AstroHelm is a smartphone app that turns a phone mounted on a telescope or telephoto lens into a precision pointing aid by continuously plate-solving the sky. Instead of relying on a drifting compass or gyroscope, it takes camera images, matches star fields to a catalog, and reports exact coordinates in under a second with accuracy down to about 10 arcseconds. That live plate-solving works offline, resists magnetic interference, and operates even in heavy light pollution, so users can pick an object from built-in curated lists and move their mount until the target lands precisely in the eyepiece or framed for photography - no GoTo mount, multi-star alignment, or proprietary hardware required.
Functionality spans casual stargazing to astrophotography: free core features include on-device plate solving, push-to navigation, moon and planets, and a selection of tonight’s best targets. Paid one-time upgrades unlock catalogs and integrations: Plus ($9.99) adds Messier, Caldwell and Bayer/Flamsteed stars; Pro (~$29.99, with a $24.99 beta price listed) adds full NGC/IC catalogs, remote control from another iPhone/iPad, and ASCOM Alpaca/INDI/LX200/Stellarium connectivity. Hardware-agnostic operation works with dobs, DIY scopes, and telephoto lenses; users report reliably centering difficult objects and replacing older push-to or GoTo hardware. No subscription required.
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