Archives For November 30, 1999

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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Free-software planetarium Stellarium 0.20.3 was released a day ago with numerous changes. Here’s how to install it in Ubuntu 18.04, Ubuntu 20.04 via PPA.

Stellarium 0.20.3 fixed nutation and, with it, season beginning times, included many changes in AstroCalc tool, Oculars and Satellites plugins, and updated DSO catalog.

Changes in the new release include:

  • Add B pass band for compute photometric values of nebulae
  • Add show standard magnitude and RCS info for satellites in the GUI of Satellites plugin
  • Add new filters for satellites
  • Add GUI buttons to define object information font color at daylight and for overwrite mode
  • Add 2 new columns for AstroCalc/Positions tool
  • Add editable keyboard shortcut for buttons in AstroCalc tools
  • Add new initial time steps in AstroCalc/Phenomena tool
  • Add option to use on the screen star designations only
  • Add option in the GUI to define color of text in Equation of Time plugin
  • Add new button into Shortcut Editor and Add new tool to restoring defaults
  • Add action to restart trails
  • Add “current vertical” line
  • Add support custom time steps for ephemeris in AstroCalc/Ephemeris tool
  • Add ability to show several objects’ ephemerides in AstroCalc/Ephemeris tool
  • Add using texture for satellite, when he crossing of the Moon or the Sun
  • Add new groups of satellites: all new groups of satellites based on their orbital properties
  • Add pixel grid for sensors to Ocular plugin
  • Add show a binning info for CCD to Oculars GUI Panel
  • Add option into GUI to toggle drawing halo around the Moon
  • Add new names for planetary features
  • Add star names for Western (O. Hlad) sky culture
  • Add CLI option to start Stellarium in scaling GUI mode
  • Add note to S&T sky culture
  • Add support of new type of labels (labelEquatorial) for scripting engine
  • Add 3 new groups of satellites
  • Add buttons to define special colors for satellites in Satellites plugin
  • Add International Designator info into the GUI of Satellites plugin
  • Add epoch of the TLE info into GUI of Satellites plugin

How to Install Stellarium 0.20.3 in Ubuntu:

The official Stellarium PPA contains the latest packages for Ubuntu 18.04 and Ubuntu 20.04

1. Open terminal either by pressing Ctrl+Alt+T on keyboard or by searching for ‘terminal’ from application menu. 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 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.

Free open-source astronomy software Stellarium 0.20.2 was released a few days ago as the 20 year anniversary celebration.

Stellarium 0.20.2 contains many changes in AstroCalc tool and core of Stellarium, changes in scripting engline and Script Console, Oculars and Satellites plugins, updated DSO catalog, see release note for details.

How to Install Stellarium 0.20.2 in Ubuntu:

The official Stellarium PPA contains the latest packages for Ubuntu 18.04, Ubuntu 19.10, and Ubuntu 20.04

1. Open terminal either by pressing Ctrl+Alt+T on keyboard or by searching for ‘terminal’ from application menu. 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 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.

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.

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.

Stellarium released version 0.19.0 today. Here’s how to install it in Ubuntu 16.04, Ubuntu 18.04, Ubuntu 18.10, and higher.

Stellarium 0.19.0 features 5 new sky cultures, many new DSO textures, code refactoring, and many other changes including:

  • Add new type of computation for AstroCalc/Phenomena tool
  • Add GUI options to change constellations and asterisms font size
  • Add Chinese medieval sky culture.
  • Add DSO textures
  • Add scripting graphics tool
  • Add classifications support for sky cultures
  • Add support 2 southern deep sky catalogues
  • Add armintxe, paleolithic sky culture and landscape
  • Add Maya constellations
  • Add 2 Babylonian skycultures

How to Install Stellarium 0.19.0 in Ubuntu:

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.

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.

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.

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.

Stellarium, a free planetarium software, reached the 0.17.0 release with many new features, bug-fixes, and other changes.

The major changes in Stellarium 0.17.0:

  • Added support for nomenclature of planetary surface (SOCIS 2017 project)
  • Added improvements for AstroCalc tool
  • Added improvements for Oculars plugin
  • Added improvements for Exoplanets plugin
  • Added INDI support for Telescope Control plugin
  • Updated code and data

For the full changes, see the release note.

How to Install Stellarium 0.17.0 in Ubuntu:

The official Stellarium PPA has built the packages for Ubuntu 16.04, Ubuntu 17.04, Ubuntu 17.10, and Ubuntu 18.04.

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.