# Observer Pro — Deep sky astronomy planner

> Astronomy planning app for deep sky objects, visibility, and weather. (iPhone/iPad app by Joshua Bury.)

- Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/observer-pro/id462392803 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`)
- Developer: [Joshua Bury](https://appshunter.io/developer/462392806)
- Category: Education, Utilities
- Price: $13.99
- Rating: 4.60/5 from 49 App Store ratings · 120 written reviews indexed
- Age rating: 4+
- Requires: iOS 16.4 · 241 MB
- Languages: American English
- Released: 2011-09-16
- Data updated: 2026-09-04
- Monetization: paid
- User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/observer-pro/id462392803/reviews.md

## What is Observer Pro?

Observer Pro is an indispensable app for advanced astronomy observing and astrophotography planning. No more guessing when that galaxy emerges from behind that tree. No more estimating how many hours you'll be able to image an object. Observer Pro gives every astronomer the info they need to make the most of their observing right at their fingertips!

What astronomers are saying:

"Every astronomer with an iPhone should own this app!"
 - Astronomy Technology Today magazine

"Observer Pro is the most impressive astronomy app that I have tried out. I enthusiastically commend it to you!"
 - Tom Mote, Professor Emeritus, Astronomy

"I have been using it since the day it first became available and I cannot live without it now."
 - Sedat B., Cloudy Nights forum

Feature highlights:

• Over 14,000 deep sky objects included, all with closeup reference photos. No need to download anything after install! Sorting and search make it easy to sift through all of them to find which objects belong on your observing list.

• Measure your local horizon profile in minutes with your iPhone.

• Unique charts completely take the guesswork out of predicting object visibility. Your house, trees, mountains, or any other obstructions are completely factored in to all visibility charts.

• New to astronomy? The Featured object list shows a list of objects specific to your location and local horizon that are great for observing right now.

• Keep a list of your favorite observing sites, each with their own local horizon profile. Compare object visibility between sites to find the best spot to setup your scope.

• There's a lot to observe! Observer Pro gives you a place to maintain a list of your favorite objects as well as an observing list that you can take with you to the eyepiece.

• 7Timer! astronomical weather forecasts for your observing sites are viewable without leaving Observer Pro. They give you the outlook on cloud cover, seeing, transparency, and more.

• Check out the in-app help to learn more about how to use the many features that come with Observer Pro.

Keep up-to-date with the latest news at the Observer Pro blog: 
http://observer.pro/blog

## Key features

- 14,000+ deep sky objects with photos
- Local horizon profile measurement
- Object visibility prediction charts
- Featured object recommendations
- Favorite observing site management
- Astronomical weather forecasts

## Chart rankings

- #173 in Top Paid · Education (US App Store)

## What do users think of Observer Pro?

Overall sentiment: positive

**Pros**

- 🎯 Excellent target planning and visibility forecasting
- 🌍 Custom horizon mapping feature is intuitive and unique
- 📊 Comprehensive visualization graphs and charts
- 🔍 Extensive DSO catalog with detailed object information
- 📸 Offline object images included
- ⏰ Accurate altitude and timing calculations
- 🌙 Moon phase integration for planning
- 💰 Good value for the price
- 🎨 Clean, intuitive user interface
- 🌐 Works globally for any location
- 📱 Lightweight and responsive performance

**Cons**

- 🐛 Crashes when selecting catalog groupings (recent)
- 🐛 Keyboard doesn't dismiss after input (iPad issue)
- 🐛 Data loss - observer lists disappearing
- 🐛 Search function missing in recent version
- ⏱️ Lack of developer updates for extended periods
- 📱 Poor iPad optimization and landscape support
- 🔧 Limited to DSOs - no planets, comets, or asteroids
- 🎨 iPad experience suboptimal compared to iPhone
- 📤 No export functionality for observer lists
- 🌙 Moon visualization missing from sky view
- 🔄 No cross-device syncing capability

**Commonly reported bugs**

- App crashes when selecting catalog groupings (Galaxy, Planetary Nebulae, etc.)
- iOS keyboard doesn't dismiss on iPad after clicking Done
- Observer lists and custom data disappearing after app closure
- Search feature missing in version 1.4
- Continuous crashes since recent updates
- Horizon drawing feature unreliable - drifts while drawing
- Menu items on far right side of screen unresponsive
- Incompatibility with iOS 8 (historical)
- App crashes on startup with certain iOS versions
- Weather feature broken

**Most requested features**

- iPad native app with landscape mode support
- Search functionality restoration/improvement
- Export observer lists to other apps (Sky Safari, etc.)
- Support for planets, comets, and asteroids
- Observing notes and session logging
- Field of view/scope focal length comparison
- Color object photographs
- Additional catalogs (Sharpless, etc.)
- Moon visibility in sky view
- Azimuth-based sorting for telescope positioning
- Filter options for object types
- Cross-device syncing between iPhone and iPad
- Print functionality for observing plans
- User-created custom catalogs
- Screen auto-rotation support
- Weather forecast integration

## Recent user reviews (10 of 120)

All indexed reviews: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/observer-pro/id462392803/reviews.md

### 5/5 — A hidden gem

*2026-06-26, version 1.4.1*

One of my favourite Astro planning apps. So convenient. Super handy for assessing best targets by hours of visibility and for keeping track of favourite or partially imaged objects and their future visibility. Whenever I see an inspiring Hubble or JWST image I open the app and in seconds can check out the galaxy coordinates, size, magnitude and visibility from my site.

### 5/5 — Very, very nice app

*2026-06-21*

Excellent efficient use of space and graphic presentation of information.  I particularly like the local obstruction mapping.  I was considering developing my own app, but this is better than I could have done.

