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Free Planetarium App Stellarium 24.1 Adds Low Graphics Mode

Last updated: March 27, 2024 — Leave a comment

Stellarium, the free planetarium app, release version 24.1 a day ago.

Stellarium is a free open-source desktop app for Linux, Windows, and MacOS. It shows a realistic sky in 3D, just like what you see with the naked eye, binoculars or a telescope.

The software released version 24.1 this Tuesday that features low-graphics mode support, which can be useful for users running into low FPS, freezing,  or lagging issues. User can enable this feature either by passing --low-graphics or -L option when starting it from command line, or by adding the option in the corresponding .desktop file for Linux.
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In News ,
 

Stellarium 23.4 Added Lens Distortion Estimator Plugin, Tibetan Lunar Mansions

Last updated: December 25, 2023 — Leave a comment

 

Stellarium, the free open-source planetarium software, announced new 23.4 release few days ago.

The new release added experimental support for new plugin: Lens Distortion Estimator, and new sky culture: Tibetan Lunar Mansions.

With new release, user can now change the look of GUI through normalStyle.css config file. For Windows, it added new MESA for Windows packages, and package for ARM64 CPU architecture type.

Other changes include:

  • Support the origins of nomenclature names
  • Performance improvements on macOS with ARM64
  • Add script “Jupiter Moons”
  • Add filter, based on SATCAT Operational Status in Satellites plugin
  • Add AppImage package based on Qt6.
  • more simple calendar-based time steps (esp. for RemoteControl)
  • wrapper for too long star names
  • Temporary workaround for overlapping indicator and text in lists
  • Optional sorting rule for Search Tool
  • Text wrapper for pulsar notes, Modern (H.A. Rey) SC, and long origins of nomenclature names
  • Ability to make observing lists directory configurable via GUI
  • Add dpiAwareness option to manifest and send physical viewport size to Spout
  • Add DSO names
  • Add 2 new time steps for AstroCalc/Ephemeris tool
  • Remote control command to change window size
  • And various bug-fixes. See release note for details.

How to Install Stellarium 23.4

The software provides official packages for Linux, Windows, MacOS, as well as source code, available to download at Github release page:

Download Stellarium (under ‘Assets’)

Ubuntu user can search for and install Stellarium from either Ubuntu Software or App Center (for 23.10), though it’s Snap package runs in sandbox.

For Ubuntu & Linux Mint users who prefer the classic .deb package, the official PPA has built the package for Ubuntu 20.04, Ubuntu 22.04, Ubuntu 23.04, and Ubuntu 23.10.

1. First, press Ctrl+Alt+T on keyboard to open terminal. When it opens, run command to add the PPA:

sudo add-apt-repository ppa:stellarium/stellarium-releases

Type user password (no asterisk feedback) when it asks and hit Enter to continue.

2. Linux Mint users need to manually refresh the package cache after adding PPA:

sudo apt update

3 Finally either update Stellarium using Software Updater (Update Manager) if an old version was installed.

Or, run command in terminal to install it for the first time.

sudo apt install stellarium

Uninstall

To remove the planetarium software software, simply open terminal and run command:

sudo apt install --autoremove stellarium

And, remove the Ubuntu PPA either by running command:

sudo add-apt-repository --remove ppa:stellarium/stellarium-releases

or use “Software & Updates” to remove source line under ‘Other Software’ tab.

In News
 

Desktop Planetarium Stellarium 1.0 Released! [Ubuntu PPA]

Last updated: October 2, 2022 — Leave a comment

After more than 20 years of development, the popular planetarium ‘Stellarium’ finally reached 1.0 release.

Stellarium 1.0 is the first released ported to Qt6 framework, though Qt5 is still supported! It features:

  • A new, much better skylight model, but MacOS and OpenGL ES2 not supported.
  • Many details around eclipses
  • Updated Observation List features
  • New features in AstroCalc tool
  • HiDPI improvements
  • Better dithering
  • Able to use Windows location service
  • New skyculture: Samoan
  • Updated several skycultures
  • Updates in Angle Measure, Satellites, Oculars, Remote Control, Pulsars plugins

See the release note for more about Stellarium 1.0.

How to Install Stellarium 1.0 in Ubuntu Linux

Stellarium is available to install in Ubuntu via Snap, AppImage, and PPA repository. They are built against Qt5 toolkit though.

Snap package

Snap is a software package runs in sandbox. Though it’s quite easy to install for lazy men. Simply, search for and install it from Ubuntu Software:

Stellarium Snap Package in Ubuntu Software app

Ubuntu PPA

For those who prefer the native .deb package, the official PPA has built the packages for Ubuntu 20.04, Ubuntu 22.04, and Ubuntu 22.10.

