AWESOME 3D Solar System Simulator!

MidnightWatcher · May 5, 2003, 06:07 AM

For those of you who don't know, there is an incredible solar system simulator called Celestia (http://www.shatters.net/celestia/). I found this yesterday while just browsing around (good timing too since a new version 1.3.0 was just released last month), and it kept me up all night looking at planets, moons, stars. Everything is completely 3D accelerated via DirectX, and best of all it's completely free. Check out these screen shots!

The giant planet Gliese 876 b illuminated by the ruddy light of the red dwarf star that it orbits.

The view a few kilometers from Phobos, looking down at Mars. Celestia uses real data for the shape of Phobos and some other small moons.

Earth, rendered with new visual effects including specular reflections from the oceans.

Saturn, projecting it's shadow onto its rings.

There's even plenty of great add-ons for Celestia here. Check out some more screen shots from one guy's gallery. I hope they update it to support DirectX 9.0+ in the future... it would be even more life-like.

MidnightWatcher

Update: It's OpenGL, not DirectX, and there is a Linux version too for you to try out.

BWX · May 5, 2003, 06:47 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by MidnightWatcher
For those of you who don't know, there is an incredible solar system simulator called Celestia (http://www.shatters.net/celestia/). I found this yesterday while just browsing around (good timing too since a new version 1.3.0 was just released last month), and it kept me up all night looking at planets, moons, stars. Everything is completely 3D accelerated via DirectX, and best of all it's completely free. I hope they update it to support DirectX 9.0+ in the future... it would be even more life-like.

MidnightWatcher

I'm gonna go check it out- thanks!

Dom · May 5, 2003, 07:01 AM

Incredible.

MidnightWatcher · May 5, 2003, 07:28 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Dom
Incredible.

No kidding. Check out more galleries HERE. If anybody uses this or knows where and how to add on some higher-res textures, please post it here.

New Moon map and normal map (all 4K) compared with a real picture.

Primitive Earth and moon3

The Arabic peninsula, Somalia and Turkey. Note the water reflections on the Black and Caspian seas.

New Europa texture featuring ice reflections.

shuki · May 5, 2003, 07:36 AM

by definition these are in fact "heavenly visions"... moving

BWX · May 5, 2003, 08:52 AM

That is really cool- just spent 2 hours flying around the galaxy- So there are bumpmap add-ons and high-res texture add-ons somewhere? It looked like it from the pics I just saw- but I didn't see them at the website- I'll have to go look harder I guess.

Ps- go check out the ISS- it's really cool.

kinetic · May 5, 2003, 04:55 PM

Great link, thanks!

Vampyromaniac · May 6, 2003, 12:16 PM

thank you for this wonderful thing

jonis · May 7, 2003, 07:26 PM

yeah, looks cool.... i really dig these kind of things (everything related to space actually)

wertret · May 8, 2003, 10:40 PM

im gonna chek it now!

MidnightWatcher · May 9, 2003, 02:48 AM

If anyone would like to have a bit of "background noise" for Celestia, try downloading this .MP3 file and play it in the background using Winamp (looping) while exploring with Celestia. It adds a nice "celestial atmosphere".

Grab it here at: http://bruckner.homelinux.net/files/celestia_sounds.mp3

~~Asuka~~ · May 9, 2003, 06:25 AM

Really nice

MikeDaMan · May 12, 2003, 03:53 AM

Yea thats very cool, which reminds me. Does anyone know of a program similiar to Keyholes Earthviewer but a free?

*CATALYST maker* · May 15, 2003, 05:13 AM

wow totally cool! im gonna find out if we work with those guys at all. sure would be nice to get a dx9 version of that app dont ya think?

edperks · May 15, 2003, 05:30 AM

Man that is sweet!! I guess will be tired for work in the morning playing with this 3D enviroment.

Ryo-Ohki · May 15, 2003, 08:37 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by CATALYST maker
wow totally cool! im gonna find out if we work with those guys at all. sure would be nice to get a dx9 version of that app dont ya think?

Best post I've read in ages...

Besides, this simulator is totally awesome. Gotta have to dig into the add-ons now.

EvilTypeGuy · May 16, 2003, 03:01 AM

Oooooh...purty. It's just not fair dang it. I need a new video card.

