Version 1.1
Released on November 10th, 2012- New Light pollution maps for Europe and Oceania (Australia, New Zealand, South Pacific)
- New Updates for iPhone 5 and iOS 6
- Fix Various fixes & enhancements
Escape from the city's bright glow.
Dark Sky Finder helps you locate nearby dark skies to take a telescope, watch a meteor shower, or simply relax under the stars. See light pollution maps of North America, Europe, and Australia, along with dots to indicate good observing locations. Each dark site includes reviews, directions, information, Clear Sky Charts, and more.
Just 99¢ for a limited time!
Features
Light Pollution Maps
Look up at night in the city—see that glow? That's light pollution. Light pollution maps of North America, Europe, and Australia are overlaid on top of the standard, satellite, or hybrid map. Dark Sky Finder includes the most recent light pollution data, in addition to 1996/1997 data.
Dark Sites
Escape to dark skies in hundreds of locations around the country. These dark sites are indicated by pindrops on the map in Dark Sky Finder. Each site includes user reviews, directions, and information on sky conditions, important notes, parking, fees, bathrooms, camping, weather, and much more.
Add/Edit Dark Sites
Users can make a contribution by adding or editing a dark site for everyone to enjoy. Once a user visits a site, they can also leave a review.
Clear Sky Charts
Finds the nearest Clear Sky Chart* to pull in information on transparency, seeing, and other conditions relevant to telescope observers.
Bortle Scale
Tap on the map legend to toggle between the Bortle Scale and a more basic scale. Read more about the Bortle Scale for measuring light pollution in the About tab.
Support & Feedback
For support or to give feedback, get in touch by clicking Contact above. You will receive a prompt response, usually in a few minutes to an hour. Feedback is always appreciated!
* Dark Sky Finder is not affiliated with Clear Sky Charts.
Screenshots
Dark Sky Finder is available as a Universal App—one purchase for iPhone, iPad, and iPod Touch.
Updates
Version 1.0
Released on August 1st, 2012- New Initial release for iOS (iPhone/iPad/iPod Touch)
Contact
Please fill out the form below for support, feedback, general questions, or press inquiries.
You can also get in touch by emailing .
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Credits
Dark Sites Database
Many thanks are due to Jonathan Tomshine for the resources and assistance he provided, including the large initial database of dark sky sites.
Light Pollution Map (1996/1997)
P. Cinzano, F. Falchi (University of Padova), C. D. Elvidge (NOAA National Geophysical Data Center, Boulder). Copyright Royal Astronomical Society. Reproduced from the Monthly Notices of the RAS by permission of Blackwell Science.
Light Pollution Map (2001)
sites.google.com/site/3davel/home/light-pollution
Clear Sky Charts
Thank you to Attilla Danko for the wonderful resource he built for astronomers.
Beta Testers
Many of the features in this app are a result of the beta testers' hard work. This app would not be the same without the time they put into reviewing it and suggesting improvements.
Special thanks to: McKenzie Skidmore, Rob Campbell, Tom Karpf, and Syed Saifullah
Florin Andrei, Jason Brown, Marco Calderon, David Cushing, Terry Fishlock, Jeffrey Fox, Mark Friedman, Kevin Gilliland, Jordan Gonzales, Lisa Grams, Drew Jolesch, Tanya Mendenhall, Dwane Miles, Jack Murtha, Mike Rector, Alfredo Viegas