Modeling the Milky Way

Several months ago Google came out with a free downloadable product called Google Earth that combines GIS functionality with satellite imagery and 3D modeling. Using the program you can produce detailed images of just about any large city or natural feature in the world. You can find where you live (even if it’s not in the core city) or where you vacation, you can spot famous world landmarks and you can stumble upon UFOs. It’s one of the most ridiculously cool things available on the internet.

But that’s old news. Google Earth has been making the rounds on the net for months. What I hadn’t heard of until just recently is Celestia, a very similar program that if it were made by Google might instead be called Google Galaxy. The deal is basically the same - it’s a scaled computer model of the Milky Way. It’s also my new favorite toy. Read the full entry for additional screencaps (as usual, click to enlarge)...


Mars and its moon Phobos


Jupiter with its many moons and the inner solar system


The Milky Way and two satellite galaxies, the Small and Large Magellanic Clouds


Star Epsilon Eri and one of its two thus-far-discovered planets


The International Space Station orbiting Earth

Tags: space technology