Choose a world. Find out what makes it remarkable.
Follow a planet’s orbit, turn a moon for a closer look and read the science behind what you see. Space Explorer is an interactive Windows atlas for curious learners, families and anyone who wants to understand more about space.
The atlas, images and quizzes work offline, so you can explore without an account or an internet connection.
>> Find Space Explorer in Microsoft Store
From our solar system to distant objects
Explore animated solar-system and galactic scenes, then select an object to open its dossier. The collection covers 31 objects, including the Sun, all eight planets, major moons, dwarf planets, comets, nebulae and the Milky Way’s central black hole.
Each dossier brings together measurements, scientific explanations, trivia, a credited image and a source for further reading. Search the atlas or filter by object type when a particular question catches your attention.
Get closer to Jupiter’s moons
Visit a dedicated Jupiter system and switch between Io, Europa, Ganymede and Callisto. Follow their orbits, choose a moon and inspect its rotating globe.
Close-up views use NASA maps and visualization textures for selected planets and moons. Image-source notes explain when you are looking at processed color, radar terrain or a visualization rather than natural-color photography.
Tilt, zoom, pan or pause the scene to explore at your own pace. Keyboard-accessible controls provide another way to navigate, and the app respects Windows’ reduced-animation preference.
Read the explanation, not just the score
Try 62 quiz questions with explanations after each answer. Use them to revisit an idea from a dossier, check what you understood and try again.
Save objects in local Field notes to return to discoveries that deserve another look. There is no online profile to set up or sync.
Pick your own route through the atlas
- Open a scene and choose a planet, moon or another object.
- Inspect its appearance and read the dossier.
- Try a related knowledge check and read the explanation.
- Bookmark the object for your next visit.
Follow the full solar system or spend a session on one icy moon. There is no required lesson order.
What to know before exploring
Is this a live sky map?
No. The scenes are educational visualizations. Sizes, distances and motion are adjusted for clarity; they do not reproduce today’s sky. Space Explorer is not a telescope-pointing tool.
Does it work without internet access?
Yes. The atlas, bundled images and quizzes work offline. Optional further-reading links open external websites in your browser.
Are there ads or in-app purchases?
No. There are no ads or in-app purchases, and the app does not collect or transmit personal information.
What PC do I need?
An x64 PC running Windows 10 version 2004, build 19041, or later. The interface is designed for windows at least 1050 by 720 logical pixels.
NASA imagery is public domain and credited in the app. Its use does not imply NASA endorsement.
Make room for a little space exploration
Start with a familiar planet, then follow your curiosity somewhere new.