Light Pollution Map

Name: Light Pollution Map
Rating: 4.1 (46 reviews)
Author: Jurij Stare

by Jurij Stare

iPhone · iPad

Active Last checked 31 Jul 2026

App Store ↗

Quick verdict

What it is: Store information collected; independent summary not yet available.
At a glance: $4.99

Categories and search queries

Official categories

Navigation
Utilities

AppCorpus categories

Key functions

Function	Availability	Access	Scope	Evidence
Family Sharing	Yes	Unknown	App Store	Store published

Screens

No screenshots collected yet.

Pricing & paywalls

App Store

Shown for US

Price: $4.99

Last verified 31 Jul 2026

Ratings & reviews

App Store

Shown for US

4.1 46 ratings · App Store

4/5VIIRS 2023 availible on website but not app
I like the app but the most recent data, VIIRS 2023, is only on the website making this app useless as of now. Hopefully it will be added soon.

Idktyere are no nicknames left · 31 Jul 2026
5/5Good app
I’ve used the web based version for some time but thought I’d try the app. Overall it’s great. Understanding some of the values being listed and what it means for your dark sky experience takes a little leg work. I had to go and actually read part of the paper that goes along with the underlying data set. For me the salient figure would be the ratio listed whenever you click on a point in the map. This ratio is the ratio of the artificial brightness from pollution over the natural brightness of the night sky. Per the paper looking straight up anything 1% or less is about as good as you’re going to get (middle of the ocean would be 0% but 1% is about as good if not looking at the horizon). Haven’t looked at every feature so far but overall app works great but the lag to get stats when you click on a location gets tedious.

Ggjgv · 31 Jul 2026
5/5Very Nice
Jurij: Great app! Certainly a very useful tool for all kinds of things. I found it as someone had linked to it from Reddit. People like to know where to go to stargaze, or see the northern lights. Take care!

-hicketre2006- · 31 Jul 2026
5/5So important
This tool is so important in showing how humans are changing the planet. All life depends on darkness for circadian rhythms, and this measures how much we need to return to a healthy state for flora and fauna alike.

11224331 · 31 Jul 2026
1/5Can’t move map or shrink
Great idea, desktop version may be better. App help text doesn’t fit on screen; map only responds erratically when I try to move location (using two fingers). Possible delay on server end?

globeshuffler · 31 Jul 2026

Privacy & accessibility

App Store

Privacy

Data Not Collected Developer declared

Accessibility

No accessibility labels collected yet.

