# StarHop Navigator — Manual telescope push-to guide > Manual telescope push-to guidance using iPhone sensors for celestial object finding. (iPhone/iPad app by BERNHARD MICHAEL HELPFERER.) - Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/starhop-navigator/id6760609083 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`) - Developer: [BERNHARD MICHAEL HELPFERER](https://appshunter.io/developer/1885301152) - Category: Education, Reference - Price: $3.99 (on sale, was $6.99) - Rating: 5.00/5 from 1 App Store ratings - Age rating: 4+ - Requires: iOS 18.0 · 135 MB - Languages: German (Germany), American English, French (France), Dutch, European Portuguese, European Spanish - Released: 2026-04-21 - Data updated: 2026-08-23 - Monetization: paid - User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/starhop-navigator/id6760609083/reviews.md ## What is StarHop Navigator? Built for real sky navigation - no extra hardware, no cables, no complicated setup. Push-to, not GoTo: StarHop Navigator guides your telescope to deep-sky objects, planets, and stars - using your iPhone's sensors. You move the scope. The app shows you the way. Mount your iPhone to the tube, calibrate on 2–3 known stars, pick a target, and follow the crosshair until the object appears in the eyepiece. Other apps show you the sky. StarHop Navigator helps you find your way through it. WHO IS IT FOR? Beginners who want to understand the night sky. Experienced observers looking for lean support in finding their targets. Anyone with a manual telescope - Dobsonian, altazimuth, or equatorial, without motors. People who love the journey as much as the destination. HOW IT WORKS • Attach your iPhone to the telescope tube • Calibrate on 2–3 known stars • Pick a target on the chart or from the catalog: nebula, galaxy, cluster, planet, or star • Follow the crosshair until the indicator turns green • Look through the eyepiece FEATURES • Manual push-to guidance with 2–3-star calibration • Interactive star chart with constellations, planets, the Moon, and deep-sky objects - printable and exportable • Messier catalog: nebulae, galaxies, and star clusters - plus planets and the Moon • iPad support - more room for the star chart, catalog, and observation planning • iCloud sync (optional) -equipment, observation log, favorites, and notes across all your devices • Observation log, favorites, and equipment management • Bortle slider - adapts star density to your sky • Seasonal observing lists and time travel for planning • StarHop Link - live pointing on iPad/Mac or LX200 connection to planetarium apps • Apple Watch: current target and centering indicator on your wrist • Works fully offline - night mode, no ads, no account needed ## Key features - Manual push-to guidance - 2-3 star calibration - Interactive star chart - Messier catalog - Offline functionality - Observation log - Apple Watch integration ## Frequently asked questions about StarHop Navigator ### What is StarHop Navigator? StarHop Navigator is a mobile application designed to assist users in manually guiding their telescopes to celestial objects. It utilizes the iPhone's sensors to provide real-time directional guidance, making it easier to locate stars, planets, and deep-sky objects. ### How does StarHop Navigator work? To use StarHop Navigator, you attach your iPhone to your telescope, calibrate the system using 2-3 known stars, and then select your desired target from the app's catalog. The app displays a crosshair that guides you as you move the telescope until the target is centered. ### Is StarHop Navigator suitable for beginners? Yes, StarHop Navigator is specifically built for beginners who are new to understanding the night sky. It offers a simplified approach to finding celestial objects without requiring complex hardware or setup, making the learning process more accessible. ### Does StarHop Navigator work with any telescope? StarHop Navigator is designed for manual telescopes, including Dobsonian, altazimuth, and equatorial mounts, that do not have motors. It provides guidance for users who manually move their telescope to track celestial objects. ### Can I use StarHop Navigator without an internet connection? Yes, StarHop Navigator works fully offline. This means you can use it for stargazing in remote locations without worrying about Wi-Fi or cellular data availability. It also features a night mode for better visibility in the dark. ### What kind of celestial objects can I find with StarHop Navigator? StarHop Navigator's catalog includes deep-sky objects such as nebulae, galaxies, and star clusters from the Messier catalog, as well as planets and the Moon. The interactive star chart also displays constellations and other stars. ### What is the price of StarHop Navigator? StarHop Navigator is available for a one-time purchase of $3.99. This price grants you full access to all features without any recurring subscription fees or additional in-app purchases. ### How often is StarHop Navigator updated? The latest version of StarHop Navigator is 1.4, and it was last updated on July 18, 2026. While specific update frequency isn't detailed, the release history suggests ongoing development and improvements. ## Version history (last 5 releases) ### 1.4 — 2026-07-18 New: • NGC/IC catalog: 12,000+ additional deep-sky objects, with independent NGC/IC toggles • New brightness-limit slider in Settings to keep the catalog list manageable • Objects now show every catalog designation they hold • Added OpenNGC attribution to the licenses screen Improvements: • Brightness limit now applies consistently across the catalog list, star chart, live guide, and playlist/log object pickers • Edit forms now show validation errors instead of silently blocking Save Fixes: • Catalog list became very slow with NGC/IC enabled • Search bar lag while typing • Brightness limit was ignored in the live guide view ### 1.3 — 2026-07-06 Illustrated Guides Two new step-by-step guides right in the app: the mounting guide shows how to attach your iPhone to the telescope — with hook-and-loop strips or a 3D-printed mount (template available for download). The calibration guide walks you through 2–3-star calibration. Consistent Night Mode Red night mode now applies everywhere — all buttons and menus stay red, preserving your dark adaptation. Faster Object Info Tap an object, tap "i" — done: the detail view now opens directly from the star chart and the live-sky view. And every object list now shows the magnitude right next to the name. Time Travel on iPad Time travel for planning observations is now available on iPad. Plus: more precise object-type labels in the catalog, a tidied-up star chart, and other small improvements and bug fixes. ### 1.2 — 2026-06-13 New in v1.2: Now on iPad StarHop Navigator runs natively on iPad — more room for the star chart, catalog, and observation planning. iCloud Sync (optional) Your equipment, observation log, favorites, and notes sync automatically across all your devices. Plan on iPad, observe with iPhone at the telescope — everything stays together. StarHop Link Connect your iPhone over your local network to your iPad or Mac and see your telescope's pointing live on the big screen — or link it to planetarium apps via the LX200 protocol. Plus small polish and bug fixes. ### 1.1 — 2026-05-25 New in v1.1: • Digital Star Chart Replaces the classic paper planisphere — and shows what couldn't fit on paper: the current positions of the planets and the Moon. Planets wander through the constellations, so a printed chart can't include them. What you'll see on the chart: • Constellations with lines and names • Planets in natural color at their current positions • The Moon in its current phase • All Messier objects • Celestial equator, ecliptic, circumpolar circle What you can do with it: • Pan, zoom, and rotate like a maps app • Follow the compass — the chart rotates with you • Tap an object to see its name, magnitude, and type • Send a target straight to the push-to guidance with one tap • Time-travel to plan past or future observations • Export or print as a high-resolution image — perfect for the field, without screen light Apple Watch companion: shows the current target on your wrist, gives a short haptic tap when it's in the eyepiece, and lets you log directly from the watch. Plus small polish and bug fixes. ### 1.0 — 2026-04-21 No release notes. ## Apps similar to StarHop Navigator | App | Rating | Price | Category | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | [FitEat. 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