First, press Ctrl+Alt+T on keyboard to open terminal. When it opens, run the command below to add the PPA:

sudo add-apt-repository ppa:stellarium/stellarium-releases

Type user password when it asks (no asterisk feedback) and hit Enter to continue.

Linux Mint user may also run the command below to refresh package cache:

sudo apt update

Finally, install the planetarium software via command:

sudo apt install stellarium

AppImage

AppImage is a non-install portable package that can be run directly to launch software app.

First, make sure your system has enabled AppImage support by opening terminal (Ctrl+Alt+T) and run command:

sudo apt install libfuse2

Then, download the AppImage from github releases page (under ‘Assets’):

Download Stellarium

Finally, right-click on the package, go to ‘Properties’ and make it executable via the tick-box under ‘Permissions’ tab. Finally, click run it to launch Stellarium:

Uninstall Stellarium

Depends on which package you installed, uninstall Stellarium snap from Ubuntu Software, or remove AppImage file from file manager.

For the PPA package, open terminal (Ctrl+Alt+T) and run command to remove it:

sudo apt remove --autoremove stellarium

And remove the PPA repository either by running the command below:

sudo add-apt-repository --remove ppa:stellarium/stellarium-releases

or use ‘Software & Updates’ utility by removing the source line under ‘Other Software’ tab:

In Howtos
 

How to Install Stellarium 0.20.0 in Ubuntu 20.04, 18.04

Last updated: March 31, 2020

Free-software planetarium Stellarium 0.20.0 was released a few days ago. Here’s how to install it in Ubuntu 18.04, Ubuntu 19.10, and Ubuntu 20.04.

Stellarium 0.20.0 brings GUI refactoring and updating, code refactoring (related to Solar system), and many improvements in the code of plugins.

Changes in the release include:

  • Added Almagest skyculture
  • Added support INDIGO for Telescope Control plugin
  • Added displaying last updated TLE for users
  • Added a SIMBAD lookup name query to the Search Dialog
  • Added Cross-origin (CORS) support to Remote Control plugin
  • Slightly improves rendering of Saturn viewed from Pan
  • Allows arbitrary viewpoints by keyboard action
  • Added new nomenclature items
  • Added new type of planetary feature
  • Added German set of navigational stars
  • Added comet C/2019 Y4 (ATLAS) as potential superbright comet (a Great Comet)

There are also tons of other new features and bug-fixes. See release note for details.

How to Install Stellarium 0.20.0 in Ubuntu:

1. Open terminal either by pressing Ctrl+Alt+T on keyboard or by searching ‘terminal’ from application menu. When it opens, run command to add the official PPA:

sudo add-apt-repository ppa:stellarium/stellarium-releases

Type user password (no asterisk feedback) when it prompts and hit Enter.

2. Then either upgrade Stellarium from an old version with Software Updater utility:

Or run following commands to install or upgrade the software from terminal:

sudo apt update

sudo apt install stellarium

Uninstall:

To remove the software, either use your system package manager or run command:

sudo apt-get remove --autoremove stellarium

And remove the PPA via “Software & Updates” utility under Other Software tab.

In Howtos, News
 

Free Software Planetarium Stellarium 0.19.2 Released (Ubuntu PPA)

Last updated: September 29, 2019

The second bugfix release for the free open-source planetarium Stellarium 0.19 series was released today. Here’s how to install it in Ubuntu 16.04, Ubuntu 18.04, and higher.

Changes in Stellarium 0.19.2 release include:

  • Added support DMS and DD formats for parallactic angle feature
  • Added 2 new scripts (Saturnian and uranian analemmas)
  • Added ‘k Pup’ designation to star HIP 37229
  • Added a new skylore for Stellarium: Anutan
  • Added “observers” for all planets with moons
  • Added 3 new actions
  • Added Vanuatu (Netwar) skyculture
  • Added few asterisms
  • Added few new DSO textures
  • Added support Vec3d into scripting engine
  • Added a Messier Marathon script
  • Updated planetary nomenclature
  • Enabled scaling fonts on High DPI monitors
  • MUCH more other updates and bug-fixes, see the release note.

How to Install Stellarium 0.19.2 in Ubuntu:

1. Open terminal either via Ctrl+Alt+T keyboard shortcut or by searching ‘terminal’ from application menu. When it opens, run command to add the official PPA:

sudo add-apt-repository ppa:stellarium/stellarium-releases

Type user password (no asterisk feedback) when it prompts and hit Enter.

2. Then either upgrade Stellarium from an existing release with Software Updater utility:

Or run following commands to install or upgrade the software from terminal:

sudo apt-get update

sudo apt-get install stellarium

Uninstall:

To remove the software, either use your system package manager or run command:

sudo apt-get remove --autoremove stellarium

And remove the PPA via “Software & Updates” utility under Other Software tab.

