# Orrery

> Digital 3D orrery simulating the solar system with explorable planet surfaces. (iPhone/iPad app by jan frischmuth.)

- Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/orrery/id653017873 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`)
- Developer: [jan frischmuth](https://appshunter.io/developer/653017881)
- Category: Education, Entertainment
- Price: $1.99
- Rating: 4.09/5 from 35 App Store ratings · 39 written reviews indexed
- Age rating: 4+
- Requires: iOS 9.0 · 178 MB
- Languages: English
- Released: 2013-06-04
- Data updated: 2026-06-10
- Monetization: free
- User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/orrery/id653017873/reviews.md

## What is Orrery?

Experience our solar system and visit its planets with this digital 3D orrery.

Just sit back and orbit the planets or even land on some of them while listening to soothing background music…

Features:
- Smooth camera navigation
- Realistic planet radii (gas giants are proportionally downscaled) 
- Realistic orbital speeds
- Explorable surfaces: Mercury, Venus, Moon, Mars
- Wikipedia excerpts
- Speed slider
- Date input
- Autopilot mode
- Ambient music (optional)
- Optional asteroid fields
- Optional trails
- Optional lens flare
- Portrait- and landscape support
- Localized for english and german

## Key features

- 3D solar system simulation
- Planet orbiting and landing
- Realistic planet sizes and speeds
- Explorable surfaces
- Wikipedia excerpts
- Adjustable speed and date
- Autopilot mode

## Recent user reviews (10 of 39)

All indexed reviews: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/orrery/id653017873/reviews.md

### 5/5 — Beautiful

*2023-12-11*

Just curious, does this show real-time position of earth relative to the current month? When I chose 'today' December 11, it looks like it's lined up with February. But I might be misreading it. Thank you!

### 2/5 — Disappointing

*2021-04-07*

Looks nice enough, but (and I know this is contradictory) can’t see everything at the same time, and it’s not to scale - everything is far too close together.

### 3/5 — It could be improved

*2021-02-01*

I’m hoping it is still being improved as it is fascinating to see the planets move and all... but it lacks in options as I wanted to see the planets in different signs but I think it’s in Greek? 
The date selection isn’t working,
Venus and other planet cycles aren’t working as they move in accordance but it just spins in one location... It has potential and would love to see it improved.

### 5/5 — Better than an orrery I saw as a kid

*2020-12-27*

Orrery is just lovely. It’s designed for the perspective on our solar system, but I find I relax almost meditatively while watching this, and the appropriate ethereal music is a treat.

### 5/5 — Music, Soundtrack?

*2020-10-19*

I love this app, which for a moment reminds us and invite us to zoom out into the solar system.

I’d love to know the artist of the musical piece; I simply find it quite soothing..

### 5/5 — Actually incredible!

*2019-12-16*

I don’t like paying for apps usually , but I’m heavily into space/ universe. This app has been beautifully made , and is by far worth more money . 
It’s absolutely beautiful to sit and look and explore the planets. 
Thank you so much for this app.  Peace out 👍

### 5/5 — Mesmerizing

*2017-09-22*

Very happy to see this app updated for IOS 11 compatibility. Quote fun and beautifully engrossing to open and play around with the intuitive controls. The ability with a few nudges to see current positions of planets from different points of view (and in time) make this one of my favorite apps. Love it!

### 1/5 — Do not install this version

*2017-09-22*

Do not install this version on 6s with iOS 11, it crashes every time.

**Developer response:** Please try to de-&reinstall the App, it will run fine on 6s.

### 1/5 — Simply Beautiful. PLEASE KEEP IT ALIVE.

*2017-05-19*

Absolutely lovely visuals. Such a thoughtful and educational app. As another reviewer noted, it's what the iPad was made for. 

The warnings however, keep coming. The next iOS upgrade will most unfortunately antiquate your tremendous resource. Please don't let your obvious hard work go by the wayside.

### 3/5 — Ok

*2017-03-25*

It's a nice animation, hardly worth paying for though!!

## Frequently asked questions about Orrery

### What does this app do?

This app provides a digital 3D orrery, allowing you to experience and explore our solar system. You can orbit planets, land on some of them, and learn about them through Wikipedia excerpts.

### What are the key features of this solar system app?

Key features include smooth camera navigation, realistic planet radii and orbital speeds, explorable surfaces for select planets and moons, Wikipedia excerpts, a speed slider, date input, autopilot mode, and optional ambient music and visual effects.

### Is this app free to use?

Yes, the application is available for free. There are no in-app purchases or advertisements mentioned, indicating a completely free experience.

### What devices is this app compatible with?

The app supports both portrait and landscape orientations, suggesting compatibility with a wide range of mobile devices. It is localized for English and German.

### How can I use this app for learning?

You can use this app to visually learn about the solar system by orbiting planets and observing their realistic speeds and sizes. Landing on explorable surfaces and reading the integrated Wikipedia excerpts provides detailed information about celestial bodies.

## Version history (last 5 releases)

### 1.201 — 2020-01-27

- updated runtime
- improved textures, texture - resolution, compression and filtering
- improved performance and rendering quality
- improved audio quality
- fixed 'show trails' option

### 1.114 — 2017-11-13

- Updated runtime

### 1.113 — 2017-09-21

- added iOS 11 support
- updated engine
- improved meshes

### 1.112 — 2014-12-04

- added autopilot mode
- updated runtime
- improved performance
- improved render quality

### 1.010 — 2014-05-08

- adjusted mars orbit and moon rotation

## Apps similar to Orrery

| App | Rating | Price | Category |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| [Arloon Solar System](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/arloon-solar-system/id972569888) | 2.3 (3) | $2.99 | Education |
| [Planets of the Solar System!](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/planets-of-the-solar-system/id450737245) | 3.2 (6) | $2.99 | Education |
| [Solar Walk 2 for Education](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/solar-walk-2-for-education/id1204286072) | 4.4 (17) | $0.99 | Education |
| [Space by Tinybop](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/space-by-tinybop/id1126517945) | 4.2 (70) | $3.99 | Education |
| [Pocket Planets](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/pocket-planets/id1496547610) | 4.5 (20) | Free | Education |
| [Sun, Moon and Planets Widget](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/sun-moon-and-planets-widget/id1597623781) | 2.5 (2) | Free | Education |

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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 2026-06-10.*