Yitian Zhao ¹ and Quincy Stokes ² , ¹ USA, ² University of California, USA

This project addresses the lack of accessible, interactive astronomy tools by developing a 3D telescope simulator using Unity [1]. The program models over 9,000 stars with apparent magnitudes above 6, accurately representing their positions, magnitudes, and planetary motions. It integrates three main components: a position plotting system, a rotation management system anchored to Polaris, and a data retrieval system that provides detailed information for each celestial object. Key challenges included scaling stars and planets for visibility, managing rotation dynamics, and organizing data pop-ups for clarity. Experiments tested planet size scaling and star overlap, optimizing visibility while maintaining realism. Methodology comparisons revealed that prior works—Python-based sky maps, AR-supported planetarium apps, and Star Walk 2—offered precision or real-time alignment but faced limitations in interactivity, AR support, device dependence, or star database size [2]. Our project improves usability, database completeness, and offline accessibility, providing an engaging, educational platform while future improvements focus on AR integration and sensor-based orientation.

Telescope Simulator, Universe, Celestial Sphere, Database, Unity