This would take at least a minute to complete by hand! So, this is a great timesaver if you are presenting to a group via online zoom conference. My new script simply shows the Zodiac constellation art in just 5 seconds. The original script that comes with Stellarium had some features that I didn’t need so I copy-pasted a new one. There is no need to open windows and drag and click around while your audience waits!īelow is a Stellarium script I adapted from the original zodiac.ssc that highlights the Zodiac constellations with art, names, and boundaries and it shows the ecliptic. Stellarium scripts help you do the tedious set up and configuration steps. Zodiac Art in Stellarium showing the Sun “in” Gemni on Jfrom Flushing Meadows, Queens, NY To get started, I just copy-pasted and modified an existing script that did something like what I wanted it to do. I want to make Stellarium really work for online presentations like zoom astronomy outreach, so I figured out how to write scripts to control it. It’s been a great experience to learn how to do quick and entertaining astronomy shows online and I wanted to share a few tips to make better astronomy online presentations. In our case we are doing zoom astronomy presentations for the campers. Like every other camp program during COVID-19 times we have had to move the live shows to an online format.

This article will teach you how to use a Stellarium script to quickly load the art images for the 13 Zodiac constellations: Aries Taurus GeminiĬapricornus Aquarius Pisces A selfie from inside the Gustaffson Planetarium at the Fresh Air Fund Sharpe Reservation in Fishkill, NY Online Camp programs for Astronomy Education We Planetariumists are learning to use Stellarium scripts. 🔭 I am a Live Planetarium Presenter – “Planetariumist” – at the Fresh Air Fund’s Gustafson Planetarium at Sharpe Reservation in Fishkill, NY.

How to use stellarium