In Howtos, News ,
 

Stellarium 0.19.1 Released with A Large List of Changes

Last updated: June 22, 2019

Free-software planetarium Stellarium 0.19.1 was released today with numerous bug-fixes, updates, and improvements.

Changes in Stellarium 0.19.1 include:

  • Allow to search an inactive meteor showers in Search Tool/Lists tool
  • Added ‘Azimuth vs. Time’ graph into AstroCalc/Graphs tool
  • Added feature to show tracks for latest several selected planets
  • Added tools for jumping to the next or previous time of rising, transit or setting for selected object.
  • Added hour angle and sidereal time to infomap.
  • Updated DSO textures, planetary nomenclature, list of asterisms.
  • Numerous fixes and other updates.

How to Install Stellarium 0.19.0 in Ubuntu:

The official Stellarium Ubuntu PPA has made the new release packages for Ubuntu 16.04, Ubuntu 18.04, Ubuntu 18.10, Ubuntu 19.04.

1. Open terminal either via Ctrl+Alt+T keyboard shortcut or by searching ‘terminal’ from app launcher. When it opens, run command to add the PPA:

sudo add-apt-repository ppa:stellarium/stellarium-releases

Type user password (no asterisk feedback while typing) when it prompts and hit Enter.

2. Then upgrade Stellarium from an existing release with Software Updater utility:

Or run following commands to install the software for the first time:

sudo apt-get update

sudo apt-get install stellarium

Uninstall:

To remove the software, either use your system package manager or run command:

sudo apt-get remove --autoremove stellarium

And remove the PPA via “Software & Updates” utility under Other Software tab.

In Howtos, News ,
 

Planetarium Software Stellarium 0.18.2 Released (How to Install)

Last updated: August 16, 2018

Free and open-source planetarium software Stellarium 0.18.2 was released a day ago with enhancements, various bug-fixes and translation updates.

Stellarium 0.18.2 release highlights:

  • Improvements and fixes for AstroCalc tool and plugins
  • Added support Abell Catalog of Planetary Nebulae and ESO/Uppsala Survey of the ESO(B) Atlas
  • Added filters for enlisted objects in Search Tool/Lists tool
  • Added new textures for moons
  • Added support Milkyway saturation effect
  • Added possibility to select all constellations through scripts and hotkeys
  • Added artwork for some Maori constellations
  • Added distances for some planetary nebulae
  • Added Lokono sky culture
  • Added a few new scripts
  • Updated code and data, and fixed various bugs.

How to Install Stellarium 0.18.2 in Ubuntu:

The software has an official PPA repository that contains the latest Stellarium packages for Ubuntu 16.04, Ubuntu 18.04, Ubuntu 18.10, and their derivatives.

1. Open terminal either via Ctrl+Alt+T or by searching ‘terminal’ from app launcher. When it opens, run command to add the PPA:

sudo add-apt-repository ppa:stellarium/stellarium-releases

Input your password (no visual asterisks feedback while typing) when it prompts and hit Enter.

2. Then upgrade Stellarium from an existing release with Software Updater utility:

Or run following commands to install the software for the first time:

sudo apt-get update

sudo apt-get install stellarium

Uninstall:

To remove the software, either use your system package manager or run command:

sudo apt-get remove --autoremove stellarium

And remove the PPA via “Software & Updates” utility under Other Software tab.

In Howtos, News ,
 

Stellarium 0.18.1 Released! How to Install it in Ubuntu 18.04

Last updated: July 3, 2018

Free and open-source planetarium software, Stellarium 0.18.1, was released 2 days ago with new features, many improvements and lots of bug-fixes.

The major changes in Stellarium 0.18.1 include:

  • Improvements and fixes for Hierarchical Progressive Surveys [HiPS] support
  • Updated the main UI, code of plugins, code and data.
  • Updated GPS handling
  • Added rise, transit and set times for celestial objects
  • Added dithering support
  • Many other improvements and various bug-fixes.
  • See the release note for details.

How to Install Stellarium 0.18.0 in Ubuntu:

The software has an official PPA repository that contains the latest Stellarium packages for Ubuntu 16.04, Ubuntu 17.10, Ubuntu 18.04.

1. Open terminal either via Ctrl+Alt+T or by searching ‘terminal’ from app launcher. When it opens, run command to add the PPA:

sudo add-apt-repository ppa:stellarium/stellarium-releases

Input your password (no visual asterisks feedback while typing) when it prompts and hit Enter.

