# Solar Coaster

> Accurate Sun and Moon position, motion, and eclipse data with 3D visualizations. (iPhone/iPad app by Steve Lidie.)

- Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/solar-coaster/id1218422388 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`)
- Developer: [Steve Lidie](https://appshunter.io/developer/1869780159)
- Category: Education, Utilities
- Price: Free
- Rating: 5.00/5 from 2 App Store ratings
- Age rating: 4+
- Requires: iOS 14.0 · 37 MB
- Languages: American English
- Released: 2017-04-05
- Data updated: 2026-08-26
- Monetization: free
- User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/solar-coaster/id1218422388/reviews.md

## What is Solar Coaster?

Solar Coaster provides accurate position, time, motion and eclipse information for Earth's nearest star, Sol, our Sun, and nearest celestial body, Luna, our Moon. Information includes 3D movement graphs, upcoming eclipses and their circumstances, rise and set times, positions, distances and velocities, moon phase, illumination and crescent rotation.

Solar Coaster automatically updates its state every minute, or you can examine minutes randomly. The simulation uses a local horizontal coordinate system when displaying information, which essentially means that your current position is the center of the Universe and all calculated values are relative to you. Sun and Moon positions are also available in equatorial coordinates.

Solar Coaster stores enough onboard astronomical data to keep it running through the year 2100 AD, which means that all calculations can be performed locally without the need of a network connection — useful while in the wild chasing an eclipse. Algorithms are accurate at all longitudes, and latitudes between -61° south and +60° north (roughly speaking, locations outside the Polar regions). Of course, you must have Location Services enabled and allow Solar Coaster to access your position for accurate simulation results, and to properly detect eclipses visible at your location. You can also allow Notification Center to keep you informed when those eclipses will occur.

Solar Coaster comes in various flavors: for iOS a native App; and for macOS a native App, Screen Saver and Web App.

## Key features

- 3D movement graphs
- Eclipse information and circumstances
- Rise and set times
- Moon phase and illumination
- Offline astronomical data
- Local horizontal coordinate system


## Frequently asked questions about Solar Coaster

### What celestial bodies does Solar Coaster track?

Solar Coaster tracks the Sun (Sol) and the Moon (Luna), providing accurate position, time, motion, and eclipse information for both.

### Can I use Solar Coaster offline?

Yes, Solar Coaster stores enough astronomical data to function through the year 2100, allowing all calculations to be performed locally without a network connection.

### What is the accuracy range for Solar Coaster's calculations?

The algorithms are accurate at all longitudes and latitudes between -61° south and +60° north, excluding polar regions. Location Services must be enabled for precise results.

### What devices is Solar Coaster available on?

Solar Coaster is available for iOS (iPhone, iPad, iPod) and macOS, including a native app, screen saver, and web app.

### How often is Solar Coaster updated?

The app automatically updates its state every minute. The latest version is 26.3, last updated on February 18, 2026.

### What is the age rating for Solar Coaster?

Solar Coaster has an age rating of 4+, making it suitable for a wide range of users interested in astronomy.

### Does Solar Coaster have ads?

No, Solar Coaster does not contain advertisements. It is a completely ad-free application.

### How does Solar Coaster handle user location?

For accurate simulation results and eclipse detection, Solar Coaster requires Location Services to be enabled and access to your position. This data is used to center calculations relative to your current location.

## Version history (last 5 releases)

### 26.3 — 2026-02-18

- New Option that specifies a simulation date other than the default of Today.
- Luxon now handles DateTime functions and Time Zone support.
- 3D Sun and Moon Position Plot enhancements.
- Update for Apple OS versions 26.2.

### 5.0 — 2025-06-11

- 3D visualization that compares the Sun and Moon position tracks in altitude-azimuth-time space.
- New Sun and Moon metrics: right ascension, declination, maximum altitude.
- Dynamic backgrounds that vary lighting as a function of the time of day.
- Improved UI.
- Unified Settings.
- Bug fixes, miscellaneous improvements and internal modernization.
- Remove Today Extension.
- Refresh documentation.
- Update for iOS 18.5.

### 4.0 — 2023-01-13

- Add instantaneous orbital velocity based on current distance.
- Add current moon phase name and illumination percentage.
- User interface and documentation improvements.
- Miscellanenous bug fixes.
- Minimum iOS version is 11.0 and minimum macOS version is 10.15.
- Update for iOS 16.1.1 and macOS 13.1.

### 3.6 — 2022-08-16

- Improve Solar Coaster behavior in low memory conditions.
- Minor bug fixes and improvements.
- Minimum iOS version is 10.0 and minimum macOS version is 10.15.
- Update for iOS 15.6 and macOS 12.5.

### 3.5 — 2022-03-31

- Fix, finally, the jarring "white flash" at startup for the macOS App and Screen Saver.
- The iOS and macOS Apps can, with your permission, post summary eclipse data to the Notification Center.  This means you can badge the App's icon with an eclipse count, or list the eclipses in Notification Center, or both. Or neither, controllable in iOS Settings and macOS System Preferences.
- The eclipse summary is refreshed automatically once daily.
- The Refine Position Every Minute Preference has now been implemented in the macOS App and Screen Saver.
- The Location Override Preference has now been implemented in the macOS Screen Saver.
- Although the macOS Screen Saver cannot post an eclipse summary in Notification Center, it does show the summary in Screen Saver Options..., under the new tab Eclipses.
- The macOS App can now export its matching Screen Saver with the new Export Screen Saver menu item.
- Minimum iOS version is 10.0 and minimum macOS version is 10.14.
- Minor bug fixes and improvements.
- Update for iOS 15.4 and macOS 12.3.

## Apps similar to Solar Coaster

| App | Rating | Price | Category |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| [Atlas of Moons](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/atlas-of-moons/id1520266563) | 4.5 (25) | Free | Education |
| [Solar Book](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/solar-book/id1078873201) | 4.7 (3) | Free | Education |
| [Eclipse Explorer](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/eclipse-explorer/id1252295023) | 4.0 (1) | Free | Education |
| [Solar System Clock](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/solar-system-clock/id6746730661) | — | Free | Education |
| [Astris](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/astris/id6454899891) | — | Free | Education |
| [Real Solar System](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/real-solar-system/id6475644962) | — | Free | Education |

## More apps by Steve Lidie

- [GO-21 SciRPN](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/go-21-scirpn/id327651563)
- [GO-25 SciRPN](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/go-25-scirpn/id408249517)
- [Photo Gopher](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/photo-gopher/id662735770)
- [GO-29 SciRPN](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/go-29-scirpn/id1472811056)
- [Krypton](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/krypton/id1529946598)

All apps by Steve Lidie: https://appshunter.io/developer/1869780159

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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 2026-08-26.*