App Detail » Pocket Universe - Astronomy

Published by: John Kennedy

+ Universal App - Designed for iPhone and iPad

Price: $2.99
Current Version: 6.16
Released: March 27, 2009

What's New

Happy New Year! In this update:

* The text in the Sky view is larger if the device has the "large text" option set in Accessibility settings.

* You can now create a list of visible objects from your personal site: for example, if you can only see to the North and West from your yard, you can remove things you won't be able to see from the list. The list is available from 'Extras / Visible from location', or by tap-and-holding on the Find icon from the Sky view.

* Tap-and-hold on the Sky view to bring up a list of interesting objects currently visible.

* Updated astronomical events for 2023.

* Updated the icons in the Find view (thanks, Riley!)

* Many bugs found and corrected, old code removed, some new images from the author and the JWST, and other minor tweaks.

Thank you everyone for your feedback and support.

App Description

There's never been a better time to get into Astronomy! Start off easy with an app that will guide you around the night sky - and even entertain you a little when the skies are cloudy.

"The app works beautifully, making astronomy a bit less mysterious—but no less remarkable", MacWorld

"It’s truly an impressive marvel. 5 Mice out of 5", MacWorld.

"..one of the prettiest and easiest to use. And at three bucks, it’s a steal", Cult of Mac.

Apple App Store Staff Favorite

Voted Best Educational iPhone Application by AppAdvice

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Pocket Universe

Have you ever looked up at the night sky, and wondered what exactly you were looking at? Pocket Universe is an easy-to-use app that will help you learn the names of constellations, bright stars, planets and more. You can literally hold up your iPhone, iPad or iPod Touch in front of you, and the app will use the built-in compass to display the same view of the sky you see - but one that's complete with names and information.

Then explore the Solar System, and take virtual walks on the surface of the Moon and Mars, before playing a game to help you learn more about astronomy that you thought possible.

Every night there is something to see: Pocket Universe will provide you a list of suggestions, as well as give you regularly updated news and observation tips - which you can even share with your friends.

You don’t need to be an expert to use Pocket Universe, and everything you see has a useful pop-up information window and links to Wikipedia for the latest information.

With over 80,000 stars, beautiful textures, built-in quiz games, updated news, lunar phases, information on the moons of Jupiter and Saturn, an Orrery view, and more, there’s so much to explore.

For support or to ask a question, feel free to send a direct message on Twitter to @CraicDesign or email [email protected].

Key Features

Pocket Universe was the first iPhone astronomy app to support the built-in compass, and it was also the first to add a true augmented reality view using the iPhone's built-in camera! Use the camera view in the evening or morning sky to overlay the labelled view over the real sky.

Simply hold up your iPhone in front of you, and the view will be exactly what you see - but with names and information at your fingertips. Move the iPhone around to see the view change in real-time.

Easy-to-use astronomy application, which focuses on helping you answer the question "What's that in the sky?"

• Works on all iPhones, iPads and iPod Touch devices running latest IOS

• Supports augmented reality views that put the solar system in your living room, or all around you with 3rd party stereo headsets (available separately).

• Tracks the International Space Station, and predicts sightings.

• Tells you how long every day is, and tracks changes over the year.

• Special "Show Me" mode will guide you to named stars, planets, constellations as well as the brightest galaxies and nebulae.

• "Tonight's Sky" and "Objects and Events" will keep you up-to-date, and give you suggestions for what to look for when you head outside.

• Constellation and Star Quiz to help you learn your way around the sky.

• Works in Northern Hemisphere and ‘Down Under’ too.

• Links to Wikipedia articles for the latest information.

• Responsive customer support, frequent updates.

Please note: Network access is only required to view supplementary web-based news and Wikipedia text. This app never transmits data from your device.

Note: Non-English localizations focus on solar system objects and constellation names.