CONTACT & TECHNICAL SUPPORT
For direct assistance, bug reports, or account/subscription inquiries, please email our support team:
When reporting an issue, please include:
1) Device Model: (e.g., iPhone 16 Pro, iPad Air M2, iPad Pro 12.9")
2) iOS / iPadOS Version: (e.g., iOS 18.1, iPadOS 17.5)
3) App Version: Shown at the bottom of the in-app Menu or About screen (e.g., v1.1)
4) Description & Steps: What you were doing when the issue occurred, what target or location was selected, and screenshots if applicable.
1) Device Model: (e.g., iPhone 16 Pro, iPad Air M2, iPad Pro 12.9")
2) iOS / iPadOS Version: (e.g., iOS 18.1, iPadOS 17.5)
3) App Version: Shown at the bottom of the in-app Menu or About screen (e.g., v1.1)
4) Description & Steps: What you were doing when the issue occurred, what target or location was selected, and screenshots if applicable.
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WHAT’S NEW IN NIGHT ASTRO PLANNER
1.1.6
• Improvements to the locations of certain celestial objects
• Big improvements to accuracy of target date recommendations
• Full Screen option now available
• Performance Improvements
• Improved location editing
• Map scale is now saved when a location is saved or updated
• Bug fixes and usability improvements
• Improvements to the locations of certain celestial objects
• Big improvements to accuracy of target date recommendations
• Full Screen option now available
• Performance Improvements
• Improved location editing
• Map scale is now saved when a location is saved or updated
• Bug fixes and usability improvements
1.1.5
• Added Up Next target queue: promote up to 5 saved targets and filter the Targets page to focus on your top upcoming objects
• Added real-time compass sky tracking: point your phone at the sky to smoothly orient the radar overlay and satellite map with your physical direction, with full pinch-to-zoom support
• Added Target Discovery: explore and filter targets by location, size, and object type, with quick actions to save or view in Radar
• Added Solar System support: search, track, and plan planets and bright asteroids with offline ephemeris
• Added Up Next target queue: promote up to 5 saved targets and filter the Targets page to focus on your top upcoming objects
• Added real-time compass sky tracking: point your phone at the sky to smoothly orient the radar overlay and satellite map with your physical direction, with full pinch-to-zoom support
• Added Target Discovery: explore and filter targets by location, size, and object type, with quick actions to save or view in Radar
• Added Solar System support: search, track, and plan planets and bright asteroids with offline ephemeris
1.1.4
• Added astrophotography weather forecasting: clouds, seeing, and atmospheric transparency
• Added 12+ year ERA5 historical clear-sky climate reanalysis for long-range planning
• Added HUD weather pill with night-aware forecast matching and multi-day condition breakdown sheet
• Fixed a bug with the date picker that would sometimes select the wrong date
• Added astrophotography weather forecasting: clouds, seeing, and atmospheric transparency
• Added 12+ year ERA5 historical clear-sky climate reanalysis for long-range planning
• Added HUD weather pill with night-aware forecast matching and multi-day condition breakdown sheet
• Fixed a bug with the date picker that would sometimes select the wrong date
1.1.3
• Auto suggest targets as you type
• Target suggestions are now appropriate for your location
• Type-ahead autocomplete location search for addresses, places, and regions using native MapKit
• And Angular Size to each target
• Many bug fixes and usability improvements
• Auto suggest targets as you type
• Target suggestions are now appropriate for your location
• Type-ahead autocomplete location search for addresses, places, and regions using native MapKit
• And Angular Size to each target
• Many bug fixes and usability improvements
1.1.2
• Added backup mirrors for when simbad in France is down
• Added images and target info pages
• Lots of bug fixes and usability improvements
• Added backup mirrors for when simbad in France is down
• Added images and target info pages
• Lots of bug fixes and usability improvements
1.1.0
• Initial release to the app store
• Initial release to the app store
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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQ)
Location & Privacy
Why does the app need my precise location?
Night Astro Planner calculates celestial coordinates (Altitude and Azimuth) based on your observer latitude, longitude, and Local Sidereal Time (LST). Precise coordinates ensure that the horizon, zenith, and the 20° and 45° altitude rings accurately match what your telescope sees from your exact backyard or observing pad.
Night Astro Planner calculates celestial coordinates (Altitude and Azimuth) based on your observer latitude, longitude, and Local Sidereal Time (LST). Precise coordinates ensure that the horizon, zenith, and the 20° and 45° altitude rings accurately match what your telescope sees from your exact backyard or observing pad.
Is my location data tracked or stored on your servers?
