Heavens-Above vs NASA Eyes
Heavens-Above
heavens-above.comNASA Eyes
eyes.nasa.govSide by side
| Figure | Heavens-Above | NASA Eyes |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | Free | Free |
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Free trial | — | — |
| Open source | — | Yes |
| Web | Yes | Yes |
| Windows | — | Yes |
| macOS | — | Yes |
| Linux | — | Yes |
| iOS | Yes | Yes |
| Android | Yes | Yes |
| Self-hosted | — | Yes |
| Plans published | 2 | 2 |
| Spec score · Astronomy Apps | 8.4 (#7) | 8.8 (#4) |
| Headquarters | Munich, Germany | Washington, DC, United States |
Plans
In their own words
Heavens-Above
Heavens-Above provides satellite predictions and sky information through Android, iOS and web access. The website lists 10-day predictions for selected satellites, daily predictions for brighter satellites and Starlink passes from a launch. It also offers a live sky view, interactive sky chart, dynamic 3D Starlink orbit display and interactive 3D ISS visualization. Charts and information cover the Sun, Moon, planets, comets, asteroids and constellations. The Android app includes predictions for the ISS, visible satellites and radio satellites, plus orbit and ground-track views, night mode and an orientation-based tracker. Selected passes can be added to a device calendar. Predictions run locally, with a data connection needed every few days. The free plan costs nothing; Heavens-Above Pro costs $4.99, paid once and removes Android adverts. Predictions become less accurate farther from the current date.
NASA Eyes
NASA Eyes is a free suite of interactive 3D applications for exploring NASA data and imagery in a web browser. Eyes on the Solar System lets users move among planets, moons, asteroids, comets, and spacecraft in a simulated view spanning 1950 to 2050. Eyes on Asteroids follows more than 30,000 asteroids near Earth's orbit and identifies the next five closest approaches. Earth views present data on topics including carbon dioxide, ozone, sea level, weather, precipitation, and soil moisture. Eyes on Exoplanets offers exploration of more than 5,500 confirmed systems, with filters for planet type, detection method, and observatory. DSN Now refreshes Deep Space Network station information every five seconds; Mars Relay Network visualizes communications involving Mars orbiters, landers, and rovers. NASA says the browser apps work on internet-connected devices with a modern browser, including phones, tablets, computers, and Linux systems. NASA also provides guidance for museum and educational use, website embeds, and kiosk setups. Older downloadable editions still run but are no longer supported.