Astrospheric - Astronomy Weather Forecasting

Daniel Fiordalis

Contains adsIn-app purchases

About this app

Astrospheric is weather forecasting for North American astronomers, astrophotographers, and explorers.

Using the amazing astronomy data produced by the Canadian Meteorological Center, NOAA, and others, Astrospheric produces a highly accurate 48 hour forecast for any location in the continental United States or Canada.

Overlaying cloud, transparency, seeing, and light pollution data onto a map makes it simple to search through the next two days looking for the nearest break in the weather.

Features

Forecast
• 84 hour, hour-by-hour forecast
• Extended 8 day cloud forecast
• Updated every 6 hours
• Infrared satellite date update every 30 mintues
• Sky data: cloud, sky transparency, smoke, and seeing
• Ground data: wind, temperature, and humidity
• Precise rise and set times for both the sun and moon
• ISS (International Space Station) path information
• Custom notifications for your favorite locations

Map
• Cloud, transparency, smoke, and seeing map layers for most of North America
• Satellite data
• Jetstream, Aerosol Optical Depth, ground layers
• Easily scrub through the 48 hour forecast with each layer
• Worldwide light pollution data

Moon
• Precise altitude and illumination information
• List of upcoming moon phases with dates

Favorites
• Easily save favorite locations for easy access
• Favorites roam between your devices and browser (www.astrospheric.com)

Site Mode
• Information necessary to quickly set up your GOTO tracking mount
• Available even if you don’t have a network connection

Please note, data is available for the continental USA, Canada, Alaska, and parts of Mexico. Since I can only target app distribution at the country level, I apologize to users in Hawaii since there is not data available in that State.

Ratings and reviews

From my experience, cloud cover forecasts are generally correct but are occasionally off by a few hours. In those instances, app will sometimes update the forecasts correctly in real time but at other times will continue to show me an incorrect real time forecast. Having said that, I haven't found anything more accurate. Wish the pro was a one-time fee rather than recurring sub.

EDIT: Unfortunately, I can't give this app five stars anymore. I'm not sure what happened, but for a few months now the cloud forecast has been pretty inaccurate. For example: tonight was supposed to be 0% clouds for several hours. Yet, here I am at 10:30pm - when the app still says 0% clouds - and I have 70-80% cloud cover. It's unreliable, making it challenging to schedule imaging sessions, and clear skies are at a premium. Still love the other features, though.

is it possible to add an address/location search function? it would be faster and easier than going to another map app to locate the exact location and then trying to scroll/zoom to it on your map in order to save it as a favorite. i love all the other functions and tracking. haven't tested accuracy yet, but very excited about this.

What's new

A set of bug and performance fixes for newer Android devices.