# NOVA Black Hole Apocalypse > Educational game about stellar evolution and black holes with an accompanying documentary. (iPhone/iPad app by Public Broadcasting Service.) - Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/nova-black-hole-apocalypse/id1114574985 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`) - Developer: [Public Broadcasting Service](https://appshunter.io/developer/329374179) - Category: Education - Price: Free - Rating: 3.60/5 from 53 App Store ratings · 14 written reviews indexed - Age rating: 4+ - Requires: iOS 9.0 · 372 MB - Languages: American English - Released: 2016-06-20 - Data updated: 2026-07-06 - Monetization: free - User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/nova-black-hole-apocalypse/id1114574985/reviews.md ## What is NOVA Black Hole Apocalypse? Start with a star and play over 50 levels to watch it become a black hole. Hurl your star across spacetime to hit your target. Navigate fields of cosmic objects and hazards—like neutron stars and quasars—avoiding some and slingshotting around others in your quest to become more massive. Reach the end and your star collapses….to become a black hole. Then watch the two-hour NOVA program, “Black Hole Apocalypse,” hosted by astrophysicist Janna Levin. ## Key features - Over 50 levels - Stellar evolution simulation - Cosmic hazard navigation - Black hole formation - Accompanying documentary - Astrophysicist-hosted content ## Recent user reviews (10 of 14) All indexed reviews: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/nova-black-hole-apocalypse/id1114574985/reviews.md ### 5/5 — Pretty good, but one fix *2025-04-14* Sometimes you beat the level, then die an instant later and have to restart the level. ### 1/5 — PBS NOVA Black Hole Disappointing *2024-09-27* Installed on iPad 17.3.1. Downloaded fine. Downloaded this twice. Whether I play or watch, neither works with sound. PLAY starts rolling balls on a grid which I presume is a “Black Hole” & stars. I don’t have a clue to what’s expected or happening. Poor. I expected more reliability from PBS development. ☹️ ### 3/5 — I did it, but I didn't like it. *2021-01-19* I had to finish each level. Then I found the answer key. Sad they made this almost too difficult to see the end. And I don't get to see my badges? Take a picture of your badges after you get them, they will go in the black hole, never coming back. I earned those with trial and skill. Learn from this and you will enjoy your badges for years to come. ### 4/5 — Really need a zoom out option... *2019-06-30* I use an iPad Pro, and because your star is so close to the edge of the screen it is impossible to get to higher starting speeds on many levels without slipping my finger off the screen and automatically launching the star. A simple zoom-out option would fix this! ### 5/5 — This is Great but it has a couple little bugs. *2018-12-16* I really love ❤️ this game, and I think smashing stars 🎆🔆🔅⭐️🌟✨💫☀️🎇🌠 with my star 💫 across the galaxy 🌌🌀,but it has a couple little bugs.First when it says the space time fabric will bend it does not bend.Second, I really think they should make a part 2 where the star 💫 is a black hole 🕳 ### 4/5 — Pretty decent *2018-09-02* I get why people might think it's impossible, but an easy game is no fun. Keep at it. I agree, as sequel would be fun. Gave it 4 stars only because it crashed several times. ### 5/5 — Plz make nova elements work with iOS 11 *2018-03-15* Plz ### 5/5 — Fun!!! *2018-01-29* Great casual fun! My 7year old likes it, I like it and I like this as a companion app to the Nova Black Hole Apocalypse episode. None of these puzzles are impossible, it simply requires a test and repeat approach. Mad props to PBS and Nova, for a fun little app. ### 1/5 — Star smashing was fun then well boring/impossible *2018-01-12* Can’t get past smashing a star behind a black hole. There probably is a way I could not find it and got VERY bored. Maybe a hint would have helped. I deleted the app as I could get no further and lost interest. ### 2/5 — Grid useless *2017-12-26* You can't rotate, so the grids are basically useless, you can't determine relative angle because the perspective is off. ## Frequently asked questions about NOVA Black Hole Apocalypse ### What is the gameplay in NOVA Black Hole Apocalypse? Players guide a star through spacetime, navigating cosmic objects and hazards to achieve a target. The goal is to become massive enough for the star to collapse into a black hole. ### What educational content does NOVA Black Hole Apocalypse offer? The app includes over 50 levels focused on stellar evolution and black hole formation. It also features a two-hour NOVA program, 'Black Hole Apocalypse,' hosted by astrophysicist Janna Levin. ### What devices support NOVA Black Hole Apocalypse? Currently, NOVA Black Hole Apocalypse is supported on iPad devices. ### What is the age rating for NOVA Black Hole Apocalypse? The app has an age rating of 4+, making it suitable for younger learners interested in space. ### How often is NOVA Black Hole Apocalypse updated? The app was last updated on February 1, 2018, with version 1.1.1. Future updates may be released by the developer, Public Broadcasting Service. ### Does NOVA Black Hole Apocalypse have ads? No, NOVA Black Hole Apocalypse does not contain advertisements. It is a completely ad-free experience. ### What is the user sentiment for NOVA Black Hole Apocalypse? The app has an average rating of 3.6 stars from 53 ratings, indicating a generally positive but mixed user reception. ### Can I play NOVA Black Hole Apocalypse offline? The description does not specify offline play capabilities. However, the inclusion of a documentary suggests that an internet connection may be required to access all content. ## Version history (last 3 releases) ### 1.1.1 — 2018-02-01 This app has been updated by Apple to display the Apple Watch app icon. Watch the two-hour program from NOVA, “Black Hole Apocalypse,” hosted by astrophysicist Janna Levin. ### 1.1 — 2018-01-11 Watch the two-hour program from NOVA, “Black Hole Apocalypse,” hosted by astrophysicist Janna Levin. ### 1.0 — 2016-06-20 This update is signed with Apple’s latest signing certificate. No new features are included. ## Apps similar to NOVA Black Hole Apocalypse | App | Rating | Price | Category | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | [Cosmic Atlas](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/cosmic-atlas/id1305522465) | 3.7 (63) | Free | Education | | [Black hole finder](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/black-hole-finder/id6446029571) | 4.1 (7) | Free | Education | | [Gravity!](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/gravity/id738871919) | 3.9 (18) | Free | Education | | [Stars Units Sizes Objects](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/stars-units-sizes-objects/id1576148571) | 4.2 (5) | Free | Education | | [Make Chirps](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/make-chirps/id6466780242) | — | Free | Education | | [Visceral Science](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/visceral-science/id1494958666) | 5.0 (2) | Free | Education | ## More apps by Public Broadcasting Service - [PBS: Watch TV & Documentaries](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/pbs-watch-tv-and-documentaries/id398349296) - [NOVA Elements](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/nova-elements/id512772649) - [PBS EVENTS](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/pbs-events/id1490917494) All apps by Public Broadcasting Service: https://appshunter.io/developer/329374179 --- *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 2026-07-06.*