You do not need a telescope or a launch pad to explore space. Some of the best space websites let you fly through the solar system, track real spacecraft and see the sky above your house tonight, all from a browser tab.
Every site here is free. A few are made by NASA, a few by people who just really love space. All of them will make you feel very small, in a good way.
Fly through the solar system
1. NASA's Eyes
NASA's Eyes is a set of free 3D apps that show the solar system as it is right now. Follow real spacecraft on their missions, zoom in on planets and moons, and track asteroids passing near Earth. It runs in your browser, no download needed.
2. Solar System Scope
Solar System Scope is a beautiful 3D model of the solar system. Speed time up and watch the planets orbit, or click any planet to fly to it and learn about it.
3. If the Moon Were Only 1 Pixel
Space is big. Everyone knows that. If the Moon Were Only 1 Pixel actually shows you. Scroll sideways through a to-scale map of the solar system and see just how much empty space there is between everything. Bring patience.
See the sky tonight
4. Stellarium Web
Stellarium Web is a planetarium in your browser. It shows the sky from wherever you are, at any time, with stars, planets and constellations labelled. Use it before you go outside and you will know exactly what you are looking at.
5. Spot the Station
The International Space Station is often bright enough to see with your own eyes. NASA's Spot the Station tells you when it will pass over where you live and where in the sky to look.
6. Where is the ISS?
Want to know where the space station is right this second? Where the ISS at shows it moving across a live map of the Earth. It goes around the planet roughly every 90 minutes.
7. Light Pollution Map
The darker the sky, the more stars you see. The Light Pollution Map shows how bright the night sky is anywhere in the world, so you can find a dark spot near you for stargazing.
8. Heavens-Above
Heavens-Above has been helping people spot satellites for years. Set your location and it lists what is passing overhead, from the space station to other bright satellites.
Feel how big it all is
9. The Scale of the Universe
The Scale of the Universe starts at a human and lets you zoom out past planets, stars and galaxies, or zoom in past cells, atoms and particles. It is a simple idea and it never stops being mind blowing.
10. Astronomy Picture of the Day
Every day since 1995, NASA's Astronomy Picture of the Day has posted one image of the universe with a short explanation by a real astronomer. The site looks like it is from 1995 too. The pictures are stunning.
11. The Size of Space
Neal Agarwal's The Size of Space walks you from an astronaut to the largest things we know, one step at a time, with gentle music in the background. Take your time with this one.
Do real science
12. Zooniverse
On Zooniverse you help real researchers by looking at real data. Many of its projects are about space: classifying galaxies, spotting planets around other stars and more. No science degree needed, just curiosity.
Tips for space fans
- Check the sky first. Look up what is visible on Stellarium Web before you head outside.
- Catch the station. Sign up for Spot the Station alerts. Seeing it go over for the first time is a thrill.
- Start the day with APOD. One space picture a day is a good habit.
More space on NexURLs
NexURLs has a whole Science topic full of space, maps, simulations and interactive explainers shared by people who found them fascinating. If you like the feeling of getting lost in something huge, check out our guide to cool websites you probably have not seen.
Know a space website we should add? Share it on NexURLs.
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