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Best Astronomy Apps and Websites for Students
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Ready Jet Go! Space Explorer
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.
Star Walk Kids: Astronomy Game
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.
Jet Propulsion Laboratory
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.
Arloon Solar System
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.
Britannica Kids: Solar System
Blast off to learning with articles, puzzles, games, and more
Bottom line: Britannica Kids: Solar System is a good reference tool for supplementing a solar system unit.
Space by Tinybop
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.
NASA
Visually super NASA-backed treasure trove may overwhelm
Bottom line: A visually stunning way to get kids interested in science and space exploration.
Solar System Explorer
Visit and explore this beautiful, vast handheld planetarium
Bottom line: Because it's so well-produced, it should fascinate any kid even remotely interested in space.
DIY Sun Science
Exciting astronomy resource brightens learning in the classroom
Bottom line: Excellent, free reference tool inspires and teaches kids about the sun.
Apollo 11 VR
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.
NASA Visualization Explorer
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.
Sky Guide
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.
Star Chart
Powerful pocket-sized map of the universe delights
Bottom line: A great way to supplement or stimulate kids' love of stargazing.
NASA: Solar System Exploration
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.
Sky Map
Encourage planetary appreciation with fab free app
Bottom line: A sharp pocket-planetarium tool that can help foster students’ curiosity about the universe.
Galaxy Zoo
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.
Mobile Observatory
Impressive tool for stargazing and identifying objects in the sky
Bottom line: It's an excellent hands-on astronomy reference tool.
NOVA Labs
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.
Planet Mechanic
Mini-solar system sandbox lets kids play with planets
Bottom line: Provides students with an interactive conceptual primer on some key planetary science concepts.
SkySafari
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.
Stellarium Mobile Sky Map
Beautiful mobile planetarium, extensive learning opportunities
Bottom line: It truly brings the night sky up close, beautifully and with accessible, informative details.
Universe Sandbox
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.
Mars Student Imaging Project
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.
WorldWide Telescope
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.
Kerbal Space Program
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.