No. All celestial math, Julian date transforms, and ephemeris calculations are processed 100% locally on your device. Your location is never tracked, shared, sold, or transmitted to any third-party analytics or external server.
No. All celestial math, Julian date transforms, and ephemeris calculations are processed 100% locally on your device. Your location is never tracked, shared, sold, or transmitted to any third-party analytics or external server.
Can I manually move my observing pin or plan for another location?
Yes. You can:
1) Tap the location indicator to open the Location Manager.
2) Search for any city, landmark, or coordinates.
3) Tap anywhere on the map in Dark Skies Mode or Radar Mode to position your telescope pin.
4) Save your favorite observing sites for 1-tap switching.
Yes. You can:
1) Tap the location indicator to open the Location Manager.
2) Search for any city, landmark, or coordinates.
3) Tap anywhere on the map in Dark Skies Mode or Radar Mode to position your telescope pin.
4) Save your favorite observing sites for 1-tap switching.
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Astronomical Calculations & Features
How does the "Best Day" / Dynamic Calendar forecasting work?
The app computes the date when your target reaches culmination (its highest point in the sky) during the darkest point of astronomical night (solar midnight) with little to no moon interference for your specific latitude and longitude. The cascading 12-month calendar displays this date so you know the exact time of year when your target will stay highest above horizon obstructions with minimal atmospheric distortion.
The app computes the date when your target reaches culmination (its highest point in the sky) during the darkest point of astronomical night (solar midnight) with little to no moon interference for your specific latitude and longitude. The cascading 12-month calendar displays this date so you know the exact time of year when your target will stay highest above horizon obstructions with minimal atmospheric distortion.
How are the light pollution and Bortle numbers calculated?
Light pollution data is sampled directly from the NOAA / CIRES Falchi 2016 World Atlas of Artificial Night Sky Brightness:
• Bortle Class (1–9): Indicates sky quality ranging from Class 1 (pristine dark sky) to Class 9 (inner-city sky).
• SQM (mag/arcsec²): Represents zenith sky brightness in magnitudes per square arcsecond. Higher values (e.g., 21.8+) mean darker skies; lower values (e.g., 18.0) indicate severe light pollution.
Light pollution data is sampled directly from the NOAA / CIRES Falchi 2016 World Atlas of Artificial Night Sky Brightness:
• Bortle Class (1–9): Indicates sky quality ranging from Class 1 (pristine dark sky) to Class 9 (inner-city sky).
• SQM (mag/arcsec²): Represents zenith sky brightness in magnitudes per square arcsecond. Higher values (e.g., 21.8+) mean darker skies; lower values (e.g., 18.0) indicate severe light pollution.
Does the app work offline in the field?
Yes. All core astronomical algorithms, Meeus lunar position/phase calculations, ephemeris routines, local time transformations, and your saved targets database function completely offline without cellular or Wi-Fi connectivity. Only online SIMBAD database lookups and new map tile downloads require internet access.
Yes. All core astronomical algorithms, Meeus lunar position/phase calculations, ephemeris routines, local time transformations, and your saved targets database function completely offline without cellular or Wi-Fi connectivity. Only online SIMBAD database lookups and new map tile downloads require internet access.
A target I am searching for isn't showing up. Why?
Search queries are resolved through the CDS SIMBAD / Sesame Astronomical Database in Strasbourg, France.
• Try searching by official catalog designations (e.g., M 31, NGC 7000, IC 1805, C 14) rather than informal names.
• Ensure proper spacing (e.g., M 42 or NGC 6960).
• If CDS SIMBAD servers are undergoing scheduled maintenance, online lookups may be briefly delayed. The app includes a built-in offline catalog of popular astrophotography targets that is always available.
Search queries are resolved through the CDS SIMBAD / Sesame Astronomical Database in Strasbourg, France.
• Try searching by official catalog designations (e.g., M 31, NGC 7000, IC 1805, C 14) rather than informal names.
• Ensure proper spacing (e.g., M 42 or NGC 6960).
• If CDS SIMBAD servers are undergoing scheduled maintenance, online lookups may be briefly delayed. The app includes a built-in offline catalog of popular astrophotography targets that is always available.
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Sync & Backups
Why aren’t my saved targets showing up on my iPad from my iPhone?
To ensure seamless iCloud synchronization:
1) Apple ID: Both devices must be logged into the identical Apple ID in iOS Settings.
2) iCloud Drive: Verify that iCloud Drive is enabled on both devices under Settings > [Your Name] > iCloud > iCloud Drive.
3) Network & Sync Time: CloudKit synchronization runs in the background and can take 1–2 minutes after a fresh install.
