# The Sky by Redshift

> Enjoy Astronomy - Explore Planets and Stars, the Night Sky and the Universe

Canonical page: [https://chrome-stats.com/d/com.usm.rsskyfree](https://chrome-stats.com/d/com.usm.rsskyfree)

## Overview

- **ID:** `com.usm.rsskyfree`
- **Platform:** Android
- **Type:** Android app
- **Status:** Available
- **Publisher:** USM
- **Category:** EDUCATION
- **Downloads:** 161,614
- **Rating:** 4.49 / 5 (1,853 ratings)
- **Version:** 2.0.6
- **Last updated:** 2025-06-13
- **First published:** 2021-05-28
- **Publisher country:** DE
- **Size:** 496 MB
- **Data as of:** 2026-09-12
- **Store listing:** [Google Play Store](https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.usm.rsskyfree)
- **Website:** [http://www.redshiftsky.com](http://www.redshiftsky.com/)
- **Privacy policy:** [https://redshiftsky.com/privacy-policy-the-sky/](https://redshiftsky.com/privacy-policy-the-sky/)

## Description

The Sky by Redshift is a powerful yet user-friendly planetarium app developed in collaboration with THAMES & KOSMOS. It offers a comprehensive sky exploration experience, allowing users to identify stars, constellations, planets, moons, comets, and satellites with real-time position tracking. Perfect for beginners and amateur astronomers alike, the app features over 9,000 stars, 88 constellations, and 200 deep-sky objects, all accessible through intuitive taps or by holding your device to the sky.

Version 2.0 introduces an Eclipse Timetable, enhanced orbits of celestial objects, and an expanded city database worldwide for precise location-based observations. Users can experience stunning space flights to distant stars and nebulae, learn about astronomical phenomena like solar eclipses with detailed animations, and get in-depth knowledge about celestial events such as the 2024 North American solar eclipse. Optional premium subscriptions unlock additional space flights, orbits, and an extensive "Discover astronomy" section featuring Mars 2020 mission tours. With The Sky by Redshift, astronomy becomes an engaging, fun, and educational journey for everyone.

## Rankings

- #176,715 — Overall

## Permissions and access

### Permissions

- `android.permission.ACCESS_COARSE_LOCATION`
- `android.permission.ACCESS_FINE_LOCATION`
- `android.permission.ACCESS_NETWORK_STATE`
- `android.permission.CAMERA`
- `android.permission.INTERNET`
- `android.permission.RECEIVE_BOOT_COMPLETED`
- `android.permission.WAKE_LOCK`
- `com.android.vending.BILLING`
- `com.android.vending.CHECK_LICENSE`
- `com.google.android.gms.permission.AD_ID`
- `com.usm.rsskyfree.DYNAMIC_RECEIVER_NOT_EXPORTED_PERMISSION`

## Review summary

Users appreciate the app's ease of use, accurate sky orientation, and educational content with engaging features. However, many experience frequent crashes that hinder functionality. The free version's intrusive video ads are a major downside, and some users report compass calibration issues. Past users miss features from earlier versions with longer timeframes. Additionally, subscription and licensing verification problems cause frustration. Overall, the app is valuable for astronomy enthusiasts but needs stability and ad experience improvements.

### Pros

- Easy to use and helps find planets and celestial objects quickly.
- Accurately orients and displays information, even indoors.
- Educational with tutorials and informative content about astronomy.
- Provides enjoyable and engaging features like 3D views, rocket trips, and explanations.
- Good precision and user-friendly interface that appeals to users of all knowledge levels.

### Cons

- Frequent crashes shortly after launch, making the app unusable for many users.
- Intrusive and loud video ads in the free version disrupt user experience, especially in dark outdoor settings.
- Limited time frame for astronomical data compared to previous versions, disappointing some long-time users.
- Issues with automatic compass calibration and alignment; some users must calibrate manually.
- Subscription and licensing problems causing confusion, including unexpected ads despite paid subscriptions.

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Source: [Chrome-Stats](https://chrome-stats.com/d/com.usm.rsskyfree)