Search Help

The search view lets you search for objects, by typing their names, or by choosing them from lists.

Search

At the top of the list view is a search field. Enter all or the first part of an object's name; then tap the Search button to display a list of matching objects. For example, if you search for "Saturn", SkySafari will find both the planet Saturn and the Saturn Nebula.

You can search for an object using any of its catalog designations. For example, the Andromeda Galaxy can be found as M31, NGC 224, UGC 454, PGC 2557, MCG 7-2-16 or CGCG 535-17. Likewise, the double star Porrima can be found as Gamma Virginis, 29 Vir, HR 4826, SAO 138917, BD -00 2601, HIP 61941, STF 1670, ADS 8630 or WDS 12417-0127.

All of the objects matching your search will be displayed in the list of results. Objects below the horizon are dimmed, but still selectable.

Choose a specific object from that list to bring up the Object Info view for that object. If there is only one object which matches the name you entered, the Object Info will be shown immediately, without a list of search results (since that list would contain only one item!)

Common Object Lists

This section contains lists of the most commonly-known objects in the sky (e.g. planets, stars, deep sky objects, etc). Choose a list to display the most commonly-known objects in that category. For example, the "Planets" list shows the major planets in our solar system; the "Brightest Stars" list shows the brightest stars in the sky; the Messier Objects list shows the most famous 110 star clusters, nebulae, and galaxies, etc.

Objects currently above the horizon are listed with a brighter text color. Objects below the horizon are dimmed, but you can still select them. Choose a specific object from this list to bring up the Object Info view. This view displays basic information about the object, and contains buttons to center it in the sky chart or in your telescope's field of view.

Tonight's Best is a list of the best objects that will be visible between tonight's dusk and tomorrow's dawn. The objects in this list change depending on your location, and on the date. An object must reach at least six degrees above the horizon between astronomical dusk and dawn to be included in this list.

Sorting and Highlighting List Objects

In SkySafari Plus and Pro, you can change the way objects in a list are sorted. You can do this both with common object lists, and custom observing lists.

To change the way a list is sorted, first tap Filter & Sort at the top right of the screen. Then choose the value to sort the objects by. You can sort objects by their name, catalog number(s), magnitude, distance, constellation, rise/transit/set times, or coordinates in the sky. Under Filter By, select 'Visible Tonight' to only display objects visible during darkness.

You can highlight objects in a list, to show their distribution in the sky. To highlight a list of objects, turn on the Highlight Objects switch at the top of the list. Objects in that list will then be highlighted with blue circles in the sky chart.

Custom Observing Lists

In SkySafari Plus and Pro, you can create a custom observing list. To create a custom list of objects, first tap the "More" button (looks like 3 vertical dots) at the top of the list. Then tap a button labelled Make Into Observing List.

Custom observing lists keep track of objects you want to observe, and record logs of your observations. By default, SkySafari comes with a single, empty observing list called "My Favorites". To create additional lists, tap the "Observe" button in the Toolbar, select Observing Lists and then tap the Create List button.

Please Note: this feature is only available in SkySafari Plus and Pro.