Starry Night for Mac

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Starry Night Analysis

AI Assisted Content · June 11, 2026

Not written by CNET Staff.

Starry Night is an educational reference software designed for astronomy enthusiasts, offering a comprehensive simulation of the night sky. Users can explore celestial bodies, constellations, and astronomical events with detailed visuals and accurate representations. The software includes features such as real-time tracking of celestial objects, a rich database of stars, planets, and deep-sky objects, and customizable viewing options to enhance the learning experience.

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Free

The program is user-friendly, making it suitable for both beginners and experienced astronomers. It supports various educational activities, from basic stargazing to more advanced astronomical studies. Starry Night is equipped with interactive tools that allow users to simulate the night sky from any location on Earth at any time, providing a unique way to engage with the universe.

Starry Night for Mac

Used Starry Night for Mac?

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Full Specifications

GENERAL

Release: December 11, 2010

Latest update: June 11, 2026

Version: 6.3.9

OPERATING SYSTEMS

Platform: Mac

Operating System

Mac OS X 10.5
Mac OS X
Mac OS X 10.3.9
Mac OS X 10.4

Additional Requirements: None

POPULARITY

Total Downloads: 4,174

Downloads Last Week: 0

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Last Updated

User Reviews

4.3/5

31 User Votes

No G4 Support
dmanascoMarch 29, 2008
Pros
Cons
Summary
This review was originally posted on VersionTracker.com.<br />. So far no one at Imaginova has offered any help to those of us with G4s whose programs were killed by the 6.2.3 update. Below is a log of my attempt to run 6.2.3: > Last login: Sun Mar 30 02:15:46 on ttyp1 > Welcome to Darwin! > Beowulf:~ dmanasco$ /Volumes/Arthur/Starry\\ Night\\ Pro\\ Plus\\ 6/Starry\\ Night\\ Pro\\ Plus\\6.app/Contents/MacOS/Starry\\ Night; exit > -bash: /Volumes/Arthur/Starry Night Pro Plus 6/Starry Night Pro Plus 6.app/Contents/MacOS/Starry Night: Bad CPU type in executable > logout > [Process completed] It's obvious that they left out the G4 code. When are we going to see an update that includes the G4 code? -=-Dennis .
No G4 Support
dmanascoMarch 29, 2008
Pros
Cons
Summary
This review was originally posted on VersionTracker.com.<br />. So far no one at Imaginova has offered any help to those of us with G4s whose programs were killed by the 6.2.3 update. Below is a log of my attempt to run 6.2.3: > Last login: Sun Mar 30 02:15:46 on ttyp1 > Welcome to Darwin! > Beowulf:~ dmanasco$ /Volumes/Arthur/Starry\\ Night\\ Pro\\ Plus\\ 6/Starry\\ Night\\ Pro\\ Plus\\6.app/Contents/MacOS/Starry\\ Night; exit > -bash: /Volumes/Arthur/Starry Night Pro Plus 6/Starry Night Pro Plus 6.app/Contents/MacOS/Starry Night: Bad CPU type in executable > logout > [Process completed] It's obvious that they left out the G4 code. When are we going to see an update that includes the G4 code? -=-Dennis .
Killer (or maybe assassin) upgrade
dmanascoMarch 11, 2008
Pros
Cons
Summary
This review was originally posted on VersionTracker.com.<br />. I was using Starry Night 6.2 and thought it a pretty good program (except for all the star databases they've removed in the last few years...). (I've used earlier versions since the 90s.) Then the 6.2.3 "update" was offered. It totally destroyed my ability to use the program. The program doesn't even bounce in the dock anymore. To add insult to injury: I complained about the upgrade's destruction of my program to the Starry Night Users Group. My post was never posted or sent to the other members. Obviously this is a "User" mailing list tightly controlled by the corporate interest, rather than the user interest. This is the post I made to the (alleged) "User" List for Starry Night: At 10:01 AM -0500 3/6/08, Dave Whipps wrote: >> We've confirmed that there is a problem with 6.2.3 on (Macintosh) G4 processors on any version of OSX. Read it again: "there is a problem with 6.2.3 on (Macintosh) G4 processors on any version of OSX." "Problem??" Totally disabling a product is a "problem"? It's a disaster. "Any version of OSX?" That means that the upgrade was _never_ tested against G4 Macs using OSX. How incredibly stupid is that?? This sort of quality-control failure is absolutely unconscionable. My complimentary "update" of Starry Night made the program totally non-functional. My program has been killed by the "update." Dead. Useless. It doesn't even bounce in the Dock. This problem _must_ be fixed quickly, without my re-installing the original and destroying my modifications. It is absolutely amazing to me that Starry Night would release an "upgrade" that completely disabled the program for so many users. -=- Dennis ( Yes. If you can't tell: I'm MegaPi$$ed. If I can't download something within the next few days that makes it all better, without reinstalls and partial restores from backup and etc., then I'm going to be: Mega SCREAMING Pi$$ed. Then I'm going to pursue a secondary career in on-line software commentary... ) .
