Stellarium: Software which renders realistic skies in real time (github.com)

Article summary

Stellarium is a free open source planetarium software that renders realistic skies in real time with OpenGL. It is available for various operating systems and has a web version. The software allows users to see what they can see with their eyes, binoculars, or a small telescope. Stellarium also has mobile apps that can identify satellites, including the ISS.

Main themes

• Stellarium software
• space exploration
• open source licensing
• mobile apps
• projection technology
• user experience
• GPL license implications

What commenters say

• Some users appreciate the software's ability to introduce people to the wonders of space in a way that images and videos cannot.
• The mobile app's paid version is seen as a way to financially support the developers, who are responsive to user feedback.
• The presence of non-stop upgrade ads in the free version of the app is seen as annoying by some users.
• The GPL license of the desktop version does not apply to the mobile apps, which are not open source.
• Some users are interested in using Stellarium to project the sky onto a ceiling or wall, but are looking for affordable and suitable hardware.
• The lack of example images in the project's README is seen as a drawback by some users, while others argue that it is not necessary.
• The project's website has screenshots and information that can be easily accessed, making the need for images in the repository less important.