Stellarium
Stellarium is a free, open-source planetarium for computers that renders the sky in 3D.
What Stellarium is
Stellarium is a free, open-source planetarium for computers that renders the sky in 3D. Its default catalogue includes over 600,000 stars and over 80,000 deep-sky objects; optional catalogues expand those collections to more than 220 million stars and over 1 million objects. The software presents constellations from more than 40 cultures and calendars from more than 35. Its simulation covers the atmosphere, sunrise and sunset, planets, satellites, and eclipses. Telescope control and an HTTP interface for web-based control and remote API access are included. You can add plugins, online solar system objects, deep-sky objects, landscapes, constellation images, and scripts. Desktop downloads are available for Linux, macOS, and Windows, including Windows ARM64, and the official site also links to Stellarium Web, an online star map. Offline access is supported. Minimum requirements are a 64-bit operating system, 1 GiB RAM, 1 GiB disk space, and compatible 3D graphics. The project directs users to discussions, a mailing list, a wiki, an FAQ, and GitHub for support and feedback.
Good
- Default catalogue has over 600,000 stars.
- Simulates planets, satellites, and eclipses.
- Includes telescope control and remote API access.
- Supports offline access.
Watch out
- Desktop use requires compatible 3D graphics.
- Minimum requirements include a 64-bit operating system.
Who it suits
Stellarium suits people who want a detailed sky simulation on a desktop, including users interested in telescope control or exploring different cultural sky traditions. Its offline access also suits users who want to use the desktop software without a connection.
Verdict
Stellarium combines a large sky catalogue with simulation, telescope control, and customization options. Check the stated graphics and system requirements before choosing the desktop version.
Plans and prices
From Stellarium's own pricing page, checked 8 Oct 2026.
| Plan | Price | What it gives you |
|---|---|---|
| Stellarium | Free | Free open source planetarium for your computer |
The facts
Each one read from Stellarium's own pages, with the date it was checked.
What it does
- Customisation
- Users can add plugins, solar system objects from online resources, deep-sky objects, landscapes, constellation images, and scripts.checked 8 Oct 2026
- Deep-sky objects
- The default catalogue includes over 80,000 deep-sky objects, with an extra catalogue containing more than 1 million.checked 8 Oct 2026
- Latest release
- The official site links to version 26.3 as the latest version; its release notes list it as released on September 28, 2026.checked 8 Oct 2026
- Purpose
- Stellarium is a free, open source planetarium for computers that shows a realistic sky in 3D.checked 8 Oct 2026
- Security
- The opened official pages do not state security certifications or compliance claims.checked 8 Oct 2026
- Sky cultures
- It includes constellations for more than 40 cultures and calendars for more than 35 cultures.checked 8 Oct 2026
- Sky simulation
- Features include realistic atmosphere, sunrise and sunset, planets and satellites, and eclipse simulation.checked 8 Oct 2026
- Star catalogues
- The default catalogue contains over 600,000 stars, with extra catalogues containing more than 220 million stars.checked 8 Oct 2026
- Support
- The project directs users to discussions, a mailing list, a wiki, an FAQ, and GitHub for support, bug reports, and feature requests.checked 8 Oct 2026
- System requirements
- Minimum requirements include a 64-bit OS, 1 GiB RAM, 1 GiB disk space, and compatible 3D graphics.checked 8 Oct 2026
- Telescope and remote control
- The interface includes telescope control and an HTTP interface for web-based control and remote control API access.checked 8 Oct 2026
- Web version
- The official site links to Stellarium Web, an online star map.checked 8 Oct 2026
Where it runs
- Desktop platforms
- The site provides downloads for Linux, macOS, and Windows, including Windows ARM64.checked 8 Oct 2026
The company
- Maker
- The site names a project coordinator and developer team but does not state a company name, headquarters, or founding year.checked 8 Oct 2026
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