Last updated January 31, 2019
How can I view comet NEOWISE?
Comet NEOWISE is in the list of comets. See our post on Locating Comet NEOWISE for details.
How can I view a solar eclipse?
The full GoSkyWatch app version will show the moon as it transitions across the sun. To lock tracking on the Sun, use the finder to navigate to the Sun details and tap the GoTo button. Alternatively touch drag the sun to the center target and tap the time control button to lock on the Sun. You can then also drag along the outer time control ring to animate the transition.
Note that the free iPad only version shows the position of the sun and moon using image icons which are not shown to scale. The full universal version for the iPhone and iPad has 3D images of the sun and moon at the correct scale.
Why are there ads?
Recent updates to the free iPad only version now includes iAds. The decision to include iAds was to help finance the development of the app which has been made available free since the introduction of the iPad in 2011. The iAds can be optionally hidden after a time delay.
Some reviews incorrectly state that updating to the full version still contains iAds. The full version is a different app download and will not automatically update the free version. The newly downloaded app will appear on your device in a different location after which the free version can be deleted.
Why is the comet magnitude different to what I can see?
It is difficult to predict the brightness of comets ahead of time as it depends on what happens to the comet as it rounds the sun. GoSkyWatch makes an estimate of the magnitude based on the most recent orbital data available at the time. For actual up to date magnitude observations see the IAU Minor Planet Center.
Does GoSkyWatch need a network connection to work?
No. All the star data is contained within the app. A network connection is optionally used to assist in automatically setting your viewing location. If no network connection is available you can manually enter the location or select a location from a built in city list. GoSkyWatch also optionally uses a network connection to display Wikipedia, Star Tales information or download the latest comet data.
The sky display doesn’t match what I see in the sky.
The most common cause is that the location setting is incorrect. By default the app will try to automatically determine your location but at times may not work if your cell position can’t be found or you are using an unknown WiFi network. Try manually adding your location from the locations list. Touch the [Edit] button to manually add a location.
Also check that the time shown at the top of the screen is correct. You can use the time control to set to the current time by touching the center of the time control rings or from the date and time setting button.
The sky display is offset from the direction pointed.
The compass accuracy varies from time to time. The current compass accuracy is shown in the top left corner. The compass direction may also be offset due to magnetic interference particularly if used indoors or by using a case with metallic or magnetic parts. The compass accuracy can often be improved by waving the device around in all directions. If the compass direction is significantly out try restarting the app to restart the compass calibration.
Note that the iPod touch, original iPhone and iPhone 3G do not have a compass. Please refer to the User’s Guide on how motion navigation works for devices without a compass.
Motion navigation doesn’t work
Try holding the device directly above you for a few seconds so that the back points to the sky. GoSkyWatch will automatically enter motion navigation mode when the back points above the horizon. See User’s Guide for more information on motion navigation.
The digital compass is not working
Check that the motion navigation is enabled in the preference settings and the location and time zone is correct for your current location. Hold the device above you for a few seconds with the screen facing down. GoSkyWatch will automatically enter motion navigation when the back is pointing above the horizon. Wave the device around from time to time to help the iPhone calibrate the compass for your surroundings and improve directional accuracy.
The “Compass Interference” message appears frequently
Check that you are away from metallic or magnetic objects. Wave the device around to help calibrate the compass for your location. Some device cases have magnetic parts which will interfere with the compass and can cause the “Compass Interference” message to appear.
GoSkyWatch fails to start
Apple has reported cases of apps not installing correctly in which case the app appears on the home screen but fails to start. If this is happening with GoSkyWatch try resetting the device or uninstalling and re-installing the application. See the Apple support Troubleshooting applications purchased from the App Store for more information.
Where’s Pluto in the list of planets?
We’re sorry to inform you that Pluto is no longer officially known as a planet. However we do acknowledge that many people have a fond attachment to Pluto so GoSkyWatch under the Settings Preferences has the option to include Pluto. By default Pluto is not shown to keep the officials off our back. Keep in mind that Pluto is extremely faint and you cannot see it with the naked eye.
GoSkyWatch indicates that Uranus and Neptune are in the sky but I can’t see them.
Uranus and Neptune are relatively small and far away. As a result they are very faint and cannot be seen by the naked eye under typical viewing conditions. GoSkyWatch displays the brightness of each planet which will give you an idea as to what can be seen for your viewing conditions.
What is the ecliptic?
You can think of the ecliptic as the flat disc of the solar system that the earth revolves around the sun on. The ecliptic when viewed from earth appears as a line across the sky. What makes it special is that you will find the sun, moon and planets on or close to this line.
Why isn’t the Big Dipper in the list of constellations?
This is because the Big Dipper is not formally known as a constellation. It is part of the Ursa Major (Great Bear) constellation.
Why isn’t the Southern Cross in the list of constellations?
This is because the Southern Cross is not formally known as a constellation. It is formally known as the Crux constellation.
Why do you have only 8000 stars in the database?
We’ve only included the stars that have a brightness down to a magnitude of 6.5 which is the limit the human eye can see under ideal viewing conditions.
Why don’t all the stars have names?
Because there are just too many of them. Generally most of the brightest stars have names associated with them. Even then different cultures have given the same star different names. We’ve only included the most commonly used name for each star. Many of the less bright stars shown by GoSkyWatch are only known by a star catalog number which we don’t show to make it easier to identify the brighter named stars.
Why is North shown at the bottom of the screen?
This is done so when you look up at the sky the display reflects what you actually see in the sky.
Why doesn’t [Use Current Location] find my location?
For the first generation iPhone it needs to be within cell range and within an area that supports cell location. Check under the Settings icon on your home screen that you have Airplane mode off and an active WiFi connection. Both the iPhone and iPod touch can also use WiFi to determine it’s position. For WiFi location to work you must have an active WiFi connection to a transmitter which has a known location. Note that not all transmitters may have a location configured.
If you are unable to automatically find your location you can still manually configure your location from a list of cities or by entering your latitude and longitude by tapping the [Locations] button from the settings button.
Why aren’t there images for all the constellations?
Historically constellations in the northern hemisphere have images associated with them just because they were visible to people in the northern hemisphere. Constellations in the south are relatively newly named and as such don’t have images associated with them. They were named by astronomers more so to just give them a name to go by. We’ll leave it up to your imagination to connect the dots.
What does the “Low Memory Warning” mean?
After installing and using apps from both 3rd party or from Apple there may be times when there is not enough working memory for GoSkyWatch to start or function properly. GoSkyWatch is a graphics intensive application and requires more working memory to operate than some other apps. The “Low Memory Warning” is displayed when the device is running low on memory for GoSkyWatch to function properly. Often enough memory can be recovered by resetting the device. You can reset the device by holding down the power button for a few seconds and sliding the slider to power off, then turning the device back on again.