Lodestar: Star Finder

Ever looked up at the night sky and wondered, “What is that bright star?”

Lodestar tells you in an instant — just point your iPhone at it. No star charts. No astronomy degree.

■ POINT → FIND Hold your camera up to the sky and line up any star in the circle. Lodestar works out what you’re looking at from your location, the time and where your phone is pointing — then locks on with a satisfying “LOCKED”.

■ DISCOVER Get the facts that make the moment amazing, not a textbook: • The light you’re seeing left Vega 25 years ago • See how big and bright a star is next to our Sun • Tap “Learn more” for its age, temperature, life story and the myths behind its constellation

■ TRAVEL WITH THE LIGHT Tap “See 548 years ago” and follow starlight on its journey to Earth — and see what was happening on our planet when it set out.

■ WHAT’S UP TONIGHT? Based on your location, moonlight, clouds and light pollution, Lodestar shows what’s worth seeing tonight and when — the Milky Way, Jupiter, the Pleiades, Orion — plus a Stargazing Score.

■ GUIDED TO THE STAR Pick something to see and Lodestar guides you there: “Face the southeast sky”, “A little to the right”…

■ DARK-SKY SPOTS Find nearby places with truly dark skies, with darkness ratings and drive times. Includes Grand Canyon, Sedona, Death Valley, Yosemite and other national parks, plus famous spots in Japan.

■ MY UNIVERSE & STAR PASSPORT Every star you find is saved with the date, place and a photo. Your travels become a map of the universe you’ve discovered — the same star found somewhere new is a brand-new memory.

■ PRIVATE BY DESIGN Your records stay on your iPhone. No account, no ads, no tracking.

On the road, at camp, in a national park — make every look at the night sky a little more amazing.

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