Sky Map
Privacy Policy & Terms of Use
This Privacy Policy explains what information Sky Map ("Sky Map", "the app", "we", "us") collects when you use the app, how it is used, and the choices you have. Sky Map is developed and published by Horus Studios.
Sky Map is designed with a simple principle: your night sky is calculated on your device whenever possible, and we collect the minimum amount of information needed to make specific features work.
1. Information We Collect
Location
Sky Map asks for permission to use your device's location while the app is in use. Your location is used on-device to calculate which stars, planets, and satellites are visible from where you are, and to fetch local weather conditions (see "WeatherKit" below). Location processing for the sky map, compass, and augmented-reality view happens entirely on your device and is not sent to our servers.
When you ask Nova, the in-app AI astronomer, a question, a coarse version of your location (rounded to roughly 11 km / 7 miles of precision) is included so Nova's answer matches your sky. See "Nova AI Astronomer" below for details.
Motion & Camera (Compass and AR View)
Sky Map uses your device's motion sensors (gyroscope, compass/magnetometer) to determine which direction and angle your phone is pointing, so the sky map and guided object-finder can follow your movement. With your permission, the camera is used to show a live augmented-reality overlay of the sky on top of the real-world camera view. Camera video is processed only on your device to align this overlay and is never recorded, stored, or transmitted by us.
Photos (Observation Journal)
If you choose to add a photo to your personal Observation Journal, that photo is copied into the app's private storage on your device only. We do not upload, view, or have access to these photos. If you delete the app, these photos are deleted with it.
Notifications
If you schedule an observation reminder or enable satellite-pass alerts, Sky Map schedules a local notification directly on your device using Apple's notification system. This does not require sending your data to any server.
Subscription & Purchase Information
Sky Map Plus subscriptions are sold through the Apple App Store and processed by Apple. We do not see or store your payment details (card numbers, billing address, etc.) — Apple handles all payment information under Apple's own privacy policy.
We use Adapty, a third-party subscription-management service, to verify your purchase and determine which features are unlocked. Adapty receives a device identifier and purchase/receipt information necessary to validate your subscription. We have configured Adapty to not collect your advertising identifier (IDFA) or IP address. Adapty's own privacy practices are described at adapty.io/privacy.
Nova AI Astronomer
Nova is an AI chat feature available to subscribers (it is not available during the 3-day free trial — see Terms of Use). When you send Nova a message, the text of your question and an automatically generated "sky snapshot" (the objects currently visible from your approximate location, Moon phase, next satellite pass, and local weather conditions — all computed on your device) are sent to our backend service, which forwards the request to our AI provider, OpenAI, to generate a reply. Your question text and this sky snapshot are processed to generate a response and are not linked to your name, email, or Apple ID, because Sky Map does not have accounts. Message content sent to OpenAI is subject to OpenAI's API data usage policies, described at openai.com/policies/privacy-policy. To help keep the feature safe for younger users, messages are automatically screened using OpenAI's moderation tools before a reply is generated.
Weather Data (Apple WeatherKit)
To show cloud cover, visibility, humidity, and sunrise/sunset for your location, Sky Map uses Apple WeatherKit. Your approximate location is sent to Apple to retrieve this forecast; this exchange is governed by Apple's own privacy policy at apple.com/legal/privacy.
Satellite Tracking Data
Sky Map downloads publicly available orbital data (two-line element sets) for satellites such as the ISS and Hubble from CelesTrak, a public data provider. This is a one-way download of public satellite information; no personal data about you is sent to CelesTrak.
Information Stored Only On Your Device
Your favorites, observation plan, journal entries, language preference, and app settings are stored locally on your device (not on our servers) and are removed automatically if you delete the app.
2. How We Use Information
We use the information described above only to:
- Calculate and display the correct sky, compass direction, and AR overlay for your location and time;
- Generate helpful, sky-related answers through Nova;
- Show accurate local weather and satellite-pass information;
- Verify and unlock the subscription features you have purchased;
- Diagnose and fix technical problems reported to us directly.
We do not sell your information, and we do not use your data for third-party advertising.
