We found two astronomy apps at Appleis App Store that we simply had to tell you about: Starmap and iAstronomica. Both apps put the heavens in your pocket, and utilize iPhoneis location aware-capabilities to tell you about the stars that you are seeing in your sky.

Starmap has information on 120,000 visible stars, with extended information on 200 "main stars" that includes names, kind, and spectrum, not to mention 150 galaxies and nebulae. What more could a nerdy nerd like this reporter want?

The app will change its viewpoint based on input from the accelerometer, and is location aware. You can pinch and zoom in on your sky, and you can adjust the sky and star brightness on the display to match your viewing conditions. The app also has information about moonphase and the satellites of our nearby planets.

Starmap is priced at US$11.99, and is available in English and French. Constellation and planet names are provided in English, Dutch, Spanish, French, Italian, German, and Japanese.

Starmapis map of the skies

iAstronomica presents its skies in a different format from Starmap, but is also a map to the skies above you. It has a planetarium view for looking at the planets and stars that are visible to the naked eye, and can show you meteor showers, the Milky Way, the ecliptic, and the current moon phase. Constellations are drawn in for you.

iAstronomica is also location aware, and includes sunrise and sunset times, as well as eclipse information. The app is priced at $19.99 from the App Store, and is available in French and English.

iAstronomica