Overview
AstroHelm is a plate-solving and push-to navigation app for finding galaxies, nebulae, planets, and stars with an existing telescope or camera. Mounted on the equipment, a smartphone photographs the sky, matches visible stars against a database, and calculates where the instrument is pointing.
The app is designed for beginners, amateur astronomers, and astrophotographers. It does not require a GoTo mount, proprietary hardware, constellation knowledge, or a multi-star alignment process.
Key Features
- Performs plate solving entirely on the device, allowing offline use while keeping camera images on the phone.
- Calculates coordinates in less than a second and claims accuracy within 10 arcseconds.
- Avoids the drift, lag, and magnetic interference associated with compass-based astronomy apps.
- Recommends observing targets based on location, altitude, twilight, moonlight, and the current night sky.
- Supports Dobsonian and DIY telescopes as well as telephoto lenses.
- Can connect with Stellarium, SkySafari, ASCOM Alpaca, INDI, and LX200, depending on the edition and platform.
How It Works
After choosing an object, the app indicates which direction to move the telescope. Continuous plate solving tracks the telescope’s orientation so the selected target can be brought into the eyepiece or framed for photography, including under heavily light-polluted skies.
A remote-control feature can leave one device mounted on the telescope while another device is used for guidance. This capability is included with applicable Pro editions.
Pricing
The free edition includes on-device plate solving, push-to navigation, the Moon and planets, and a selection of recommended targets. There is no subscription.
Plus is listed as a $9.99 one-time purchase for the complete Messier and Caldwell catalogs and Bayer- or Flamsteed-designated stars. Pro is listed at $29.99 one time on iPhone and iPad, while the Android Pro beta is listed at $24.99 one time; expanded catalogs and supported external connections vary by edition.