Versions

App Store

1.1.10
- New option under settings to display VIIRS/World Atlas overlays in a color blind friendly style - Enabled landscape mode for iPad - Fixed a bug from previous release where basemap was not displayed in offline mode - Other
1.1.13
- VIIRS 2021 overlay added
1.1.14
- Fixed elevation units when imperial units are selected in settings
1.1.16
- VIIRS data source is now NASA instead of NOAA - Fixed the issue with adding a marker to "My locations"
1.1.17
- Added exponential trend (annual % change) to VIIRS radiance chart - Fixed the issue of non working offline mode in the last version (re-download the cache if not working)
1.1.18
- VIIRS 2022 added - Search for places now first searches through Geonames database and if it fails it will search Bing's database - Other minor fixes
1.1.2
- VIIRS spatial query now displays a timeline chart - Some other small improvements
1.1.21
- VIIRS chart now has an option to display monthly values - Fixed trailing artefact produced by the popup window on some devices - Fixed the issue of previously downloaded offline maps not showing after app update - Fixed the issue of search bar not showing when there are too many users on the server
1.1.22
- Added 2023 VIIRS overlay - Other minor fixes
1.1.25
- VIIRS overlays now use Black marble v2.0 instead v1.3 data - Added VIIRS 2024 - Basemaps and search providers changed because Bing Maps for Enterprise will be discontinued on June 30th 2025
1.1.29
- Changes to the user interface - Added 'Zenith brightness simulation' tool - Added 'Find closest dark' site tool - World Atlas 2015 overlay has some new additional display options - Viewing SQM-LE charts received some performance upgrades
1.1.3
- New Aurora forecast overlay. It forecasts aurora visibility in the next 30 min and is updated every 5 min. - Fixed a bug that would cause the app to sometimes hang on start. - Other minor cosmetic improvements.
1.1.31
- New Moon tool that displays realistic moon state (phase, illumination, libration, relative size), moonset/moonrise times and other properties at any given moment and location on the planet. - Added NOAA 3-day Aurora forecast (turn on Aurora layer and a link should be visible under the dropdown menu) - Various bugfixes
1.1.33
- New Sky brightness overlays (all years) - Render All-sky image at a specified location (with terrain) - Added International Dark sky parks polygon feature overlay - Redesigned offline mode (supports all Sky brightness overlays and point information) - Added basemaps from Apple and OpenStreetMap - Other improvements and bug fixes
1.1.34
- Bortle class display fixed. - Fixed the issue with sorting 'My locations' when a new item is added.
1.1.35
- Added 2025 VIIRS and Sky brightness overlays. - When area statistics are shown for Sky brightness/World Atlas, locations of the minimum and maximum values are now also marked on the map. - Other minor fixes and improvements.
1.1.37
- All-sky image now has two views: Fisheye and panoramic view. - Other fixes and improvements.
1.1.38
- Sky brightness simulation: added a function that generates an all-sky image that takes into account the drawn polygon radiance modification. That way you can see the effect of the modification on the sky brightness distribution across the entire sky, not just at the zenith. - Added NELM as an alternative unit for sky brightness display for Sky brightness and World Atlas overlays. You can toggle between NELM and MPSAS by clicking the 'SQM' text in the point info window. - Added a 'Save' button to the generated all-sky image, so you can save it directly to your device. - Other minor fixes.
1.1.39 · 29 May 2026
- Feature filters can be now be saved (settings). Name field also supports wildcard searching for example '*town OR john*' will display 'Smalltown' and 'Johnstown'. - 'My locations' can now be saved (and edited) and restored from a file. - 'My locations' now also available as a feature overlay, so you can view them on the map. - Changing dates in the calendar widget doesn't open virtual keyboard anymore (except when you tap on hour/minute fields). - Other minor changes and bug fixes.
1.1.4
- SQC images can now be zoomed in - Fixed a few broken links - Fixed a bug that would sometimes show a previous spatial query instead of a current one
1.1.5
- Added support for dark mode (iOS 13+) - Minor bug fixes
1.1.6
- Map navigation and help menu fix for iOS 12.x - Other minor cosmetic changes
1.1.7
- Added high DPI base map option under settings, which should provide larger map labels (especially if you zoom in)
1.1.8
- Minor bug fixes
1.1.9
- New VIIRS overlay (2020) - Search is now using Geonames database instead of Microsoft service

Show more Show less

Alternatives

Sun Seeker - Sunlight Tracker — Same category + similar ratings
US Public Lands — Same category + similar ratings

Availability by market

No LIVE observation for ES yet.

Data quality & evidence

Page completeness: Live store listing
Last verified: 31 Jul 2026
Sources: App Store

Independent summary has not been published yet.
Screenshots: not yet collected

Report a correction

Use this page with an AI agent

AppCorpus MCP gives your agent current app data, prices, screens, features and sources.

Example prompt

Compare Light Pollution Map with Sun Seeker - Sunlight Tracker.

