Real-time space exploration on your computer
Unless you are a millionaire or an astronaut, space travel is probably out of reach. Bring it a little closer to home with Celestia.
Celestia is a real-time, 3D space simulator that lets you fly around galaxies, checking out all the fascinating things they contain - from planets and stars to asteroids and space stations. It may only be a simulation, but, unless you win the lottery, it is probably the closest you're going to get to the real thing.
For free software, Celestia is extremely complete. It has a wealth of demos, online and offline user guides, a wiki, a forum and even a Wikipedia entry! It is just as well that all this help is available, however, because it is not a particularly easy program to use. In theory, you navigate around the universe by using the mouse or the keyboard. Right-clicking on an object (such as a planet) will bring up various options, while in the tool bar you can perform more complex tasks, such as searching for Bayer designations, taking videos, tracking objects and configuring options. Although all that sounds pretty normal, it is not as easy as it seems.
I found the controls to be jerky and non-intuitive, and despite spending a fair amount of time playing around with it, didn't manage to get it working as well as I suspect it can. Briefly reading the manuals didn't help either, and I think that to get the most out of Celestia, you would have to put some serious research in.
Astronomy fans and those with a burning interest in our galaxy will surely make the effort that is needed to really get the most out of Celestia. The program definitely encourages serious dedication and obviously has been created by a person - Chris Laurel - who loves what he does. Celestia is meticulously researched and put together, and there is a multitude of extra resources on the website.
Celestia: a beautiful and fascinating program for those willing to make the effort.
contains bugs fixesnew and more complete translationsupdated data files (including new exoplanet discoveries)
Changes
contains bugs fixesnew and more complete translationsupdated data files (including new exoplanet discoveries)
User reviews about Celestia
by Anonymous
One of the best and its free!!!!!!!.
This has got to be one of the very best astronomy programmes every not only does it do what it says it does but its easy to understand and to operate but it is very educational to even the most first time user in the way everything is explained.
Unlike many programmes it stays with you even while you make a few mistakes and puts you righ.
I use this along with my telescope and it really helps you to get into the astro photography part of astronomy giving some stunning pictures as you go along. well done
a programme worth having even if you are not into astronomy and just want to knoe what something is,!!!!! More
by Anonymous
Good but not great..
it would of been a good piece of software a few year's back but in this day and age, not so good. If i was you i would look elsewhere. (e.g. stellarium.) is a great piece of software. I would recommend it far more than this
Pros:
Looks very nice
Cons:
controls are horrible More
by Anonymous
The Space equivalent of Google Earth.
Celestia offers breath-taking scenes of space and is incredibly useful when you need it.
Pros: No internet required to use it
Explore all of human-known space
Accurate names and sizes Cons:
large download More