### 5/5 — Fantastique !

*2026-06-04*

Outil indispensable pour planifier une soirée d’observation. 
Mille mercis au développeur !!!

### 5/5 — Absolutely Essential for Image Planning

*2026-04-04*

I’ve used ObserverPro for years now to determine which imaging targets are feasible from my location and optimal imaging months for each one.  Love it!

### 5/5 — Great App

*2025-04-02, version 1.4.1*

Thank you so much for fixing the sort functions.. This is absolutely my favorite planning app.

### 2/5 — Looks good, but lost my observer list

*2025-01-03*

I liked the look of this, and I was interested in the custom horizon capability, so I drew my boundary and made an observer list of things that would be visible tonight from my backyard. However, when I came back this evening to look, the observer list was gone. Losing data is hard to excuse (I’m a retired programmer). Additionally, I imagined there would be a way to export the list so that I could load it in Sky Safari and use it to drive my scope, but I don’t see that.

Kevin

### 1/5 — Crashing app

*2024-12-19, version 1.4*

Updated to the recent release, but the app crashes every time I select any of the groupings (Galaxy, Planetary Nebulae, Galactic Nebulae, etc.) in the catalogs part of the program.

### 3/5 — Search seems to have disappeared?

*2024-11-12*

Currrent version seems to be missing search - one of the best features of a good app??

Use to be able to search for any object simply by entering numbers - even across the various catalogs. 

Sure some of the filtering and sorting will get you there…but FAR less quickly and conveniently.  Is search really gone for good?

### 5/5 — Observer pro search

*2024-10-31*

Search bar missing in new version 1.4 I am using iOS 17, could that be the problem?

### 3/5 — Crashes since the last update

*2024-09-22, version 1.4*

I loved this app but since the last update it continually crashes.

## Frequently asked questions about Observer Pro

### What does Observer Pro do?

Observer Pro is designed for advanced astronomy observing and astrophotography planning. It helps users predict object visibility by factoring in local obstructions like trees and mountains, and provides astronomical weather forecasts.

### What are the key features of Observer Pro?

Key features include a database of over 14,000 deep sky objects with reference photos, the ability to measure your local horizon profile, unique charts for predicting object visibility, featured object lists, management of favorite observing sites, and integrated 7Timer! weather forecasts.

### How much does Observer Pro cost?

Based on the provided information, Observer Pro is a paid application. There are no mentions of in-app purchases or subscription models, indicating a one-time purchase.

### Who is Observer Pro for?

This app is for advanced astronomers and astrophotographers who need detailed information and planning tools to make the most of their observing sessions. It is particularly useful for those who want to precisely plan when and where to observe specific celestial objects.

### Can I use Observer Pro to find objects to observe?

Yes, Observer Pro includes a 'Featured object' list that shows objects specific to your location and local horizon that are great for observing right now. You can also maintain lists of your favorite objects and an observing list to take with you to the eyepiece.

## Version history (last 5 releases)

### 1.4.1 — 2025-03-25

• Basic support for importing and exporting lists of objects
• Fixed unable to change the sort mode of object type lists
• Fixed Observing List changes not always saved
• Other minor enhancements and fixes

### 1.4 — 2024-09-17

• Advanced filtering options for lists and catalogs
• Improved detail and accuracy in visibility charts
• Additional settings for fine-tuning visibility predictions
• A refreshed and modernized look and feel
• Many other enhancements and fixes across the app

### 1.3 — 2020-03-02

Finder View: The object Finder View now has an extended zoom range with support for visualizing the object image overlaid with custom camera and eyepiece field-of-view indicators.

Sort: New sort options in object lists to make it easier to find the perfect object to observe. Imagers will find that sorting by hours of unobstructed visibility particularly useful! Object lists also now support context previews and menus under iOS 13 (tap and hold an object in the list).

Horizon Measurement: Local horizon measurement accuracy has been greatly improved. You can now also export and import horizon profiles in more convenient ways, including to/from the Files app as well as exporting a PNG for use in SkySafari.

Light Theme: For iOS 13 users who are not fans of dark mode, Observer Pro now has a light UI option. Check the Appearance options in the Observer Pro settings screen.

Plus numerous bug fixes and small enhancements. In particular, the default astronomical weather forecast now loads correctly.

### 1.2 — 2016-04-15

Observer Pro 1.2 includes the following improvements:

• The Featured list is now much more useful: your location, local horizon, and the current lunar phase are now used to provide a list of objects that are prime for observing.
• Added option to show an object's catalog name rather than common name when browsing lists.
• Correct moon image orientation for Southern Hemisphere sites.
• Fixed bug that made it impossible to leave the Observing List screen after rearranging items.
• Other bug fixes and other improvements.

If you like Observer Pro, please leave a review or update your review for this version. If you have feedback, I'd love to hear from you! Use the Feedback form in the app to get in touch.

### 1.1.1 — 2016-01-22

The long-awaited compatibility update for Observer Pro is finally here! In addition to compatibility with iOS 9, this release includes the following:

• Improved night mode
• Altitude angle display in object Sky View
• Swipe to edit objects in the list views (add to favorites, add to observing list, log observation)
• User interface refresh
• Bug fixes

A huge thanks to all the patient Observer Pro users out there who have waited so long for this update!

If you like Observer Pro, please leave a review or update your review for this version. If you have feedback, I'd love to hear from you! Use the Feedback form in the app to get in touch.

New in 1.1.1:

• Bug fixes for iOS 8

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## Related topics

[observer pro](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/observer-pro) · [astrophotography planner](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/astrophotography-planner)

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*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 2026-09-04.*