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Skyglobe 3.6: A Classic Planetarium Program for Your PC
Introduction: What is Skyglobe 3.6, who developed it, when was it released, what are its features and benefits, why is it still popular among astronomy enthusiasts
If you are interested in astronomy and want to explore the night sky from your computer, you might want to try Skyglobe 3.6. This is a classic planetarium program that was first developed in the late 1980s and early 1990s by Mark A. Haney and his company KlassM Software Inc. It was originally sold as shareware but now available as closed-source freeware.
skyglobe 3.6 free download
Skyglobe 3.6 is a fast, fun, and easy-to-use program that plots the positions of stars, Messier objects , planets, sun and moon on your screen. You can view the sky from any location on Earth at any time and date in history or future. You can also zoom in and out, search for objects , lock them on your screen , animate their motion , customize their appearance , and learn more about them.
Skyglobe 3.6 is one of the oldest and most popular planetarium programs for PC users . It has won several awards and received positive reviews from users and critics alike . It is still used by many astronomy enthusiasts who appreciate its simplicity , speed , and accuracy . It is also a great tool for beginners and educators who want to introduce astronomy to others.
How to Download Skyglobe 3.6 for Free
Step-by-step guide: Where to find the download link, how to unzip the file, how to run the program on different operating systems (DOS, Windows, Linux), what are the system requirements
If you want to download Skyglobe 3.6 for free, you can follow these steps:
Go to the official website of Skyglobe at http://www.skyglobe.com/. You can also find other information and resources about the program there.
Click on the "Download Skyglobe" link on the left sidebar. You will be redirected to a page with several download options.
Choose the version that suits your operating system and preferences. The most common one is Skyglobe 3.6 for DOS and Windows 3.1, which is a ZIP file of about 400 KB. You can also download other versions such as Skyglobe for Windows 95/98/NT/2000/XP/Vista/7/8/10, Skyglobe for Linux, or Skyglobe with SVGA image support.
Save the file to your computer and unzip it using a program like WinZip or 7-Zip. You will get a folder with several files inside.
To run Skyglobe 3.6 on DOS or Windows 3.1, you can simply double-click on the SKYGLOBE.EXE file. To run it on Windows 95 or later, you need to use a DOS emulator such as DOSBox or vDOS. To run it on Linux, you need to use a DOS emulator such as DOSEMU or DOSBox.
The system requirements for Skyglobe 3.6 are very low. You only need a PC with a 386 processor or higher, 640 KB of RAM, a VGA graphics card, and a mouse. You can also use a joystick or a keyboard to control the program.
How to Use Skyglobe 3.6
Basic commands: How to adjust the viewer's location, time, and direction, how to zoom in and out, how to search for objects, how to lock objects, how to use the mouse and keyboard shortcuts
Skyglobe 3.6 is very easy to use and has a user-friendly interface. You can use the mouse or the keyboard to navigate and interact with the program. Here are some of the basic commands that you can use:
To adjust the viewer's location, you can click on the "Location" button on the top menu bar and enter your latitude and longitude in degrees and minutes. You can also choose from a list of preset locations around the world.
To adjust the viewer's time and date, you can click on the "Time" button on the top menu bar and enter your local time and date in hours, minutes, seconds, day, month, and year. You can also choose from a list of preset times such as sunrise, sunset, noon, midnight, solstices, equinoxes, etc.
To adjust the viewer's direction, you can click on the compass rose on the bottom right corner of the screen and drag it with your mouse. You can also use the arrow keys on your keyboard to rotate left or right, up or down.
To zoom in and out, you can use the "+" and "-" keys on your keyboard or click on the magnifying glass icons on the bottom left corner of the screen. You can also use the mouse wheel if you have one.
To search for an object in the sky , you can click on the "Search" button on the top menu bar and enter its name or catalog number in the search box. You can also choose from a list of categories such as stars , planets , constellations , Messier objects , etc.
