Comparison

Celestial Simulation vs Star Explorer

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

Celestial Simulation

Features
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Celestial Simulation Experience the universe as it truly moves. Celestial Simulation is a high-fidelity, physics-based app that lets you explore and understand celestial motion through real simulations—not animations or guesses. Every event is driven by time, location, and real celestial mechanics. From eclipses and planetary motion to lunar occultations and chaotic three-body dynamics, the app turns complex astronomy into intuitive, visual experiences. Observer-Based Simulation Your location matters. Set your observing position on Earth and watch how celestial events change with latitude, longitude, and time. Every simulation adapts instantly to your chosen place and moment. Solar System Geometry Explore the mechanics of the inner solar system: - Annular and hybrid solar eclipses with umbra and antumbra geometry - Planetary conjunctions and minimum angular separations - Mercury and Venus elongations for optimal visibility - Retrograde motion visualized over days and weeks - Transits of Mercury and Venus across the solar disk Most simulations are continuous and time-accurate. Lunar Occultations See how the Moon moves through the sky: - Occultations of bright stars and planets - Local and global visibility bands - Geometry that explains why an event is visible from certain locations Three-Body Dynamics Go beyond classical orbits and explore real gravitational complexity: - Circular Restricted Three-Body Problem (CR3BP) - Lagrange points L1–L5 with stability insights - Chaotic motion in non-rotating frames - Extreme sensitivity to initial conditions - These simulations reveal how real spaceflight dynamics and celestial chaos work. Special Focus: Total Solar Eclipse 2026 (Europe) A total solar eclipse will cross Europe in 2026 — a rare and unforgettable event. Celestial Simulation lets you explore the full path of totality, simulate eclipse geometry from different locations, and understand how timing and position affect what you will see. Use the simulation to: - Compare observing locations across Europe - Visualize eclipse paths and shadow motion - Plan where and when to experience totality Whether you are preparing a journey or simply exploring the mechanics behind the event, the app helps you understand why the eclipse unfolds the way it does. Built for Exploration - Interactive time control - Clean, focused visualizations - Designed for learners, enthusiasts, and curious minds - No clutter, no gimmicks—just the universe in motion Celestial Simulation is a pocket laboratory for understanding how the sky actually works. Whether you’re learning, teaching, or simply fascinated by celestial mechanics, this app lets you see the physics behind the beauty.

About

Star Explorer

Features
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Point your iPhone at the night sky and instantly see what you're looking at. Star Explorer names stars, planets, constellations and the Moon in AR, and tells you what's worth seeing tonight from where you are. No sign-up needed to start. The star catalog, sky map and astronomy assistant work offline, so they keep working at dark-sky sites with no signal. WHAT YOU CAN DO - AR star finder: hold up your phone to identify stars, planets and constellations, with comet and meteor-shower layers - Night sky map: a live all-sky chart you can move forward or back in time; search 8,900+ stars, all 88 constellations and all 110 Messier objects - Tonight's sky: Moon phase, visible planets and observing conditions for your location and weather - Sky events: meteor showers, planet oppositions and every solar and lunar eclipse from 2027 to 2030, with reminders - Offline astronomy assistant: ask questions and get an observing plan without a connection - Red-light night mode that protects your night vision - Tonight's Sky widget for your Home Screen - Bite-size astronomy lessons with quizzes, and a stargazing trip planner - Made for iPhone and iPad, including the iPhone Duo inner display Free forever: AR star finder, sky map, sky events, offline assistant, lessons, night mode and widget. Optional purchases: - Pro, all features, lifetime: one-time purchase that unlocks the deep-sky catalog, astrophotography assistant, cloud AI and photo identification - Observing Tools, lifetime: one-time purchase that unlocks the deep-sky catalog and astrophotography assistant - Cloud AI monthly / yearly subscription: unlocks cloud AI answers and photo identification Auto-renewing subscriptions: the subscription period is 1 month or 1 year, and payment is charged to your Apple ID account when you confirm the purchase. The subscription renews automatically at the same price unless auto-renew is turned off at least 24 hours before the end of the current period. Manage or cancel any time in Settings > Apple ID > Subscriptions. The price shown on the App Store purchase confirmation is final. Terms of Use (EULA): https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/ Privacy Policy: https://star.xinghebit.com/privacy/ Sky data, weather, travel routes and AI answers may contain errors and are not navigation, weather or safety guarantees. Check official sources before observing outdoors. Never look at the Sun through a camera, binoculars or telescope without a certified solar filter.

Screenshots

Celestial Simulation4 screens
Star Explorer4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: Star Explorer at Free against Celestial Simulation's $3.99. Celestial Simulation's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 4). On ads, device support and iOS requirement there is nothing between them.

Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Star Explorer is free to download; Celestial Simulation costs $3.99 up front. Star Explorer sells 4 in-app purchases, starting at $1.99 per month. Celestial Simulation asks for nothing beyond the download.

Scorecard2 real differences · 4 level
Celestial Simulation versus Star Explorer: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterCelestial SimulationStar Explorer
Price$3.99Free — better
Update frequency—Every 3 days
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad
Requires iOS18.517.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size88 MB23 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperDung LeBeijing XingheBit Science & Technology Development Co., Ltd.

In-app purchases

None

Celestial Simulation

No in-app purchases

4 purchases

Star Explorer

Subscriptions2
  • 云端 AI 月度订阅$1.991 Month
  • 云端 AI 年度订阅$9.991 Year
One-time2
  • 观测工具永久解锁$3.99
  • Star Explorer Pro 买断$6.99

Questions

Is Celestial Simulation free?
Celestial Simulation costs $3.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is Star Explorer free?
Star Explorer is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do Celestial Simulation or Star Explorer have ads?
Neither Celestial Simulation nor Star Explorer shows ads.

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