. v3.2.0 New: Voice cue and three cue beep audio event indications. New: Next occurring circumstance will scroll to visibility and flash in realtime. New: App user hints and tips. Fixed: Realtime tag did not appear on simulation screen when it should have. Fixed: Zoom in button did not work in certain screen orientations. Fixed: Map may not display on app restart in offline mode. Fixed: Next visible eclipse selects day-of eclipse. Fixed: Animations tags may show up circumstance page when they should not. Fixed: Certain timezones caused app crash. Improved: Realtime shadow lag. Improved: Hardened code to ensure realtime shadow and simulation start on day of eclipse. Changed: Time travel mode will now sequence to 15 seconds prior to event. Total or annular begins event is 60 seconds. v3.1.0 Added: App maintains state through restart/refresh. Added: Location Freeze mode, long press location icon to freeze manual location. Long press to unfreeze. Improved: Shadow animations while GPS is on. Fixed: Race condition when selecting certain eclipses. Fixed: Draw all eclipse lines no matter which thread completes first. v3.0.5 Fixed location change while zooming. Made circumstance page more readable / flexible Various bug fixes v3.0.4 Fixed location change while zooming. Made circumstance page more readable / flexible Various bug fixes v3.0.2 * Made map more responsive to location change touches. * Fixed version code in about page v2.0.2 Fixed: Google Maps API Key added, Google maps feature should work. Improved: Built against latest Apache Cordova and latest Android SDK. Update: jQueryMobile v1.4.5 ## Key features - Location-based eclipse circumstances (1900-2100) - Countdown timers to eclipse events - Sun and Moon position simulation - Real-time Moon shadow mapping - Satellite and radar weather overlays - Offline map functionality ## Recent user reviews (3 of 3) All indexed reviews: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/eclipse-explorer/id1252295023/reviews.md ### 4/5 — Excellent app, almost *2017-08-21* It gave the circumstances accurately except for the totality countdown. For some reason, it was ~50 minutes late. ### 1/5 — Unusable from adds *2017-08-17* The pop up and intrusive ads make this a delete me now ap. ### 5/5 — Excellent app for students *2017-07-02* Working at a STEAM Magnet Middle School, this app is great for our students and teachers. Provides great information and data that we utilize for our integrated lessons around the eclipse. Would recommend to anyone! ## Frequently asked questions about Eclipse Explorer ### What solar eclipses can I view with Eclipse Explorer? Eclipse Explorer allows you to view the circumstances for solar eclipses that occur between the years 1900 and 2100. This comprehensive range ensures you can plan for past and future significant celestial events. ### How does Eclipse Explorer help me prepare for an eclipse? The app provides countdown timers to eclipse events at your specific GPS location. It also simulates the position of the Sun and Moon and draws the Moon's shadow on Earth in real-time, giving you precise timing and visual understanding. ### Can I use Eclipse Explorer to avoid clouds during an eclipse? Yes, Eclipse Explorer allows you to overlay satellite and radar data on the day of the eclipse. This feature helps you identify clear viewing areas and stay within the path of totality, away from cloud cover. ### Does Eclipse Explorer work offline? Yes, the map functionality within Eclipse Explorer works offline. This ensures you can access crucial eclipse information and visualizations even without an internet connection. ### What devices are recommended for Eclipse Explorer? Eclipse Explorer is recommended for phones and tablets made within the last 2 years due to its CPU/GPU intensive nature. It is available for iPhone and iPad. ### What new features were added in version 3.4.0? Version 3.4.0 introduced a lunar limb profile for improved contact times, solar corona display during total phases in the eclipse simulation, and improved GPS time correction sync. It also fixed issues with the offline map loading. ### How accurate are the eclipse timings in Eclipse Explorer? The app has undergone improvements in accuracy, including GPS time correction sync. It also features a lunar limb profile for more precise contact times, especially for specific events like the TSE2017. ### Does Eclipse Explorer have ads? Eclipse Explorer is free with minor ad support. It displays one full-page ad per app start, followed by a banner ad that automatically closes in under 20 seconds. ## Version history (last 5 releases) ### 3.4.1 — 2017-08-19 v3.4.1 Fixed: iOS only: Upside down orientation fix. ### 3.4.0 — 2017-08-15 v3.4.0 New: Lunar limb profile for improved contact times (TSE2017 only) New: Solar corona shown during total phase in eclipse simulation Improved: GPS time correction sync. (Green clock is GPS time) Fixed: Offline map does not load in some situations. ### 3.3.0 — 2017-07-27 v3.3.0 New: Moon's shadow speed shown in realtime or during animation, only when (ant)umbral shadow is touching Earth. New: Distance to totality/annularity or distance to eclipse centerline shown. New: Max duration of totatlity/annularity at closest point along centerline shown. New: Info ball shows click for hint. Fixed: Another timezone crash bug. Fixed: Offline map sometimes did not display after app restart. Fixed: App no longer displayed behind status bar. Changed: Hints last longer. ### 3.2.0 — 2017-07-22 v3.2.0 New: Voice cue and three cue beep audio event indications. New: Next occurring circumstance will scroll to visibility and flash in realtime. New: App user hints and tips. Fixed: Realtime tag did not appear on simulation screen when it should have. Fixed: Zoom in button did not work in certain screen orientations. Fixed: Map may not display on app restart in offline mode. Fixed: Next visible eclipse selects day-of eclipse. Fixed: Animations tags may show up circumstance page when they should not. Fixed: Certain timezones caused app crash. Improved: Realtime shadow lag. Improved: Hardened code to ensure realtime shadow and simulation start on day of eclipse. Changed: Time travel mode will now sequence to 15 seconds prior to event. Total or annular begins event is 60 seconds. ### 3.1.0 — 2017-07-03 v3.1.0 Improved: App start up times improved after first startup. Added: App maintains state through restart/refresh. Added: Location Freeze mode, long press location icon to freeze manual location. Long press to unfreeze. Improved: Shadow animations while GPS is on. Fixed: Race condition when selecting certain eclipses. Fixed: Draw all eclipse lines no matter which thread completes first. ## Apps similar to Eclipse Explorer | App | Rating | Price | Category | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | [Solar System Planets: 3D Space](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/solar-system-planets-3d-space/id6463002338) | 3.4 (7) | Free | Education | | [Solar Eclipse Live](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/solar-eclipse-live/id6480014046) | 4.9 (18) | Free | Education | | [Solar Coaster](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/solar-coaster/id1218422388) | 5.0 (2) | Free | Education | | [Nebulae: Magnificent](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/nebulae-magnificent/id1630662903) | — | Free | Education | | [SERIES 6 Exam Prep 2023](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/series-6-exam-prep-2023/id1637239687) | 5.0 (3) | Free | Education | | [Great American Eclipse](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/great-american-eclipse/id6443905624) | 2.3 (3) | Free | Education | ## More apps by Joshua Berlin - [Eclipse Explorer Plus](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/eclipse-explorer-plus/id6479205415) - [2! Authenticator](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/2-authenticator/id6756453451) All apps by Joshua Berlin: https://appshunter.io/developer/1252295022 ## Related topics [eclips](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/eclips) · [eclipseoee](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/eclipseoee) --- *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 2026-06-01.*