To lock an object on your screen , you can click on it with your mouse or press the spacebar on your keyboard after searching for it . The object will be centered on your screen and will stay there even if you change your direction or time . To unlock an object , you can press the spacebar again or click anywhere else on the screen .
To use the mouse and keyboard shortcuts , you can refer to the help file that comes with Skyglobe 3.6 or press F1 on your keyboard . You will see a list of all the available commands and their descriptions.
How to Customize Skyglobe 3.6
Advanced options: How to edit the configuration file and the registry file, how to change the colors, fonts, and sounds, how to add or remove objects, how to use SVGA image support
If you want to customize Skyglobe 3.6 to suit your preferences and needs, you can use some of the advanced options that the program offers. Here are some of the things that you can do:
To edit the configuration file , you can open the SKYGLOBE.INI file with a text editor such as Notepad. You can change various settings such as the default location, time, direction, zoom level, display mode, etc. You can also add or remove objects from the sky database by editing the SKYGLOBE.DAT file.
To edit the registry file , you can open the SKYGLOBE.REG file with a text editor such as Notepad. You can change some of the Windows-specific settings such as the window size, position, and title. You can also enable or disable some of the features such as sound effects, mouse support, etc.
To change the colors , fonts , and sounds , you can use the "Options" button on the top menu bar and choose from various options such as "Colors", "Fonts", "Sounds", etc. You can also create your own color schemes, font styles, and sound files and save them in the Skyglobe folder.
To add or remove objects , you can use the "Edit" button on the top menu bar and choose from various options such as "Add Object", "Delete Object", "Edit Object", etc. You can also import or export objects from other sources such as online catalogs or other planetarium programs.
To use SVGA image support , you need to download and install a separate version of Skyglobe 3.6 that supports SVGA graphics cards. This version allows you to view high-resolution images of objects in the sky such as planets, moons, nebulae, etc. You can also create your own images and add them to Skyglobe.
How to Learn Astronomy with Skyglobe 3.6
Educational features: How to identify constellations, stars, planets, and other objects, how to view the sky from different locations and times, how to simulate celestial events and phenomena, how to access online resources and references
Skyglobe 3.6 is not only a fun program, but also a useful one for learning astronomy. You can use some of the educational features that the program offers to enhance your knowledge and skills. Here are some of the things that you can do:
To identify constellations , stars , planets , and other objects , you can use the "Labels" button on the top menu bar and choose from various options such as "Constellations", "Stars", "Planets", etc. You can also use the "Info" button to get more information about the object that you click on, such as its name, magnitude, distance, type, etc.
To view the sky from different locations and times , you can use the "Location" and "Time" buttons on the top menu bar and change them as you wish. You can also use the "Animate" button to make the sky move according to your settings. You can see how the sky changes from day to night, from season to season, from year to year, etc.
To simulate celestial events and phenomena , you can use the "Events" button on the top menu bar and choose from various options such as "Eclipses", "Comets", "Meteors", etc. You can also use the "Phases" button to see the phases of the moon or the planets. You can also use the "Orbits" button to see the orbits of the planets or the comets.
To access online resources and references , you can use the "Help" button on the top menu bar and choose from various options such as "Online Help", "Online Catalogs", "Online Magazines", etc. You can also use the "Links" button to visit some of the websites that are related to Skyglobe or astronomy in general.
How to Troubleshoot Skyglobe 3.6
Common issues: How to fix errors and bugs, how to deal with compatibility and performance problems, how to contact the developer or the user community for help
Skyglobe 3.6 is a reliable and stable program, but sometimes you may encounter some issues that prevent you from enjoying it fully. Here are some of the common issues that you may face and how to fix them:
If you get an error message such as "Divide by zero" or "Invalid opcode" when you run Skyglobe 3.6 on DOS or Windows 3.1, you may need to disable some of the features that are not compatible with your system. You can do this by editing the SKYGLOBE.INI file and changing some of the values to "0" or "OFF". For example, you can change "SOUND=1" to "SOUND=0" or "MOUSE=ON" to "MOUSE=OFF".
