Become astronomers using 3DAstronomer

Who exactly was 3DAstronomer made for?  The answer is, simply, everyone.  The program holds limitless possibilities.  Children can quickly decipher the straightforward interface and can easily manipulate the basic program.  Amateur astronomers and hobbyists will stand amazed as they continue to learn what the program is capable of.

But 3DAstronomer is not only for the amateur astronomers, but professionals and educators, as well.  3dAstronomer is a superb tool for educational purposes and enthusiastic astronomers as it contains additional data available in overlays and labels, such as planet names and constellations.  The highly configurable display features let you add or remove detail at will.  Moving around through the solar system and beyond to other galaxies can be achieved using a combination of keyboard shortcuts, or with a click of the mouse.  3DAstronomer is a 3D space simulator as well as a 3D astronomical database.  Astronomers and astrophysicists will marvel at the quick retrieval of information via 3DAstronomer.

3DAstronomer can provide both purely recreational voyages and serious voyages into the outer space.  It is the most versatile space simulation program ever created.

3DAstronomer Navigation

3DAstronomer, the first of its kind space simulator, would be impressive if it was simply a static model of galactic information.  However, 3DAstronomer goes beyond providing incredible images of stationary objects in space.

When launching the software, everything seems nice and calm.  Actually, everything is moving.  The activity is not visible because it is rendered in real-time.  Depending upon the moment you launch the application, you will find that the Earth will be in a different position each time.

The objects in 3DAstronomer are constantly moving along their true paths, synchronized to your computer’s time and date.  3DAstronomer also gives you the capability to manipulate time.  Speed forward and watch shadows move around planetary bodies, moons fly through their orbit, or follow an asteroid on its journey through space. 

3DAstronomer provides every realistic detail, so it feels like an actual journey into space.  You will be able to see clouds drift by (where applicable) and shadows being cast on mountains and craters as the Sun sets low.

Navigation through time and space is easy with 3DAstronomer’s manageable interface.

What is 3DAstronomer?

3DAstronomer is the first real-time space simulation program of its kind.  What are 3DAstronomer users saying about the program?  Here are just a few comments:

“It is simply by far the easiest (and most pleasing way) to learn about the universe.”

“I can think of no better way to learn about the Solar System and all of its planets and moons.”

“This program is for people who are interested in space and astronomy and want to be able to visit thing in 3D and see what the reality out there is, even if they can’t yet go there themselves.”

“3DAstronomer provides a fun exploration of our universe, and provides understanding of physics and the creation of fictional systems.”

“The ability to freely explore the universe is a big part of the 3DAstronomer’s appeal for me.”

“3DAstronomer is so wonderful because it can take anyone, anywhere, into space… and show you its wonders with awesome clarity and visual beauty?”

3DAstronomer makes it easy to voyage into space

With its point-and-go-to interface, 3DAstronomer makes it easy to voyage into space, to get as close a look as possible planet surfaces, to move quickly beyond the moon, and to keep documentation of your journey.

With 3DAstronomer, you can do even more than travel through the universe in real-time or at hyper-speed!  All movement in 3DAstronomer is seamless; the exponential zoom feature lets you explore space across a huge range of scales, from galaxy clusters to spacecraft only a few meters across.

3DAstronomer allows you to bring your camera with you, so you can capture images and even videos of your space travels.  The file menu allows you to capture the displayed images and videos for future viewing.   Space is huge and you may only visit some places once, so why not keep a record?

3DAstronomer space simulator program

As children, we dream of someday exploring the great unknown: the vast universe beyond our earth’s atmosphere.  Unless you are an astronaut of can shell out 100,000 dollars to catch a ride into space, chances are the closest you will ever get to the stars is your own back yard on a clear night. 

Until now.

We are excited to introduce our first-of-its-kind space simulator, 3DAstronomer.  Now you can explore the wonders of the universe- and you can do it safely in the comfort of your own home.

3DAstronomer is like Google Earth, but for the entire solar system and beyond.   We have taken data gathered by the European Space Agency, including imagery, telemetry, and positional data for planet, asteroids and stars, and mapped it in 3D.  The program is easy to use, with basic settings a child can manipulate.  The program is suitable for educational purposes, for space enthusiasts, and professional astronomers or astrophysicists.  Get up close and personal with the red sands of Mars, the moons of Jupiter, the rings of Saturn, or the blazing surface of the sun.  Visit the searing surface of Venus and view it in a panoramic 360° vista. 

There has never been a space simulator program like 3DAstronomer.  It can take you anywhere in space you want to go, and show you the wonder, beauty and the vastness of our galaxy… and beyond.

3DAstronomer - Navigating through space

Navigating through space is effortless with 3DAstronomer.  Zooming from earth to Neptune is as simple as striking a few keys on the keyboard.  Best of all, there is no intense training, no worries about shuttle malfunction, and no dry space-food.  3DAstronomer is truly the safest and simplest way to explore the universe!

