Microsoft has launched a public beta of its WorldWide Telescope software. Basically, WorldWide Telescope is like Google Earth or Virtual Earth for the sky. It's a desktop application that lets you browse astronomical photos stitched together.
There's more than a terabyte of high resolution imagery available, but you don't need a massive hard drive to access it since WorldWide Telescope connects to an internet server and just downloads the images you need. If you have a broadband connection, the downloads are quick enough to make you feel like you're scrolling across one large image. You can also zoom in and out to get a better look at the nebula of your choosing.
But WorldWide Telescope has a few more tricks up its sleeve. You can take guided tours, which are narrated by astronomers and teachers. You can join "communities," which are currently maintained by several astronomy magazines. Community members will have access to exclusive tours and other content. And if you have your own telescope, you can connect to to your computer and control it with WorldWide Telescope.
[via CNet]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
5-13-2008 @ 2:35PM
arash sadaghian said...
it a suprising software from biggest software developer.for me who have messier marathons and many night of life in the dark sky this software is wonderful. you can see the earth like that sprit seen in mars and night sky in microwave infrared visible or ultraviolet. this software from microsoft drag google's sky in to the earth. tnx mixrosoft and nasa.
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5-13-2008 @ 6:29PM
zkam said...
plus, it made Scoble cry
http://www.google.com/search?q=microsoft+scoble+cry
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5-13-2008 @ 11:43PM
asurroca said...
I can totally understand Scoble's sentiment. Playing around with this really made me remember how much is out there. Kind of like the digital equivalent of sitting outside and star-gazing at night. Really spectacular.
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5-14-2008 @ 12:11AM
Quikboy said...
WWT is really awesome. Google Sky can't even compare.
I was hoping a more 3D like experience in the universe (like you can around most of the planets), but I guess that's something that can be worked on.
Overall, it's just neat, and I'm sure it will be a great tool for amateur astronomers (or even pros) and regular people.
Kudos to MS.
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5-14-2008 @ 4:45PM
tekman94 said...
But, Microsoft took Google's idea. Turn the table and there would be a lawsuit brewing.
5-14-2008 @ 4:51PM
Quikboy said...
@tekman94: Uh, then it could also be said that Google has taken Stellarium's and Celestia's idea first.
And also that Google has taken the idea of e-mailing, IM, traffic, personalized maps, and many other things from Microsoft and Yahoo!.
Turn the tables on those and there would be a lawsuit brewing.