If you have trouble running Skyglobe 3.6 on Windows 95 or later, you may need to use a DOS emulator such as DOSBox or vDOS. You can download these programs from their official websites and follow their instructions to install and configure them. You can also adjust some of the settings such as the CPU speed, the memory size, the sound card, etc. to optimize the performance of Skyglobe 3.6.
If you have trouble running Skyglobe 3.6 on Linux, you may need to use a DOS emulator such as DOSEMU or DOSBox. You can download these programs from their official websites or your distribution's repositories and follow their instructions to install and configure them. You can also adjust some of the settings such as the video mode, the keyboard layout, the mouse sensitivity, etc. to optimize the performance of Skyglobe 3.6.
If you find any errors or bugs in Skyglobe 3.6, you can report them to the developer or the user community for help. You can contact Mark A. Haney at mark@skyglobe.com or visit his website at http://www.skyglobe.com/. You can also join the Skyglobe mailing list at http://www.skyglobe.com/mailinglist.html or the Skyglobe forum at http://www.skyglobe.com/forum.html. You can also find other users and fans of Skyglobe on social media platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, etc.
How to Upgrade Skyglobe 3.6
Latest versions: What are the differences between Skyglobe 3.6 and other versions (Skyglobe for Windows, CircumSpace), where to find them, how to install them
If you want to upgrade Skyglobe 3.6 to a newer version, you have some options to choose from. Here are some of the latest versions of Skyglobe and their differences from Skyglobe 3.6:
Skyglobe for Windows is a version of Skyglobe that runs natively on Windows 95 or later without the need for a DOS emulator. It has a more modern and colorful interface, supports higher resolutions and color depths, and has some additional features such as a star atlas, a planet editor, a telescope control, etc. You can download Skyglobe for Windows from http://www.skyglobe.com/skyglobe-for-windows.html.
CircumSpace is a version of Skyglobe that runs on Windows 98 or later and uses DirectX technology. It has a more realistic and immersive 3D graphics, supports full-screen mode and stereo sound, and has some additional features such as a virtual reality mode, a solar system explorer, a constellation quiz, etc. You can download CircumSpace from http://www.skyglobe.com/circumspace.html.
To install these versions, you need to follow the instructions that come with them. You may also need to uninstall Skyglobe 3.6 first or move it to another folder to avoid conflicts.
Alternatives to Skyglobe 3.6
Other programs: What are some of the modern planetarium programs that offer similar or better features than Skyglobe 3.6 (Stellarium, Celestia, Starry Night), what are their pros and cons
If you want to try some other planetarium programs that offer similar or better features than Skyglobe 3.6, you have many options to choose from. Here are some of the most popular and well-known ones:
Stellarium is a free and open-source planetarium program that runs on Windows, Mac OS X, Linux, and other platforms. It has a beautiful and realistic 3D graphics, supports multiple languages and cultures, and has many features such as constellation art, star names, planet orbits, eclipses, satellites, telescopes, plugins, etc. You can download Stellarium from http://stellarium.org/.
Celestia is a free and open-source space simulation program that runs on Windows, Mac OS X, Linux, and other platforms. It allows you to explore the solar system and beyond in 3D, with accurate physics and astronomy data. You can also add your own objects , scripts , textures , sounds , etc. You can download Celestia from http://celestia.space/.
Starry Night is a commercial planetarium program that runs on Windows and Mac OS X. It has a stunning and detailed 3D graphics, supports high-resolution images and videos, and has many features such as sky guides , tours , events , calendars , reports , etc. You can also access online databases and resources such as NASA , ESA , Hubble , etc. You can buy Starry Night from https://starrynight.com/.
These programs have their own pros and cons compared to Skyglobe 3.6. Some of them may have more features , better graphics , or more accuracy than Skyglobe 3.6 , but they may also require more system resources , more disk space , or more internet connection than Skyglobe 3.6 . Some of them may also have different interfaces , controls , or options than Skyglobe 3.6 , which may require some learning curve or adjustment . You can try them out and see which one suits you best.