MidnightWatcher · May 16, 2003, 03:44 AM

CATALYST maker, damn right this would be the coolest proggie in the world if it supported DX9. Damn that would be schweet! If ATI worked with these guys and did a good job on a DX9 part, they should include this with their video cards... would be another nice incentive to get an ATI card! "See the universe like you've never seen it before!"

*CATALYST maker* · May 16, 2003, 04:49 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by MidnightWatcher
CATALYST maker, damn right this would be the coolest proggie in the world if it supported DX9. Damn that would be schweet! If ATI worked with these guys and did a good job on a DX9 part, they should include this with their video cards... would be another nice incentive to get an ATI card! "See the universe like you've never seen it before!"

I agree. Will check it out in the next few days

May 5, 2003, 06:07 AM	#1
MidnightWatcher DriverHeaven Lover Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: The Great White North Posts: 164 Rep Power: 0	AWESOME 3D Solar System Simulator! For those of you who don't know, there is an incredible solar system simulator called Celestia (http://www.shatters.net/celestia/). I found this yesterday while just browsing around (good timing too since a new version 1.3.0 was just released last month), and it kept me up all night looking at planets, moons, stars. Everything is completely 3D accelerated via DirectX, and best of all it's completely free. Check out these screen shots! The giant planet Gliese 876 b illuminated by the ruddy light of the red dwarf star that it orbits. The view a few kilometers from Phobos, looking down at Mars. Celestia uses real data for the shape of Phobos and some other small moons. Earth, rendered with new visual effects including specular reflections from the oceans. Saturn, projecting it's shadow onto its rings. There's even plenty of great add-ons for Celestia here. Check out some more screen shots from one guy's gallery. I hope they update it to support DirectX 9.0+ in the future... it would be even more life-like. MidnightWatcher Update: It's OpenGL, not DirectX, and there is a Linux version too for you to try out. __________________ [COLOR=Red] HD DVD: Beyond Blu-ray [/COLOR] HD DVD: The Most Affordable Hardware and the Year's Biggest Boxoffice Hits \| Consumers Prefer HD DVD HUGE HD DVD Growth In 2007 \| Sound Advice: HD DVD Leaves Blu-ray In The Dust Paramount and DreamWorks Also Now [COLOR=Red]HD DVD EXCLUSIVE[/COLOR]! Last edited by MidnightWatcher; May 6, 2003 at 12:54 AM.

May 5, 2003, 08:52 AM	#6
BWX unplugged Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: USNY Posts: 19,669 Rep Power: 110 System Specs	That is really cool- just spent 2 hours flying around the galaxy- So there are bumpmap add-ons and high-res texture add-ons somewhere? It looked like it from the pics I just saw- but I didn't see them at the website- I'll have to go look harder I guess. Ps- go check out the ISS- it's really cool. __________________

May 6, 2003, 12:16 PM	#8
Vampyromaniac confutatis maledictis Join Date: May 2002 Location: somewhere dark Posts: 5,974 Rep Power: 77 System Specs	thank you for this wonderful thing __________________ *Digitalis 3.3* Athlon 64 3000 // ASUS K8V SE Deluxe // 1024MB PC3200 (2-2-2-10 1T) ATI All-In-Wonder 9700 Pro // 20" Dell 2005FPW (DVI) M-Audio Revo 7.1 + Philips Acoustic Edge // Klipsch ProMedia 2.1 320/16 Western Digital WD3200KS + 120/8 Seagate 7200.7 NEC ND-3550A 16x DVD±RW + Lite-On 52x24x CD-RW Antec Sonata case // 480W Antec TruePower personal bests \|\| Aq'3: 46796 \| 3D'01: 20461 \| 3D'03: 6336 \| 3D'05: 2677 \| PC'04: 4605 \| PC'02: 7691,9092,1250

May 7, 2003, 07:26 PM	#9
jonis Alien mindbender Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Valhalla Posts: 539 Rep Power: 0	yeah, looks cool.... i really dig these kind of things (everything related to space actually) __________________ [color=yellow]P4 2.533GHz 533MHz \| 2 x Samsung 512MB PC2700 (1GB) \| Hercules 3D Prophet 9700 Pro \| ASUS P4S8X (fw v1.005) \| SB Audigy Platinum WDC 120GB SE (8MB buffer) x 2 \| M$ intellimouse Explorer 3.0 \| WinXP SP-1 \| DX 9.0c & CATs 5.10 \| Viewsonic VP191b (19" TFT)[/color]

May 8, 2003, 10:40 PM	#10
wertret Still watching... Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Orihuela (Spain) Posts: 1,560 Rep Power: 0	im gonna chek it now! __________________ "They who dream by day are cognizant of many things which escape those who dream only by night."

