Tag: code

Simple star plot code can be done using matplotlib …

import matplotlib.pyplot as plt
from mpl_toolkits.mplot3d import Axes3D

# Assuming you have a list of stars with their positions
# stars = [{'name': 'Star1', 'x': 10, 'y': 20, 'z': 30}, ...]

def plot_stars(stars):
    fig = plt.figure(figsize=(10, 10))
    ax = fig.add_subplot(111, projection='3d')

    for star in stars:
        ax.scatter(star['x'], star['y'], star['z'], marker='o')
        ax.text(star['x'], star['y'], star['z'], star['name'])

    ax.set_xlabel('X')
    ax.set_ylabel('Y')
    ax.set_zlabel('Z')

    plt.show()

# plot_stars(stars)

But a detailed, “real world”, map would need …

That sounds like an exciting project! Here’s a high-level approach to get you started:

1. Data Collection: You’ll need a dataset of nearby stars. The Gaia Catalogue of Nearby Stars¹ is a great resource for this. It provides a unique census of stars within 100 parsecs (326 light years) of our Sun¹. For stars beyond this range, you might need to look for other astrometry databases or consider using a combination of databases.

2. 3D Modeling: Once you have the data, you’ll need to create 3D models of the stars. There are several resources available online for free 3D star models²³⁴⁵⁶. You can use these models as a starting point and customize them according to your needs.

3. Visualization: For visualizing these 3D models, you could use a 3D graphics library. Three.js is a popular choice for web-based applications. You’ll need to map the star data to coordinates in your 3D space. Keep in mind that real-world distances will need to be scaled down to fit within the viewable area.

4. Interactivity: To allow users to “go to” a star and view the sky from its perspective, you’ll need to implement a camera system within your 3D space. When a star is selected, you can animate the camera to move to the star’s position.

5. Sky View Simulation: Simulating the sky view from another star is a bit more complex. One approach could be to use the positions of other stars relative to the selected star to plot their positions in a sky map. Tools like Stellarium⁷ and Hubble Skymap⁸ might provide some inspiration for this feature.

Remember, this is a high-level approach and each step will have its own set of challenges. But with some perseverance, it’s definitely achievable. Good luck with your project! 🌟