SkyView® Lite Reviews

by Barbiebee24

As cool as SkyView is, the compass seemed to be pointing in the opposite direction. I was at the beach when I was trying this out and it kept telling me I was facing west when the beach that I was at is facing east. They need to fix this.

Then I wrote this observation above, this was quite sometime ago (2+years) and SkyView stopped working completely for me while I had my iPhone 6s Plus. It was always showing the same constellation at the same location, so basically it was frozen and despite me restarting my phone or even redownloading SkyView again and then shutting off my phone, it still was frozen.

Now that I just got a much needed new iPhone and was going through the apps I don’t need and came across this one I haven’t touched in ages and downloaded it and it works fine. So I’m assuming that SkyView is no longer compatible with older iPhones which is a shame app developers do this since it forces people to get a new phone if enough of their apps don’t work on their phone. Maybe not particularly SkyView since it’s not a necessity, but there are others out there that are and do this.

by Tmfhuntman

I think SkyView is great, only comment I would like to share is, and I have not tried to click on the image of a constellation, but I would like it if SkyView could give multiple names if applicable to constellations, for example the big and Little Dipper that most people of my age in my area grew up knowing and being able to point out to parents and peers, I’m not constantly using this or any app, but when outdoors and in the presence of friends I like to introduce them to the insights that this app offers, but it’s simple little things like I have yet to see, I am positive I have, but SkyView does not tell me when I’m focused on the North Star, which I understand has a different name but I’m not an astrologer, I could be wrong, and disregard anything I said that’s false. Still awesome app, now I’m going outside to either reassure myself or prove myself wrong

by Brickolsand

I love SkyView. I really have found it useful in many different time during the beginning of my curiosity into astronomy began. For example, SkyView has allowed me to locate Saturn and view the planet with the rings right through my backyard telescope On multiple occasions. SkyView allows for an immersive and breathtaking experience, on an encounter with the stars. However, I do believe SkyView is lacking a fundamental component that, in 2017, it should already have. I believe SkyView should have virtual reality integrated into its game face. In order to allow users to obtain a more integrated, breathtaking, and interactive view with the stars. It sometimes seems as well, that be in large constellations often block the view of any stars, I suggest setting that can rid of the constellation tracing. Finally, do you speak on any specifics. I would suggest an option to change the music tomorrow relaxing and euphoric socks. Other than that SkyView is wonderful and has been used by myself another friends for months.

by Gorgar6

I just watched the International Space Station. It was awesome. Brightest moving star, no blinking, no noise. Took about 25 seconds to watch from the edge of trees overhead where I am. But...SkyView was off in its timing by about 30 seconds. It showed that it had passed already, and I was about to give up, when it did show up. And the tracking of the ISS orbit was off a bit too, although it paralleled what I saw pretty close. I read in another review about this, so I guess it's not EXACT but could be better if a description about time delay was offered. My confidence in looking at other satellites is now off a bit now, if I had not seen the ISS first.I texted with a good geeky friend who is in to space, and he confirmed what I saw. It was great to see the ISS. Well worth it.

by Oreganoshus

I’ve always had a version of this application on three phones over the years. They are simple and have never a problem. Just the right amount of information without a cluttered sky.

!EXCEPT! in the case of the Moon. Instead of panning through the sky and coming upon the moon, and getting to actually view it or any relevant data, what you are subjected to is some infomercial and glamour picture of some lady cluttering the view and hawking her latest self-indulgent audio ramble that you can’t get rid of, since there’s no way to dismiss her so that you could view the moon by it’s ____ing self!

