Best Stargazing Apps to Download Right Now

There are so many different apps on the market that I'm sure you wouldn't even think of downloading. Stargazing aids might be one! Everyone gazes up at the sky from time to time. Why not make this experience that much better? We can't always be experts at everything, especially astronomy. But we can access the tools to expand our knowledge. Use these tools to your advantage, and learn something the next time you take a moment to look at the stars.

We have created a list of only the best stargazing apps. Learn a lot while having fun, and be able to teach someone something the next time an extremely bright "star" makes an appearance.

To start off the list of the best stargazing apps, Star Walk 2 is one of th top rated on iTunes. The app uses your camera once it's pointed toward the sky, and allows you to see the sky in a new way. The app points out where each star, constellation, and satellite is above you.

There is also a search option, if you are on the hunt for something specific and don't want to pan across the entire sky. Plus, each constellation comes with a description, so stop and read about whats overhead. There is also plenty of info on things that might not be in the sky at that moment, like clusters, meteor showers, and planetary nebulae.

Never question if that bright light in the sky is a star or a planet again with one of the best stargazing apps on the market, SkySafari 6. With over 119,000 stars and 220 star clusters programmed into the app, you have access to the entire sky of possibilities. There is even info about galaxies, the Solar System, major planets, moons, comets, and satellites. Upgrade to the SkySafari 6 Pro and gain access to over 27 million stars and much more!

Night Sky takes stargazing to a different level with this augmented reality app; walk through the entirety of the solar system. Without the need to actually be outside, bring the universe to your phone with the touch of a finger. There are even options to see the current space missions. Explore any planet you choose, and land on them yourself. What's better than space travel within the comfort of your own home? Versatility is what makes Night Sky one of the best stargazing apps.

As the winner of the Apple Design Award in 2014, Sky Guide is one of the best stargazing apps you can download. Hold your phone overhead and allow Sky Guide to see what you see. Identify anything from planets to stars to constellations. Plus, there is a time traveling option that allows you to see the history's greatest meteor showers or predict how the moon will look in a couple weeks.

Identity stars, constellations, and planets with ease with one of the best stargazing apps, GoSkyWatch. Download it to your phone, iPod, or iPad. With the flick of a finger, you will have the entire sky identified before your eyes. It's up to you what you want to do with this information! Explore the night away. Plus, you can download its sister, GoSatWatch, and uncover overhead sky views, satellite predictions, local notifications, real-time tracking, and 3D world views!

As one of the best stargazing apps, Star Rover brings a planetarium to your phone. Just like some of the other apps we have previously talked about, you simply point your phone at the sky and get immediate information on what you are looking at.

We particularly like this app because of its graphics. Constellations are shown in stunning illustrated drawings and easy to read icons. Think the sky can't get any more beautiful? Think again!

No need to waste your data on app use when you open up StarTracker. All of the data is offline accessible, which includes a total of 8,000 stars, 88 constellations, plus facts about the moon, sun, and of course, the rest of the planets.

Either use the GPS function to pinpoint where you are at the moment, or search elsewhere with the manual option. Plus, there's even a night mode to protect your eyes from a glaring screen. It's as if the awesome graphics blend into the actual night sky.

Sky Walk Lite is one of the best stargazing apps because no matter what the conditions are, it will be able to show you the names of planets, stars, constellations, satellites, and even galaxies, even if its super cloudy out! Plus, it will even determine which nights are best for stargazing, calculating the wind speeds, temperature, and cloud cover. Plus, there is an option that will allow you to check your horoscope on the daily, as well as important events that might be happening in the sky, coming up.

Derived from Sky & Telescope magazine's web page titled "This Week's Sky at a Glance" S&T SkyWeek has created a mobile version that includes all the major sky events like meteor showers, conjunctions, and eclipses. As one of the best stargazing apps, it even gives you options to change your location worldwide, and complete constellation charts of the whole night sky. What more could you need?

Last, but not least of the best stargazing apps, is SkyView. View where the International Space Station or the Hubble Space Telescope is, as well as any star, planet, or moon. Learn about the universe, with access on your phone, iPod, iPad or even Apple Watch!

The app will show you upcoming sightings in the convenient space of your home screen drop down menu with The Today Widget. Plus, there are options for augmented reality and gyroscope calibration! This app was even placed in the Top Apps of 2011 by The New York Times and Top 20 by Techcrunch. Try it out for yourself.