Star Chart or App?

[RingTwist]

For you fellow-stargazers, do you like to use star charts or have you switched to interactive astronomy apps? I found an app called Star Chart that's pretty nice, even down to displaying in red; I only wish it could show certain portions of the sky when you point the tab, instead of sticking to finger scrolling.

[Backroad Joe]

I have Star Walk loaded on my iPhone 4S. It's light years beyond the cardboard star chart I used to use. Being able easily direct the user to a specific star, constellation or whatever is great. I like the way I can now identify passing satellites, even the Russian ones.

[TroyS]

Also got Star Walk in my iPad. Sadly, I don't use it that much. Ever since I downloaded it, my two kids have been hovering over my iPad and using it.

[RingTwist]

There are apps that even identify the artificial satellites? That's pretty cool! I wonder if Star Walk is supported on Android as well. I doubt it identifies all the military ones though. Many of the military launches are secret until they happen, so I doubt they put out information on the satellite.

[Lamebeaver]

Do these apps display in red, so they don't ruin your night vision?

[RingTwist]

Originally Posted by Lamebeaver

Do these apps display in red, so they don't ruin your night vision?

I don't know about the others, but Star Chart has that option. I guess I'd be surprised if the others don't, as red light is pretty important for stargazing.

[TroyS]

Star Walk also has that option.

[Gondor]

I have an old star chart which I always plan to bring to camping but I never do. You don't need a chart to enjoy the starry view though.

[RingTwist]

No, it's always beautiful just to look up, but sometimes I need a chart to help identify constellations I'm less familiar with. For example, there's a striking configuration of stars in the southern sky that has been driving me crazy; I just used my app to figure out it was Scorpio.

[ghostdog]

The Apps should interesting but I don't own a phone. We have taken our old Philips' Planisphere star chart for Latitudes 32 degrees north for decades. It is a good reference.

My Peterson Field guide to the stars and planets is not a bad size and it is a beautiful reference but it is far too heavy so it sits on my desk at home. Besides all the information it has a lot of very detailed sky maps.

At home you might take a look at Astronomy Picture of the Day. They have some stunning images of things that lay out there beyond the sky. Some of my favorites are;

The Crab Nebula

The Pleiades Deep Field (that's why they look so fuzzy when you look up)

and The biggest canyon in the solar system

There are lot of beautiful galaxies, nebulas, supernovas and much more.