# Solar System for iPad — Explore our planetary backyard

> Interactive electronic book for exploring the solar system with 3D models and real data. (iPhone/iPad app by NatureGuides Ltd..)

- Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/solar-system-for-ipad/id406795422 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`)
- Developer: [NatureGuides Ltd.](https://appshunter.io/developer/310574314)
- Category: Books, Education
- Price: $12.99
- Rating: 4.30/5 from 22 App Store ratings · 145 written reviews indexed
- Age rating: 4+
- Requires: iOS 12.0 · 1.1 GB
- Languages: American English, German (Germany), Japanese
- Released: 2010-12-21
- Data updated: 2026-09-07
- Monetization: paid
- User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/solar-system-for-ipad/id406795422/reviews.md

## What is Solar System for iPad?

A breakthrough electronic book about our Solar System, offering hours of interactive exploration and presenting a treasure trove of visual information.

Bestselling author Marcus Chown leads us on a grand tour through the incredible diversity of planets, moons, asteroids, comets and spacecraft that surround the Sun in our cosmic backyard. Illuminating his insightful and surprising text are a wealth of beautiful 3D objects, movies, images, animations, and diagrams, all fully interactive, richly detailed and accurately based on real scientific data.

Set the heavens in motion in an interactive orrery that allows you to control the orbits of the moons and planets, observing them from any viewpoint with breath-taking surface detail. View the latest imagery returned by both manned and robot spacecraft, beautifully presented on the iPad screen. Then double-tap any astronomical object to jump directly to its chapter in the interactive book.

Solar System for iPad is brought to you by RGB (creators of The Elements) and Faber & Faber (London’s greatest independent publisher). It raises the bar yet again on what an interactive book can be. A perfect gift for anyone with an iPad: Solar System allows the imagination to roam free from Mercury to Pluto and beyond.

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Awards:

Winner of the FutureBook Digital Innovation Prize (The Bookseller Industry Awards) – March 2011 

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Reviews:

“There is so much to this application that I can only begin to scratch the surface on its offerings. As with The Elements the content and presentation truly make learning fun and inspiring.”
- WIRED Magazine

“The new Solar System for iPad app is an amazing and extraordinarily attractive resource for amateur astronomers... an out-of-this-world digital book that is as informative as it is beautiful. It’s a stellar example for other reference app makers on how to best take advantage of the tablet medium.”
- USA Today, Marc Saltzman

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Features:

• Exclusive theme song by Björk
• More than 150 beautifully presented story pages
• Richly Illustrated with interactive diagrams, videos and 3D objects
• Over 40 rotatable and zoomable 3D astronomical objects
• Over 600 images from NASA, ESA and JAXA space missions
• Detailed captions including technical data
• Live astronomical information from Wolfram|Alpha®

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Languages:

English, German, Japanese

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About the author:

Leading science writer and former radio astronomer Marcus Chown is cosmology consultant to New Scientist magazine and the author of numerous books including The Quantum Zoo (known internationally as Quantum Theory Cannot Hurt You).

## Key features

- Interactive orrery with controllable orbits
- Detailed 3D astronomical objects
- Spacecraft imagery from NASA, ESA, JAXA
- Live astronomical information from Wolfram|Alpha
- Richly illustrated with interactive diagrams and videos
- Exclusive theme song by Björk

## What do users think of Solar System for iPad?

Overall sentiment: mixed

**Pros**

- 🚀 Excellent graphics and visuals
- 📚 Informative and educational content
- 👍 Intuitive and easy to use interface
- 🌌 Comprehensive coverage of the solar system

**Cons**

- 💰 Expensive for the content provided
- 🕰️ Outdated information and imagery
- 🐛 Frequent crashes and performance issues
- 🚫 Lack of support for older devices

**Commonly reported bugs**

- App crashes on launch for some users
- Unresponsive controls and freezing issues
- Incorrect or outdated information in some areas

**Most requested features**

- Update Pluto and Ceres imagery
- Add information on newly discovered dwarf planets
- Improve interactivity and 3D modeling
- Provide offline access to content

## Recent user reviews (10 of 145)

All indexed reviews: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/solar-system-for-ipad/id406795422/reviews.md

