Beyond pointing your phone at the night sky, this is how to use stargazing apps effectively

Whether you are a seasoned astronomer or a newcomer to the hobby, the best stargazing apps have the potential to seriously enhance your skywatching experience.

But it's easy to overlook just how useful these portable programs can be.

That's why we've put together this guide to getting the best use out of stargazing apps, from identifying stars and constellations through to seeking out dark sky sites and beyond.

You will wonder how you ever managed without them.

So read on and get ready to take your stargazing to the next level.

And if you're wondering how else technology can take the work out of skywatching, we've also rounded up the best smart telescopes .

Using stargazing apps Some apps use Augmented Reality (AR) features to allow users to scan the sky in real-time. (Image credit: Getty Images) Before we explore specific uses, there are a few things you need to know about using the best stargazing apps on your Apple or Android device.

Firstly, while some apps support offline use, you'll typically need a mobile or Wi-Fi signal with data to make the most of these apps.

Also, some apps lock certain features behind a paywall.

Pay for Stellarium Plus, for example, and you get an additional 2 million deep sky objects, the ability to connect to certain telescopes and more.

Finally, while many stargazing apps are relatively intuitive, we'd recommend you familiarize yourself with them at home before taking them out into the field.

Identifying stars in the field Sky Tonight is one of the apps that, via AR, can be used to identify stars and other objects. (Image credit: Vito Technology) One of the most common and convenient uses for stargazing apps is identifying stars, constellations and more, just by pointing your phone's camera at them.

It really is that simple.

Take Sky Tonight , which we think is the best stargazing app for AR (augmented reality).