Killer (or maybe assassin) upgrade
dmanascoMarch 11, 2008
Pros
Cons
Summary
This review was originally posted on VersionTracker.com.<br />. I was using Starry Night 6.2 and thought it a pretty good program (except for all the star databases they've removed in the last few years...). (I've used earlier versions since the 90s.) Then the 6.2.3 "update" was offered. It totally destroyed my ability to use the program. The program doesn't even bounce in the dock anymore. To add insult to injury: I complained about the upgrade's destruction of my program to the Starry Night Users Group. My post was never posted or sent to the other members. Obviously this is a "User" mailing list tightly controlled by the corporate interest, rather than the user interest. This is the post I made to the (alleged) "User" List for Starry Night: At 10:01 AM -0500 3/6/08, Dave Whipps wrote: >> We've confirmed that there is a problem with 6.2.3 on (Macintosh) G4 processors on any version of OSX. Read it again: "there is a problem with 6.2.3 on (Macintosh) G4 processors on any version of OSX." "Problem??" Totally disabling a product is a "problem"? It's a disaster. "Any version of OSX?" That means that the upgrade was _never_ tested against G4 Macs using OSX. How incredibly stupid is that?? This sort of quality-control failure is absolutely unconscionable. My complimentary "update" of Starry Night made the program totally non-functional. My program has been killed by the "update." Dead. Useless. It doesn't even bounce in the Dock. This problem _must_ be fixed quickly, without my re-installing the original and destroying my modifications. It is absolutely amazing to me that Starry Night would release an "upgrade" that completely disabled the program for so many users. -=- Dennis ( Yes. If you can't tell: I'm MegaPi$$ed. If I can't download something within the next few days that makes it all better, without reinstalls and partial restores from backup and etc., then I'm going to be: Mega SCREAMING Pi$$ed. Then I'm going to pursue a secondary career in on-line software commentary... ) .
Great progam, lousy new updater
cbarrickNovember 2, 2005
Pros
Cons
Summary
This review was originally posted on VersionTracker.com.<br />Starry Night is a great program -- but version 5.7 is a massive step backwards. It now requires an auto-updater that simply does not work. I'd avoid this program until they resume manual downloads of their updates!
Outstanding!
JD_1October 22, 2005
Pros
Cons
Summary
This review was originally posted on VersionTracker.com.<br />If you love astronomy, well...what are you waiting for? Get this app! You will love it. Having been on a Windows machine as well, I have experienced many other types of astronomy software. Some good, others.... This app, loaded onto either platform, will blow you away! Highly recommended! Clear Skies!
Worth every penny
eksmelserOctober 21, 2005
Pros
Cons
Summary
This review was originally posted on VersionTracker.com.<br />Near perfect software!
Wow
StimpSoft VT SpyNovember 29, 2004
Pros
Cons
Summary
This review was originally posted on VersionTracker.com.<br />Quite possibly the greatest app ever made for the Mac.
Great tool
grimaceNovember 29, 2004
Pros
Cons
Summary
This review was originally posted on VersionTracker.com.<br />If you use a telescope , or like to look at the skies, this is the program for you.
Fantastic
P356November 29, 2004
Pros
Cons
Summary
This review was originally posted on VersionTracker.com.<br />It doesn't get much better than this!

Developer’s Description

Increase your in-the-field observing success.

Increase your in - the - field observing success with Starry Night Pro version 6. Use the Events Finder to choose targets, or make your own Observing List for a specific night or for specific objects of interest. Print out three - view starhopping charts customized to your equipment that effortlessly guide you to challenging objects. With extensive data sets, advanced telescope control, and comprehensive observational tools, Starry Night Pro is a powerful program designed for the serious astronomer. Transform your computer into a sophisticated virtual observatory.