# DIY Sun Science

> Interactive solar science education app with hands-on activities and live NASA data. (iPhone/iPad app by The Lawrence Hall of Science.)

- Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/diy-sun-science/id836712493 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`)
- Developer: [The Lawrence Hall of Science](https://appshunter.io/developer/462994550)
- Category: Education
- Price: Free
- Rating: 4.40/5 from 21 App Store ratings · 24 written reviews indexed
- Age rating: 4+
- Requires: iOS 12.0 · 134 MB
- Languages: American English
- Released: 2014-03-20
- Data updated: 2026-06-03
- Monetization: free
- User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/diy-sun-science/id836712493/reviews.md

## What is DIY Sun Science?

DIY Sun Science is designed to make it easy for families and educators to learn about the Sun anywhere, anytime! The app is developed by UC Berkeley’s The Lawrence Hall of Science, the Children's Creativity Museum, and Sciencenter; funded by NASA.

HANDS-ON ACTIVITIES
DIY Sun Science includes 15 easy-to-use hands-on activities to learn about the Sun and its important relationship with Earth. Learn how to cook in a solar oven, measure the size of the Sun, or explore shadows in model Moon craters! Each activity includes step-by-step instructions that have been tested by educators, kids, and families. Activity materials are easily available and inexpensive—you may already have many of them in your home!

SUN OBSERVATORY
Want to see the Sun right now in different wavelengths? Use DIY Sun Science to view live images of the Sun from NASA’s SDO satellite in the Sun Observatory. Afterwards, you can learn more about the solar activity you observed and test your new knowledge. 

IMAGES AND VIDEOS
See awe-inspiring images of the Sun from NASA’s Earth and space observatories! Learn about the different features of the Sun and how scientists are studying it. You can even watch NASA videos of the Sun from the past 48 hours.

Praise & Reviews:
—Featured by Apple in "Best New Apps" and "Education"
—Common Sense Media: “DIY Sun Science is a great way to spark interest in astronomy and inspire learning. The activities are fun and engaging, and they tie in nicely with important astronomy concepts.”
—Gizmodo: “A must for budding astronomy enthusiasts.”

## Key features

- 15 hands-on solar activities
- Step-by-step instructions
- Live Sun images from NASA SDO
- NASA Earth and space observatory images
- NASA solar videos
- Learn about solar activity

## Recent user reviews (10 of 24)

All indexed reviews: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/diy-sun-science/id836712493/reviews.md

### 1/5 — 🤬

*2024-05-06, version 2.4*

THIS APP FROZE MY IPAD FOR LIKE 5 MINUTES WTH

### 5/5 — Woah! Really cool…I mean hot!

*2022-07-11, version 2.0*

I do solar outreach with kids and this is awesome. Love seeing the Sun real time in multiple wavelengths! You clearly put a lot of thought into this and it shows. We’ll done! Thank you!

### 5/5 — The Sun

*2018-09-26, version 1.3*

A Superb Astronomy App For Anybody Who Are Interested In The Sun Brilliant Images Of The Sun In Different Wavelengths From The Solar Dynamics Observatory Space Probe A Very Educational And Informative Astronomy App

### 3/5 — Backdoor to YouTube

*2017-11-30, version 1.3*

I like EVERYTHING about this app EXCEPT that my child can get and stay on YouTube through the videos. Unfortunately, I had to deleted all of the DIY apps 😭

### 5/5 — Great App

*2015-11-04, version 1.3*

Love this App! It is fun to look at the many images of the sun using different wave lengths.

### 5/5 — Fantastic!

*2015-07-25, version 1.3*

All your apps are great!
As a homeschooling mom, your activitivies will surely be in our curriculum !

### 5/5 — Great for school use

*2015-05-25*

Great app that I use numerous times a school year.  Definitely deserves a favourable review.

### 5/5 — See the Sun live!

*2015-05-19, version 1.3*

Heard about this app on NPR's Science Friday. So cool that you can use the app to see live images of the Sun! Once the rain stops, I'm going to do some of these activities with my niece and nephew.

### 5/5 — The Sun App

*2015-05-17, version 1.3*

Very good, explains how the sun's appearance varies,with time. A fascinating educational App. feekie

### 5/5 — I love the sun

*2015-04-07, version 1.3*

Great app for learning about the sun. Love those live feeds from the nasa satellite.

## Frequently asked questions about DIY Sun Science

### What kind of learning does DIY Sun Science focus on?

DIY Sun Science emphasizes hands-on learning through 15 easy-to-follow activities designed to teach about the Sun and its relationship with Earth. It also incorporates real-time data and visuals from NASA to supplement learning.

### Are the materials for DIY Sun Science activities easy to find?

Yes, the app states that activity materials are easily available and inexpensive, with many items likely already present in homes. This makes it convenient for families and educators to conduct the experiments.

### Can I see the Sun in real-time with DIY Sun Science?

Yes, the Sun Observatory feature allows users to view live images of the Sun from NASA's SDO satellite. You can then learn more about the observed solar activity.

### What kind of images and videos does DIY Sun Science offer?

The app provides awe-inspiring images of the Sun from NASA's Earth and space observatories, explaining different solar features. It also includes NASA videos of the Sun from the past 48 hours.

### What is the update frequency for DIY Sun Science?

The app was last updated on March 30, 2024, indicating active development and maintenance. The latest version is 2.4.

### What devices is DIY Sun Science compatible with?

DIY Sun Science is available for iPhone, iPad, and iPod. It is designed for a mobile learning experience.

### What is the age rating for DIY Sun Science?

DIY Sun Science has an age rating of 4+, making it suitable for young children and families to explore together. It is developed by educational institutions and funded by NASA.

### How does DIY Sun Science compare to other astronomy apps?

DIY Sun Science stands out with its focus on practical, hands-on activities and direct integration of live NASA data. It is praised for sparking interest in astronomy and tying in nicely with important concepts, as noted by Common Sense Media.

## Version history (last 5 releases)

### 2.4 — 2024-03-30

Update broken link in flip book activity

### 2.3 — 2024-03-01

- new app icon

### 2.2 — 2023-09-06

Improved video playback

### 2.1 — 2023-03-02

- Fix featured video not playing

### 2.0 — 2022-07-07

- Two new hands-on activities on auroras and shadows on the Moon
- New Spanish translation of app components
- New NASA videos

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## More apps by The Lawrence Hall of Science

- [Howtosmile](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/howtosmile/id462994547)
- [DIY Nano](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/diy-nano/id520611568)
- [DIY Nano HD](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/diy-nano-hd/id628518037)
- [DIY Human Body](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/diy-human-body/id952821356)
- [Monster Heart Medic](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/monster-heart-medic/id973303004)

All apps by The Lawrence Hall of Science: https://appshunter.io/developer/462994550

## Related topics

[the lawrence hall of science](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/the-lawrence-hall-of-science) · [sun polaris ionix](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/sun-polaris-ionix)

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*Data collected daily from the US App Store and indexed by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/). User reviews are verbatim App Store reviews. Ratings, prices and chart positions refresh continuously; this snapshot is from 2026-06-03.*