### 1/5 — Remove the App from the Store

*2026-01-01, version 1.1.9*

App not updated in four (4) years!  Pluto, Pluto, Pluto!  Woefully outdated%

### 5/5 — Pluto & ceres texture change update

*2024-04-15, version 1.1.9*

You should change the textures of Pluto & ceres new horizons spacecraft have a close up texture map of Pluto and it as a moon called Charon & close up photo of Pluto & Charon

### 2/5 — Needs imagery update

*2021-08-29, version 1.1.9*

I like this app. It’s really nice, the layout is wonderful, it’s easy to use. I was so excited when I finally saw an update for this app. However, none of the imagery was updated. Pluto is still pre-New Horizon’s picture. We have so many beautiful images of Jupiter now with the Juno spacecraft as well as many other bodies in our solar system. For the price, this app should be updated regularly to keep up with the information. Wanted to use it for teaching but unfortunately I can get better images off the web. Would give it five stars if there is a major imagery update.

### 2/5 — Disappointing imagery

*2021-05-23, version 1.1.8*

However great the data in this app the imagery is so 10 years ago. Poorly spent money.

### 5/5 — Amazing but where’s Eris and makemake

*2020-10-07, version 1.1.8*

Cool but where’s eris and makemake I guess there in Oort Cloud

### 3/5 — Needs major update!!

*2020-01-04, version 1.1.8*

I’ve had this app since it came out and they are horrible!! For updating data. Better apps for wayyy cheaper. Look at Pluto!!

### 2/5 — Solar system

*2019-06-28, version 1.1.8*

Earth is spinning in the wrong direction - it’s turning to the west when it should be turning towards the east.

### 2/5 — Nice, but needs an update

*2017-12-03, version 1.1.8*

For the price, this app really needs new content. I would expect information and imagery from New Horizons, Rosetta, Dawn, and possibly Juno. The lack of new content at a $10 price point makes me feel ripped off. 

That said, I found the layout great. With more up to date content, this would be an easy 5 stars.

### 3/5 — Needs An Update

*2017-09-26, version 1.1.8*

I like this app, but it’s in severe need of an update.

### 1/5 — Freezes constantly

*2017-03-29, version 1.1.7*

So this freezes constantly, and I mean constantly. It doesn't run for more than visualizing one or two planets. I have deleted and reloaded it multiple times without a fix.  When it does work,  it is completely silent, even the song. I assume they're supposed be some sound here. I'm not running it on old machine, this is an iPad Pro. As others have mentioned, there is been no new content added for probably 10 months (judging from the dull yellow/brown fuzzball they use as a model for Pluto). This wasn't exactly cheap as apps go, certainly not in the same league as Elements for quality. I would get my money back if I can figure out how.

## Frequently asked questions about Solar System for iPad

### What is Solar System for iPad?

Solar System for iPad is a comprehensive interactive electronic book designed to explore our planetary backyard. It offers hours of engaging content with a wealth of visual information, including 3D objects, movies, and animations based on real scientific data.

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

Key features include an interactive orrery to control planetary orbits, over 40 rotatable and zoomable 3D astronomical objects, more than 600 images from space missions, detailed captions with technical data, and live astronomical information from Wolfram|Alpha. It also boasts an exclusive theme song by Björk and over 150 story pages.

### How much does Solar System for iPad cost?

This application is a paid app. The price is a one-time purchase, and there are no in-app purchases or advertisements mentioned, offering an uninterrupted exploration experience.

### What devices is Solar System for iPad compatible with?

The application is specifically designed for the iPad, as indicated by its name. It leverages the tablet's capabilities for an immersive and interactive experience.

### Who is the author of the content?

The insightful and surprising text is led by bestselling author Marcus Chown, a leading science writer and former radio astronomer. His expertise ensures the accuracy and engaging nature of the scientific information presented.

## Version history (last 5 releases)

### 1.1.9 — 2021-08-24

Minor bug fixes and tweaks.

### 1.1.8 — 2017-07-24

This app has been updated by Apple to display the Apple Watch app icon.

Bug fixes and optimisations

### 1.1.7 — 2016-09-28

Minor bug fixes and improvements

### 1.1.6 — 2014-12-30

We’ve fixed a few small bugs to enhance your experience, as well as adding support for iOS 8.

If you enjoy using Solar System, please leave us a review – it really helps!

Need support? Send us a quick email: support@touchpress.com

### 1.1.5 — 2014-09-26

• Bug fixes

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All apps by NatureGuides Ltd.: https://appshunter.io/developer/310574314

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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 2026-09-07.*