Cosmic Watch conjures up ideas of observing the cosmos in the night sky, but even at first glance it’s apparent that Cosmic Watch is so much more. Labelled as the world’s first 3D astronomical clock, the Cosmic Watch app is a bit of a choose-your-own-adventure story, offering you the chance to view the planets in multiple ways. Built by Celestial Dynamics Ltd in Zurich, Switzerland, Cosmic Watch launched in the spring of 2015, and the most recent update came in 2018.

The app reviews well with users, earning 4.5 stars from Android and iOS reviews, closing ranks with many of the best stargazing apps. Even visiting the download landing page for Cosmic Watch lets users know they’re in for an impressive experience, giving users a taste of the stunning visualisations provided in the app.

The software includes three main modes: astronomy, astrology and world clock. Each offers an in-depth and high-quality view with plenty of customisation options. We found that one of the most appealing features was putting the app on a hyperspeed setting and relaxing while watching the universe move throughout time. While the majority of stargazing apps plant users on Earth’s surface to view the sky, Cosmic Watch offers the ability to observe from many different points of view and has dozens of optional layers.

Setting up is simple, with the app initially asking users to set their preferred location from a database of 23,000 cities, after which it takes users to the default view of clock mode. From here users can click all over the world to get real-time data and views. Focusing on the world clock modes, the app is capable of showing day or night, as well as indicating seasons, an equatorial clock face and an ecliptic clock.

Clocks can be fully customised

Astronomy settings include showing planets, constellations, stars and the zodiac. It’s also possible to turn on long-exposure, interstellar gas and dust and sky gradient. Further settings allow you to see horizontal coordinates, celestial rings and planetary orbits. Users can also toggle between a heliocentric or geocentric view at any time. You can set the app to send notifications, too, so you’ll be reminded of certain celestial events and lunar phases.

But that doesn’t mean that you can’t use it as a handy star map, as that feature is packed in along with all of the above. As with popular apps like Star Walk 2 and Stellarium, you just have to navigate to the right section on the app and then point your phone at the sky.

Even getting used to the app’s functions is a joy, allowing you to explore exactly what views Cosmic Watch offers and what overlays are possible with each view. A control panel running down the left side of the screen allows users to focus on the world clock, astronomy or astrology aspects of the app. The bottom-right corner offers time controls, and the upper-right menu creates a clean screen by removing all setting icons. Toggling the many options on and off might be overwhelming at first, and occasionally changing an option in one tab opens and closes options in another tab.

Overall, the app hosts an incredible amount of customisations to view both Earth and the Solar System, but it will take some time to understand and learn how to utilise all of the options. It’s undeniably a little fiddly, and is arguably better suited to larger tablet screens rather than smartphones. However, it’s well worth the time to explore just how powerful and educational Cosmic Watch can be.

Cosmic Watch can be utilised as a star map

“Cosmic Watch offers the ability to observe from many different points of view”

Users hoping to get the most out of Cosmic Watch should dive into the comprehensive online user guide to get a firm grasp on every feature. The online guide also points out that Cosmic Watch could be used as a desktop clock when installed and displayed on a tablet. Some users could find this to be an aesthetically appealing clock since it can be highly customised to view Earth or the Solar System. Another worthwhile feature of Cosmic Watch is the app’s screenshot option. Indicated as a red dot on the right side, the app can take, share and save screenshots of your favourite views easily.

Cosmic Watch costs £4.89 or $4.49 on Android devices through Google Play and £5.99 or $6.99 for Apple devices through the App Store. While there are many great stargazing apps offered for free, none offer the comprehensive views and information that Cosmic Watch offers. The app comes with no ads, which is extremely useful in this case since the app is already slightly cluttered with icons along the left side and the timing indicator on the right.

The design of the icons is not a negative, but it does take some time to learn what each option controls. Anyone interested in our Solar System, clocks or calendars will likely find the price of Cosmic Watch to be money well spent. The app has countless combinations of viewing options to keep users happily observing the world we live in. At times the app’s stunning visualisations can feel almost meditative, serving as an immersive break from any stressors.

Educators or young learners could also find the app to be well worthwhile, giving an interactive opportunity to explore seasons, clocks, planets, the Solar System and Earth from viewpoints all over the universe.

Users can switch to a heliocentric view of the Solar System at any time