Stargazing Got Easier: (and More Fun) Thanks to These Apps

Love gazing at the night sky but feel a little lost? Us too!

Luckily, the world of astronomy apps has exploded, providing us with amazing tools to explore the cosmos from our backyards.

Here are a few of our favorites:

• Star Walk 2: This app is like having a personal astronomy guide. Point your phone at the sky, and it instantly identifies constellations, planets, satellites and more. Plus, it offers time-lapses showing celestial movements and fun facts about each object. Definitely a must-have for beginners.

• Stellarium Mobile: Dreaming of visiting Mars or wondering what Nebulae look like up close? Stellarium Mobile brings the planetarium experience to your phone. Its realistic 3D visuals allow you to explore the entire night sky, zoom in on different planets and even see what the constellations looked like thousands of years ago!

• Night Sky: Ever wished you could walk through a constellation? Night Sky lets you do just that! It uses augmented reality to overlay constellations onto your real-world view, making it feel like you're actually standing among the stars. It also tracks satellites, offers meteor shower alerts, and even lets you take pictures with your favorite celestial objects.

Fun Constellation Fact: Did you know that the Little Dipper actually points towards Polaris, the North Star? It's a handy way to find your way around the night sky!

With these apps and a little stargazing knowledge, you'll be a cosmic pro in no time!