Changes in the Unchangeable: Simulation of Transient Astronomical Phenomena with Stellarium

Abstract

AbstractThe open-source desktop planetarium Stellarium has become very popular in astronomical education and outreach. Our recent changes aim for its applicability in historical and archaeoastronomical simulation contexts. Apart from visualizing the seemingly perpetual regular motions of the celestial bodies, it can be used to visualize and demonstrate historical solar and lunar eclipses, historical and present comets, meteors, and also novae and supernovae.