The 6 best astronomy apps for your phone or tablet
The night sky has always fascinated us. The stars, our moon, and the nearby planets have always been inexplicably captivating. Even now, there’s simply no substitute for the experience of looking up at the stars, and contemplating just how small we are. However, the proliferation of smartphones and tablets gives us an opportunity to augment our experience, and learn even more about the universe.
If you search for “astronomy” on the App Store or Google Play, you’re going to be bombarded with dozens of apps. Sifting through all of them can be a bit overwhelming, so I’ve picked out six of the very best astronomy apps. Let’s jump in.
Star Walk 2
Star Walk 2 is the kind of app that makes me sad that smartphones and tablets didn’t exist when I was a kid. Using the build-in gyroscope and accelerometer in your device, this astronomy app from Vito Technology lets you hold up your phone to match the screen against the backdrop of the sky.
In a sense, this is an augmented reality experience that helps you identify and learn about celestial bodies. And thanks to the incredible 3D models included with this app, you can get a close-up look at these distant objects in a way you never could with a simple consumer-grade telescope.
Download:
Brian Cox’s Wonders of the Universe
With this affordable little app, famed British physicist Brian Cox walks us through some of the most amazing aspects of our universe. Featuring gorgeous 3D models, hours of video content, and hundreds of interactive articles, Wonders of the Universe is well worth a measly two bucks.
Download:
- Buy Brian Cox’s Wonders of the Universe on iOS for $1.99
- Buy Brian Cox’s Wonders of the Universe on Android for $1.53
Cosmos: A Spacetime Odyssey
Cosmos, the original series hosted by Carl Sagan, marked the beginning of my love of science. Last year, this beloved series was rebooted on FOX, and it was hosted by none other than Neil deGrasse Tyson. While it lacked a little bit of the quirky charm of the original, it’s hard to imagine a better follow-up.
Now, the entire 13 episode run is available on Netflix, and this free app serves as a companion piece. With additional content and an interactive version of the “cosmic calendar,” this is a nice little bonus for space enthusiasts. There are a few reports of some compatibility issues for certain devices and operating system versions, but the app is completely free. Worst case scenario, you’ll only waste a moment of your time.
Download:
NASA
Along with Russia’s Roscosmos, NASA is synonymous around the world with the concept of space exploration. And despite dwindling support from the US government, NASA is still an incredible resource for knowledge and inspiration. Thanks to this app, you can enjoy photos, videos, and much more from America’s space agency wherever you go.
Download:
Astronomy Picture of the Day
While astronomy is incredibly important from a research and engineering perspective, the universe also hold significant aesthetic value — it’s gorgeous. So if you’d like a daily dose of space-based art, this app from Concentric Sky is right up your alley. While the app itself is ad-supported, you can make a single in-app purchase of $1.99 to remove them completely.
Download:
- Get Astronomy Picture of the Day on iOS for free
- Get Astronomy Picture of the Day on Android for free
Astronomy Learning
If you’re looking for a larger guided experience, I recommend trying this Android app from Udemy on for size. With over 23 hours of lectures from a University of Arizona professor, you’ll get to have an in-depth look at how we understand modern astronomy.
Download:
Got another favorite app? Let us know in the comments below.
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