Conclusion
Summary: Recap the main points of the article, highlight the advantages of Skyglobe 3.6 as a simple and fast planetarium program, invite the reader to try it out and share their feedback
In this article, we have discussed Skyglobe 3.6, a classic planetarium program for your PC. We have covered the following topics:
What is Skyglobe 3.6, who developed it, when was it released, what are its features and benefits, why is it still popular among astronomy enthusiasts
How to download Skyglobe 3.6 for free, how to unzip the file, how to run the program on different operating systems, what are the system requirements
How to use Skyglobe 3.6, how to adjust the viewer's location, time, and direction, how to zoom in and out, how to search for objects, how to lock objects, how to use the mouse and keyboard shortcuts
How to customize Skyglobe 3.6, how to edit the configuration file and the registry file, how to change the colors, fonts, and sounds, how to add or remove objects, how to use SVGA image support
How to learn astronomy with Skyglobe 3.6, how to identify constellations, stars, planets, and other objects, how to view the sky from different locations and times, how to simulate celestial events and phenomena, how to access online resources and references
How to troubleshoot Skyglobe 3.6, how to fix errors and bugs, how to deal with compatibility and performance problems, how to contact the developer or the user community for help
How to upgrade Skyglobe 3.6, what are the differences between Skyglobe 3.6 and other versions (Skyglobe for Windows, CircumSpace), where to find them, how to install them
Alternatives to Skyglobe 3.6, what are some of the modern planetarium programs that offer similar or better features than Skyglobe 3.6 (Stellarium, Celestia, Starry Night), what are their pros and cons
Skyglobe 3.6 is a simple and fast planetarium program that can help you explore and enjoy the night sky from your computer. It has many features and options that can satisfy your curiosity and interest in astronomy. It is also a great tool for beginners and educators who want to introduce astronomy to others.
If you have not tried Skyglobe 3.6 yet, we invite you to download it for free from http://www.skyglobe.com/ and give it a try. You will be amazed by what you can see and learn with this program. You can also share your feedback and experience with us or with other users of Skyglobe on our website or on social media.
We hope you have enjoyed this article and learned something new about Skyglobe 3.6. Thank you for reading!
FAQs
Questions and answers: Provide short and clear answers to some of the frequently asked questions about Skyglobe 3.6 (e.g., Is Skyglobe 3.6 accurate? How can I print or save images from Skyglobe 3.6? Can I use Skyglobe 3.6 on a smartphone or tablet?)
Here are some of the frequently asked questions about Skyglobe 3.6 and their answers:
Is Skyglobe 3.6 accurate?Skyglobe 3.6 is accurate enough for most purposes and uses accurate data from various sources such as the Hipparcos Catalogue , the Yale Bright Star Catalogue , the Jet Propulsion Laboratory , etc. However , it may not be as accurate as some of the newer planetarium programs that use more advanced algorithms and more updated data . For example , it may not account for some of the effects such as atmospheric refraction , precession , nutation , aberration , etc.
How can I print or save images from Skyglobe 3.6?You can print or save images from Skyglobe 3.6 by using the "Print" or "Save" buttons on the top menu bar . You can also use the "Copy" button to copy the image to the clipboard and paste it into another program . You can choose from various formats and options such as BMP, GIF, JPG, PCX, etc.
Can I use Skyglobe 3.6 on a smartphone or tablet?Skyglobe 3.6 is designed for PC users and does not have a version for smartphones or tablets. However, you may be able to run it on some devices that support DOS emulation or Windows emulation. You may also need to use a virtual keyboard or a mouse to control the program. Alternatively, you can use some of the other planetarium apps that are available for smartphones or tablets, such as SkySafari, SkyMap, Star Walk, etc.
How can I update the data of Skyglobe 3.6?Skyglobe