3. Third-Party Services
| Service | Purpose | What it may receive |
|---|---|---|
| Apple (App Store, WeatherKit, Push Notifications) | Purchases, weather, local reminders | Purchase receipts; approximate location for weather |
| Adapty | Subscription status & entitlement management | Device identifier, purchase/receipt data (no IDFA, no IP) |
| OpenAI | Generates Nova's AI responses | Your question text and a computed, non-identifying sky snapshot |
| CelesTrak | Public satellite orbital data | Nothing about you — this is a one-way public data fetch |
4. Data Retention
Data stored on your device (favorites, journal, plan, settings, journal photos) remains until you delete it or uninstall the app. Requests sent to Nova are processed to generate a reply and are not stored in a database tied to you; our backend does not maintain user accounts or conversation history. Subscription status is retained by Apple and Adapty for as long as required to manage your entitlement, in line with their own policies.
5. Children's Privacy
Sky Map includes an educational "Kids Mode" with astronomy quizzes intended for family use. Sky Map does not require an account, does not knowingly collect personal information from children, and does not show behaviorally-targeted advertising. Location, motion, and camera data used to power the sky map and AR view are processed on-device regardless of who is using the app and are not tied to a child's identity. If you are a parent or guardian and believe your child has provided us with personal information, please contact us at the email below so we can address it.
6. Your Choices
- Permissions: You can grant or revoke Location, Motion & Fitness, Camera, and Notification permissions at any time in your device's Settings app.
- Local data: You can delete your favorites, plan, and journal entries from within the app, or remove all app data by deleting Sky Map from your device.
- Restore purchases / manage subscription: Manage or cancel your subscription anytime in your Apple ID account settings.
- Questions or requests: Contact us using the details below.
7. Security
We use reasonable technical and organizational measures to protect the limited information that is transmitted (such as encrypted network connections). No method of transmission or storage is 100% secure, and we cannot guarantee absolute security.
8. International Users
Sky Map is used worldwide. Some of the third-party services listed above (including Apple and OpenAI) may process information on servers located outside your country of residence. By using Sky Map, you understand that your information may be processed in these locations, subject to the third parties' own safeguards and policies.
9. Changes to This Policy
We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect changes in the app or applicable law. We will update the "Last updated" date above when we do. Continued use of Sky Map after a change means you accept the updated policy.
These Terms of Use ("Terms") are a legal agreement between you and Horus Studios ("we", "us") governing your use of the Sky Map application ("Sky Map", "the app"). These Terms supplement, and should be read together with, Apple's Standard End User License Agreement (EULA), which also applies to your use of the app. If these Terms conflict with Apple's Standard EULA, Apple's Standard EULA controls with respect to Apple's own obligations as a licensor.
By downloading, installing, or using Sky Map, you agree to these Terms. If you do not agree, please do not use the app.
1. License to Use the App
We grant you a limited, non-exclusive, non-transferable, revocable license to download and use Sky Map on Apple devices that you own or control, for your personal, non-commercial use, subject to Apple's Usage Rules and these Terms.
2. Sky Map Plus Subscription
Certain features of Sky Map — including unlimited guided object-finding, ISS/planet/sky-event alerts, the augmented-reality view, offline maps, and the Nova AI astronomer — require an active Sky Map Plus subscription, offered as an annual or monthly auto-renewing subscription.
- Free trial: The annual plan may include a 3-day free trial. During the free trial, all Sky Map Plus features are available except Nova, the AI astronomer, which unlocks once your paid subscription begins.
- Payment & renewal: Payment is charged to your Apple ID account at confirmation of purchase. Unless canceled at least 24 hours before the end of the current period, your subscription automatically renews for the same duration at the then-current price, and your account will be charged for renewal.
- Managing or canceling: You can manage or cancel your subscription at any time in your Apple ID account settings (Settings → your name → Subscriptions). Canceling during a free trial or paid period stops future renewals but does not refund the current period.
- Price changes: If subscription pricing changes, we will provide notice as required by Apple's policies before the change applies to you.
- Refunds: All purchases are billed through the Apple App Store and are subject to Apple's refund policies. We do not process payments or refunds directly.
3. Nova AI Astronomer
Nova is an AI-powered chat feature that answers questions about the night sky using a combination of on-device astronomical calculations and a third-party AI language model. Nova's responses are generated automatically and, like any AI system, may occasionally be incomplete, outdated, or inaccurate. Nova is provided for general educational and entertainment purposes only and is not a substitute for professional, scientific, medical, safety, or navigational advice. Do not rely on Nova for decisions where accuracy is critical.
