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.