View JSON

GET /api/v3/apps/1530464858

{
  "app_id": 1530464858,
  "canonical_url": "https://appcorpus.com/apps/light-pollution-map-1530464858",
  "identity": {
    "name": "Light Pollution Map",
    "slug": "light-pollution-map",
    "developer": {
      "name": "Jurij Stare",
      "url": "https://appcorpus.com/developers/jurij-stare-developer_219dcde014ece7fc3a3b5a8b1c27e062"
    },
    "icon_url": "https://is1-ssl.mzstatic.com/image/thumb/Purple221/v4/d0/ed/91/d0ed91ff-3662-62fd-285f-b8b4c97e2717/AppIcon-1x_U007emarketing-0-11-0-0-85-220-0.png/512x512bb.jpg",
    "stores": [
      "apple"
    ],
    "platforms": [
      "iphone",
      "ipad"
    ],
    "status": {
      "state": "active",
      "label": "Active",
      "last_checked": "2026-07-31",
      "last_checked_label": "31 Jul 2026",
      "banner": null,
      "region_note": null
    }
  },
  "listings": [
    {
      "store": "apple",
      "status": "ACTIVE",
      "url": "https://apps.apple.com/us/app/light-pollution-map/id1530464858?uo=4",
      "rating": 4.1,
      "rating_count": 46,
      "formatted_price": "$4.99",
      "is_free": false,
      "has_iap": false,
      "has_subscription": false,
      "version": "1.1.39",
      "updated": "2026-05-29",
      "currency": "USD"
    }
  ],
  "summary": {
    "one_liner": null,
    "summary": null,
    "best_for": [],
    "not_for": [],
    "status": "fallback",
    "at_a_glance": [
      "$4.99"
    ]
  },
  "categories": {
    "official": [
      "Navigation",
      "Utilities"
    ],
    "appcorpus": [
      {
        "category_id": "navigation",
        "label": "Navigation",
        "url": "https://appcorpus.com/categories/navigation"
      },
      {
        "category_id": "utilities",
        "label": "Utilities",
        "url": "https://appcorpus.com/categories/utilities"
      }
    ]
  },
  "use_cases": [],
  "features": [
    {
      "capability_id": "family_sharing",
      "label": "Family Sharing",
      "availability": "yes",
      "access_level": "unknown",
      "scope": "App Store",
      "evidence": "Store published"
    }
  ],
  "pricing": [
    {
      "store": "apple",
      "formatted_price": "$4.99",
      "is_free": false,
      "has_iap": false,
      "has_subscription": false,
      "currency": "USD",
      "market": "es",
      "last_verified": "2026-07-31",
      "rows": [
        "Price: $4.99"
      ]
    }
  ],
  "screens": [],
  "ratings": [
    {
      "store": "apple",
      "average": 4.1,
      "count": 46,
      "market": "es",
      "observed_at": "2026-07-31",
      "reviews": [
        {
          "rating": 4,
          "title": "VIIRS 2023 availible on website but not app",
          "body": "I like the app but the most recent data, VIIRS 2023, is only on the website making this app useless as of now. Hopefully it will be added soon.",
          "author": "Idktyere are no nicknames left",
          "date": "31 Jul 2026"
        },
        {
          "rating": 5,
          "title": "Good app",
          "body": "I’ve used the web based version for some time but thought I’d try the app. Overall it’s great. Understanding some of the values being listed and what it means for your dark sky experience takes a little leg work. I had to go and actually read part of the paper that goes along with the underlying data set. For me the salient figure would be the ratio listed whenever you click on a point in the map. This ratio is the ratio of the artificial brightness from pollution over the natural brightness of the night sky. Per the paper looking straight up anything 1% or less is about as good as you’re going to get (middle of the ocean would be 0% but 1% is about as good if not looking at the horizon). Haven’t looked at every feature so far but overall app works great but the lag to get stats when you click on a location gets tedious.",
          "author": "Ggjgv",
          "date": "31 Jul 2026"
        },
        {
          "rating": 5,
          "title": "Very Nice",
          "body": "Jurij: Great app! Certainly a very useful tool for all kinds of things. I found it as someone had linked to it from Reddit. People like to know where to go to stargaze, or see the northern lights. Take care!",
          "author": "-hicketre2006-",