4. Astronomical & Weather Data Disclaimer
Sky Map calculates the positions of stars, planets, the Moon, and satellites using established astronomical algorithms, and displays weather data from Apple WeatherKit. While we aim for accuracy sufficient for stargazing and observation planning, this data is approximate and should not be used for aviation, maritime navigation, professional research, or any other safety-critical purpose.
5. Your Content (Observation Journal)
Photos, notes, and ratings you add to your Observation Journal remain yours. This content is stored locally on your device — we do not access, view, back up, or claim any ownership over it. You are solely responsible for the content you choose to save, and for keeping your own backups if desired, since content stored only on your device may be lost if the app is deleted or the device is reset.
6. Acceptable Use
You agree not to:
- Reverse-engineer, decompile, or attempt to extract the source code of the app, except where permitted by law;
- Use the app to harass, abuse, or attempt to harm others, including through the Nova chat feature;
- Attempt to disrupt, overload, or gain unauthorized access to our backend services;
- Use automated systems (bots, scrapers) to access the app's services outside of normal use.
7. Content for Younger Users (Kids Mode)
Sky Map includes an educational "Kids Mode" with astronomy quizzes suitable for a general family audience. Parents and guardians are encouraged to review the app before allowing children to use it, and to supervise use as they would with any app.
8. Intellectual Property
Sky Map, including its design, illustrations, code, and the "Sky Map" name and logo, is owned by Horus Studios and protected by copyright and other intellectual-property laws. Except for the limited license granted above, no rights are transferred to you.
9. Third-Party Services
Sky Map relies on third-party services, including Apple (App Store, WeatherKit, notifications), Adapty (subscription management), OpenAI (Nova's AI responses), and CelesTrak (public satellite data). We are not responsible for the availability, accuracy, or content of these third-party services, which are governed by their own terms.
10. Disclaimer of Warranties
Sky Map is provided "as is" and "as available," without warranties of any kind, whether express or implied, including — to the fullest extent permitted by law — implied warranties of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose, and non-infringement. We do not warrant that the app will be uninterrupted, error-free, or that astronomical calculations, weather data, satellite positions, or Nova's responses will always be accurate.
11. Limitation of Liability
To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, Horus Studios will not be liable for any indirect, incidental, special, consequential, or punitive damages, or any loss of data, arising from your use of or inability to use Sky Map, even if advised of the possibility of such damages. Our total liability for any claim relating to Sky Map will not exceed the amount you paid us, if any, in the twelve (12) months before the claim arose.
12. Termination
We may suspend or terminate your access to Sky Map if you violate these Terms. You may stop using the app at any time by deleting it from your device; this does not automatically cancel an active subscription, which must be canceled through your Apple ID account settings.
13. Changes to These Terms
We may update these Terms from time to time. We will update the "Last updated" date above when we do. Continued use of Sky Map after a change means you accept the updated Terms.
14. Governing Law
These Terms are governed by the laws applicable in your country of residence to the extent required by local consumer-protection law, and otherwise by the laws applicable to Horus Studios, without regard to conflict-of-law principles. [Horus Studios should confirm and, if needed, update this section with its specific governing jurisdiction before publishing.]
Sky Map's core sky data is built on open scientific datasets maintained by the following projects. We're grateful for their work and their commitment to making this data freely available.
HYG Stellar Database
Sky Map's star catalog (proper names, positions, brightness, and color for naked-eye stars) is adapted from the HYG Database by Astronexus — a compilation of the Hipparcos, Yale Bright Star, and Gliese catalogs. Used and adapted under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License (CC BY-SA 4.0). Learn more at astronexus.com/projects/hyg.
d3-celestial
Sky Map's constellation figures and boundary lines are adapted from d3-celestial by Olaf Frohn, used under the BSD 3-Clause License. Learn more at github.com/ofrohn/d3-celestial.
CelesTrak
Satellite orbital data (used to compute ISS and Hubble positions and pass predictions) is provided by CelesTrak, a non-profit dedicated to making space-tracking data freely available to the global space community. Learn more at celestrak.org.
Weather Data
Local observing conditions (cloud cover, humidity, visibility, sunrise/sunset) are provided by Apple WeatherKit.