The UNISTELLAR App is a free mobile control center for exploring the sky with a UNISTELLAR telescope. Its Galactic Guide lists more than 5,000 celestial objects and recommends targets based on location and time of night. Users can choose objects for the telescope to point at and track, or navigate manually with an on-screen joystick. The app also provides facts about celestial bodies, including distance, magnitude, age, and type, and lets users capture, adjust, and share images. Citizen-science activities include work with experts such as NASA and SETI. The app is available for Android and iOS smartphones and tablets, with minimum requirements of Android 10 or iOS 18, 2 GB of RAM, and 500 MB of storage. Telescope control uses Wi-Fi and Bluetooth; the telescope creates its own Wi-Fi network, so operating it does not require internet access. Up to 10 devices can connect to one telescope: one operator and nine observers. FireOS, Kindle, Chromebook, Fairphone Open, Huawei Harmony OS, and desktop computers are unsupported. The privacy policy says the app is linked to the telescope model and serial number and collects usage information such as activation details, responsiveness, and errors.
Who it is for
It suits owners of UNISTELLAR telescopes who want mobile telescope control, sky-object information, and image sharing. Its citizen-science activities may also appeal to users interested in collaborative astronomy projects.
What is good
- Free for Android and iOS.
- Guide lists more than 5,000 celestial objects.
- Telescope operation does not require internet access.
- Supports up to 10 connected devices per telescope.
- Includes citizen-science activities with experts.
What to know first
- Requires Android 10 or iOS 18.
- Needs at least 2 GB RAM and 500 MB storage.
- Does not support desktop computers.
- Privacy policy describes collection of usage information.
Verdict
The app combines telescope control, a large sky catalog, and image sharing on supported mobile devices. Check the minimum OS and device requirements, and note the stated collection of usage information.
Compared on astronomy apps
- Free plan
- Yes
- Offline access
- Yes
- Platform coverage
- mobile
- Telescope control
- Yes
- Mission tracking
- Yes
- Learning content
- Yes