          "date": "31 Jul 2026"
        },
        {
          "rating": 5,
          "title": "So important",
          "body": "This tool is so important in showing how humans are changing the planet. All life depends on darkness for circadian rhythms, and this measures how much we need to return to a healthy state for flora and fauna alike.",
          "author": "11224331",
          "date": "31 Jul 2026"
        },
        {
          "rating": 1,
          "title": "Can’t move map or shrink",
          "body": "Great idea, desktop version may be better. App help text doesn’t fit on screen; map only responds erratically when I try to move location (using two fingers). Possible delay on server end?",
          "author": "globeshuffler",
          "date": "31 Jul 2026"
        }
      ]
    }
  ],
  "privacy": [
    {
      "store": "apple",
      "declarations": [
        {
          "title": "Data Not Collected",
          "detail": "",
          "source": "Developer declared"
        }
      ],
      "accessibility": []
    }
  ],
  "changes": [
    {
      "store": "apple",
      "version": "1.1.10",
      "released_at": null,
      "notes": "- New option under settings to display VIIRS/World Atlas overlays in a color blind friendly style - Enabled landscape mode for iPad - Fixed a bug from previous release where basemap was not displayed in offline mode - Other"
    },
    {
      "store": "apple",
      "version": "1.1.13",
      "released_at": null,
      "notes": "- VIIRS 2021 overlay added"
    },
    {
      "store": "apple",
      "version": "1.1.14",
      "released_at": null,
      "notes": "- Fixed elevation units when imperial units are selected in settings"
    },
    {
      "store": "apple",
      "version": "1.1.16",
      "released_at": null,
      "notes": "- VIIRS data source is now NASA instead of NOAA - Fixed the issue with adding a marker to \"My locations\""
    },
    {
      "store": "apple",
      "version": "1.1.17",
      "released_at": null,
      "notes": "- Added exponential trend (annual % change) to VIIRS radiance chart - Fixed the issue of non working offline mode in the last version (re-download the cache if not working)"
    },
    {
      "store": "apple",
      "version": "1.1.18",
      "released_at": null,
      "notes": "- VIIRS 2022 added - Search for places now first searches through Geonames database and if it fails it will search Bing's database - Other minor fixes"
    },
    {
      "store": "apple",
      "version": "1.1.2",
      "released_at": null,
      "notes": "- VIIRS spatial query now displays a timeline chart - Some other small improvements"
    },
    {
      "store": "apple",
      "version": "1.1.21",
      "released_at": null,
      "notes": "- VIIRS chart now has an option to display monthly values - Fixed trailing artefact produced by the popup window on some devices - Fixed the issue of previously downloaded offline maps not showing after app update - Fixed the issue of search bar not showing when there are too many users on the server"
    },
    {
      "store": "apple",
      "version": "1.1.22",
      "released_at": null,
      "notes": "- Added 2023 VIIRS overlay - Other minor fixes"
    },
    {
      "store": "apple",
      "version": "1.1.25",
      "released_at": null,
      "notes": "- VIIRS overlays now use Black marble v2.0 instead v1.3 data - Added VIIRS 2024 - Basemaps and search providers changed because Bing Maps for Enterprise will be discontinued on June 30th 2025"
    },
    {
      "store": "apple",
      "version": "1.1.29",
      "released_at": null,
      "notes": "- Changes to the user interface - Added 'Zenith brightness simulation' tool - Added 'Find closest dark' site tool - World Atlas 2015 overlay has some new additional display options - Viewing SQM-LE charts received some performance upgrades"
    },
    {
      "store": "apple",
      "version": "1.1.3",
      "released_at": null,
      "notes": "- New Aurora forecast overlay. It forecasts aurora visibility in the next 30 min and is updated every 5 min. - Fixed a bug that would cause the app to sometimes hang on start. - Other minor cosmetic improvements."
    },
    {
      "store": "apple",
      "version": "1.1.31",
