Whether you’re interested in exploring the stars in the night sky or simply want to admire them, hundreds of astronomy applications on Android can help you do just that. Below are the top 10 highly rated astronomy apps available on the Google Play Store.
Redshift – Astronomy
Redshift – Astronomy brings the beautiful night sky right to your screen. Explore exoplanets, enhance your knowledge with detailed information about constellations, space travel, and significant meteor events. Additionally, Redshift offers 3D flights that allow users to “stroll” around the solar system while admiring over 100,000 stars and 70,000 objects in the night sky. The app is rated 4.7 stars on the Play Store for its useful information.
Star Walk 2 Free
Star Walk 2 Free is arguably one of the most beautiful astronomy apps available on Google Play. It features a stunning interface that is extremely easy to navigate. Moreover, it offers many useful functions such as an interactive sky map for stargazing at any time and assistance in observing stars at a specific moment. The app is free to download and use but contains in-app purchases.
Star Tracker – Mobile Sky Map
Another valuable choice in this field is Star Tracker. It boasts a reliable offline data source, meaning users can stargaze anytime, even without an Internet connection. The app stores information on over 8,000 stars within the galaxy. Star Tracker also has a Pro version that removes ads and adds a time and location menu.
Star Chart VR
Star Chart VR is an incredibly engaging astronomy app that has been available on Android for some time. Star Chart allows users to explore the solar system in a beautifully simulated virtual reality environment in real-time. If you have the appropriate hardware, Star Chart is undoubtedly a perfect choice for satisfying your astronomy passion on mobile.
Sky Map
Sky Map for Android provides basic information about galaxies and stars in the sky. It operates smoothly on Android devices, allowing users to utilize their smartphone’s gyroscope sensor to view stars, constellations, and planets. Sky Map is an open-source application, making it completely free on Google Play. If you have programming knowledge, you can contribute to developing Sky Map further.
SkEye
If you’re looking for something a bit more advanced than Sky Map, SkEye is an excellent choice. It includes all the essential features of a professional astronomy app, including a time machine, night mode, numerous objects in the solar system to admire, and options to customize the background in various colors. SkEye is available for free on the Play Store.
Solar System Explorer 3D
True to its name, this app focuses more on the solar system and planets rather than stars and constellations. Solar System Explorer 3D features a stunning interface with sharp HD graphics accompanied by great music. The images used are sourced from NASA. This creates an experience of observing the galaxy on a mobile screen akin to viewing through a telescope. Additionally, it is an extremely useful tool for expanding knowledge about the universe.
Astronomy Picture Of The Day
Even if you currently lack the time to stargaze or use the apps to observe planets, that doesn’t mean you can’t view images related to astronomy. Astronomy Picture Of The Day sends you daily images of the universe captured by NASA, and it also provides the option to download them as phone wallpapers. The app features a UI designed in Google’s signature Material style, making it very visually appealing.
NASA
This is undoubtedly the best astronomy app without question, as it is developed by NASA for Android. The app’s content is incredibly rich. In addition to detailed information about astronomy, users can access content related to space, such as watching NASA live television programs, connecting to over 16,000 images, enjoying more than 14,000 videos, and much more.
Stellarium Mobile Sky Map
Last but not least, Stellarium Mobile Sky Map boasts one of the largest star collections (over 600,000). You will find it challenging to locate any other astronomy app like this. The constellations and stars here can be zoomed in on, and you can view the solar system in 3D mode whenever you wish. It also features night mode and GPS positioning. However, this is a paid app, priced at 52,000 VND.
The above are just 10 standout applications in this field. If you know of any unique astronomy apps, please share them with us!
As mentioned, this app focuses more on the solar system and planets rather than stars and constellations. Solar System Explorer 3D features a stunning interface with sharp HD graphics accompanied by great music. The images used are sourced from NASA. This creates an experience of observing the galaxy on a mobile screen akin to viewing through a telescope. Additionally, it is an extremely useful tool for expanding knowledge about the universe.