Other than that glaring inconsistency, this is overall a well made application, which I would recommend for everyone to maintain a version on all of their iOS devices for the sake of curiosity if nothing else. Point of the sky and answer once and for all with that light is that you see...

by Pbliss09

I personally think this is a great app! It works, it’s mostly free ( some things like music isn’t).1. It’s hard to control the screen I have turn around or to the side if I want to try and find planets. But I can’t seem to find Earth. I would like to be able to see meteor showers, comets, and other things but sadly I can’t. I thought it would allow you to go outside and actually see the stars. on the screen I can but I can see them outside but I feel like because when I’m inside it’s not real because I’m INSIDE not OUTSIDE. 2. U should add actual music with singing, I think it would be more fun to listen to like build me up buttercup (the foundations). Or my girl (the temptations) walking on sunshine, ain’t no mountain high enough, Dolly Parton songs, etc. and it should be FREE during these hard times most people can’t afford paying additional fees or just once. They have to pay bills, or take care of their family. But overall it’s a great app so I will still give it 5 stars sorry for the long review lol

by Earhart101

For years I’ve been frustrated by my inability to remember where constellations are from season to season. And I was never sure whether I was looking at planets or stars. Even the free version of SkyView is so handy that I can’t believe it’s really free. You can locate all the celestial objects and constellations, even if they are not above the horizon where you are. Plus, you can find Hubble and the ISS, which are really exciting to watch fly over, for me at least. This is a real treat to use on any clear evening. My friends think I’m some kind of astronomer genius because I can tell them so much about what’s in the sky at any time.

by Ali.P.S.

I love being able to open SkyView whenever I see a star or constellation that I want to know more about or become familiar with. I’ve used SkyView on and off for a few years now but in the last few months with so much more dark time in the northern hemisphere, I have used it almost daily. I like to quiz myself and SkyView helps me grade my responses. I also use it to teach my two year old about the wonders in the night sky. We love it! Her favorite star: Vega. My favorite star(s): The winter triangle; Sirius, Betelgeuse, and Procyon. I love the option to display or hide constellation lines or artwork, and love that I can either show or hide the actual surroundings that my camera can see.
SkyView is great, I highly recommend it. There’s almost nothing I would change about it except maybe if there was a way to add a link in the facts area of a selected object to either the Wikipedia page or some other information source for further knowledge exploration.

by Weleww

This is very precise and accurate. This can actually tell you when to look for planets, moon, etc. The only problem is that they charge you to see Uranus and Neptune, and upgrade to premium version. However, this is great if Saturn is all you are looking for. I spotted it with the unaided eye and viewed it through 7x35 binoculars. I just got a telescope, so I am going to see how SkyView is beneficial for viewing the ringed planet. I also spotted the Andromeda galaxy, but with 7x magnification, it just looks like a star. This also helped me to spot the Big Dipper etcetera. This can spot a few foreign galaxies and many stars. It also shows where some nebulae are.
The conclusion: I give SkyView 5 stars for its accurate predictions.

by Rjdriscoll@harmonicendeavors

Over the years I’ve had a curiosity about our solar system and galaxy and our relationship to them but not enough time to dig in and do the research to grasp a better understanding. SkyView has opened the door to spur of the moment excitement and “ahh-ha” moments (first on a camping trip in N. Michigan). I can’t say enough good things about it! My favorite so far is how it shows the arcs that the planets and stars seemed to take in our sky as we rotate on our axis and how it shows how everything in the northern hemisphere seem to revolve around Polaris and why that star must have been so important to early astronomers trying to figure all this out - using whatever their “apps” were! Last night my wife and I decided to go buy a sun dial!

by Ju-C Strawberry

Get comfy, we’ll be here a while. Here I go....

I started using this app about a week ago, and I love it! I have always been amazed by constellations and space in general, and SkyView made me even MORE excited about stars. (I know what you’re thinking, “What’s so cool about stars?” But bear with me. ) I discovered this app one day as I stood outside of my house, stargazing with my mom, and we watched Orion-my FAVORITE constellation.
My mom and I wanted to be able to find other constellations besides the ones we already knew. So, I looked for stargazing apps and found a bunch that seemed too good to be true. that is, until I found this app. Its description is super accurate and helpful. It’s great if you want to teach someone or yourself about the night sky.
SkyView helps relive my curiosity about almost ANYTHING that’s out there in the great abyss we call space. Won’t it be awesome if one day you can just open an app and see a FREAKING ALIEN PLANET?! Anyway, I just wanted to say that this app doesn’t get enough praise at all. It’s just such a fun, exiting and educating app. Thank you this app!!!

