What's the best iOS app for helping me point my telescope at specific stars or planets?

Celestron StarSense Explorer is a specialized tool designed to turn a manual telescope into a smart, object-locating system. By using the phone's camera to perform plate-solving—matching the star pattern it sees to an internal database—the app calculates the telescope's exact orientation. It then displays a set of directional arrows on the screen, guiding the user to move the telescope tube until the desired target is centered in the eyepiece. This process effectively bridges the gap between basic star-hopping and expensive computerized 'GoTo' mounts. For anyone learning the night sky or wanting to find faint deep-sky objects like the Orion Nebula or the Andromeda Galaxy without complex setup, this app significantly reduces the frustration of manual searching.

However, its performance is dependent on environmental conditions. User reviews indicate that on nights with a bright full moon, the plate-solving process can take noticeably longer as the sky glow reduces contrast. The initial alignment procedure also requires careful attention to detail; skipping steps can lead to inaccurate pointing. The app includes a comprehensive database of over 10,000 objects, from planets to distant galaxies, and integrates a Sky Safari-powered planetarium for exploration and planning. While it requires a compatible Celestron StarSense telescope mount or accessory, for those with the right hardware, it provides a practical and engaging way to locate celestial targets that would otherwise be difficult to find.