The Badge Archive

Here’s a clickable list of night sky apps and tools, with each name linked to its official site or app store page:

Mobile Apps for Stargazing

• SkyView Lite (iOS) / SkyView Lite (Android) – Point your device at the sky to identify stars, planets, and satellites in real time.
• Google Sky Map (Android) – A simple, open-source planetarium app that shows constellations and planets based on your location.
• Star Chart (iOS) / Star Chart (Android) – Offers a virtual star chart with AR features and a massive database of stars and planets.
• SkySafari (iOS & Android) – A powerful planetarium app with telescope control, deep sky data, and guided tours.
• Night Sky by iCandi Apps (iOS) – A visually stunning app with AR features, constellation models, and immersive stargazing tools.
• Star Walk Kids (iOS) / Star Walk Kids (Android) – A kid-friendly astronomy app with cartoons, facts, and interactive sky exploration.

Desktop Tools & Software

• Stellarium – Free planetarium software that simulates the night sky in 3D for any time and location.
• WorldWide Telescope – A web-based and desktop tool for exploring astronomical data and creating sky tours.
• Google Earth – Sky Mode – Explore the sky, Moon, and Mars using Google Earth Pro’s celestial viewing mode.

Printable & Hands-On Tools

• SkyMaps – Monthly downloadable sky maps tailored to different regions and seasons.
• Uncle Al’s Star Wheels – Printable star wheels that help kids and adults identify constellations.
• Make a Star Wheel – NASA Activity – Instructions and templates to build your own rotating star chart.

Viewing the Sky

• Sky This Week – Sky & Telescope – Weekly updates on what’s visible in the night sky, including planets and constellations.
• NASA Science – Solar System Exploration – Interactive tools to explore planets, moons, and spacecraft in real time.
• Astronomy Picture of the Day – Daily space images with expert explanations from NASA astronomers.

Kid-Friendly Picks

• Star Walk Kids (iOS) / Star Walk Kids (Android) – A simplified version of Star Walk with cartoon-style constellations, fun facts, and interactive sky exploration.
• Night Sky by iCandi Apps (iOS) – Offers stunning visuals, AR features, and constellation models in a kid-friendly interface.
• SkyView Lite (iOS) / SkyView Lite (Android) – While not exclusively for kids, its intuitive design and AR mode make it easy for young learners to explore stars and planets by pointing their device at the sky.
• Google Sky Map (Android) – A simple, GPS-based app that lets kids identify constellations and planets in real time. Great for beginners and free to use.
• Space Racers (Web & App) – Based on the animated preschool series, this app includes games, videos, and interactive activities that teach space science in a playful way.
• Constellation Story Videos – Look for storytelling videos like Crash Course Kids or SciShow Kids.