NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory has just released a new version of their Space Images app, for iPad, iPhone, iPod Touch and Android. As I mentioned in my recent roundup of favorite astronomy and space-related iOS apps, the earlier version was fun—and the 2.0 version offers even higher-resolution images and a friendlier UI for browsing images, and sharing them through Facebook, Twitter, and the like. I'm told that "many, many more images" will be added in the coming months. More from the JPL team below.
The Space Images app uses an intuitive category-selection tool. People can see the initial batch of images, showing galaxies, stars, the sun and planets – including Earth and dwarf planets -as well as videos and editor picks. In the videos tab, users can see footage compiled by active NASA/JPL spacecraft and watch movies about astronomy and various space missions. Additional images will be added in coming months.
The app release is coupled with the launch of a Space Images website, which pulls in ratings from the app and allows users to create an account and photo albums, as well as download wallpapers. The website also includes an extensive collection of images in an easy-to-browse and interactive format.
After its release in January 2010, the original version of Space Images was selected as an iTunes "Staff Favorite," became a top app in the App Store's Education category, and reached over half a million downloads. The app has been praised for its extensive and stunning image collection and for its educational uses.
(Special thanks to Stephanie L. Smith at JPL)
