# Dark Sky Meter

> Measure Night Sky brightness

Canonical page: [https://chrome-stats.com/d/nl.ddq.darkskymeter](https://chrome-stats.com/d/nl.ddq.darkskymeter)

## Overview

- **ID:** `nl.ddq.darkskymeter`
- **Platform:** Android
- **Type:** Android app
- **Status:** Available
- **Publisher:** Pocket Science Citizen Science apps
- **Category:** EDUCATION
- **Downloads:** 1,181
- **Version:** 1.0
- **Last updated:** 2026-02-13
- **First published:** 2026-02-13
- **Publisher country:** NL
- **Size:** 25 MB
- **Data as of:** 2026-09-06
- **Store listing:** [Google Play Store](https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=nl.ddq.darkskymeter)
- **Privacy policy:** [https://mobis.pocket.science/privpol](https://mobis.pocket.science/privpol)

## Description

Dark Sky Meter turns your phone into a sky quality meter. Point your camera at the night sky to measure how dark it is, using the same scale as professional astronomy instruments.<br><br>  How it works:<br>  1. Cover your camera lens and capture a dark frame<br>  2. Point the camera straight up at the sky and capture a sky frame<br>  3. Get your results instantly<br><br>  What you get:<br>  - SQM value in magnitudes per square arcsecond (mag/arcsec²)<br>  - Bortle scale rating (1-9) for your location<br>  - Naked Eye Limiting Magnitude (NELM)<br>  - Estimated number of visible stars<br><br>  The app uses your phone&#39;s RAW camera sensor data for accurate readings — the same approach used by dedicated sky quality meters. Results are saved with your GPS location so you can track sky quality over<br>   time and across different sites.<br><br>  Adjustable calibration lets you fine-tune the zero point to match a reference meter for maximum accuracy.<br><br>  Ideal for amateur astronomers, astrophotographers, dark sky advocates, and anyone curious about light pollution in their area.<br><br>  Requires a phone with RAW camera capture support.

## Rankings

- #1,101,741 — 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`
- `com.android.vending.CHECK_LICENSE`
- `nl.ddq.darkskymeter.DYNAMIC_RECEIVER_NOT_EXPORTED_PERMISSION`

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Source: [Chrome-Stats](https://chrome-stats.com/d/nl.ddq.darkskymeter)