Our rapidly changing universe has been perfecting itself for more than 13 billion years, and the proof is just above your head.
Sure, you learned about the Big Dipper as a kid, but can you name the other constellations or point out visible planets on a
crystal-clear evening? We found eight astronomy apps that not only map out the stars,
but also let you explore beyond our solar system and uncover facts you never knew about space.
Download these stargazing apps, tilt your head back and watch the universe tell its story.
An Apple Store favorite, the highly rated Pocket Universe app takes iPhone and iPad users on a virtual tour of our universe, from Mars to Jupiter's moons.
While it's a great astronomy app, it also has other nifty features like quizes and event notifications.
For Android users, Mobile Observatory is one of the most detailed astronomy apps out there and often considered a great alternative to Pocket Universe. While it comes with the updated star maps,
Mobile Observatory also has interactive views of the solar system and zoomable views of the sky and planets. It's basically an Astronomy 101 textbook loaded onto your phone.
Apple has featured Solar Walk 3D on its Best Apps list for three consecutive years, and for good reason. The high-def, interactive views of our solar system will blow away even the nerdiest of space lovers.
Unlike other astronomy apps, Solar Walk also has 3D models of man-made satellites, like the Hubble. The only drawback is that you need cyan-red 3D glasses to access the 3D modes, so it may not be a feature you'd use on the subway.
The basic name perfectly describes NASA's app for iPhone and Android.
Here you'll find a seemingly endless library of -- you guessed it -- space images. It's a great download if you're looking to change the wallpaper on your device.
While it's not as robust as Pocket Universe, Sky Map is a great alternative for Android users.
As Google's "window on the sky," this app was originally created by 20 employees who genuinely loved astronomy. Last year, the company open-sourced the app to allow for further development.
Here's the best thing about our moon: It's one of the only out-of-this-world objects you can see every night, even under bright city lights. Don't take its dependability for granted -- there's always something more to learn about our lunar friend.
Moon Atlas for iPhone and iPad is a 3D globe that you can pinch and control to manipulate for finer detail. Swipe to view the moon from every angle and read through more than 1,800 named features.
OK, we've given you lots of great app options for the major planets and astronomy maps, but what about all those other alien worlds? The Exoplanet app for iPhone and iPad is an interactive database of every known exoplanet beyond our solar system. Updated every day, the app pushes notifications when a new exoplanet is discovered. (Yes, it happens more than you think.)
NASA's Spot the Station isn't technically an app, but rather a service. Whenever the International Space Station is visible in your area, NASA will shoot you a text or email. As the third-brightest object in the sky, the ISS is visible with the naked eye. On a clear day, it looks like an airplane whizzing through the sky.
Price: Free
BY AMANDA WILLS Homepage image courtesy of NASA/Babak Tafreshi
