Wisley’s Astronomy Briefing Chapter 4 -Astronomy App Test

Wisley’s Astronomy Briefing

Chapter 4

Astronomy App Test

(Futurecdn, n.d.)

There are many space-related apps available for people of all ages to play with. But what are the best astronomy applications for everyone to enjoy? The author is here to give the readers some suggestions.

Space by Tinybop (Paid App):

(Tinybop, n.d.)

Tinybop is renowned for its amazing artwork and designs while being interactive with users. The Space edition of their app is the perfect testament to that statement, with amazing graphics of every planet and the sun, in addition to the fun games you can play with. From giving the Curiosity rover rocks to examine to producing diamonds from the insides of Neptune. You can play with the temperature, atmosphere, size, and distance from the sun, at the same time appreciating the beautiful artwork on display. This app is suitable for children to have their first experiences with space and the solar system, but older kids and adults can enjoy the fun as well.

Prof Brian Cox’s Universe (Paid App):

(Prof Brian Cox’s Universe, n.d.)

Adapted from Professor Brian Cox’s documentary series Wonders Of The Solar System and Wonders Of The Universe, this app blends a tour of the universe with interesting videos and articles. From the smallest of particles to the farthest reaches of the observable universe, as you are seeing how the universe works, video clips from the documentaries and article selections from the books with the same name will inform you deeper about the objects you are looking at. If you are a fan of infotainment, this app will be the right one for you. In the meantime, do check out the companion app Wonders Of Life if you are a big biology buff.

Solar Walk 2 (Paid App with in-app purchases):

(Solar Walk 2, n.d.-b)

Unarguably the best app about the solar system ever, a catalog of amazing facts, visuals, and interactive moments about (nearly) every member of the solar system. With a wide range of planets, moons, asteroids, and comets to choose from, it is quite a selection to choose your favorite worlds from. Not only that, satellites and man-made space probes feature a prominent role, you can observe in person some of the greatest flyby and landing moments of the most famous spacecraft like Cassini or Juno, or you can time-travel to the past and witness the first spacecraft circle around the Earth. Solar Walk 2 is a great app if you have any interest in space, and check out Star Walk 2 if you are a star-gazer.

Spaceflight Simulator (Free but with in-app purchases):

(Spaceflight Simulator, n.d.)

Have you ever had the urge to create a rocket and shoot it into space? Imagine yourself at the helm of landing a rover on Mars. If you have those urges and thoughts, Spaceflight Simulator is the closest you can get to the real deal, an app that is currently being developed into a desktop STEAM game, you can create, guide, orbit, or land whatever spacecraft of your choosing to the Moon, Mars, even as far to Jupiter and it’s moons. Easy to play in addition to the free price (in-app purchases not included), this is a game you do not want to miss.

Stellarium (Paid app but free download on laptop):

(Strellium, n.d.)

If you have any interest in star-gazing and night sky viewing, you must use the app Stellarium. Beloved and widely used by many amateur and professional stargazers, this app can be used both on your mobile devices and your laptop with the ability to tell the future and draw a portrait of what you will be seeing in the night sky, whether it is tonight, tomorrow night, or several years from now. It is a complicated application, but if you know how it works, Stellarium will be your number one tool to observe the universe. Also, you can check out Night Sky X and Sky Guide for an amazing stargazing experience.