# SkySafari 6 Plus — Astronomy Guide To Night Sky

> Advanced astronomy guide and space simulator with telescope control and AR. (iPhone/iPad app by Simulation Curriculum Corp..)

- Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/skysafari-6-plus/id1262647300 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`)
- Developer: [Simulation Curriculum Corp.](https://appshunter.io/developer/791341744)
- Category: Reference, Education
- Price: $14.99 (on sale, was $29.99)
- Rating: 4.70/5 from 2,948 App Store ratings · 50 written reviews indexed
- Age rating: 4+
- Requires: iOS 9.0 · 831 MB
- Languages: English, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Russian, Spanish
- Released: 2017-12-22
- Data updated: 2026-06-10
- Monetization: paid
- User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/skysafari-6-plus/id1262647300/reviews.md

## What is SkySafari 6 Plus?

SkySafari 6 Plus goes beyond most basic astronomy apps by providing you with a full-featured space simulator with telescope control and Augmented Reality (AR) mode.

Note that there is no discount upgrade path from SkySafari 6 Plus to SkySafari 6 Pro. Choose carefully!

Here's what's new in version 6:

1) Complete support for iOS 13 and iPhone 11. We got you covered and release regular updates.

2) Clouds and Astronomy. Two words that rarely go together. Rewritten from the ground up, SkySafari 6 Plus will (optionally) back up all of your observing data in our secure cloud storage and make it easily accessible to multiple devices as well as from our new web interface, LiveSky.com.

3) We Have The Best Stars. Precise, modern and deep. We’ve updated our star catalog to use the latest and greatest, UCAC5 star catalog.

4) Observers First. A redesign of our tools puts the active observer first. Quick access to features like your equipment, observing sites, lists, and observations make it easy and enjoyable to get out, observe, and record your observations.

5) Graph It. The completely new graph tool will give a quick visual representation of an object’s altitude above the horizon. Essential for planning your night’s observations.

6) Plan It. Make the most of your time under the stars. Our updated planner is a powerful tool that lets you create a list of targets for your observing session with filters like object types, specific time ranges, constellation, catalog, and more. Plan it and get more done.

7) Say It. Ever just wanted to just yell at your device and tell it what to do!? SkySafari 6 adds basic voice control for a wide range of operations. Say “select Jupiter,” “search for Titan,” “center on Polaris” and SkySafari will do the work for you. Yelling optional. 

8) Tilt It. Every old astronomy app these days lets your tilt and pan your device to show different parts of the sky, but who else lets you control your telescope that way!? “Tilt to slew” is an optional mode allowing you to keep your eye in the eyepiece, and, using the accelerometers in your device, gently translate the movements of your hands into smooth telescope motion.

9) Share It. SkySafari 6 is more than just a mobile app, it’s a new system to help organize and share your observing experiences. With a free signup, you can see and share your observing data from our web portal, LiveSky.com! Affordable premium memberships add online editing, so you can not only view, but edit your observations, add new observing sites, manage your equipment and more. Finally, (coming soon) you can view, edit and manage your settings files with SkySafari Web, our fully functional web version.

If you haven't used SkySafari 6 Plus before, here's what you can do with it:

• Hold your device up, and SkySafari 6 Plus will find stars, constellations, planets, and more!

• Simulate the night sky up to 10,000 years in the past or future! Animate meteor showers, conjunctions, eclipses, and other celestial events.

• Learn the history, mythology, and science of astronomy! Browse over 1500 object descriptions and astronomical images. Explore NASA space missions! Stay up-to-date with SkyWeek for all major sky events every day!

• Control your telescope, log and plan your observations.

• Night Vision  – Preserve your eyesight after dark.

• Orbit Mode. Leave the Earth’s surface behind, and fly through our solar system.

• Time Flow – Follow the motion of sky objects as days, months, and years are compressed into a few seconds.

• Advanced Search – Find objects using properties other than their name.

• Support for Apple Watch!

• Tonight at a Glance: the Sun, Moon, Planets, ISS, and Iridium flares in one handy view!

• Notifications when the ISS will pass overhead, when Iridium satellites flare, and more!

• Much more!

For even more features, and a gigantic database aimed at the most dedicated amateur or professional astronomer, check out SkySafari 6 Pro!

