Stellarium for Linux

Juniya

April 4, 2024

Stellarium on Linux

Hello everyone, you can download Stellarium for Ubuntu and experience using one of most popular and stable open-source software for anyone interested in astronomy.

Today we will highlight some reasons why we think you should go ahead and install Stellarium on your Ubuntu/Linux systems. I have only heard about this app randomly when I was browsing my facebook page and it came up in a comment with something to do with space and stuff, I can’t even remember what it was but long story short, I ended up trying Stellarium and I like it, it was much easier than I imagined when I was reading about it and once I installed it, the first thing that struck me was the interface of Stellarium with a few clicks, I was able to explore constellations, track planets, and even zoom into faraway galaxies. The level of detail it provides for each celestial body or whatever these things are called is top notch like when I hovered over Mars and a small information window popped up detailing its current phase, distance from Earth, and other facts like that. I can’t really describe this software that well because even though I am interested in astronomy, space and other planets, I am just a fan on the bench, not the player, and I like that way, I hope that makes sense? Lol. Anyway, let us know in the comments if you decide to try this impressive software.

Don’t forget Linux can now run a lot of programs that you thought only worked on Windows, take a look at Sublime Text for Linux.

Install Stellarium on Ubuntu

Download Stellarium on Linux

How to install Stellarium using Terminal

Update the apt database:

sudo apt update

Add the Stellarium PPA repository:

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

Install Stellarium:

sudo apt install stellarium

Verify the installation:

stellarium --version

Launch Stellarium:

stellarium

What is Stellarium About?

Stellarium is an astronomy software that works on Linux, Windows, macOS, ChromeOS, iOS and Android. Stellarium is a free and open-source software that provides a realistic night sky simulation for any date, time, and location on Earth. It includes a vast catalog of over 600,000 stars and 80,000 deep-sky objects, as well as detailed information about each object. Stellarium can also simulate the view through a telescope or binoculars, and it offers a variety of visualization options, such as different coordinate grids, precession circles, star twinkling, shooting stars, and tails of comets. Stellarium can also simulate eclipses, supernovae, and novae. It can also display the locations of exoplanets.

Stellarium Features:

Realistic night sky simulation: Stellarium can display a highly realistic night sky simulation for any date, time, and location on Earth. This includes stars, planets, comets, nebulae, galaxies, and more.
Extensive object catalog: Stellarium includes a default catalog of over 600,000 stars and 80,000 deep-sky objects. Additional catalogs can be downloaded to add even more objects.
Constellations and cultures: Stellarium can display constellations for over 40 different cultures, as well as calendars for 35+ different cultures.
Detailed object information: Stellarium provides detailed information about all of the objects in its catalog, including their positions, magnitudes, spectral types, and more.
Ocular view simulation: Stellarium can simulate the view through a telescope or binoculars, taking into account the instrument’s magnification, field of view, and other factors.
3D sceneries: Stellarium can display 3D sceneries of the Earth and other planets, as well as stars and galaxies.
Numerous visualization options: Stellarium offers a variety of visualization options, such as different coordinate grids, precession circles, star twinkling, shooting stars, and tails of comets.
Simulation of eclipses, supernovae, and novae: Stellarium can simulate eclipses, supernovae, and novae.
Exoplanet locations: Stellarium can display the locations of exoplanets.