Space Engine- fly around the whole universe for free

[avgaskoolaid 292]

This software is great for a break from flying. It is a freeware (beta) software that models the entire known universe with a mixture of real and procedurally generated stars, planets, and galaxies that you can traverse at up to 300 million light years per second. I've been playing with it a few hours and it gives you an amazing sense of the size of the universe. What's most incredible is that it's all the work of one man. http://en.spaceengine.org/

[steve310002 1,198]

This looks incredible. I wonder how is it one person can create something like this? He or she must be extremely talented.

[HiFlyer 9,343]

Lots of talented people with gigantic, bulbous brains out there, I guess. 

[Morrigan 90]

As someone who is really interested in space and astronomy, I have been following Space Engine since early stage of development. 

It's a beautiful, beautiful thing that I recommend to anyone who is even slightly interested in space

[vesalius 153]

I've installed it after I read your post/suggestion. This is a keeper, very well done!

Good tool to educate the kids, especially after the recent lunar eclipse woke up their interest.