Planetarium software explained

Planetarium software is application software that allows a user to simulate the celestial sphere at any time of day, especially at night, on a computer. Such applications can be as rudimentary as displaying a star chart or sky map for a specific time and location, or as complex as rendering photorealistic views of the sky.

While some planetarium software is meant to be used exclusively on a personal computer, some applications can be used to interface with and control telescopes or planetarium projectors. Optional features may include inserting the orbital elements of comets and other newly discovered bodies for display.

Comparison of planetarium software

NameLatest release LicenseOperating system
Windows Linux macOS Android iOS
May 1, 2021 colspan="2"
November 24, 2019 colspan="2"
April 20, 2023 colspan="2"
October 2019 colspan="2"
July 8, 2023 colspan="2"
August 1, 2023 colspan="2"
July 2, 2023 colspan="2" (limited) (limited)
2022
2021 colspan="2"
December 21, 2021 colspan="2"
July 4, 2023 colspan="2"
September 14, 2021 colspan="2"
February 15, 2022 colspan="2"
Redshift - colspan="2"
SkySafari - colspan="2"
Starry Night - colspan="2"
Sky Guide August 18, 2021 colspan="2"
TheSky - colspan="2" - - - - -
WinStars April 3, 2023 colspan="2" - - - - -
- colspan="2" - - - - -
- colspan="2" - - - - -
Shira Player (software) November 22, 2020 colspan="2"
Shira Universe (software) February 13, 2021 colspan="2"
PlanetariumVR (virtual reality) August 9, 2021 colspan="2"

See also