Astronomy Observation Planning

Privacy

Is one of or biggest goals!

Astronomy Observation Planner is designed to work primarily on your device. This policy explains what information the app stores locally, when internet-based features may contact outside services, and what choices you have.

Effective date: April 29, 2026

No account required

The current macOS app does not require user account creation.

Local-first storage

Observing plans, locations, equipment, and related settings are primarily stored on your Mac.

No ads or tracking SDKs found

Based on the current build we reviewed, the app does not appear to include ad SDKs or third-party analytics SDKs.

Who We Are

Astronomy Observation Planner is published by BigSkyAstro (“we,” “us,” or “our”). This Privacy Policy explains how Astronomy Observation Planner for macOS handles information when you use the app.
Information You Enter Or Store Locally

The app may store the following information locally on your device to support planning workflows and app functionality:

  • observing location names
  • latitude and longitude
  • elevation
  • time zone information
  • country or locality information
  • Bortle or sky condition values you enter
  • equipment selections and saved equipment profiles
  • custom target database selections and magnitude settings
  • observation plans, saved target lists, and log-related records
  • app preference settings such as default location or default equipment

Location Information

The app may request access to macOS Location Services if you choose features that use current GPS or current device location.

  • Location access is optional.
  • If you do not grant location permission, you can still use manual coordinate entry or address entry.
  • When location access is granted, the app may use your device location to populate or refine observing site information.

Internet And Online Requests
Many core planning functions can work with local data. Some optional features make network requests when you use them. These requests may send relevant query information such as coordinates, dates, address text, or target identifiers to the service needed to complete the request.

Online features may include address lookup, reverse geocoding, elevation lookup, weather lookup, moon or astronomy-related calculations from remote providers, transient or small-body lookups, online catalog refreshes or downloads, object image lookup, and connectivity checks.

Based on the current app build, online sources may include Apple services and third-party public data providers such as Apple Maps, OpenStreetMap Nominatim, NOAA National Weather Service, MET Norway, Open-Meteo, USGS elevation services, NASA/JPL, Minor Planet Center, Wikimedia Commons or Wikipedia, and public astronomy catalog providers referenced by the app.

When you use those features, the relevant provider may receive technical information that normally accompanies internet requests, such as your IP address, request headers, and the request content needed to fulfill the feature.

No Advertising Or Sale Of Data

Astronomy Observation Planner is not intended to serve third-party advertising in the current macOS build. We do not state or intend that personal information is sold.

Analytics And Tracking

Based on the current build we reviewed, the app does not appear to include third-party analytics SDKs, ad SDKs, or cross-app tracking mechanisms.

If that changes in a future release, this Privacy Policy should be updated before that release is distributed.

Data Sharing

We do not receive your locally stored planning data from the app because the app is designed to keep that information on your device.

However, if you choose features that query external services, the information necessary to perform that query may be sent directly from your device to the relevant provider.

Data Retention

Information stored by the app is generally retained on your device until you delete it, clear it inside the app, remove the app, or remove the underlying local files. Backups you choose to create are stored where you save them.

Security

We take reasonable steps to support secure app behavior, but no internet transmission or local storage system can be guaranteed to be completely secure.

Children

Astronomy Observation Planner is not directed to children under 13.

Your Choices

  • deny Location Services permission
  • avoid using online lookup features
  • remove saved plans, saved lists, custom database data, or other local records within the app
  • uninstall the app and remove associated local data from your Mac

Changes To This Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. If we make material changes, we will update the effective date above.

Contact

If you have questions about this Privacy Policy, contact:

BigSkyAstro@icloud.com
Privacy URL: http://bigskyastro.com/privacy