Navigation throughout the galaxy is entirely controlled by your mouse and keyboard.  Plotting a course between the moon and Mars is easy with the point-and-go-to interface.  The entire navigation between stars and planets is controlled by you, quickly and easily with your mouse and keyboard, from changing the point of view to shifting course to a particular star or planet.

Best of all, you can get to the far reaches of the galaxy and beyond in minutes time.  Remember, the Voyager Satellite just passed Pluto about a year ago, and it launched from earth in 1977…

Journey the surface of the blazing hot sun

Perhaps the most amazing aspect of the brand new, unique space simulation program, 3DAstronomer, is its uncanny ability to capture the imagination and excitement of its users.  People who have dreamed about visiting distant planets since the time they were children are astounded by the capabilities and incredible imagery 3DAstronomer provides.

With 3DAstronomer, you can take a journey and see the surface of the blazing hot sun.  Be stunned as you approach this radiating star with a golden luminous sphere around it.  Watch the animated solar flares erupt from its surface. Position yourself above Jupiter and watch as its large moons drift across the face of the planet, casting multiple eclipse shadows on its banded clouds and Great Red Spot.  Move beyond our galaxy and look back at the spectacle that is the Milky Way.  Embrace the spirit of past space explorers:

As I stand out here in the wonders of the unknown at Hadley, I sort of realize there’s a fundamental truth to our nature, Man must explore . . . and this is exploration at its greatest.
— Dave Scott, Commander Apollo 15, upon becoming the 7th man to walk on the Moon, 31 July 1971.

manipulate time on 3DAstronomer

3DAstronomer is going to change the way we look at space.  Its easy interface allows students young and old to explore the universe in real-time, or in fast-time, roaring through the stars in hyper-speed. 

How easy is it to manipulate time?  Very easy!  In the left upper corner of the screen, there is information about the selected object. Located in the lower left hand corner is the speed of your travel.  If the line is at zero, you are moving in real-time and nothing will appear to be changing.  Remember, the rotation of the earth and revolution around the sun cannot be sensed as we are standing on the earth: the same is true in this real-time simulation program. 

Simply adjust the speed of your travel and learn the unbelievable size and magnitude of our universe firsthand!  Learn how long it would take a shuttle to get to the far expanses of the galaxy.  The program even allows you to chronicle each journey you make from the surface of the earth to any object in space.

How to work with 3DAstronomer?

3DAstronomer is the first-of-its-kind space simulator that is going to revolutionize the way we look at space.  The program allows us to explore out galaxy and beyond, in 3-D, right on our computer.  This phenomenal open-source project takes data gathered by the European Space Agency and maps it in 3-D.  Exact telemetry, positional data of celestial objects, and real images make this program a true journey into outer space.

How does the program work?  The default installation enables you to select any of the catalogued objects (including the moon, the planets, the sun) and “fly” directly to it.  You can then use the keyboard and mouse to move around in three dimensions, magnifying planets, orbiting them or selecting other objects (such as moons and asteroids) in the immediate area.  You can even select stars outside our solar system and “visit” those!

It would take years to explore vast expanses brought into your home via the 3D Astronomer default program.  But with an additional large catalog of 3D Astronomer add-ons, there’s even more to see; there are places in the universe you never even knew existed, distant worlds you can visit with the click of your mouse.

astronaut photography in 3DAstronomer - NGC 7793 Galaxy

3DAstronomer is a tribute to both space exploration’s past and future.  This program could never have been made without the courageous efforts those who dared to ask what was in the great unknown.  Space exploration changed the way we look at the stars in the sky, and it also changed our visual perception of planet Earth.  Consider the amazing feats of space exploration within the past 60 years:

In the 1950s, satellites revolutionized weather forecasting when they began beaming home television images of cloud patterns. 

In the 19700s, astronaut photography showed the space images of the earth for the first time in true color- the so-called “Blue Marble” representation of our planet.

Since 1972, satellite sensors have been acquiring atmosphere, land, ice, and ocean data with increasing spectral, spatial, and temporal resolution.  These satellite remote sensing systems, like NASA’s Earth Observing System (EOS) help us to understand and monior Earth’s physical, chemical, and biological processes.

With 3DAstronomer, you will have the chance to look upon the earth as if you were hovering above the atmosphere.  See for yourself the images that have helped us better understand our planet.


Sources:

Wielicki et al., 1995
Kaufman et al., 1998
Running et al., 1999

3DAstronomer real-time 3D visualization tool optimized - The Sombrero Galaxy in Infrared

3DAstronomer is an incredibly accurate real-time 3D visualization tool optimized for astronomical applications.  All data for the program was gathered by the European Space Agency, including telemetry, imagery, and positional data for planets, asteroids, and stars. 

The program contains the Hipparcos database of stars with accurately measured distances.  The European Agency gathered data during a four-year satellite mission,  including precise solar system astrometric and photometric measurements.  Thanks to this database, astronomers have been able to more accurately plottthe stars in the sky, and these exact measurements are represented on the 3DAstronomer program.

