Smart Telescope Planner

Plan your next smart telescope observing session with Smart Telescope Planner, shown as BigSky Planner inside the app.

Choose an observing site and telescope setup, find suitable targets, and organize a timed plan for tonight or a future date.

FIND TARGETS FOR YOUR NIGHT Browse and filter a bundled astronomy catalog by object type, magnitude, catalog, time, azimuth, and altitude. Explore galaxies, star clusters, and nebulae, with target cards showing first view time, duration in view, and sky position. The bundled catalog is curated to magnitude 17 or brighter; actual visibility depends on your site, conditions, and equipment.

BUILD A PRACTICAL OBSERVING PLAN Keep checked targets together while changing filters and object types. Build Plan chains observation times within the selected telescope and Clear Sky windows. A compact card with Remove from Plan remains where a selected target came from, making it easy to undo a selection.

Review and adjust observation windows, including sessions that cross midnight. Save and reopen plans, use the compact Quick Ref report, and print or share observing information.

SET UP YOUR WAY Save observing sites using GPS or manual entry. Select a smart telescope and accessories, choose a planning date, and define Clear Sky viewing openings. Optional weather and lookup features use an internet connection.

HELP AT THE TELESCOPE Compact text Help and a complete 46-page illustrated PDF guide are included in the app. Follow detailed steps and callouts from first start through planning and output, with linked contents, an alphabetical index, and a catalog-count addendum. Read the guide offline or share a copy to Files.

TRIAL AND FULL ACCESS Start the free 20-day trial by confirming it with Apple. After it expires, planning features require the separate one-time, non-consumable Full Access purchase. There is no subscription and no automatic charge. Restoring or reinstalling does not restart the trial. Earlier paid-app customers retain permanent access without paying again; use Restore Purchases with the original Apple Account. No app login or activation code is required. Trial expiry does not delete saved sites or plans.

Smart Telescope Planner supports iPhone and iPad. It is a planning companion: it does not control your telescope or replace the telescope manufacturer's app.