4) Direct AirDrop Backup: If you are offline in the field or using separate Apple IDs, open Menu > iCloud & Device Sync > Export & AirDrop on your iPhone and tap Import Backup on your iPad to instantly transfer your data.
To ensure seamless iCloud synchronization:
1) Apple ID: Both devices must be logged into the identical Apple ID in iOS Settings.
2) iCloud Drive: Verify that iCloud Drive is enabled on both devices under Settings > [Your Name] > iCloud > iCloud Drive.
3) Network & Sync Time: CloudKit synchronization runs in the background and can take 1–2 minutes after a fresh install.
4) Direct AirDrop Backup: If you are offline in the field or using separate Apple IDs, open Menu > iCloud & Device Sync > Export & AirDrop on your iPhone and tap Import Backup on your iPad to instantly transfer your data.
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Pro Subscription & Purchases
What is included in Night Astro Planner Pro?
• Unlimited Target Radar Tracking: Save and track unlimited deep-sky targets.
• Global Observing Pins & Locations: Pin, save, and switch between unlimited custom observing sites worldwide.
• Full Dark Sky Map & Bortle Sampling: Full interactive Falchi light pollution heatmap with SQM readouts and custom opacity.
• Custom Date & Future Planning: Unlock future date travel and the full-year Dynamic Target Calendar.
• Unlimited Target Radar Tracking: Save and track unlimited deep-sky targets.
• Global Observing Pins & Locations: Pin, save, and switch between unlimited custom observing sites worldwide.
• Full Dark Sky Map & Bortle Sampling: Full interactive Falchi light pollution heatmap with SQM readouts and custom opacity.
• Custom Date & Future Planning: Unlock future date travel and the full-year Dynamic Target Calendar.
How do I restore my existing subscription on a new device?
1) Open the app and tap the Menu button (or open About & Scientific Sources).
2) Tap Restore Purchases under the Resources & Legal section.
3) Your active subscription will be verified against the App Store and unlocked immediately.
1) Open the app and tap the Menu button (or open About & Scientific Sources).
2) Tap Restore Purchases under the Resources & Legal section.
3) Your active subscription will be verified against the App Store and unlocked immediately.
How do I redeem an App Store Offer or Promo Code?
1) Open the app and navigate to Menu > About & Scientific Sources.
2) Tap Redeem Offer Code.
3) Enter your promotional code in the native App Store sheet.
1) Open the app and navigate to Menu > About & Scientific Sources.
2) Tap Redeem Offer Code.
3) Enter your promotional code in the native App Store sheet.
How do I manage or cancel my subscription?
Subscriptions are managed directly by Apple. Go to Settings > [Your Name] > Subscriptions on your iPhone or iPad, or tap Manage Subscription directly within the app's About screen.
Subscriptions are managed directly by Apple. Go to Settings > [Your Name] > Subscriptions on your iPhone or iPad, or tap Manage Subscription directly within the app's About screen.
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Scientific Data Attributions
Night Astro Planner is built on peer-reviewed, open scientific data:
• CDS SIMBAD & Sesame: Target coordinates, catalog designations, and scientific object types are provided by the CDS SIMBAD database, Centre de Données astronomiques de Strasbourg, France (Wenger et al. 2000, A&AS, 143, 9–22).
• NOAA / CIRES Falchi 2016 World Atlas: Zenith sky brightness, SQM magnitudes, and Bortle light pollution ratings are derived from the New World Atlas of Artificial Night Sky Brightness (Falchi et al. 2016, Science Advances, 2(6), e1600377), licensed under CC BY 4.0.
• Apple Maps: Map and satellite imagery are provided via Apple MapKit.
• CDS SIMBAD & Sesame: Target coordinates, catalog designations, and scientific object types are provided by the CDS SIMBAD database, Centre de Données astronomiques de Strasbourg, France (Wenger et al. 2000, A&AS, 143, 9–22).
• NOAA / CIRES Falchi 2016 World Atlas: Zenith sky brightness, SQM magnitudes, and Bortle light pollution ratings are derived from the New World Atlas of Artificial Night Sky Brightness (Falchi et al. 2016, Science Advances, 2(6), e1600377), licensed under CC BY 4.0.
• Apple Maps: Map and satellite imagery are provided via Apple MapKit.
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Feature Requests & Feedback
We actively build Night Astro Planner based on community feedback from visual observers and astrophotographers. If you have suggestions—such as custom horizon obstacle masks, sensor/telescope FOV framing calculators, or mosaic planners—we would love to hear from you: