Celestia vs Seestar App

Celestia is free, open-source software for visualizing space in 3D. It simulates objects ranging from planets and moons to star clusters and galaxies, which can be viewed from different positions in space and at different times. Solar system positions and movements are calculated in real time, and users can choose the rate of motion. Celestia also works as a planetarium: users can travel to celestial worlds, land on their surfaces, and see solar system objects in the sky. Add-ons expand the catalogues with objects, high-resolution textures, 3D models, spacecraft, and fictional objects. Celestia is licensed under the GNU General Public License and is available for Android, iOS, Linux, macOS, web, and Windows. The browser option is a lite version. Installation routes differ: Android versions are offered through Google Play, GitHub APK, and alternative markets; Apple versions are on the App Store, with a direct GitHub download for macOS. Windows users can use the Microsoft Store or sideload a GitHub version. The latest stable original-project release for Linux is listed as source code.

Seestar App controls Seestar telescopes and supports astronomical observation and imaging. Its Stargazing mode can find and focus on celestial objects, track them, and capture and process images automatically. The app also offers Scenery, Solar, and Lunar modes; solar and lunar targets can be tracked automatically, while Scenery provides manual direction control and autofocus. SkyAtlas supports searching celestial targets, viewing basic information, and one-tap GoTo alignment. The Home tab includes a gallery, shooting plans, and post-processing tools, alongside telescope settings, firmware updates, and battery and storage information. The maker says the app works with all Seestar models. For the S30 Pro, listed capabilities include a catalogue of 80,000+ deep-sky objects and 600,000+ stars, scheduled observing, remote control, and mosaic stitching. The S50 connects to a mobile device over its own Wi-Fi without internet, though internet is needed for first activation, accounts, data loading, Square features, and updates. The app is free and listed for Android, iOS, macOS, and Windows.