-Lizzie👽🖤

by A-A-Ron MI

It needs an update. Calibration is always wrong and gets more and more wrong even when set properly it changes. Manual Calibration doesn’t work either. As for understanding how it works, most of the bad ones star reviews are idiots who don't understand SkyView works spherically, meaning stars and planets on the ground is the other side of the earth dumb***. The data isn’t wrong. Nothing is false about it. That’s calibration issues and people being morons. “I have stars in my house” no. You don’t. You’re just dumb. Probably tell people the earth is flat too. Ive used SkyView for several years. iPhone 4, iPhone 5 and currently iPhone SE. I’d like to give 4.5 stars. But I’ll rate as 5.

by Avamuawski

Oh my God I love SkyView I’ve seen so many stars I am seven and I I just love it it it it help me pass turn on my planet test I love it it’s just like my number 1M0 my God it’s awesome it’s really really check it out I love it so much and seriously I don’t do anything else but go on SkyView I am not lying this is not a scam it is the best app in the world you have to get it if you have interest get on it right when you get it and you will love it you’re just on my God she will love it and you will just like be like oh my God I really am glad I listen to her. So yeah I’m just like so yeah this is awesome I just want to move this thing around all day I don’t wanna go to school or anything I’m just looking at the stupid app and I’m just like oh my God it’s awesome literally get it is legit

by SoUknow

I really like SkyView. However, I almost deleted it because it wasn’t working with my iPhone 8 Plus. The help FAQs suggested that I calibrate the compass. Well, when I tried to calibrate the compass, it wasn’t working either! After I did a little research on the web, I found out that If you have any type of case that has a magnet closure, the compass will not work, therefore, the Star view app will not work either because it depends on the compass and the GPS. This should be one of the first things mentioned in their help/support/faqs! I have a really nice leather wallet case that holds credit cards and it has a small magnet closure in the upper right corner. if I take the iPhone out of the case SkyView works like a charm. I don’t think this is the fault of SkyView . I think it’s just nature. Magnets typically screw up compasses 😊

by Thepicpro

This is the best app! It has most stars, all planets, and most galaxies and etc., though some may need to be purchased (I just got it so I dunno.) Some people say that it’s fake because they can see through objects, but it uses a built in compass in your device. Make sure that you don’t have a case with magnets or a magnet literally touching the device, or it will freak out. If lights make it hard to see, block the camera and it’ll be fine. Overall, I’d very highly recommend it, and (this is a little add) if any readers reading this play Roblox, go to settings on Roblox, then go to groups, then search “TrainsHains” in groups. I have several groups that may be recommended, and if anyone has builder’s club join the Alan Jackson group so I can give it to u because I switched from country music to alternative. So about SkyView , I’d say ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (five stars) and a 👍🏻

by Scatmandylan

this app Lite is stellar. It provides an augmented reality that shows planets of our solar system, the famous constellations (Orion, Ursa Minor and Major, Virgo, Libra, etc.), the Hubble telescope, the ISS, and many other stars. The stars and planets each have a charted course in reference to the Earth’s rotation and time. When a star or planet or object is tapped, it provides general information about the tapped object and can be expanded upon with an upward swipe, with a detailed picture and detailed information. Although these pictures aren’t 3D renderings that you can turn and observe, as is the case with many other apps. Aside from that, only the main solar system’s planets are shown, as well as only “important” stars. This is okay, however, because if all the stars were to be shown, then the screen would show nothing but. SkyView is certainly a great performing app, especially for one that is free.

