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On the recordRead 15 Oct 202652 facts
Gaia Sky
Heidelberg, Germany
Plans and prices
Gaia Sky
Free
desktop and VR · datasets downloaded separately · no paid plans shown
Read 15 Oct 2026 · gaiasky.space
On the record
- 6D astronomy
- Stars can be viewed with positions, proper motions and radial velocities when those measurements exist.gaiasky.space · read 15 Oct 2026
- API and scripting
- The product exposes an API and Python scripting for scene control and extension.gaiasky.space · read 15 Oct 2026
- API scope
- Documented calls cover time, scene objects, dataset loading, camera control, special modes, settings backup, screenshots and frame output.gaia.ari.uni-heidelberg.de · read 15 Oct 2026
- API security limit
- Disabling localhost-only REST binding exposes scripting, downloads and file operations without authentication and can permit arbitrary calls by reachable clients.gaia.ari.uni-heidelberg.de · read 15 Oct 2026
- Company
- The project is developed by the Gaia group of Heidelberg University's Astronomisches-Rechen-Institut in Heidelberg, Germany, led by Dr Toni Sagristà Sellés.gaiasky.space · read 15 Oct 2026
- Dataset dependency
- The installed program contains raw software only, so catalogs, models and textures must be downloaded separately through the dataset manager or direct links.gaiasky.space · read 15 Oct 2026
- Dataset manager
- An integrated manager provides Gaia DR1/DR2/DR3, SDSS, nearby-galaxy and other curated datasets.gaiasky.space · read 15 Oct 2026
- Documentation
- The documentation includes quick start, a full user manual, Python scripting, API references, workshops, FAQs and advanced topics.gaia.ari.uni-heidelberg.de · read 15 Oct 2026
- Eclipses
- The simulator renders eclipses and shows umbra and penumbra regions.gaiasky.space · read 15 Oct 2026
- Graphics
- Graphics options include virtual textures, screen-space reflections, shadows, HDR, volumes and dynamic resolution.gaiasky.space · read 15 Oct 2026
- Installations
- Downloads include Windows EXE, macOS DMG, Linux DEB/RPM/AppImage/SH/AUR/Flatpak and an OS-agnostic tarball.gaiasky.space · read 15 Oct 2026
- Integrations
- SAMP support enables interoperability with Topcat and Aladin.gaiasky.space · read 15 Oct 2026
- Licence
- Gaia Sky, catgen and the documentation use the Mozilla Public License 2.0.gaiasky.space · read 15 Oct 2026
- License
- Gaia Sky software is licensed under the Mozilla Public License 2.0.gaiasky.space · read 7 Oct 2026
- Limit: data downloads
- LinuxLinks reported that the base data package is required before startup and that the Gaia DR3 Bayesian-distance catalogue exceeds 93 GB.linuxlinks.com · read 15 Oct 2026
- Limit: navigation
- A BetaNews review found initial navigation confusing because the camera kept moving after release and labels were hidden by default.betanews.com · read 15 Oct 2026
- Limit: search and complexity
- Cloudy Nights users reported complicated 3D navigation and difficulty finding a desired object in a large catalogue.cloudynights.com · read 15 Oct 2026
- Limit: stereoscopic stability
- BetaNews reported that stereoscopic 3D crashed on its test computer.betanews.com · read 15 Oct 2026
