- Quick specs
- Price: Free
- Operating system: Windows 95/98/2000/XP/NT
- Date added: January 24, 2002
- Total Downloads: 73,305
- Downloads last week: 837
- See full specifications
A newer version of Stellarium is available.
(Download doesn't provide access to previous versions of this program.)
- CNET editors' rating: stars
- Average user rating: stars out of 85 votes
See all user reviews
CNET editors' review
Reviewed by: CNET Staff
Open source and currently in use by planetarium projectors, Stellarium brings astronomer-level features to stargazers of all levels of interest. It's not quite as robust as its competitors, but it's also a much faster program. It doesn't suck away your RAM into a black hole when loading or running. It does run only in full screen mode, making any other programs you're running inaccessible except for the ALT-Tab switcher.
The default catalog includes 600,000 stars, with upgrade modules that can push the count up to 210 million stars. The constellations of 10 different cultures are included, as well as illustrations and asterisms to help you visualize what the ancients saw. There's a full Messier catalog of nebulae, too. The dawn, dusk and atmosphere backgrounds were good, but not great on our monitor. They probably look better on a planetarium dome, which is why it's useful that Stellarium also includes a fish-eye view for curved surfaces. Besides equatorial and azimuthal grids, users also get shooting stars when appropriate, eclipse simulation, and skinnable landscapes. Stellarium incorporates star-views from the Moon.
The controls live in the lower left corner and are transparent--a bit hard to find. The nifty record feature is somewhat hampered by the dark interface. When you run the program for the first time it asks that you set your current location, but the mouse-over map of the world was too small to use easily. Stellarium should appeal both to users who need something more academic and less distracting than Google or Microsoft's offerings, as well as those who have a need for an open-source planetarium. Fortunately, that could be any of us.
Publisher's description
From Stellarium :Stellarium is a free software available for Windows 95/98/2000 and Linux. It renders 3D photo-realistic skies in real time. With stellarium, you really see what you can see with your eyes, binoculars or a small telescope.
More popular Science Software downloads
- 15,752 downloads 1. Google Earth
- 4,803 downloads 2. I-Doser
- 1,054 downloads 3. WorldWide Telescope
- 804 downloads 4. Solar System 3D Simulator
- 550 downloads 5. ACD/ChemSketch Freeware
- See all Science Software downloads
User reviews of Stellarium 0.5
- Average user rating: 4.1 stars out of 85 votes
- My rating: 0 stars Write review
-
Showing 5 of 8 user reviewsSee all 8 user reviews
This software version | All versions -
8 out of 10 people found this review helpful
Version: Stellarium 0.5
Pros: if you are new to or an old pro at astronomy, this is a nice program. easy to use, nice features.
-
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful
Version: Stellarium 0.5
Pros: Good for looking at the space, it has many features such as choose which city to observe from, has constellation art, etc.
It is free software, open source, cross-platform.
-
3 out of 3 people found this review helpful
Version: Stellarium 0.5
"Great starting point for beginning Amature Astronomers"
Pros: Has plenty of features but wont completely overwhelm a begining Astronomy student. I recommend that you adjust the features to your liking once you have taken the time to explore the features. One thing I love about this program is the real time setting for your georgraphical location on Earth. I have turned it on viewed what is in the sky at that time, and ran outside to find exactly the same object/constellations that was shown on the computer monitor. Will also show the exact phases of the moon. Yes, the moon and sun will be shown if you take the time to find all your options and controls, most of which are located on the lower left of the screen. You can also adjust the contrast/brightness of the stars. I also love the feature where you can turn on/off the horizon, day/night, and other various discriptive viewing features. I cant say enough good things about this program!
Cons: Will at first appear confusing and intimidating, but it really is not. I do highly recommend that you take the time to find and adjust the settings to your own preferences. Like any new program, you have to allow yourself time for adjustment and orientation to the program. The only peeve I might have is that you can not reduce the screen down if you need to revert to your desktop. You have to completely quit the program to do that.
-
Version: Stellarium 0.5
"It has helped me find things with easy with my telescope"
Pros: It has helped me find things with easy with my telescope. I was able to find and show my daughter Saturn. And hope to show her more when the sky clears up. This program is also helping my youngest daughter learn the constelations.
Cons: Found none as of yet
-
Version: Stellarium 0.5
"THis is the greatest astronomy program for beginners!"
Summary: I use this program, and I think it's great.
I am just a beginner at astronomical stuff, and this program makes finding the stars you want really easy! - See all 8 user reviews Write review
Submit your review
Previous Versions:
