Observer Pro

I liked the look of this, and I was interested in the custom horizon capability, so I drew my boundary and made an observer list of things that would be visible tonight from my backyard. However, when I came back this evening to look, the observer list was gone. Losing data is hard to excuse (I’m a retired programmer). Additionally, I imagined there would be a way to export the list so that I could load it in Sky Safari and use it to drive my scope, but I don’t see that. Kevin

Updated to the recent release, but the app crashes every time I select any of the groupings (Galaxy, Planetary Nebulae, Galactic Nebulae, etc.) in the catalogs part of the program.

Currrent version seems to be missing search - one of the best features of a good app?? Use to be able to search for any object simply by entering numbers - even across the various catalogs. Sure some of the filtering and sorting will get you there…but FAR less quickly and conveniently. Is search really gone for good?

I loved this app but since the last update it continually crashes.

This is the observing app I’ve been looking for. I am surrounded by woods, with only a few observing windows widely spaced around my property in various directions. I also have an observation site a couple blocks away on the edge of a lake. This app is perfect for comparing the different sites and deciding which is best, and how long I have on target for astrophotography. Also, the method for tracing the horizon at each site couldn’t be simpler. I only had to spend 15 minutes in freezing weather to measure the horizon at six sites around the yard. This latest release is very welcome, fixing a bug with the onscreen keyboard. The iPad experience is still a little suboptimal, but that’s a minor quibble considering how useful this app is. Edit- I increased the rating to 4 stars with this latest release (v.1.4). If a native iPad version is released, this would be a 5-star app. One last note to those thinking about whether the app is worth $14- considering what you probably spent on your astronomy or astrophotography setup, this cost is a drop in the bucket and it will save you much time and irritation over using other apps that don’t really come close in functionality. However, the developer hasn’t updated this app in 3 years, and it has a bug, so don’t expect curb service for your $14.

I have a limited view from my yard so this is incredibly helpful for planning out which objects are visible and the timing. I’ve tried a bunch of apps and methods and this is by far the best solution. Very, very well done. My only tiny request would be to add a filters. Thank you for an amazing app!

Utility is wonderfully useful. I do have one bug to report. Once the iOS keyboard is up to search or type it won’t go away. Have to force close and reopen.

It shows exactly when an object comes into view and when it leaves.

I concur with what other reviewers have said here. This app is super useful for planning observing sessions. It’s especially useful for those of us who are forced to observe the sky with many obstructions around - tall trees, buildings, etc. The app allows users to build site specific obstruction profiles that then show what objects are visible at what times. Each object in the database has a graph showing if it’s visible and what times it will be visible along with other observing data. Can’t recommend this app more especially if you view from an obstructed site. I only wish the developer would make an iPad version of the app. Clear skies!

Great for planning. Just wish it included planets, comets, and asteroids