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NearLight

NearLight

Telescope, Space & Relativity

3 ratings
8 reviews
📚 Education
🎬 Entertainment
$3.99

Details

  • Released
  • Updated
  • May 11, 2026
  • September 29, 2026

Features

Developer

Marc Bachmann
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About

Explore nearby star systems and visualize interstellar distances with realistic physics. Calculate travel times using classic and relativistic models, and witness the effects of time dilation and black holes firsthand. This interactive space simulator is perfect for astronomy and sci-fi enthusiasts.

✓3D space exploration
✓Relativistic physics calculations
✓Time dilation visualization
✓Black hole exploration
✓Star system inspection
✓Interstellar travel planning
✓Multiple camera views
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What's New in NearLight

1.7.2

September 29, 2026

What's new in 1.7.2 • Start App in: Settings now lets you choose where NearLight opens – Earth, Solar System, Interstellar, Milky Way or the Black Hole Sim. Solar System stays the default. • Twice the zoom in the free sky view: pinch or scroll now goes down to a 0.375° field (160×). • Touch stops the spin: on iPhone and iPad, a finger landing on a scene that is still coasting after a swipe now freezes it at once, the way a scroll view does. The stopping tap no longer selects anything. • Fixed: on iPhone the "i" info panels in every tab, as well as the date and destination popovers, were cut off at the left edge in portrait and landscape. They now open where there is room.

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User reviews

Most RecentHighest RatedLowest Rated

Kreativ und hilfreich!

Schöne Benutzeroberfläche, einige Funktionen habe ich bisher nur in dieser APP gesehen, welche andere APPs nicht haben. Super!
astronomical-horizonastronomical-horizon

Very sophisticated and helpful support from the developer

Issue I had with the app running on an old iPad were quickly resolved. It was quite fun using the telescope mode which does a good job of showing how objects look through eyepieces. Made me want to go out and use my real scope!
FleadhManFleadhMan

Response from developer

At least thanks for telling me. Already have a hotfix in place in 1.7.0 for old devices. Awaiting approval, out shortly. Sorry for this.

Initial Impressions

I liked the tool but thought the overall description and instructions could be developed further. Include some examples of how it can be used. Otherwise I like the graphics, sound etc. I did think it would be fun to be able to zoom in on solar system planets to enhance their available detail, eg there’s a lot of detail that could be added to a zoomed-in Mars
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charles_donischarles_donis

Response from developer

Version 1.7 will introduce a Getting Started Guide that explains the UI and features in more detail. The textures can still be improved, at least on Mac. Noted. Thank you.

This app is good but one thing…

This app is good, but needs updates more often, and it needs to have a universe map. A Universe Map but not a night sky.
TiggeriteTiggerite

Response from developer

Thank you! I‘ll keep updating as frequent as possible. Promise. Universe is the last big step which is on the roadmap. But incredibly hard to design. But I’m on it.

Great

A great app that isn't limited to the solar system. It's great fun just letting your imagination run wild.
Einhell3Einhell3
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FAQ

What is NearLight?

NearLight is a 3D space simulator that allows you to explore nearby star systems, visualize interstellar distances, and calculate travel times using both classic and relativistic physics. It's designed for astronomy fans, sci-fi lovers, and physics enthusiasts.

What kind of physics does NearLight use?

NearLight utilizes both classic physics and relativistic physics, including concepts like time dilation and the Lorentz factor. You can see how space travel changes when relativity is considered, especially near massive objects like black holes.

Can I explore our Solar System in NearLight?

Yes, NearLight features a Kepler-accurate 3D scene of our Solar System, including the Sun, all 8 planets, and 8 major moons on real JPL orbits. It also includes a day/night Earth, Saturn's rings, and a textured sky.

How many stars can I explore in NearLight?

NearLight allows you to explore over 8,000 real stars within 1,000 light-years of your location. You can search and inspect these stars, including their known names, distances, and stellar data.

Does NearLight have ads?

No, NearLight does not contain advertisements. It is a paid application with no ads to disrupt your exploration experience.

What devices does NearLight support?

NearLight is supported on Mac, iPhone, and iPad devices, allowing for exploration across multiple Apple platforms.

How often is NearLight updated?

The latest version of NearLight is 1.5.5, and it was last updated on June 25, 2026. This indicates a relatively active development cycle for the application.

What is the price of NearLight?

NearLight is available for a one-time purchase of $1.99. This grants you access to all its features without any additional in-app purchases or subscriptions.