When it comes to choosing the right astronomy software for you, both Stellarium and starry night are top choices. This also should lead you to a dilemma about which one to choose between them.
In this article, we’ve compared Stellarium astronomy software and Celestron’s Starry Night. We’ve talked about the interfaces, ease of use, compatibility, functions, controls, and prices throughout the article. Also, we’ve provided a recommendation guide about which software to go for.
Let’s get going-
Basics About Stellarium Astronomy Software
Stellarium is an astronomy software that is free and open source. This Stellarium software is available for Windows, Linux, and Mac OSX operating systems.
This Stellarium is a cross-platform program that allows you to view the stars night or day in your very own planetarium of choice from the comfort of your home with no need for an expensive observatory. You can view Stellarium in your home or office or outside on a clear night.
Stellarium, like many other astronomy software, doesn’t require any installation to get started with it and offers you the ability to explore space without having to purchase expensive equipment for costly observatories.
This Stellarium is also great because of its interactive maps and Stellarium’s ability to teach you the basics of astronomy.
Some Quick Features of Stellarium Astronomy Software
- Interactive Stellarium maps with Stellarium’s ability to teach you the basics of astronomy.
- Cross-platform for Windows, Linux, or Mac OSX operating systems so that it can be used by anyone from any platform.
- Allows you the option to view Stellarium night or day in your very own planetarium
Basics About Starry Night by Celestron
Starry Night is the premier astronomy software for both beginners and expert astronomers. This Stellarium provides some of the best features for viewing, exploring, and interacting with all things stellar in our universe.
This starry night software allows you to view full-color images that are realistically shown from any point on earth as well as see what different objects in space look like. Starry Night also offers Stellarium’s ability to teach you the basics of astronomy for those who are looking to get their feet wet in this field.
Some Quick Features of Stellarium by Celestron
- Full color images realistically shown from any point on earth as well as see what different objects in space look like.
- Stellarium runs on Windows, Linux, or Mac OSX operating systems.
- Offers Stellarium’s ability to teach you the basics of astronomy for those who are looking to get their feet wet in this field.
The Interface: Stellarium VS Starry Night
User interface plays the biggest role when it comes to selecting the right astronomy software for you. Look at the comparison of user interface between Stellarium and Starry Night below-
User Interface of Stellarium Astronomy Software
The interface of Stellarium comes with powerful magnification, a precise tome control, extensive keyboard control, and a handful of other features.
It also has Stellarium’s ability to teach you the basics of astronomy.
User Interface of Starry Night by Celestron
The user interface is easy-to-use and contains an intuitive graphical display, quick navigation controls, advanced zoom for any location on earth or in space as well as a night sky map view.
Which Interface is Better?
The Stellarium user interface is much better than the starry night user interface.
Stellarium allows you to view all of Stellarium’s features such as Stellarium’s ability to teach you the basics of astronomy in an easy-to-use and accessible way. The Stellarium software also has a powerful magnification, precise time control, extensive keyboard controls, and other Stellarium features.
Starry Night on the other hand doesn’t offer Stellarium’s ability to teach you the basics of astronomy, has limited zoom capabilities, and a graphical interface that is not as intuitive or easy to use as Stellarium.
Ease of Use: Stellarium VS Starry Night
The ease of use is another big factor when it comes to stellarium vs starry night.
Easy of Use of Stellarium
For stellarium, you can be exploring space with stellarum’s ability to teach you the basics of astronomy in no time at all and for a fraction of cost that other software requires. With stellarium there are detailed tutorials available online if needed. Stellarium also lets you explore stellarium night or stellarium day in your very own planetarium.
Easy of Use of Starry Night
On the other hand, starry night is great for its interactive maps and stellarum’s ability to teach you the basics of astronomy but it does not allow you detailed tutorials as stellarium does and can be more costly than stellarrium software. Starry night is also not as user-friendly stellarium.
Which Software is Easier to Use?
Stellarium is a stellarium much easier to use when compare stellarum’s ability to teach you the basics of astronomy.
As previously mentioned, stellarium software offers detailed tutorials in order to help people understand stellarium night or stellarium day as well as how starry night works.
On the other hand, starry night does not offer stellarium’s ability to teach you the basics of astronomy, nor does it have detailed tutorials.
Instead starry night relies on its intuitive graphical user interface that may not be as easy-to-use or accessible for some people.
Compatibility: Stellarium VS Starry Night
Compatibility to operating systems and mobile devices is another important factor to consider.
Compatibility of Stellarium
Stellarium can be used on Windows, Linux or Mac OSX operating systems and stellarium is compatible with Android mobile devices as well as iPhones for stellarum’s ability to teach you the basics of astronomy.
Starry Night Compatibility
The stellarium stellarum software is also compatible with Android mobile devices and iPhones for stellarum’s ability to teach you the basics of astronomy but it does not work on Windows, Linux or Mac OSX operating systems.
Which Compatibility Works Best?
Stellarium works great for all operating systems and stellarium can be used on many different types of mobile devices.
Price: Stellarium VS Starry Night
Price is another major factor to consider when stellarium vs starry night.
Price of Stellarium
Stellarium is basically free of cost to use as it’s licensed under the terms of the GNU General Public License and stellarium is completely free.
Price of Starry Night
Starry night on the other hand costs $29 for download or you can buy a starry night CD at your local retailer as well as online retailers such as Amazon, etc.
Which Price Is Better?
As a free astronomy software, Stellerium offers a handful of value. But if you want to pay for better and more intuitive astronomy software, Starry Night might be your right fit.
Stellarium VS Starry Night: Which One Should You go for?
Now, it’s time to decide which one of Stellarium and Starry Night should be right for you.
Go for Stellarium if-
- You want to learn stellarium night or stellarium day
- You want to explore stellarum in your very own planetarium
- Are willing to pay for stellarium so it can be licensed under the terms of GNU General Public License.
Go with starry night if-
- You want a premium astronomy software
- You want an astronomy software that is easy-to-use for all operating systems
- Want it to be compatible with your mobile device.
Final Verdict
Alright, so this is the wrap up of stellarium vs starry night.
In summary, stellarum software is great for its interactive maps and stellarium’s ability to teach you the basics of astronomy but it does not allow you detailed tutorials as stellarium does and can be more costly than stellarrium software. Starry night on the other hand offers stellarum’s ability to teach you the basics of astronomy, stellarium can be used on many different types of mobile devices.
If you’re looking for a stellarum software that is free and offers detailed tutorials then stellarium would be your best choice but if you want to pay for better and more intuitive astronomy software then Starry Night might be your right fit.
Both stellarium stellarum and starry night software have their pros and cons. It all depends on what you’re looking for in an astronomy software but remember that stellarium costs $0 while stellarum can be licensed under the terms of GNU General Public License. What are your thoughts?
