Comparison

CMB Maps vs 3D Star Map

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

CMB Maps

Explore detailed all-sky maps of cosmic microwave background radiation from the Big Bang. Compare different generations of fluctuations in high resolution and view galactic coordinates and microwave sources.

Highlights
  • 4K resolution CMB maps
  • Compare multiple maps
  • Zoom and scroll for details
  • Sky reference map
  • Educational demonstration tool
Features
Read full description

Amazing cosmic microwave background all-sky maps on your iPhone and iPad! This app allows you to see and compare different generations of CMB fluctuations. It includes 4K resolution all-sky COBE/WMAP/Planck CMB maps and allows you to zoom in and scroll around for map details. You can choose to view a single map, or compare multiple maps by tilting your device. A sky reference map is also included to show the galactic coordinates, notable Milky Way components, and microwave point sources. Cosmic Microwave Background (CMB) is the afterglow radiation from the Big Bang. Its temperature is extremely uniform, but with tiny fluctuations as you will see in these maps. 

In 1992, COBE satellite made the first detection of the CMB fluctuations. The following WMAP and Planck mission were able to scan the sky at better and better resolution. The successes of these CMB observations have provided us great understanding of the Universe over the last decades. Check the Wikipedia page for more details: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cosmic_microwave_background This app is designed and made by Qingqing Mao at Vanderbilt University for the purposes of astronomy education and demonstration. The included CMB maps are generated by NASA and ESA. COBE, WMAP and sky reference image credits: 
NASA / WMAP Science Team. 
Planck image credits: 
ESA and the Planck Collaboration. Author's personal website: http://mqq.io Suggestions and feedback are very welcome. Please leave your review, or visit author's website for contact information.

About

3D Star Map

Explore over 700 stars in our local star cluster in a 3D space simulation. Zoom, rotate, and learn about neighboring star systems with detailed information available on tap. Perfect for research or satisfying cosmic curiosity.

Highlights
  • 3D space exploration
  • Over 700 local stars
  • Detailed star information
  • Zoom, rotate, and move
  • Relaxing animations
  • Educational content
Features
Read full description

Explore the local cluster with over 700 stars around our Sun! Zoom, rotate, and move through the 3D space surrounding our solar system, and learn about our neighboring star systems. Tap on a star for detailed information about it, or just wander through space with beautiful and relaxing animations. Whether you're using it for research or just to feed your insatiable curiosity, the 3D Star Map is here to help you learn more about our place in the universe!

Screenshots

CMB Maps2 screens
3D Star Map4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is review sentiment: 3D Star Map at 100% against CMB Maps's 67%. 3D Star Map also leads on rating (4.4 vs 4.0). CMB Maps's advantage is iOS requirement (6.0 vs 12.0). On price, ratings volume, ads and in-app purchases there is nothing between them.

Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

3D Star Map holds the better App Store score, 4.4 against 4.0. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 14 and 9 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 67% of CMB Maps's written reviews are positive against 100% of 3D Star Map's.

Scorecard3 real differences · 7 level
CMB Maps versus 3D Star Map: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterCMB Maps3D Star Map
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.0 (14 ratings)4.4 (9 ratings) — better
Positive reviews66.7% of reviews100.0% of reviews — better
Number of ratings14 — better9
Update frequency—Every 2 weeks
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationFreeFree
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS6.0 — better12.0
Further details — not scored
Size57 MB100 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperQingqing MaoAlexander Winn

Customer experience

CMB Maps

All ratings14 ratings
Positive78.6%
Neutral0.0%
Negative21.4%
Written reviews6 reviews
Positive66.7%
Neutral0.0%
Negative33.3%

3D Star Map

All ratings9 ratings
Positive88.9%
Neutral0.0%
Negative11.1%
Written reviews3 reviews
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

In-app purchases

None

CMB Maps

No in-app purchases

None

3D Star Map

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is CMB Maps free?
CMB Maps is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is 3D Star Map free?
3D Star Map is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, CMB Maps or 3D Star Map?
3D Star Map is rated higher. CMB Maps averages 4.0 out of 5 from 14 ratings, while 3D Star Map averages 4.4 from 9 ratings.
Do CMB Maps or 3D Star Map have ads?
Neither CMB Maps nor 3D Star Map shows ads.

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