      "released_at": null,
      "notes": "- New Moon tool that displays realistic moon state (phase, illumination, libration, relative size), moonset/moonrise times and other properties at any given moment and location on the planet. - Added NOAA 3-day Aurora forecast (turn on Aurora layer and a link should be visible under the dropdown menu) - Various bugfixes"
    },
    {
      "store": "apple",
      "version": "1.1.33",
      "released_at": null,
      "notes": "- New Sky brightness overlays (all years) - Render All-sky image at a specified location (with terrain) - Added International Dark sky parks polygon feature overlay - Redesigned offline mode (supports all Sky brightness overlays and point information) - Added basemaps from Apple and OpenStreetMap - Other improvements and bug fixes"
    },
    {
      "store": "apple",
      "version": "1.1.34",
      "released_at": null,
      "notes": "- Bortle class display fixed. - Fixed the issue with sorting 'My locations' when a new item is added."
    },
    {
      "store": "apple",
      "version": "1.1.35",
      "released_at": null,
      "notes": "- Added 2025 VIIRS and Sky brightness overlays. - When area statistics are shown for Sky brightness/World Atlas, locations of the minimum and maximum values are now also marked on the map. - Other minor fixes and improvements."
    },
    {
      "store": "apple",
      "version": "1.1.37",
      "released_at": null,
      "notes": "- All-sky image now has two views: Fisheye and panoramic view. - Other fixes and improvements."
    },
    {
      "store": "apple",
      "version": "1.1.38",
      "released_at": null,
      "notes": "- Sky brightness simulation: added a function that generates an all-sky image that takes into account the drawn polygon radiance modification. That way you can see the effect of the modification on the sky brightness distribution across the entire sky, not just at the zenith. - Added NELM as an alternative unit for sky brightness display for Sky brightness and World Atlas overlays. You can toggle between NELM and MPSAS by clicking the 'SQM' text in the point info window. - Added a 'Save' button to the generated all-sky image, so you can save it directly to your device. - Other minor fixes."
    },
    {
      "store": "apple",
      "version": "1.1.39",
      "released_at": "2026-05-29",
      "notes": "- Feature filters can be now be saved (settings). Name field also supports wildcard searching for example '*town OR john*' will display 'Smalltown' and 'Johnstown'. - 'My locations' can now be saved (and edited) and restored from a file. - 'My locations' now also available as a feature overlay, so you can view them on the map. - Changing dates in the calendar widget doesn't open virtual keyboard anymore (except when you tap on hour/minute fields). - Other minor changes and bug fixes."
    },
    {
      "store": "apple",
      "version": "1.1.4",
      "released_at": null,
      "notes": "- SQC images can now be zoomed in - Fixed a few broken links - Fixed a bug that would sometimes show a previous spatial query instead of a current one"
    }
  ],
  "alternatives": [
    {
      "app_id": 330247123,
      "name": "Sun Seeker - Sunlight Tracker",
      "url": "https://appcorpus.com/apps/sun-seeker-sunlight-tracker-330247123",
      "reason": "Same category + similar ratings"
    },
    {
      "app_id": 723185418,
      "name": "US Public Lands",
      "url": "https://appcorpus.com/apps/us-public-lands-723185418",
      "reason": "Same category + similar ratings"
    }
  ],
  "evidence_summary": {
    "index_state": "S1",
    "evidence_level": 1,
    "level_label": "Live store listing",
    "indexable": true,
    "last_verified_at": "2026-07-31",
    "unknown_fields": [
      "Independent summary has not been published yet.",
      "Screenshots: not yet collected"
    ],
    "sources": [
      "App Store"
    ]
  },
  "availability_markets": {
    "live": [
      "us"
    ],
    "selected": "es",
    "note": "No LIVE observation for ES yet."
  },
  "feature_events": {
    "events": []
  },
  "features_slice": {
    "plans": [],
    "features": [],
    "unknown_features": [
      "family_sharing"
    ],
    "data_cutoff": "31 Jul 2026"
  }
}