The IPad and IPhone have slowly become serious tools for amateur astronomers like myself. Most astronomy software was focused on specific areas with varying degrees of success. I have downloaded many of these astronomy programs and SkySafari has always been the best. With v3 Pro the bar has been set even higher. The new live compass view is fantastic. The breadth of the database cannot be topped. With listings from deep sky objects to orbiting satellites and to all the known moons of our solar system, the list is impressive.Even the Help section which I thought would primarily be software help is actually highly educational. From orbital mechanics to star formation. It is like carrying an astronomy encyclopedia with me. Bravo!And with SkyFi you can easily control your telescope remotely using the optional interface cable. This really makes the IPad a fully functional astronomical tool.With SkySafari v3 Pro I can stop bringing sky charts and books. What a time saver to make my astronomy experience so much better. You couldn't have timed this better as I am off to Texas Star Party 2011.Thanks Tim and Bill! Thumbs way up for a fantastic product. I highly recommend this for anyone into astronomy. Clear Skies,Andy C.Texas Astronomical Society of Dallas

Truly outstanding application. This Pro version of SkySafari has an enormous database of stars. I have had this running on my iPad side-by-side with my $300 dollar astronomy software that I have used on my laptop for years. Not only is SkySafari faster, but the level of detail surpasses what I am used to. Combined with the SkyWire for connection to the PC, and the ease of a tablet platform make this a MUST HAVE for astronomer using a computer in the field. Just amazing!

I don't know how they can put so much power into this app. Sky safari is such a great well thought out program. It just keeps getting better and better. If you love the night sky this is the software to have. You can use this to plan your night of viewing and then use it to control your telescope. It is also a great app to just to 'look' around at the night sky and learn about every thing you find on the screen. It's such a pleasure to use. Thank you Southern Stars.

Stunning on my iPhone but pure beauty on my iPad! Out of all my astronomy apps this one takes top billing. With this version I can control my telescope too! Highly recommend!!!!

I have been a SkySafari App enthusiast from the start. This version works and looks great on my iPhone. I use SkySafari almost every day before the sun rises and later when the skies darken to easily find my way around the night's sky. I struggled with planispheres and star charts for years before Southern Stars created their astronomy apps. I also use it during the day to read about interesting astronomical objects, view zillions of incredible images and see what's up this week. It is a great conversation starter and tool for public outreach. People often stop and ask what I am looking at as they pass by. They really get it when I point out the objects and show them the same view on the iPhone screen. Now I am excited to buy an iPad. Having SkySafari on both will be fantastic!

Well, it finally arrived and I couldn't wait to download it. I have spent the last couple of days using the "basic" version and looked forward to the release of the "Pro" version. The graphics are stunning, the database of objects is incredible, setup is simple! And this app is smart. It identifies objects in the custom viewing lists and provides the info from the database as if the list was created within the app instead of being imported (as was my case). The import process was also simple. I had 9 custom observing lists installed within ten minutes.There are two features that were for me "unexpected". The first is the ability to browse the Internet from within the app. No exiting or switching from SS3Pro to Safari. Just: Help/Links and Go! The second feature is the "Help" files themselves. This is not only a set of instructions on how to use this app, it contains a vast database of general astronomy. I have many books on astronomy in my bookshelves at home but the problem is that they are always at home. Now my library travels with me.To summarize, this app goes beyond any other that I have purchased or used for either my iPhone (3Gs 16 Gig) or my iPad (original 64 Gig) or for that matter my PC's running MS Vista. With the telescope control via SkyFi or SkyWire and for this price, SkySafari 3 Pro is the new leader of the pack.

I've used many different pieces of software over the years in my hobby as an amateur astronomer, and in my estimation this is the best and most complete application I have seen to date ... including applications costing many times the cost of SkySafari on PCs. Not only do you get a first-rate planetarium program with compass and gyroscope support (so you can hold it up to the sky and have it identify what you see), but it also includes the equivalent of multiple books of reference information, a guide to show you what is interesting to see that night, the ability to CONTROL YOUR TELESCOPE right from the app (trust me, people at star parties, including others in the hobby are impressed with that), a way to record your observations, and a growing list of observation targets generated by a community of people who use the app.It really is the only thing I need to bring with me when I go observing ... whether I'm just going out to look up in the night sky, or getting down to business with a full night in front of a telescope.

I came to the iPod Touch from the Palm platform and was looking for a replacement for the functionality I had there. SkySafari proved to be a great app for me. Controlling my Meade scope with wireless or wired connections was a major factor in my decision. Features I really appreciate that I was not aware of before purchasing version 2:Mars surface features and Jupiter's GRS shown for any timeJovian moons, transits, even shadow transits shownSatellites including ISS and Iridiums predicted with brightness estimatesCustom observing lists, now including my color-contrast doubles list available on Yahoo GroupExcellent service by Southern Stars

SkySafari is a powerful, comprehensive Astronomy application for iPod/iPad devices. It has a large object list, good search capabilities, excellent information and descriptions, well thought out interface and can control go-to telescopes through optional hardware. I use SkySafari with the SkyWire hardware to control my go-to scopes. Version 3 improves a program that was already the best of the bunch.One feature I enjoy is the inclusion of moons. SkySafari wil plot the moons of a planet, like Saturn, to help you identify which is which in your eyepiece. This extra capability, which I haven't found in any other astronomy app, is typical of the mind boggeling completeness of this program. But wait, there's more, using the time flow options you can speed up time and watch the moons orbit. Too cool.

Ever look up and say, "What is that???". Can't remember the name?? Or the astronomy details you heard somewhere?? Sky Safari Pro has an extensive database that gives you the answers. Look in any direction and enjoy the night sky; this program is like having a good friend sharing the experience with you. And the best part, it fits your pocket and it provides tons of info at your finger tips. I'm not lost anymore.