# GoSkyWatch Planetarium iPad — Go Explore the Night Sky > Augmented reality planetarium for identifying celestial objects by pointing your device at the sky. (iPhone/iPad app by GoSoftWorks.) - Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/goskywatch-planetarium-ipad/id364209241 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`) - Developer: [GoSoftWorks](https://appshunter.io/developer/284980815) - Category: Education, Reference - Price: Free - Rating: 4.65/5 from 2,129 App Store ratings · 1,023 written reviews indexed - Age rating: 4+ - Requires: iOS 9.3 · 96 MB - Languages: Danish, Dutch, English, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Chinese, Spanish, Chinese - Released: 2010-04-01 - Data updated: 2026-08-17 - Monetization: paid - User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/goskywatch-planetarium-ipad/id364209241/reviews.md ## What is GoSkyWatch Planetarium iPad? Easily and quickly identify and locate stars, planets, constellations, galaxies and more by simply pointing to the sky. Your personal telescope to the wonders in the night sky. Go outside and explore the night sky. ***** As seen in Apple's iPad 2 event ***** Featured on ABC's "The View" show ***** Featured in "Wired" magazine --- What People Are Saying "Powerful and easy to use, with excellent animation and the widest zoom range." — D.Schroeder, University professor "GoSkyWatch Planetarium should not be missed regardless of whether you are a casual or hard-core fan of astronomy." — AppAdvice "I have more than 10 astronomy apps on my iPhone and this is by far the best. Everything I need and easy to use." — Pat, iTunes reviewer --- What makes GoSkyWatch different to other astronomy apps? • Easy to use — No buttons to press or modes to select, just point to the sky to start exploring. • Designed specifically for efficient outdoor use. • Touch free identification — No need to keep touching the screen to identify what you see in the sky. Great for those cold nights with gloves on! • Don't need to hold level — Displays the sky view and information at the correct orientation when held at any angle not just landscape or portrait. • Gyroscope compass auto calibration — No need to calibrate the gyroscope. Advanced adaptive algorithms for smooth and accurate positioning. • Unique target identification — Touch drag scheme for greatest accuracy and speed since your finger doesn't actually cover what you are trying to identify. • Planets shown with relative brightness to stars — No oversized graphics that prevent you from distingishing a planet from surrounding stars. • Full 180 degree display — See at a glance what is in the sky and where without having to pan around. • Minimal on screen text — Stars and planets easier to identify since they are not covered by text. • Popup images — No need to keep zooming in and out just to see what is out there. Features: Identify • Heads up object name, brightness and distance • Contains all stars visible to the naked eye • Magnitude adjustment for viewing conditions • Touchless navigation even for the iPod touch without a compass. Find • Looking for a planet, star, constellation or galaxy? Just use the finder and let the arrow guide the way • Search stars and DSOs sorted by name, distance or magnitude. • Moon phase calendar • Sun rise/set times Explore • Day, sidereal and time lapse animation • Over 200 images of planets and deep sky objects • Messier and Caldwell catalogs with images • Actual image taken of the Milky Way • Below horizon display • Look back in time with the birthday star search. Find out how old you were for the star light seen. Learn • Constellation images, boundaries and patterns • Solar system, star, DSO, constellation Wikipedia • Ian Ridpath's constellation StarTales • Interactive graphical ephemeris • Planet, star, constellation and DSO ephemeris data More • High performance graphics • Easy setup using auto location or built in city list • Location favorites * No internet connection required. Internet optionally used for auto location, viewing Wikipedia information and StarTales. Free International Space Station real time tracking and viewing opportunities available with the companion GoISSWatch app. We don't charge in-app purchases for that! This free version contains banner ads. The full paid version with added features does not contain banner ads. ## Key features - Point-and-identify celestial objects - Touch-free identification - Accurate gyroscope calibration - Full 180-degree sky display - Object finder and guidance - Moon phase calendar - Constellation images and boundaries ## What do users think of GoSkyWatch Planetarium iPad? Overall sentiment: positive **Pros** - 🌟 Excellent app for stargazing and learning about the night sky - 🔭 Accurate and detailed information on planets, stars, and constellations - 🌍 Works well regardless of location - 🎨 Beautiful and realistic graphics - 🤖 Intuitive interface that utilizes iPad's sensors - 🏫 Great educational tool for kids and adults **Cons** - 🔍 Compass and calibration issues for some users - 📢 Intrusive ads in free version - 🌃 Night mode not effective due to bright ads - 🔍 Inaccurate location and direction detection for some users - 🤖 Occasionally buggy or unstable **Commonly reported bugs** - Compass not working correctly - App crashing or freezing - Incorrect object identification and positioning - Time and date settings not updating properly **Most requested features** - Add support for more celestial objects (asteroids, comets, etc.) - Improve search and navigation functionality - Allow customization of displayed information and views - Integrate with telescope control and astrophotography apps - Provide more detailed information and educational