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Parents' Guide to

The Night Sky

By Chris Morris, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 8+

Easy-to-use stargazing tool shines in its accessibility.

App iPhone , iPod Touch , iPad , Android , Kindle Fire Reference
The Night Sky Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this app.

  • The Night Sky App: Screenshot #1
  • The Night Sky App: Screenshot #2
  • The Night Sky App: Screenshot #3

Community Reviews

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age 7+

Based on 1 parent review

NCSTechnology
NCSTechnology Adult
December 27, 2012
age 7+

Not for Kindle Fire

It is NOT for Kindle Fire like suggested. The Kindle Fire does NOT have a GPS system thus the app does not work. Waste of money.
See all 1 parent review

Privacy Rating Warning

  • Personal information is sold or rented to third parties.
  • Unclear whether personal information are shared for third-party marketing.
  • Personalised advertising is displayed.
  • Unclear whether data are collected by third-parties for their own purposes.
  • Unclear whether this product uses a user's information to track and target advertisements on other third-party websites or services.
  • Unclear whether this product creates and uses data profiles for personalised advertisements.
Learn more about our privacy ratings

What’s It About?

Users hoping to learn the constellations above them can quickly find the answer by holding their device to the sky. Using the internal compass and GPS locator, the app displays the stars (and satellites, if requested) in the sky, including the names of any star formations. The app also includes a "red mode," which lowers the brightness setting, making it easier to use in the night sky.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say: (1 ):
Kids say: Not yet rated

While THE NIGHT SKY isn't quite as robust as other astronomy apps like Redshift - Astronomy or Star Walk, ​the app is still a wonderful tool for stargazers and those who are interested in learning more about the night sky. With a robust vault of information, ranging from obscure constellations to the types of satellites in the sky, very little escapes its eye.

It's incredibly easy to use and doesn't overwhelm the user, which some science apps have historically done. While it might not be as thorough as some of its competitors, it uses that to its advantage and is a terrific educational tool for children.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Help kids find information on the stories behind the constellations -- and see if your kids can "see" the shapes without artistic renderings.

  • Visit a local planetarium, observatory, or air and space museum to learn more about astronomy.

App Details

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