Messier 81 Galaxy

Stars not measured for the Hipparcos database include dim or variable stars, including close doubles. 

3DAstronomer allows you to journey to the closest stars, including Alpha Centauri and Proxima Centauri.  Make sure you visit the brightest star in the sky, Sirius, a mere 51 trillion miles from earth! 

space simulation program

3DAstronomer, our brand new and inimitable space simulation program, takes you into the vast expanse of outer space with the click of a mouse.  With the default program, you can visit any of the program’s catalogued objects and “fly” directly to it.  You can soar to the edge of the dark side of the moon, take a close look at the eye of Jupiter, and examine the dusty rings of Saturn.  With the basic program, you can visit all of the planets and their moons, the sun’s fiery surface, and other celestial objects in our galaxy, and you can do it in three dimensions.  The catalogue even includes objects, like stars, outside of our solar system.

The truly adventurous should know that 3DAstronomer is expandable.  Space goes on and on and on and 3D Astronomer allows you to experience that.  The program comes with a large catalog of stars, galaxies, planets, moons, asteroids, comets, and spacecraft to view in close proximity.  And if that’s not enough, you can download dozens of easy-to-install add-ons with even more objects.

You will find that 3DAstronomer grows with you as you learn more about the program, and more about the great expanse of outer space.  Add-on packages keep a space-junkie in a perpetual state of amazement and wonder.

The creative minds behind 3DAstronomer

The creative minds behind 3DAstronomer are well-aware that technology is constantly evolving and that new discoveries in space are being made all the time.  That’s why 3DAstronomer is a program that is undergoing a rapid evolution in computer graphics.  The basic 3DAstronomer, which is already expandable, has the capacity to continue to grow.

Add-on features will include entirely new solar systems with dozens of planets and moons drawn in vivid detail, sound effect, gaseous nebula clouds, new galaxies, stars, globular clusters, and spacecraft both real and imaginary.

The world of astronomy is constantly changing, and 3DAstronomer plan to keep up.  There is no better way to continue to learn about the mysteries of the cosmos than with this incredible astronomical visualization tool. 

3DAstronomer, the real-time space simulator

3DAstronomer, the real-time space simulator, allows you to travel all throughout the solar system, to any of over 100,000 stars, or even beyond the galaxy.  And you don’t have to be an astrophysicist to manipulate the program.  3DAstronomer’s straightforward interface makes roaming throughout the galaxy simple.

All movement in 3DAstronomer is seamless.  A point-and-go-to interface makes it simple to navigate through the universe to the object you want to visit.  The accessibility of the program makes exploring and learning about space fun, and never a chore.  Remember, the expandable nature of the program makes it perfect for all ages.  A 6-year-old can enjoy the basic program and  3DAstronomer will grow with him, so that in a few years, he can learn new applications and information hasn’t even touched upon yet.  3DAstronomer emulates space; just when you think you’ve reached the end, it goes on and on.

3DAstronomer Add Ons

3DAstronomer is unlike any other space program that has ever been marketed to the average space enthusiast.  What makes it so incredible and distinctive?  3D Astronomer can take anyone anywhere into space, and show them its wonders with awesome clarity  and visual beauty… provided they can be guided on where to go and what to do when they get there.

The images incorporated into 3DAstronomer are taken from real-life satellite imagery.  What you will see on your monitor are actual images from outer space.  You will be able to view an entire planet, say Venus, from multiple positions and distances and in three dimensions, to get a complete picture.

The satellite imagery bundled with 3DAstronomer is fairly low resolution, breaking down as you zoom in more closely to planet surfaces.  For those who want to get up close and personal with the surfaces of various celestial bodies, 3DAstronomer provides add-on packages that map Google Earth-like detail on to the planetary bodies found in the program.

Make your voyages into outer space comprehensive with additional features.  You can download scripted tours, expanded data, and even add fictional spacecraft to the base installation.  3DAstronomer truly provides the freedom to explore and study space while allowing you to use your imagination to make your voyage the first of its kind.

Best Planetarium Software

What makes 3DAstronomer different from most planetarium software?  What makes 3DAstronomer so extraordinary?

First of all, unlike most planetarium software, 3DAstronomer doesn’t confine you to the surface of the earth.  You can travel throughout the solar system, to any of over 100,000 stars, or even beyond the galaxy.

Second, 3DAstronomer is the most realistic program out there!  Its realistically plotted celestial objects orbit the sun in real-time.  Every conceivable object floating in space has been added to the 3dAstronomer program, including all of the planets and their moons.  The program even contains the catalog of 3,840 near-earth asteroids (NEAs) to observe as they blaze through space.  Witness all of these objects in three dimensions, from various points of view, while traveling through space in real-time or at hyper-speed.

Finally, 3DAstronomer is committed to staying ahead of the game, bringing its users cutting-edge astronomical discoveries.  3DAstronomer was designed to grow as our knowledge of the universe grows; there is no end to what we can discover.