# Planisphere > Interactive astronomy app for exploring stars, constellations, and celestial objects. (iPhone/iPad app by Julian James.) - Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/planisphere/id331897327 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`) - Developer: [Julian James](https://appshunter.io/developer/293642870) - Category: Reference, Education - Price: $1.99 - Rating: 3.00/5 from 4 App Store ratings · 27 written reviews indexed - Age rating: 4+ - Requires: iOS 17.6 · 75 MB - Languages: American English - Released: 2009-10-05 - Data updated: 2026-08-23 - Monetization: paid - User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/planisphere/id331897327/reviews.md ## What is Planisphere? Planisphere is an astronomy application that lets you use pinch and finger gestures to manipulate a map of the sky. As you zoom in finer detail comes into view. You can double tap on objects to get more information. You can use the compass and accelerometer to show the sky in the direction the phone is being held for the selected time. Planisphere shows all 88 constellations and their boundaries, 6096 naked eye stars, the Messier deep sky catalogue, bright NGC objects, the Sun, Moon, planets and the now dwarf planet Pluto. These can be searched and then displayed if above the horizon for the selected time. Rise and setting times are available for all named objects. The date, time and location can be changed. With Location Services you can show the sky as it appears from your exact location or you can click on a world map or select a city. There is also a realtime mode that will update to the current time. You can also set a Night Light' which gives the map a red tint for nighttime viewing. Moon, Mercury, Mars, Venus, Jupiter and Saturn atlases are also available on the App Store. ## Key features - Interactive sky map with pinch-to-zoom - Detailed information on celestial objects - Compass and accelerometer integration - Searchable database of stars and objects - Adjustable date, time, and location - Night Light mode for red tint viewing ## Recent user reviews (10 of 27) All indexed reviews: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/planisphere/id331897327/reviews.md ### 2/5 — Can’t use it anymore *2026-01-03* Used to be brilliant but now I can’t work out how to search fir planets. So frustrating. ### 3/5 — I'll stick to paper thanks. *2018-01-08* Constellation boundaries make the overview cluttered and difficult to read. No ecliptic is a major omission I think. Zoom feature is nice, but if a closer view is needed, apps such as Star Walk are far superior. Good value for a few pennies, but not enough here to persuade me to give up my paper planisphere. ### 3/5 — Just needs one fix *2017-01-31* Downloaded this app for my astronomy lab. Cool app, everything is really clear, but the GPS function does not work. My phone's GPS is completely functional when I use maps, compass, etc., but not when I use this app. I'll point it clearly at one constellation and it will give me a completely different one. No complaints about anything else in the app. If this one fix is made, it'll be perfect. ### 5/5 — This is great fun! *2014-10-14* I play around with this with my grand kids. It teaches them while having fun. Great app ### 4/5 — Great app! *2014-10-12* This is a great app to play around with! Works great! I just wish I could choose a specific date to view directly instead of going hour by hour into the future or past. Other than that minor issue, I love it! ### 3/5 — Good Concept but needs much improvement *2014-03-25* The idea is great but the calibration is inaccurate and there is no option to recalibrate at will. If calibration issues are fixed I would highly recommend this to friends. I hope to see some updates. ### 5/5 — Worth it *2013-11-28* Totally awesome :D nice features ### 4/5 — It works *2013-09-20* It's works, not a super awesome app, but for 99cents it's good. If you have an astronomy class it comes in handy or if you just like to know what's above you. ### 3/5 — Needs work *2012-08-13* The compass function displays incorrectly ### 3/5 — Easy to use, but. . . *2012-03-27* I found the Planisphere one of the easiest to use to navigate the night sky. My only problem with it was the ability to read the names of stars/ features in night mode; the colour, plus the fact that no matter how far you zoom in, the words stay the same size( small). ## Frequently asked questions about Planisphere ### What celestial objects can I see with Planisphere? Planisphere displays all 88 constellations and their boundaries, 6096 naked eye stars, the Messier deep sky catalogue, bright NGC objects, the Sun, Moon, planets, and the dwarf planet Pluto. Rise and setting times are available for all named objects. ### How does Planisphere use my phone's sensors? The app utilizes the compass and accelerometer to show the sky in the direction your phone is being held for the selected time, providing a real-time view of the heavens. ### Can I view the sky from different locations and times with Planisphere? Yes, you can change the date, time, and location. You can show the sky from your exact location using Location Services, select a city, or use a world map. A real-time mode updates to the current time. ### What is the Night Light mode in Planisphere? The Night Light mode gives the map a red tint, which is ideal for nighttime viewing to preserve your night vision while still allowing you to observe celestial objects. ### Is Planisphere available on multiple devices? Planisphere is available for iPhone and iPad, offering a consistent stargazing experience across Apple's mobile platforms. ### How often is Planisphere updated? The latest version, 4.0.6, was last updated on January 20, 2026, indicating a commitment to ongoing development and improvements. ### What is the price of Planisphere? Planisphere is a paid application, available for a one-time purchase of $1.99. ### What is the age rating for Planisphere? Planisphere has an age rating of 4+, making it suitable for a wide range of users, including younger stargazers. ## Version history (last 5 releases) ### 4.0.6 — 2026-01-20 Bug fixes and improvements. ### 4.0.5 — 2025-12-23 Bug fixes and improvements. ### 4.0.4 — 2025-11-08 Bug fixes and improvements. ### 4.0.3 — 2025-11-02 Bug fixes and improvements. ### 4.0.2 — 2025-10-28 Bug fixes and improvements. ## Apps similar to Planisphere | App | Rating | Price | Category | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | [BLR Limits](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/blr-limits/id6477339119) | 5.0 (1) | Free | Reference | | [Royal Family Tree](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/royal-family-tree/id1495081872) | 4.5 (8) | $1.99 | Reference | ## More apps by Julian James - [Zone Warrior](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/zone-warrior/id293642867) - [Moon Atlas](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/moon-atlas/id302171459) - [Mars Atlas](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/mars-atlas/id303482394) - [Apollo Eagle](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/apollo-eagle/id315792821) - [Venus Atlas](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/venus-atlas/id317310503) All apps by Julian James: https://appshunter.io/developer/293642870 ## Related topics [planisphere](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/planisphere) --- *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 2026-08-23.*