Solar System for iPad

Our first project for tablet computers sees Planetary Visions teamed-up with developer Touch Press, publisher Faber and Faber and best-selling science writer Marcus Chown to produce a richly-illustrated and entertaining astronomy title, bringing the latest discoveries in planetary science to a mainstream audience.

Solar System for iPad is an electronic book covering the major objects of the solar system. Engaging stories about each planet, moon, asteroid or comet are illustrated with interactive virtual globes, the latest and greatest space probe images, newly-created diagrams and animations. The positions and movements of the planets and moons are accurately portrayed in an interactive 3D simulation of the solar system - a virtual orrery. The app opens with a newly-composed music track from Icelandic singer-songwriter Björk.

Solar System for iPad is written by Marcus Chown and developed by Touch Press and Faber & Faber in association with Planetary Visions and Joe Zeff Design. Planetary Visions is a key member of the team, providing editorial consultancy as well as the planet and moon maps, the data and algorithms that drive the orrery, more than 600 space probe images, 30,000 words of caption text, and 40 animations.

Winner of the FutureBook Digital Innovation Prize at The Bookseller Industry Awards, London, 16th May, 2011.

Best App at the FutureBook Digital Innovation Awards, London, 17th March 2011. "In some ways, it was an obvious winner. It's clear to me that it was the sheer wealth of actual content that made this app so successful." - Alex Ingram, ebooks buyer at Waterstone's

iPad App of the Week - US iTunes Store, 16 Jan 2011

"... an amazing and extraordinarily attractive resource for amateur astronomers ... an out-of-this-world digital book that is as informative as it is beautiful." - Marc Saltzman, USA Today, 28 Dec 2010

★★★★★ 5-star rated "Packed with interactive graphics and videos, this is a comprehensive and powerful educational tool..." - Daniel Down, Sky at Night Magazine, May 2011