Subject Descriptors: Stellarium, run, cost, install
Application: Stellarium 0.10.2, Windows XP
Task Description: What is Stellarium and how do I install it?
Tutorial Date: 28 May, 2009, by Sarah Zabriskie
Stellarium is a piece of software that can be downloaded for free off the internet. This software project allows people to use their home computer as a virtual planetarium. It calculates the positions of the Sun and Moon, planets and stars, and draws how the sky would look to an observer depending on their location and the time. It can also draw the constellations and simulate astronomical phenomena such as meteor showers, and solar or lunar eclipses.
You can download and install Stellarium on your computer from the internet for free. Just follow the directions below.
1) Log-on to the Stellarium website by going to http://www.stellarium.org
2) When the page loads, you will see three operating system options on the right, Linux, Mac OS X, and Windows. Select the appropriate operating system.
3) Another page will load that will have a Download Now option at the top of the page. Select this option, and the Stellarium software will be downloaded onto your computer.
4) After Stellarium downloads, you will be able to run the program by clicking on the Start button in the bottom left corner of the screen. A new window will appear. Select All Programs from the options, and select Stellarium from the drop-down box that appears.
