In celebration of the Lyrid Meteor Shower, which peaks tonight (April 21), it’s the perfect time to turn your eyes—and your smartphones—to the sky. With a dark, crescent moon and up to 20 meteors per hour expected, it’s one of the best nights all year to take in the stars.

Even better? You don’t need a telescope to enjoy it. These apps and resources make it easy to explore constellations, track meteor showers, and learn more about what’s above—tonight and all summer long.

Here's some apps to explore:

1. SkyView (iOS/Android)
SkyView offers a free version and a $1.99 paid upgrade. This app lets you point your phone at the sky to instantly identify stars, planets, and satellites—even offline. It’s intuitive, easy to use, and perfect for beginners, though the augmented reality view can be dim and constellation visuals fade quickly.

2. Star Walk 2 (iOS/Android )
Star Walk 2 is free with optional in-app purchases. Its sleek design and real-time or time-lapse sky maps make it ideal for learners of all ages. The app includes an augmented reality mode and a generous free version, though some features are locked behind additional purchases and occasional ads.

3. Stellarium Mobile Plus (iOS/An droid )
This app costs $3.99 and brings a planetarium-quality experience to your phone. With over 1.5 million stars and telescope compatibility, it’s an excellent tool for serious stargazers. It lacks interactive guides, but its realism and detail are unmatched.

4. Heavens Above (Web)
Heavens Above is a free, location-based resource originally made for satellite tracking. It now includes meteor shower data, space station pass times, and personalized star charts. While the interface may be overwhelming for beginners, it has a huge amount of information that will be extremely interesting for more committed stargazers! It's website will work on any smartphone browser as well as your PC or tablet. 

5. Light Pollution Map (Web)
The Light Pollution Map is free on web and mobile. While it's not an app, this is an awesome resource that helps you find nearby dark-sky locations and provides real-time cloud, visibility, and aurora data. This would be great for planning a stargazing night away from city lights.

To catch the best view of the Lyrids, head outside after midnight and face northeast toward the constellation Lyra, near the bright star Vega. Give your eyes 20–30 minutes to adjust to the dark, and try to find a wide open area away from city lights. No equipment is necessary—just a blanket and a little wonder. This is one of my FAVORITE shows every year... and it gets you a few wishes! 

P.S.... these aren’t just great for tonight—they can make summer stargazing a magical, screen-time-with-a-purpose activity for kids and families. Whether you’re planning a backyard campout or just need something fun and educational to do under the stars, these tools are a fun way to learn, connect, and make the night sky feel a little closer.

Happy Stargazing!