Google Sky Map for Android helps you explore the universe

There's nothing quite like staring at a beautiful starlit sky, but what are all those points of light you can see? Google Sky Map attempts to unlock the mysteries of the skies by using the built-in compass, GPS and clock on an Android smartphone.

The application, which is free to download, adjusts as you move your smartphone to show what is currently in the sky. Simply direct the phone towards a specific point of light to find out what it is, with Google Sky Map giving a detailed map of stars, constellations and planets.

Around 1000 objects are visible, including all the planets of the solar system, constellations and individual stars. Different layers can be turned on and off to look for specific things and get rid of clutter.

The 'find' function is also really handy; select an object you want to find, for example Jupiter, and Google Sky Map will direct you towards it using a coloured arrow. Once located, the item is circled to show you where it is.

This is a fun and interesting way to look at the night sky and understand more about it.

To download Google Sky Map for Android, scan the QR code below (you'll need a barcode scanner app to do so, click here for details).