An interactive, GPU‑accelerated star atlas built from the Hipparcos catalog with real‑time enrichment (temperature, absolute magnitude, estimated radius) plus a provenance‑aware horoscope / ephemeris service. This page documents what data we use, how we transform it, and where to explore.

Explore

Star Atlas

Fly through 118k+ stars with adaptive labels, realistic color modes, and HIP search. Labels prioritize stars by proximity & apparent size.

Open Atlas ↗

Astrology

Horoscope Engine

Computes Sun, Moon, phase, illumination, Ascendant, and optional bright star alignments with configurable magnitude & orb limits.

Try Horoscope ↗

Accounts

Registration & Ownership

Claim a star name (purchase flow WIP), verify email with a 6‑digit code, and store ownership metadata for overlays in the atlas.

Register ↗

Data Sources

The atlas uses a curated stellar dataset with positional, photometric, and motion attributes for interactive visualization and search.

Transformation Pipeline

1. Load & Sort

All stars are filtered for numeric magnitude, then sorted ascending (brightest first) to prioritize early instancing & label consideration.

  • Filter invalid magnitudes
  • Sort by mag
  • Index HIP → array slot

2. Enrich

Per star we derive:

  • Absolute magnitude: M = m - 5 (log10(d) - 1)
  • Temperature (Ballesteros) from B−V
  • Luminosity from M vs. Sun
  • Radius via R = sqrt(L) / (T/Tsun)^2
  • Spectral & luminosity classes (heuristics)

3. Position

We apply proper motion offset (J2000 → epoch year) and optional precession. Distance is logarithmically compressed: d' = log10(pc+1) * base * mult.

This preserves spatial feel while keeping far stars inside the camera frustum.

4. Render

Billboard atlas (animated phases) or legacy Phong spheres. Colors from B−V (table or blackbody). Sizing either magnitude/spec heuristic or physical radius compression (power 0.35).

5. Labels

Every star can have a label. Auto mode keeps ≤10 visible: scored by apparent pixel size, distance, and screen-center weight. Grid / all / proximity modes also available.

Screen‑space anchor ensures banner never covers stellar core.

6. Ownership Overlay

When online services are available, account ownership and custom names are merged into displayed star records.

Key Features