What you need to know about Celestron's SkyPortal App
Everything we do on a daily basis is enhanced, more convenient and faster with the help of our mobile phones and tablets... and it doesn't stop with your night sky experience. Celestron has developed the free SkyPortal mobile app to redefine the way you navigate the night sky in a new and exciting way!
Now... if you think this is just another star chart/map app, think again.
Compatible with both iOS and Android devices, SkyPortal enables your Celestron Computerized Telescope to align itself to the night sky and automatically locate thousands of celestial objects including the solar system, 120,000 stars, over 200 star clusters, nebulae, galaxies, dozens of asteroids, comets and satellites. With the help of its GPS abilities, you will be able to generate a custom list of the best objects to view based on your time, date and location.
Oh, and did we mention it can also act as your personal astronomy planner? With the SkyPortal app, you can plan out your observing sessions. For example, Jupiter's Great Red Spot isn't always visible, so if you are wanting to know when you will be able to see it, the app can look ahead to know exactly when to set up your telescope for optimal viewing!
Best of all, you can control and automatically align your compatible Celestron Telescope from your device using StarSense and WiFi technology!
How to use the app
Simply hold up your mobile phone or tablet up to display the night sky on your screen where you see labeled constellations and celestial objects. Tap on the object that you are interested in viewing, select "GoTo", and watch your telescope find and center the object for you!
Your telescope's automatic tracking capabilities will prevent you from having to re-center the object, which becomes especially useful when viewing with a large group or if you need the object to be centered for several hours.
If you want to view a different object, simply repeat the process and let the app and your telescope do the work!
In addition to the features discussed, the SkyPortal app contains a large database of astroimages with audio descriptions and stats like the object’s distance from the Earth. Also, to truly ensure the best observing session, the app includes a "night vision" setting to tone down your device's display by adding a red filter.
Download SkyPortal App on both Google Play and Apple App Stores!
Compatible Telescopes
WiFi module required
Built-in WiFi connection, does not require SkyPortal WiFi module
WiFi module required
WiFi module required
WiFi module required
WiFi module required
Built-in automatic alignment does not require StarSense AutoAlign
Alan Sanchez (OPT)
Hello Jim, thanks for reaching out!
The app does not support the cord wrap function, and while it has many, many NGC objects in the database, the catalogue is not entirely complete. I hope these answers aid your future endeavours! Take care.
James P Sofia
Does the app allow you to use the “cordwrap” function? Does it have the full NGC catalogue?
Thanks you for your help!
Jim
Alan Sanchez (OPT)
Thanks for the questions Mychael and Anthony.
To answer your question Mychael: You can get the RA / DEC coordinates of any object in the Info section, however, you cannot scan through the compass view in RA / DEC.
For your question, Anthony: Unfortunately you cannot search by coordinates with this app. My best suggestion would be to find an object near the coordinates you’re searching for and proceed to scan the area once located.
Mychael Lederer-Morihisa
can i get coordinates in RA / Dec ?
Anthony Agudo
Could I search objects by coordinates?