content ## Recent user reviews (10 of 1,023) All indexed reviews: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/goskywatch-planetarium-ipad/id364209241/reviews.md ### 5/5 — BEST *2025-06-08, version 9.4.0* I love it so much so cool ### 5/5 — Awesome *2025-05-25, version 9.4.0* This is so clear and beautiful graphics . It’s really fun and great for learning . Thank you ### 2/5 — Disappointed *2025-02-21, version 9.4.0* Paid for the lifetime premium version and it worked great for a few years. Then they tried to start charging me again. Quite unimpressed ### 1/5 — Accuracy!!! *2025-02-02, version 9.4.0* Its not accurate! ### 1/5 — Völlig falsche Orientierung-was soll das ?? *2025-01-12, version 9.4.0* Kompaß azimutal um 180 Grad verdreht: im W zeigt es O etc. was soll dieser Müll? Leider funktionierte die App auf meinem alten iPad perfekt, hier liegt alles beim Visieren ziemlich daneben. Schade! iOS 18.1.1. ### 1/5 — Geht nicht mehr *2024-06-17, version 9.4.0* Die App richtet sich nicht mehr aus ### 5/5 — Monday June 3, 2024 *2024-06-03, version 9.4.0* Wanted to see the solar alignment of the planets this morning, but the heavy fog prevented it. So, I pulled out my I-Pad and opened this app. Aimed the pad to the East and walla…there they were all lined up in the sky that I could not see due to the fog. I couldn’t even see the moon, but the app showed me where it was. Great app I’ve had for years and use whenever something unusual is occurring. ### 5/5 — My personal review *2024-02-18, version 9.4.0* I’ve enjoyed this program for years. My son loves it. Kent C. ### 1/5 — Needs work *2024-02-10, version 9.4.0* I Tried to find objects but I couldn’t get too it well……l did but it shows a different object also when I tried to get to a object it drags me back and the time the Date never change l have to do it that is why I rate it only two stars so…HOW CAN YOU EVEN CALL THIS A SKYVIEW APP?! ### 1/5 — Needs work *2024-02-06* I Tried to find objects but I couldn’t get too it well……l did but it shows a different object also when I tried to get to a object it drags me back and the time the Date never change l have to do it that is why I rate it only two stars ## Frequently asked questions about GoSkyWatch Planetarium iPad ### What does GoSkyWatch Planetarium do? GoSkyWatch Planetarium allows you to identify and locate celestial objects like stars, planets, constellations, and galaxies simply by pointing your device at the sky. It acts as a personal telescope, making exploration of the night sky easy and intuitive. ### What are the key features of this app? Key features include touch-free identification, accurate gyroscope calibration, a full 180-degree sky display, an object finder to guide you, a moon phase calendar, and detailed information on constellations with images and boundaries. ### How much does GoSkyWatch Planetarium cost? The application is a paid app. There are no in-app purchases or advertisements mentioned, indicating a one-time purchase for full access to all features. ### What devices is GoSkyWatch Planetarium compatible with? The application is specifically designed for iPad, as indicated by its name 'GoSkyWatch Planetarium iPad'. It leverages the device's gyroscope for accurate positioning and identification. ### How is this app different from other astronomy apps? This app is designed for efficient outdoor use with features like touch-free identification, which is great for cold nights. It also doesn't require the device to be held level and offers unique target identification schemes for accuracy and speed. ## Version history (last 5 releases) ### 9.4.0 — 2020-08-10 - Added tap compass button to toggle motion control - Updated icons - Fix to manual location coordinate entry - iOS Updates ### 9.3.0 — 2020-07-23 - iOS Updates ### 9.2.0 — 2019-03-01 - iOS Updates ### 9.0.0 — 2017-07-04 - Faster motion tracking - iOS Updates - Bug Fixes - Apple iAds switch to Google AdMob ### 8.1.0 — 2015-11-16 - iPad Pro support - iOS 9.1 updates - Time lapse control bug fix ## Apps similar to GoSkyWatch Planetarium iPad | App | Rating | Price | Category | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | [Celestia - Space Simulator](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/celestia-space-simulator/id1500434829) | 4.3 (312) | Free | Education | | [Stellar Sky: Star & Planet Map](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/stellar-sky-star-and-planet-map/id1022810361) | 3.9 (65) | Free | Education | | [BDnF - the comics factory](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/bdnf-the-comics-factory/id1495820149) | 3.4 (5) | Free | Education | | [Cosmology](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/cosmology/id1028872453) | 4.7 (505) | Free | Education | | [Stellar Tour - AR Stargazer](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/stellar-tour-ar-stargazer/id1197929178) | 4.7 (1,690) | Free | Education | | [Physics Lab AR](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/physics-lab-ar/id1298984261) | 4.7 (1,811) | Free | Education | ## More apps by GoSoftWorks - [GoSkyWatch Planetarium](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/goskywatch-planetarium/id284980812) - [GoSatWatch Satellite Tracking](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/gosatwatch-satellite-tracking/id300546718) - [GoISSWatch ISS Tracking](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/goisswatch-iss-tracking/id672216880) - [GoSunWatch - Sunrise and Sunset Times](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/gosunwatch-sunrise-and-sunset-times/id981970104) All apps by GoSoftWorks: https://appshunter.io/developer/284980815 --- *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 2026-08-17.*