Support and FAQ

Last updated 2026-10-19

Stargaze Camp is now Night Gaze Camp. The current version of this page is at nightgazecamp.com/support/.

Need something that is not answered here? Email support@stargazecamp.com.

How do I restore my purchase?

Open the app, go to Settings, Pro and tap Restore Purchases. You must be signed in to the same Apple ID (iPhone) or Google account (Android) that bought it. Purchases belong to your store account, not to a Stargaze Camp account, because the app has no accounts. If restore finds nothing, wait a minute, check your internet connection and try again, then email us with the store order number.

Why is sky brightness only an estimate?

The app has no sensor measuring the sky above each campground. It estimates darkness from satellite night-light data (VIIRS nighttime lights), adds up the light from the surrounding area with a distance weighting, and converts the result to an approximate Bortle class and SQM value. That is a model, so a campground can be darker or brighter than shown, for example because of a nearby ridge, a single bright lamp, haze or wildfire smoke. Treat the number as a way to compare places, not as a measured reading. The app marks it as “estimated” everywhere.

How do offline packs work?

In Settings, Offline you can download data one state at a time: campgrounds, the sky darkness grid and the sun and moon tables. The download is data only, usually a few hundred kilobytes to about a megabyte per state. With a pack installed you can browse campgrounds, see estimated darkness, moonrise and moonset, and twilight times without signal. Cloud forecasts and aurora data need a connection, so open the app while you still have signal and it keeps the last forecast it received, with its age shown. Delete a pack from the same screen to free space.

Can I get aurora alerts?

Not in this version. The app shows the aurora line and the Kp index on the Aurora tab when you open it; push alerts may come in a later update.

Does the app track me?

No. Your location is used on the phone to sort campgrounds by distance and drive time. There is no account, no advertising and no analytics SDK. See the privacy policy.

Why did a campground show as closed or missing?

Campground records come from Recreation.gov and the National Park Service. Seasonal closures and new sites may lag. Always confirm on Recreation.gov before you drive. Tell us about errors at the contact page.

Can I turn the notifications off?

Yes, in the app’s Settings or your phone’s notification settings. The new-moon clear-night reminders are scheduled on your phone and need no server.