Best Astronomy Apps and Websites for Students

Super cool to see real sky, yet astronomy info only scratches surface

Bottom Line: Despite the downsides, there's enough appeal to make this a nice first step to explore the sky -- even more so because it's free.

Virtually step into the night sky with this stellar space resource

Bottom Line: Interactive tool is an excellent resource for kids who are curious about space.

STEM lessons creatively build off of NASA data and real space missions

Bottom Line: These hands-on lessons approximate the work of NASA scientists, engineers, and astronauts and make use of actual NASA satellite data.

Interactive 3-D tool lets kids discover and explore the solar system

Bottom Line: A detailed, thought-provoking tool for taking an interactive journey through the solar system.

Zoom into our solar system, solve mysteries with open-ended play

Bottom Line: Learn about the sun, moon, and planets through interactive open-ended play.

Visually super NASA-backed treasure trove may overwhelm

Bottom Line: A visually stunning way to get kids interested in science and space exploration.

Exciting astronomy resource brightens learning in the classroom

Bottom Line: Excellent, free reference tool inspires and teaches kids about the sun.

Thrilling VR experience needs creative teaching to truly soar

Bottom Line: If infused with good teaching, this cinematic experience can provide a rich, unforgettable adventure.

Updated stories help kids stay up to speed with space exploration

Bottom Line: Weekly updates and striking visuals make it easy for kids to stay informed about NASA's most recent discoveries.

Awesome astronomy app takes students on a journey through the universe

Bottom Line: A quality, affordable way to bring true astronomy study to the classroom, even during the day, with a plethora of viewing options.

Powerful pocket-sized map of the universe delights

Bottom Line: A great way to supplement or stimulate kids' love of stargazing.

Highly visual, interactive site could overwhelm with so many resources

Bottom Line: This NASA product provides extensive resources about astronomy, space technology, and space history, but navigating the site to find specific resources takes patience.

Encourage planetary appreciation with fab free app

Bottom Line: A sharp pocket-planetarium tool that can help foster students’ curiosity about the universe.

Citizen science site involves, inspires budding astronomers

Bottom Line: Classifying, comparing, and analyzing galactic data with this great, free tool can be influential to kids' involvement with science.

Impressive tool for stargazing and identifying objects in the sky

Bottom Line: It's an excellent hands-on astronomy reference tool.

Online science, mastered: exceptional content within meaningful tasks

Bottom Line: Serious, sophisticated science engagement -- but be prepared to take some prep time to connect these labs with your classroom.

Mini-solar system sandbox lets kids play with planets

Bottom Line: Provides students with an interactive conceptual primer on some key planetary science concepts.

Cool features and context enhance this powerful mobile planetarium

Bottom Line: This is a professional-grade tool with beautiful images and features that pique curiosity and encourage exploratory learning.

Beautiful mobile planetarium, extensive learning opportunities

Bottom Line: It truly brings the night sky up close, beautifully and with accessible, informative details.

Superb sandbox for astrophysics experimentation

Bottom Line: An impressive -- and complex -- tool that encourages a playful, systems thinking-oriented exploration of the universe and astrophysics.

Take science research out of this world with NASA's Mars project

Bottom Line: One of the best authentic inquiry space experiences out there: Use this tool to grow the next generation of researchers in your classroom.

Treasure trove of astronomical imagery and facts

Bottom Line: A bit like a jazzed-up textbook, the game curates an incredible amount of top-notch content great for learning about the universe.

Design and launch a rocket into space in realistic astrophysics sim

Bottom Line: This accurate rocket sim encourages trial-and-error learning and makes for great (and often explosive) physics and engineering experiments.