About
DSO Planner is the most capable digital star chart and deep sky object (DSO) planning tool available on Android. Developed by experienced amateur astronomers Leonid Vasiliev and Alexander Kukarine, it is purpose-built for visual observers who need reliable field tools for telescopic observation sessions. At its core, DSO Planner offers the USNO UCAC4 star catalog—113 million stars down to magnitude 16—making it the largest star catalog ever available on a handheld astronomy platform. This ensures every star visible through a telescope up to approximately 20" aperture can be identified on the chart. Multiple deep sky object catalogs are included: NGC/IC (12,000 objects), SAC (10,000 objects), UGC (13,000 objects), PGC (1.6 million galaxies), and more, totaling millions of catalogued objects. Key highlights include best-in-class support for the Pattern Matching / Telrad pointing technique, integration with Push-To setting circles and GoTo computerized telescope mounts, and a single-handed UI designed with neurophysiological principles to protect dark adaptation during night sessions. Observers can take voice-recorded notes, build custom or imported object catalogs, share observation data, and track comets and minor planets with updatable orbital elements. DSO Planner is ideal for amateur astronomers ranging from beginners to advanced observers who want a reliable, data-rich planning and charting companion for visual deep sky observing.
Key Features
- 113-Million Star Catalog: Includes the full USNO UCAC4 catalog with 113 million stars down to magnitude 16—the largest star catalog on any handheld astronomy platform—making any paper chart obsolete.
- Comprehensive Deep Sky Object Databases: Access millions of objects across NGC/IC, SAC, UGC, PGC, Abell Clusters, planetary nebulae (PK, SH2), dark nebulae (Barnard, Lynds), double star catalogs, comets, and minor planets.
- Telescope Integration: Works with Push-To setting circles and computerized GoTo telescope mounts, and provides the best Pattern Matching / Telrad pointing support for fast and reliable manual star-hopping.
- Night-Mode Single-Handed UI: User interface designed with neurophysiology in mind to minimize screen impact on dark adaptation, operable with one hand or gloves using any capacitive stylus.
- Observation Notes & Custom Catalogs: Integrated note-taking with voice recorder, shareable observation data, and support for creating or importing fully searchable personal object catalogs.
Use Cases
- Planning deep sky observation sessions by building custom target lists from millions of catalogued galaxies, nebulae, and star clusters.
- Using Pattern Matching and Telrad support to manually star-hop to faint objects without a motorized mount.
- Recording detailed observation notes with voice memos during nighttime telescope sessions.
- Tracking and locating comets and minor planets using automatically updated orbital elements.
- Creating and sharing personal object catalogs with other amateur astronomers in the community.
Pros
- Unmatched Star & Object Coverage: No other handheld astronomy app offers 113 million stars or the breadth of DSO catalogs available in DSO Planner, making it the most data-rich option for serious observers.
- Excellent Field Usability: The single-handed night-mode UI and Telrad/Pattern Matching support make DSO Planner exceptionally practical at the eyepiece in the dark.
- Extensible & Customizable: Users can add custom catalogs, asteroids, and personal objects, and the app supports importing external databases for a tailored experience.
- Open Source & Community Driven: Available on GitHub with user-contributed databases and active community support, ensuring continuous improvement and transparency.
Cons
- Android Only: DSO Planner is exclusively available on Android devices; iOS users have no access to the app.
- Large Storage Requirement: Requires at least 2 GB of free internal storage to download the full application databases, which may be a constraint on older or budget devices.
- Learning Curve for New Observers: The breadth of features, catalogs, and settings can be overwhelming for beginners who are just starting out in amateur astronomy.
Frequently Asked Questions
What makes DSO Planner different from other astronomy apps?
DSO Planner offers the largest star catalog on any handheld platform (113 million stars via USNO UCAC4), the most comprehensive set of DSO databases, and the best support for the Telrad/Pattern Matching pointing technique, making it uniquely suited for serious visual observers.
Is DSO Planner free to use?
DSO Planner follows a freemium model. A free version is available, while the PRO version unlocks exclusive features such as the full USNO UCAC4 star catalog (113 million stars).
Does DSO Planner work with my telescope's GoTo mount?
Yes. DSO Planner supports both computerized GoTo mounts and Push-To setting circle systems, enabling automated or assisted pointing to selected objects.
Can I add my own objects or catalogs to DSO Planner?
Yes. You can create, import, and search custom personal catalogs, add individual objects like new asteroids, and even contribute user databases to the community.
How much storage space does DSO Planner require?
You need at least 2 GB of free space on your internal SD card to download the application's full databases before installation.