## Key features

- Telescope control
- Augmented Reality (AR) mode
- Cloud backup for observing data
- Updated star catalog (UCAC5)
- Observer-focused tools
- Observation planning and graphing
- Voice control for operations
- Tilt-to-slew telescope control

## What do users think of SkySafari 6 Plus?

Overall sentiment: positive

**Pros**

- 🚀 Best out there
- 🚀 Indispensable
- 👍 Features
- 👍 The best!
- 👍 Safari indeed
- 👍 Great app
- 👍 Best of them all
- 👍 Absolutely beautiful!
- 👍 Highly customizable, powerful tool
- 👍 The best app for stargazing and more
- 👍 Improved from Great Already
- 👍 Great APP for Star Gazers
- 👍 Safari
- 👍 Great app
- 👍 Simply the best night sky app
- 👍 Fantastic!
- 👍 I see why it is the choice of most of the astronomers in my local club!
- 👍 Still an incredible bargain
- 👍 Probably the best sky observation map out there
- 👍 An indispensible program
- 👍 Great app!
- 👍 Good planning CCD camera view
- 👍 Brilliant
- 👍 It's good
- 👍 Best astronomy investment I've made!
- 👍 Incredible software with lots of options and features
- 👍 SkySafari3
- 👍 Fantastic app for the stars!
- 👍 Better Than I Expected!
- 👍 THE Best

**Cons**

- 🐛 Data out of date!
- 🐛 Unable to import observing lists
- 🐛 Wifi connection problems
- 🐛 Glitch
- 🐛 Zero Support
- 🐛 Hard getting it to control my telescope

**Commonly reported bugs**

- Data out of date!
- Unable to import observing lists
- Wifi connection problems
- Glitch
- Hard getting it to control my telescope

**Most requested features**

- Magnitude limit should be set by telescope+eyepiece and fov reticle combination
- "what satellite did I just see?" (Identity viewed satellites)
- A more powerful mode for moving the mount that simulates alt/az motion on an equatorial mount, as well as easier navigation to points in the sky
- The ability to add objects
- Fix the issue with the calendar function that shows upcoming events

## Recent user reviews (10 of 50)

All indexed reviews: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/skysafari-6-plus/id1262647300/reviews.md

### 5/5 — Best out there

*2022-09-10, version 6.8.5*

SkySafari is by far the best planetarium software out there, at a reasonable price. There are professional programs, but they cost hundreds of dollars. For serious observers SkySafari does it all, and is affordable.

### 2/5 — Data out of date!

*2022-09-03, version 6.8.5*

I’m still seeing SkyWeek info from the end of December 2019 and we are in April now. Also the comet is Mag 2? I thought this was going to be fixed in the new year. Would love it if if the compass button was always in reach. Also Moon often says “does not set” when it does so after midnight.

### 5/5 — Indispensable

*2022-06-01, version 6.8.5*

This is the Must Have accessory for all the observers I know.  Extremely capable, very easy to use.  The Standard.

### 4/5 — Great BUT needs feature

*2021-11-28, version 6.8.5*

I use this app all the time but found one issue. When looking at the entire sky mag limit is set to something reasonable like 7, but once you zoom in, ie: telescope fov, the mag limit SHOULD change to the selected telescope.  I observe variable stars and when I move to a variable its really difficult to identify the variable when I zoom in because most of the stars are missing. If I change the star magnitude limit, when I zoom out again the sky is filled with stars. Magnitude limit should be set by telescope+eyepiece and fov reticle combination.

### 5/5 — The Best?

*2021-08-09, version 6.8.5*

I think this app now the best and fastest for what I need.  I never thought I was going to turn away from my previous app - but, I did.

### 5/5 — Features

*2021-06-19, version 6.8.5*

Still new to this, but I'm finding lots of useful features.

### 5/5 — The best!

*2021-05-15, version 6.8.4*

After having used the “family” of Sky Safari apps, I am convinced these are the best star and space observation apps on the market (App Store). The Sky Safari 6 plus is full of features, facts, and lots of “cool toys” to keep an individual busy for a long time learning our solar system (and beyond).  I had a little problem with a download recently but it was quickly remedied with the recent download. If you’re at all interested in observing or learning the stars, planets, and other celestial bodies, I highly recommend this app.

