Night Astro Planner

Support & Documentation

Welcome to the official support page for Night Astro Planner. Whether you are planning deep-sky imaging sessions from your backyard, traveling to a dark-sky preserve, or diagnosing an issue, this page covers app features, troubleshooting steps, and answers to common questions.

Contact & Technical Support

For direct assistance, bug reports, or subscription inquiries, email our support team:

When reporting an issue, please include:

  1. Device Model: (e.g., iPhone 16 Pro, iPad Air M2, iPad Pro 12.9")
  2. iOS / iPadOS Version: (e.g., iOS 18.1, iPadOS 17.5)
  3. App Version: Shown at the bottom of the in-app Menu or About screen (e.g., v1.1.6)
  4. Description & Steps: What you were doing when the issue occurred, what target or location was selected, and screenshots if applicable.

What’s New in Night Astro Planner

Version 1.1.6

Version 1.1.5

Version 1.1.4

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does the app need my precise location?

Night Astro Planner calculates celestial coordinates (Altitude and Azimuth) based on your observer latitude, longitude, and Local Sidereal Time (LST). Precise coordinates ensure that the horizon, zenith, and the 20° and 45° altitude rings accurately match what your telescope sees from your exact backyard or observing pad.

Is my location data tracked or stored on your servers?

No. All celestial math, Julian date transforms, and ephemeris calculations are processed 100% locally on your device. Your location is never tracked, shared, sold, or transmitted to any third-party analytics or external server.

How does the "Best Day" / Dynamic Calendar forecasting work?

The app computes the date when your target reaches culmination (its highest point in the sky) during the darkest point of astronomical night (solar midnight) for your specific latitude and longitude.

How are the light pollution and Bortle numbers calculated?

Light pollution data is sampled directly from the NOAA / CIRES Falchi 2016 World Atlas of Artificial Night Sky Brightness, providing Bortle Class (1–9) and Zenith Sky Brightness (SQM in mag/arcsec²).

Does the app work offline in the field?

Yes. All core astronomical algorithms, Meeus lunar position/phase calculations, solar system ephemerides, and your saved targets database function completely offline without cellular or Wi-Fi connectivity.

Why aren’t my saved targets showing up on my iPad from my iPhone?

  1. Verify both devices are signed into the same Apple ID in iOS Settings.
  2. Ensure iCloud Drive is enabled under Settings > [Your Name] > iCloud > iCloud Drive.
  3. Allow 1–2 minutes on Wi-Fi after a fresh install for CloudKit sync to complete, or use Menu > iCloud & Device Sync > Export & AirDrop to transfer a backup file directly.

How do I restore or manage my Pro subscription?

Open Menu > About & Scientific Sources and tap Restore Purchases to verify an existing subscription on a new device. Subscriptions are managed directly through Apple under Settings > [Your Name] > Subscriptions.

Scientific Data Attributions