About
GoSkyWatch Planetarium by GoSoftWorks is a powerful yet easy-to-use astronomy app for iPhone and iPod touch. It leverages the device's accelerometer and compass to display a fully oriented sky view at any angle — not just landscape or portrait — so users can point directly at any part of the sky to explore what's there. No buttons, no mode switching: just intuitive point-and-identify navigation. The app includes a comprehensive built-in database covering all stars visible to the naked eye, full Messier and Caldwell deep sky object catalogs with images, planets, comets, and constellation data with ephemeris information. Over 200 images of planets and deep sky objects are included, along with an actual photograph of the Milky Way. Additional features include time-lapse animation by time, day, and sidereal day; a full 180-degree sky display; below-horizon visibility; adjustable star brightness for viewing conditions; constellation mythical images, boundaries, and patterns; and links to Ian Ridpath's StarTales and Wikipedia for stars, planets, and DSOs. A red light mode preserves night vision during outdoor sessions, and a location favorites feature makes it easy to return to preferred observing sites. GoSkyWatch is ideal for amateur astronomers, students, educators, and anyone curious about the night sky, offering a seamless blend of scientific data and an engaging visual experience on a mobile device.
Key Features
- Point-and-Identify Navigation: Uses the iPhone's accelerometer and compass to orient the sky view at any angle — just point the device at the sky to instantly identify what you're looking at.
- Comprehensive Star & DSO Database: Includes all naked-eye visible stars, full Messier and Caldwell deep sky object catalogs, planets, comets, and constellation data with over 200 images.
- Time-Lapse Animation: Animate the sky by time, day, or sidereal day to visualize celestial movement and plan observing sessions.
- Red Light Mode: A dedicated night-vision-friendly red light display mode preserves dark adaptation during outdoor astronomy sessions.
- Rich Educational Links: Constellation links to Ian Ridpath's StarTales and Wikipedia integration for stars, planets, and DSOs provide in-depth learning on any object.
Use Cases
- Amateur astronomers using their iPhone to identify stars, planets, and constellations during a nighttime observing session.
- Students and educators using the app as an interactive teaching tool for astronomy and earth science classes.
- Casual stargazers wanting a simple, point-and-identify sky guide while hiking, camping, or traveling.
- Observers planning sessions by using time-lapse animation to preview celestial positions at specific dates and times.
- Astrophotographers using the planet and DSO finder to locate and frame targets before setting up equipment.
Pros
- Intuitive Touchless Navigation: The unique rotation scheme allows touchless sky exploration — even on iPod touch and older iPhones without a compass — making it accessible and effortless.
- Rich Built-In Content: Extensive databases, 200+ celestial images, the Milky Way photograph, and deep catalog coverage provide a comprehensive astronomy resource offline.
- Night-Friendly Design: The red light mode and adjustable star brightness are practical features for real-world stargazing sessions in dark environments.
Cons
- iOS Only: The app is exclusive to iPhone and iPod touch, with no Android or cross-platform version available.
- No Mentioned Free Tier: The app appears to be a paid purchase with no free or lite version referenced, which may be a barrier for casual users.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does GoSkyWatch identify stars and planets?
GoSkyWatch uses your iPhone's accelerometer and compass to detect the direction you're pointing the device. It then overlays real-time sky data on the display so you can instantly see the names and details of any celestial object in that direction.
Does GoSkyWatch work without an internet connection?
Yes, GoSkyWatch includes a built-in database of stars, planets, deep sky objects, and constellations, so core functionality works fully offline. Wikipedia and StarTales links require an internet connection.
Can I use GoSkyWatch on an iPod touch?
Yes. GoSkyWatch features a unique rotation scheme that enables touchless navigation even on iPod touch and older iPhones that lack a built-in compass.
What deep sky objects are included?
GoSkyWatch includes the full Messier catalog and Caldwell catalog of deep sky objects, each with images, along with star and DSO ephemeris data.
What is the red light mode used for?
Red light mode switches the app's display to red-toned colors, which preserves your eyes' dark adaptation (night vision) during outdoor stargazing sessions where white light would be disruptive.