2. Then upgrade Stellarium from an existing release with Software Updater utility:

Or run following commands to install the software for the first time:

sudo apt-get update

sudo apt-get install stellarium

Uninstall:

To remove the software, either use your system package manager or run command:

sudo apt-get remove --autoremove stellarium

And remove the PPA via “Software & Updates” utility under Other Software tab.

In Howtos, News ,
 

Stellarium 0.18.0 Released with HiPS Support (How to Install)

Last updated: March 26, 2018

Free and open-source planetarium software Stellarium 0.18.0 was released last night. The new release added support for Hierarchical Progressive Surveys (HiPS).

Changes in Stellarium 0.18.0 include:

  • Added support Hierarchical Progressive Surveys [HiPS] (Hello visualization of multiwavelength universe in the Stellarium)
  • Added patches for TeXLive
  • Added Dnoces star name
  • Added computation of solar eclipse magnitude and solar eclipse obscuration on Earth (special case)
  • Added option to allow adding some sky background color
  • Added Moon age computation
  • Added “Western (O.Hlad)” sky culture
  • Added support common names of pulsars
  • Added some DSO images
  • Added calculation of synodic period
  • Added AstroCalc/Monthly Elevation tool
  • Added optional Sun, Moon, Astronomical Twilight and Nautical Twilight lines for AstroCalc/AltVsTime tool
  • Added Battlesteads Observatory into locations list
  • Added a special case of computations (lunar eclipse) into AstroCalc/Phenomena tool
  • Added two new signals to manage wide dates changes with various steps – by months and years
  • Added tools for select color of planetary labels and trails
  • Added option to suppress drawing large halo around bright stars.
  • Added Tesla Roadster orbital elements
  • Added config options for font size of cardinal points
  • Added visualization of civil twilight line in AstroCalc/AltVsTime tool
  • Added ‘Artificial objects’ into Search/Lists tool
  • Added feature to store and retrieve selected HiPS
  • Added bottom bar GUI button for HiPS display
  • Updated and extended AstroCalc tool
  • Added support a Hickson Compact Group collection
  • Updated code and data, and fixed various bugs.

How to Install Stellarium 0.18.0 in Ubuntu:

The developers maintain a stable PPA repository that contains the latest Stellarium packages for Ubuntu 16.04, Ubuntu 17.10, Ubuntu 18.04.

1. Open terminal either via Ctrl+Alt+T or by searching ‘terminal’ from app launcher. When it opens, run command to add the PPA:

sudo add-apt-repository ppa:stellarium/stellarium-releases

Input your password (no visual feedback while typing) when it prompts and hit Enter.

2. Then upgrade Stellarium from an existing release with Software Updater utility:

Or run following commands to install the software for the first time:

sudo apt-get update

sudo apt-get install stellarium

Uninstall:

To remove the software, either use your system package manager or run command:

sudo apt-get remove --autoremove stellarium

And remove the PPA via “Software & Updates” utility under Other Software tab.

In Howtos, News ,
 

Stellarium 0.16.1 Released with Important Features (How-to Install)

Last updated: September 23, 2017

Stellarium, a planetarium software shows a 3D simulation of the night sky, has reached the 0.16.1 release. Here’s how to install it in Ubuntu 16.04, Ubuntu 17.04, Ubuntu 17.10, and derivatives.

Stellarium 0.16.1 is a bug-fix release with some important new features:

  • Added moons of Saturn, Uranus and Pluto
  • Added improvements for AstroCalc tool
  • DSO catalog was updated to version 3.2:
    • Added support ‘The Strasbourg-ESO Catalogue of Galactic Planetary Nebulae’ (Acker+, 1992)
    • Added support ‘A catalogue of Galactic supernova remnants’ (Green, 2014)
    • Added support ‘A Catalog of Rich Clusters of Galaxies’ (Abell+, 1989)
  • Added support asterisms and outlines for DSO
  • Added improvements for the GUI

How to Install Stellarium 0.16.1 in Ubuntu:

The official Stellarium PPA has built the packages for Ubuntu 16.04, Ubuntu 17.04, Ubuntu 17.10, and their derivatives.

1. Open terminal either via Ctrl+Alt+T or from app launcher. When it opens, run command to add the PPA:

sudo add-apt-repository ppa:stellarium/stellarium-releases

Input your password (no visual feedback while typing) when it prompts and hit Enter.

2. Then upgrade Stellarium from an existing release with Software Updater utility:

Or run following commands to install the software for the first time:

sudo apt-get update

sudo apt-get install stellarium

Uninstall:

To remove the software, either use your system package manager or run command:

sudo apt-get remove --autoremove stellarium

And remove the PPA via “Software & Updates” utility under Other Software tab.

In Howtos, News ,