AstroGraphics
AstroGraphics[primitives,options]
represents a two-dimensional view of space and the celestial sphere.
Details and Options

- AstroGraphics constructs maps of any region of the sky, as viewed on any date from anywhere in the solar system.
- AstroGraphics has the same options as Graphics, with the following additions:
-
AstroBackground Automatic style specifications for the background AstroCenter Automatic center coordinates to use AstroGridLines None coordinate grid lines to draw AstroGridLinesStyle Automatic style specifications for astro grid lines AstroReferenceFrame Automatic observation data (frame, date, location, …) AstroProjection Automatic projection to use AstroRange Automatic area of the sky to include AstroRangePadding Automatic how much to pad the astro range AstroZoomLevel Automatic zoom level to use for the astro background MetaInformation < > metainformation about the sky map - AstroGraphics[] gives a map of the sky above the horizon at your current geo location.
- AbsoluteOptions can be used to give explicit values for astro graphics settings.
- Using AstroGraphics requires internet connectivity.
- AstroGraphics downloads ephemeris data files for solar system objects, storing them permanently in FileNameJoin[{$UserAddOnsDirectory,"ApplicationData","Astro"}].
Examples
open allclose allBasic Examples (5)
Show a map of the current sky above you, showing the equatorial, ecliptic, galactic and horizon planes:
Show the sky above you on a given date, adding a background image:
Show an area of the sky around the star Betelgeuse:
Add constellation illustrations and remove the equatorial, ecliptic and galactic planes:
Visualize the neighborhood of the galactic center:
Compute weekly positions of Mars from January 2022 to July 2023:
Options (16)
AstroBackground (3)
AstroGraphics uses the "BlackSky" style by default:
Use the "WhiteSky" style, with white background and dark colors for the stars:
AstroGridLines (2)
AstroRange (1)
AstroRangePadding (1)
AstroReferenceFrame (5)
By default, AstroGraphics uses the local horizon frame and the "Stereographic" projection:
Show the full sky, using the equatorial frame, in the "Equirectangular" projection:
Show the full sky, using the ecliptic frame, in the "Equirectangular" projection:
Show the full sky, using the galactic frame, with the result using the "Mollweide" projection:
Compute the position of the North Celestial Pole every 1000 years for the past 14000 years:
Applications (6)
Construct the analemma of the Sun, formed by its positions every day at a fixed time for a year:
Draw weekly positions, here shown over the sky of a date close to the vernal equinox:
Show the same analemma over the sky of a date close to the summer solstice:
Plot the positions of Venus at noon, every day over a period of 8 years:
Show the southern sky at 2pm at your location:
Observe the transit of Venus in front of Jupiter, November 22, 2065, better viewed near the South Pole:
Visualize an annular solar eclipse:
Visualize the famous eclipse used by Eddington to confirm Einstein's prediction of light deflection:
Text
Wolfram Research (2022), AstroGraphics, Wolfram Language function, https://reference.wolfram.com/language/ref/AstroGraphics.html.
CMS
Wolfram Language. 2022. "AstroGraphics." Wolfram Language & System Documentation Center. Wolfram Research. https://reference.wolfram.com/language/ref/AstroGraphics.html.
APA
Wolfram Language. (2022). AstroGraphics. Wolfram Language & System Documentation Center. Retrieved from https://reference.wolfram.com/language/ref/AstroGraphics.html