May 5, 2003, 07:01 AM	#3
Dom DriverHeaven Extreme Member Join Date: Jun 2002 Posts: 12,940 Rep Power: 0	Incredible.

May 5, 2003, 07:36 AM	#5
shuki DriverHeaven Senior Member Join Date: May 2002 Location: in the hidden place Posts: 1,975 Rep Power: 0	by definition these are in fact "heavenly visions"... moving

May 5, 2003, 04:55 PM	#7
kinetic DriverHeaven Senior Member Join Date: May 2002 Location: Manchester England Posts: 2,559 Rep Power: 0	Great link, thanks!

May 9, 2003, 02:48 AM	Thread Starter #11
MidnightWatcher DriverHeaven Lover Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: The Great White North Posts: 164 Rep Power: 0	If anyone would like to have a bit of "background noise" for Celestia, try downloading this .MP3 file and play it in the background using Winamp (looping) while exploring with Celestia. It adds a nice "celestial atmosphere". Grab it here at: http://bruckner.homelinux.net/files/celestia_sounds.mp3 __________________ [COLOR=Red] HD DVD: Beyond Blu-ray [/COLOR] HD DVD: The Most Affordable Hardware and the Year's Biggest Boxoffice Hits \| Consumers Prefer HD DVD HUGE HD DVD Growth In 2007 \| Sound Advice: HD DVD Leaves Blu-ray In The Dust Paramount and DreamWorks Also Now [COLOR=Red]HD DVD EXCLUSIVE[/COLOR]!

May 9, 2003, 06:25 AM	#12
~~Asuka~~ BANNED Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Germany Posts: 579 Rep Power: 0	Really nice

May 12, 2003, 03:53 AM	#13
MikeDaMan DriverHeaven Senior Member Join Date: May 2002 Posts: 874 Rep Power: 0	Yea thats very cool, which reminds me. Does anyone know of a program similiar to Keyholes Earthviewer but a free? __________________ DFI Lanpart UT 250GB motherboard. 1GB 2X512 Crucial Ballistix PC 3200. AMD Athlon 64 3400+. Retail ATI Radeon X850XT PE AGP

May 15, 2003, 05:13 AM	#14
CATALYST maker ATI driver guru Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: ATI, Canada Posts: 678 Rep Power: 63	wow totally cool! im gonna find out if we work with those guys at all. sure would be nice to get a dx9 version of that app dont ya think?

May 15, 2003, 05:30 AM	#15
edperks HardwareHeaven Senior Member Join Date: May 2002 Location: Southern Illinois Posts: 780 Rep Power: 0 System Specs	Man that is sweet!! I guess will be tired for work in the morning playing with this 3D enviroment.

May 16, 2003, 03:01 AM	#17
EvilTypeGuy DriverHeaven Junior Member Join Date: Apr 2003 Posts: 23 Rep Power: 0	Oooooh...purty. It's just not fair dang it. I need a new video card.

May 16, 2003, 03:44 AM	Thread Starter #18
MidnightWatcher DriverHeaven Lover Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: The Great White North Posts: 164 Rep Power: 0	CATALYST maker, damn right this would be the coolest proggie in the world if it supported DX9. Damn that would be schweet! If ATI worked with these guys and did a good job on a DX9 part, they should include this with their video cards... would be another nice incentive to get an ATI card! "See the universe like you've never seen it before!" __________________ [COLOR=Red] HD DVD: Beyond Blu-ray [/COLOR] HD DVD: The Most Affordable Hardware and the Year's Biggest Boxoffice Hits \| Consumers Prefer HD DVD HUGE HD DVD Growth In 2007 \| Sound Advice: HD DVD Leaves Blu-ray In The Dust Paramount and DreamWorks Also Now [COLOR=Red]HD DVD EXCLUSIVE[/COLOR]!