NASA Eyes vs SkyORB

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.

SkyORB is an astronomy app for exploring the sky, the Solar System, and astronomical events. SkyORB ∞ combines a real-time 3D planetarium and sky chart with augmented reality, so astronomical information can be viewed over the surroundings. Users can choose an observation location or allow location access, then view the sky at different dates and times. Its event calendar and notifications cover occasions including meteor showers, eclipses, sunrise, sunset, moonrise, and moonset. The app also tracks satellites and provides information about planets, asteroids, and deep-space objects. SkyORB Classic includes a star catalog, an interactive map with multiple projections, meteor-shower forecasts, and solar and lunar data. The maker lists Android, iOS, macOS, and Windows; SkyORB ∞ is also listed for Apple Watch and tvOS. SkyORB Classic is free. SkyORB ∞ for iOS, tvOS and Apple Watch is $4.99, paid once, and SkyORB ∞ for Mac is $6.99, paid once.