by Honey Bee 🐝🍯

There is nothing wrong with SkyView it doesn’t force u to update (there’s an X at the top of the screen) the stars on the floor are showing what’s under you and that the earth is round the N in the sky shows you’re pointing north if SkyView doesn’t work it’s just your phone and it works in the day and night cause it’s there’s still sates in the day u just can’t see them if u tap on the planet star station or anything it tells u about it and your not able to find earth cause your on it -_- it shows you when your inside cause your still on earth when your inside right there’s still stars when your inside right? It won’t show u ever single inch of space that’s ok it’s not projecting stars it’s showing were they are even if it’s on your body, driveway, floor anything 𝐼 𝑟𝑒𝑐𝑐𝑜𝑚𝑒𝑛𝑑 𝑑𝑜𝑛𝑡 𝑏𝑒𝑎𝑙𝑖𝑣𝑒 𝑎𝑛𝑦𝑡ℎ𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑒𝑙𝑠𝑒

by Tigger0401

Hello. I’d like to share with you a story that just proves SkyView is the best solar system guide ever.
It was a really late night during the summer of 2018. My sister, my mom, my dad and I were catching fire flies. I thought I saw the North Star, but this app Lite showed it was Venus in front of my house! Then next to it, I saw Jupiter, the moon, and Mars! And SkyView is completely free!
SkyView never shows adds. With most solar system apps, it shows you what you are pointing the camera at (like if you pointed your camera at your patio, you would see your patio), or apps might show you a fake sky (like if it was in the middle of the day, it would show the sunset), but SkyView has a setting that you can see the pitch black starry sky in space! SkyView does not need WiFi, and you can use it all day, every day! Any time, any place, as long as you have your device.
I hope this was a helpful review.

by Horatio's Hamlet

My family had just made the move from the densely crowded and sky polluted New York City (or Yonkers, the unofficial sixth borough) to New Mexico, a state that proudly wears the title of official Night Sky sanctuary and is optimal for constellation viewing due to the low population density and high elevation. I’m not going to lie, when my daughter pointed out the Big Dipper (or Ursa Major) I got a tad emotional. I downloaded SkyView to confirm our suspicions and were both pleasantly surprised to make out the Little Dipper only a little ways from his bigger friend. We never knew the two bears were so close to one another. Star gazing really does make for a humbling experience and I’m glad SkyView was able to help us navigate the starry night sky. My parents marveled at the accuracy of the gps. My 11 year old daughter was also able to find her zodiac sign, Leo, and I think this helped fuel a genuine interest in the cosmos. ✨💖

by OriginalBlueKennels

I don't see why, space has to be viewed from the center point of planet Earth, why can't we get a different vintage point. Take Mars for example, looking back at planet earth. - this is something that bothers me, this same prospective of mine can and should be added in the real estate industry revealing views from a mountain(s) looking back towards the coordinates of interest.

Google Earth, and other earth Maps Should be added for us to view earth from Mars or the moon. With a zoom in effects to give the user a 3D experience of their searched option of any plants, moons, stars, etc.

A more in depth user experience to really dive into and explore the unknown places they wish to study on.

With all the information of the world combined in a organized manner, as if a human was to first click on planet earth for the first time. Let's say for example, that he/she was born on Mars or the moon. So he/she would see who and what lives on planet earth, by all the information provided over a span of time in the world wide web. The same should/will be true for any plant selected through any Space exploration Application.

This will prove to be readily available and useful as we as a human race, race to Mars to colonize and grow together in knowledge and in power.

by TrapperClem88

WARNING:This may be offensive to fools. -When I became a father each day I learned from my kids, through this learning came the desire to pay attention to details, without losing sight of the true, the right ,and the real ,the big things - SkyView., brings the nature of the universe, from peas to planets into a fathers toolbox, naptime becomes "wow" time...that's a big deal. That's the difference between fathers and daddy's- A father of a child may only exist in dreams or stories but daddy knows what I mean. He's right there for it all, Daddy's teach their kids the truth, daily, in person. If ya have children (moms too sorry🤣) you're gonna need all the help you can get- GREAT TEACHERS HELPER!! for teachers who love to learn❤️🤓⚡️

by Ajitrajasekharan

To be able to point to the sky no matter when and where and see what is around you in the skies - planets, stars, galaxies, satellites and even Hubble telescope and international space station- that is something best left for individual experience. This is innovative usage of technology at its best. For those of us who have pointed optical telescopes into skies and fiddle around with controls for diurnal adjustments etc. the power of SkyView is even more appreciable.

Great work! Thank you !

Definitely switching to paid version as a token of appreciation even though the free version is perfectly fine without any crass commercialization.