Space Engine - Really Cool Free Program for Space Junkies

[rj144]

I posted this in the space thread, but I don't how many saw it that didn't look in that thread. There's a really cool program that's free which simulates the entire universe:

http://spaceengine.org/

Pretty much the entire known universe is represented pretty accurately and then it uses an algorithm to generate other galaxies, stars, and planets. There's even accurately depicted black holes. You can also land on a planet and explore. There's even a way to take videos and screenshots. The most amazing part is that only one person has been working on it, which is insane.

Here are some of my screenshots from the game/simulation:

A video someone else made:



Check it out.

 

[Guestx]

Cool, I'm gonna download this.

Thanks for the heads up!

 

[rj144]

Cool, I'm gonna download this.

Thanks for the heads up!

No problem.

 

[OverCoronavirus Pressure]

Neat
I prefer the sky map engines that have the real deal in the best setting

 

[rj144]

Neat
I prefer the sky map engines that have the real deal in the best setting

What programs are you talking about?

 

[OverCoronavirus Pressure]

What programs are you talking about?

Sky Maps like this or even simpler.
http://www.sky-map.org

My favorites are simply all objects down to a given magnitude, the one I use most often came with a textbook I helped write about fifteen years ago.
I'll see if some version is still being created.

 

[rj144]

A few more I just made:

 

[milliniar]

It's just Globe Earth propaganda material.









also downloading now.

 

[rj144]

It's just Globe Earth propaganda material.









also downloading now.

Post pics if you use it.

Few more:

 

[ShinkanPo]

Sky Maps like this or even simpler.
http://www.sky-map.org

My favorites are simply all objects down to a given magnitude, the one I use most often came with a textbook I helped write about fifteen years ago.
I'll see if some version is still being created.

I havent tried this I will see if our computers can run this I tried Universe sandbox.

 

[OverCoronavirus Pressure]

I havent tried this I will see if our computers can run this I tried Universe sandbox.

They're what I resort to on the many cloudy Michigan observing nights.

 

[ShinkanPo]

They're what I resort to on the many cloudy Michigan observing nights.

Wow cool you do Astronmy stuff. I wish I learned how to use a small telescop.

 

[OverCoronavirus Pressure]

Wow cool you do Astronmy stuff. I wish I learned how to use a small telescop.

90% of my observing nights growing up were spent "star hopping" my way to objects; my telescope was big but didn't have setting circles, which are used to simply point the scope at the right coordinates.
It requires knowing the sky really well and having detailed star maps.

Later on I outfitted that scope with motors and an automatic system that moves and centers objects by inputting coordinates, making observing runs much more productive.

 

[jefferz]

Wow cool you do Astronmy stuff. I wish I learned how to use a small telescop.

Do you own a pair of binoculars? You'd be surprised what you can see with a good pair. I used a pair rigged up to a tripod for a couple of years and it worked well.
There's apps that will tell you where to aim as well.

They're what I resort to on the many cloudy Michigan observing nights.

What do you use for a telescope?

 

[ShinkanPo]

Do you own a pair of binoculars? You'd be surprised what you can see with a good pair. I used a pair rigged up to a tripod for a couple of years and it worked well.
There's apps that will tell you where to aim as well.


What do you use for a telescope?

I dont have a bino but I plan to order a telescope one that I can mount my DSLR. Stuff like that are too expensive for me.

 

[OverCoronavirus Pressure]

Do you own a pair of binoculars? You'd be surprised what you can see with a good pair. I used a pair rigged up to a tripod for a couple of years and it worked well.
There's apps that will tell you where to aim as well.

Excellent advice. A good pair of binoculars is a nice wide field aid. It's amazing just to sweep the Milky Way.

What do you use for a telescope?

A big 13.1 " diameter Coulter Optical Dobsonian. It's a monster but it's worth the trouble for its light gathering ability.