Go Download It!
Just so you know, you need a beefy machine.
show requirements - PC with Intel Core 2 Duo processor with 2 gigahertz (GHz) or faster, recommended
- 1 gigabyte (GB) of RAM; 2 GB RAM recommended
- 3D accelerated card with 128 megabytes (MB) RAM; discrete graphics card with dedicated 256-MB VRAM recommended for higher performance
- 1 GB of available hard disk space; 10 GB recommended for off-line features and higher performance browsing
- XGA (1024 x 768) or higher resolution monitor
- Microsoft Mouse or compatible pointing and scrolling device
- Microsoft® XP SP2 (minimum), Windows® Vista® (recommended)
- Microsoft® DirectX® version 9.0c or later and .NET Framework 2.0 or later
- Required for some features; Internet connection at 56 Kbps or higher through either an Internet service provider (ISP) or a network. Internet access might require a separate fee to an ISP; local or long-distance telephone charges might also apply
hide requirements But OMG is it cool. I'll play with it over the next day or two and let you all know what I think. But here are some brief observations.
1. it's REAL time. The planets move.
2. It's very very smooth.
3. The UI is incredibly intuitive.
Here is a little guided tour for you of a simple zoom in to Saturn. We start out fully zoomed out and looking at the constellation Leo in the center.
In we go, we see Regulus come into focus, one of the key stars of Leo. 37 Leonis is the second brightest in the middle top third of the picture.
Further in still too close now and Regulus has moved off the screen. 37 Leonis is just out of the picture above the center.
And now you can make out Saturn finally.
And there she is.
This little experience in and of itself was enjoyable. This makes me want to go out and buy a machine for this software only.
This is a compelling reason to upgrade your system.