### 1/5 — well, it worked once

*2021-05-14, version 6.8.4*

i purchased this for both iPasOS and MacOS and support is non-existent, referring me to forums where the most recent posts are a year old. on April 23 i used Sky Safari Plus (iPadOS) for the first time to control my Celestron NexStar 6se, and all worked fine. we then had rain for weeks, and on May 11 i tried to use it and it connected fine but after many failed alignment attempts (not me, the stars were aligned with the reticle in my ASI294mc) i gave up. last night, May 13, it wouldn’t even connect, gave the Connection Failure dialog box multiple times, even after completely powering off the scope and quitting/restarting the app. i then immediately started up Celestron Sky Portal and it not only connected, but alignment was perfect the first time. i tried again this morning to connect via Sky Safari Plus on both iPad Pro and iPhone 12 mini, with Connection Failure again. useless investment.

### 5/5 — Safari indeed

*2021-05-03, version 6.8.3*

This app has brought me hours and hours of pleasure. I use it to wander our galaxy, requesting information as I go, and because the app also slews my telescope, all I have to do is point where I’m interested in viewing and the telescope follows.  Six of five stars !

Omaha Steve

### 3/5 — Unable to import observing lists

*2021-04-10, version 6.8.2*

I don’t know what’s the issue but I’ve been unable to import observation lists on both my iPhone and iPad. The name of the observation list is created but no actual observations are imported.

## Frequently asked questions about SkySafari 6 Plus

### What does SkySafari 6 Plus do?

SkySafari 6 Plus is a comprehensive astronomy guide and space simulator. It allows you to identify stars, planets, and constellations by holding up your device, simulate the night sky across vast time periods, and even control your telescope.

### What are the key features of SkySafari 6 Plus?

Key features include telescope control, Augmented Reality (AR) mode, cloud backup for observing data, an updated star catalog, observer-focused tools, observation planning and graphing, voice control, and tilt-to-slew telescope control.

### Is SkySafari 6 Plus free to use?

Based on the provided information, SkySafari 6 Plus is a paid application. There are no mentions of free usage or ads, and it is distinct from a free tier or subscription model.

### What devices is SkySafari 6 Plus compatible with?

The application has complete support for iOS 13 and iPhone 11, indicating compatibility with recent iOS versions and devices. Regular updates are provided to ensure ongoing compatibility.

### How can I use SkySafari 6 Plus for planning observations?

SkySafari 6 Plus offers an updated planner tool that allows you to create lists of targets for your observing sessions. You can filter targets by object types, time ranges, constellations, catalogs, and more, helping you maximize your time under the stars.

## Version history (last 1 release)

### 6.8.5 — 2021-06-03

Fixes connection issues with some Celestron WiFi telescopes.
Fixes import of Observing Lists from SkySafari 5 using Files app > Share workflow.
Performance Improvements.

## Apps similar to SkySafari 6 Plus

| App | Rating | Price | Category |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| [Eclipse Guide：March 2026](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/eclipse-guidemarch-2026/id1445813795) | 4.6 (767) | $1.99 | Reference |
| [Luminos Pro](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/luminos-pro/id1458648031) | 4.7 (229) | Free | Reference |
| [Orbitrack](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/orbitrack/id1092984911) | 4.7 (934) | $4.99 | Reference |
| [The Sky Pro by Redshift](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/the-sky-pro-by-redshift/id1481865153) | 4.8 (315) | $6.99 | Reference |
| [Celestron StarSense Explorer](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/celestron-starsense-explorer/id1368600689) | 3.3 (160) | Free | Reference |
| [Luminos](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/luminos/id404664336) | 4.8 (1,071) | $19.99 | Reference |

## More apps by Simulation Curriculum Corp.

- [Starry Night College](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/starry-night-college/id924636349)
- [Eclipse Safari](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/eclipse-safari/id1249431306)
- [SkySafari](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/skysafari/id1257281849)
- [SkySafari 6 Pro](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/skysafari-6-pro/id1306165506)
- [SkySafari 7 Plus](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/skysafari-7-plus/id1567654881)

All apps by Simulation Curriculum Corp.: https://appshunter.io/developer/791341744

---

*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 2026-06-10.*