Google Sky Map

by Antonio Wells Jan 12, 2010 1:45 PM – 5 Comments

Install

Google Sky Map: A star map for Android. Google Sky Map turns your Android-powered mobile phone into a window on the night sky.

Price: Free

AndroidTapp.com Android App Review:

Pros & Cons:

Pros

Cool app for finding stars, planets, constellations, etc.
Wow factor with real-time maps

Cons

Probably not useful for mass audience
No link to more information about objects found… say to Wikipedia, NASA or other sources (maybe this is in the works)

Features:

Google Sky Map Android App offers a real-time clear view of constellations for Android phones. The app uses your phone’s GPS, compass and accelerometer to get accurate stellar information so you can turn the device in any direction (much like Google’s “Compass View” apart of StreetView in Google Maps), or lock in a position and scroll through. Google Sky Map features layers: Stars, Constellations, Messier Objects, Planets, Grid Lines and Horizon; which can be toggled on/off. You can toggle viewing modes for day/night as well. The really cool feature is the Search functionality; the results’ finder leads you to the object you were looking for.

: Google Sky Map Splash Screen

: Google Sky Map North

: Google Sky Map South

: Google Sky Map East

: Google Sky Map East 2

: Google Sky Map West

: Google Sky Map Toggle Touchscreen Layers

: Google Sky Map Search

: Google Sky Map Search Result Found

: Google Sky Map Search Leading you to Result

: Google Sky Map Toggle Night Mode

: Google Sky Map Settings Menu

Video: Google Sky Map

Watch on Mobile

Usefulness & Frequently Used:

Google Sky Map for most is a nice app to ticker with, but those interested in the topic will better appreciate it. Personally, I like to see where the planets are. For my daughter who just got a new telescope set, it is helpful for finding constellations first then probing the sky. Of course those interested in astrology would dig the app.

AndroidTapp.com Rating

AndroidTapp.com Rating! (4.0 out of 5)

Should you Download Google Sky Map? If it’s of Interest… Grab It!

Developer: Google Inc.

Tags: Android Apps, AndroidTapp.com App Review, Astronomy, Constellation, Free Android Applications, Google Sky Map, Planetarium, Sky Map, Skymap, Stars

Categorised in: Books & Reference

5 Comments

By Jimi on March 3, 2010 at 7:04 pm:

Awesome app I only installed today and love the ease of use. AWESOME!!!

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By jartwo on April 10, 2011 at 4:23 pm:

Knockout app for anyone with an interest (even a passing interest) in backyard astronomy. Replaces reams of star charts, not to mention un-tolled hours of prep time required for getting familiar with the night sky. Accuracy is more than adequate enough to find things in any virtually size telescope. Far cheaper, faster, and dang near as accurate as the best “go-to” option for today’s scopes. Sky Map solves it: how to both visually locate a sky object and aquire it within an optical field of view as simply and as quickly and as accurately as possible – or: highly portable, cheap and accurate astronomy on the fly. As such, before this app, it simply didn’t exist. A potential revolution for those already involved in amateur astronomy, a not inconsiderable revelation for anyone thinking of becoming so. Sky occasionally gets confused right after launch and either lags greatly or locks up. No worries. Just shaking firmly enough back and forth for 2-3 seconds never fails to restore all immediately – you’re just resetting the compass, the GPS info is never at issue. Features: I can use it from any point on the globe (that has Sprint service, anyway), at any time, day or night, regardless of weather, indoors or out and I can easily track at a glance anything and everything below the horizon all at once to see what has already set and what will soon be rising. Time travel mode. Red-only night mode. Enter an object and it guides you straight to it. Individually optionally defeatable displays for constellations, Messier objects, polar coordinates, planets, horizon. You wait, this ability in the hands of everyone’s going to change how some things are done.

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By Scott on March 16, 2013 at 11:57 pm:

How can I make this app show me where comets are?… I look up the comet number and/or name but it can’t be found.

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