Welcome to SolarMax!
This is the homepage for SolarMax, a complete simulation of the solar system. It's a fun way to learn about space and experience the vastness of our galaxy. You can use it to track the night sky where you live and know exactly where the stars and planets are, right now or in the future.
Solar Max includes these features:
- All planets, dwarf planets, and major moons simulated.
- Views relative to the ecliptic, any planet's surface, or from "above" the solar system.
- All stars visible to the naked eye (over 8000 of them!)
- Constellations in traditional or new patterns. Even fly to distant stars and see constellations from a different perspective.
- Real-time or speed up time, or even go backwards in time.
- Highly accurate - uses NASA ephemeris data with a high precision physics model that is accurate to within thousands of an arc-second.
- Easy to use: simple keystroke commands and no options dialogs (Just hit F1 to see the command list).
- Fly around the solar system or across the galaxy with a single keypress.
- FREE!
Download Link
SolarMax Installer Download Link (Version 1.0.9, updated July 28, 2011)
Instructions
- Download the file above.
- Double click the file and an installer will start. (You may need to click "Yes" in response to a Windows security question.)
- The program will install and will be available in your Windows Programs menu.
- After starting, the program take a few moments to compute the starting location of all the planets, and then display a list of available key commands.
- You can get more technical information here.
Try This: Find Jupiter in your night sky
- Start Solar Max, and hit the "2" key to get into Surface View.
- Hit the Backspace key, and enter your latitude and longitude. (You can find this for your location on the web, such as at this site.)
- Make sure the Local Grid is turned on (use the "7" key if it is not.)
- Hit the "F3" key to show the search dialog, hit the "J" and "U" keys to find Jupiter, and hit "ENTER" -- Jupiter will now be shown. Information about its azimuth and inclination will be shown on the upper left. (If it's above the horizon, look out your window and find it!)
- Hit the "Home" key to see a close up view including Jupiter's moons!
- (If you need help, just hit "F1" for a list of key commands.)
Contact
If you enjoy this program or have any feedback, please contact Matt Hamilton at mhamilton@quuxsoftware.com.
Donations are always welcome. Please consider donating $10 (PayPal link):
Screenshot
