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Star accuracy

Posted: 16.10.2013, 15:09
by Seb
I always prefered Celestia because it has always proved accurate in the past; however, I was reading about Barnard's star, and compared it to Celestia. Positions were so far off I can not recognize the same pattern of stars surround it.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barnard's_Star

Also, This star is apparently traveling 90 km/s, getting closer to us; Celestia fails to know/simulate this. The directions and speed of many stars are known; does Celestia use this information?

I'm using windows version 1.6.1, is there a more up-to-date version that is more accurate?

Seb

Re: Star accuracy

Posted: 16.10.2013, 15:18
by Hungry4info
Barnard's Star has a large proper motion. It moves an amount similar to the diameter of the Moon every century or something like that. Celestia also does not include many stars beyond the Hipparcos catalogue, which may account for the discrepancy you're facing.

No, Celestia does not model proper motions.