Topic: Free Interactive Star Gazing Program! (Doesnt Require Internet Connection!)

[Caboose]

Hey guys, just found this awesome program called Stellarium.  Its an Open Source program, to the non geeks that means its FREE to use. 

Its a program that is used to map the night sky and look at stars.  You input your location and your computer shows you a view of the night sky as if you walked outside.  You ready for the best part, I just disconnected my internet from my comp and i was still able to start the program up and use it so it doesnt require an active internet connection to use it.  So i figure i can put it on my laptop and use it when im camping to check out constellations.  You can zoom in and view nebulas, planets, stars and other solar systems too. 

Just thought i would share in my new discovery with you all.  Hope you enjoy, at the very least its something to kill time with, kept me busy for 30 min.

Heres the link: http://www.stellarium.org/

Enjoy guys.

[NorCalToy]

iv seen a program really similar to it if not the same. my science teacher set up a projector facing the ceiling in the lab and you could check it out. obviously had to put in like china since class was mid day. but it was cool still...


how does it update your comp though without internet?

[Caboose [OP]]

Im not sure, i disconnected it and the program still worked.  Im going to install it on my laptop without internet hooked up and see if it will still work.  all i know id i deactivated my internet connection on my desktop and restarted the program.  worked like a charm.

[emsvitil]

I'm getting an error that the setup files are corrupt after downloading the file

[Caboose [OP]]

no problems here.  im gonna try it on my vista laptop when im done studyin for finals.

[emsvitil]

Did you save the file, or just run it from the site?

[Caboose [OP]]

I saved the file, and i just installed it on my vista laptop without connecting it to the internet.  Worked fine.  Confirmed, no internet connection required after download. =)

[NorCalToy]

and its a totally current view? you outta walk outside with laptop and check for similarities. orrr is the program uploaded with different pics around each time with teh stars you SHOULD be seeing?

[emsvitil]

How big is the downloaded file you got?

[Duffil]

downloading now. thanks for the link.

[Caboose [OP]]

no, its current.  it uses your clock and date on your comp and the stars rotate as the night progresses.  its all digital with pictures of the stars, planets, etc.  you gotta see it its amazing.

file size is 40.9 mb.  

I would go check, but i cant see crap for stars from my house.  il do a better review once i take this thing up to shaver and stuff.

just found out my electronic compass on my phone doesnt work better to find out now then when i think i can use it for navigation in the mountains. lol

[emsvitil]

For some reason file wasn't downloading correctly for IE

So I used firefox

All better now