Skyfield is a pure-Python astronomy package that is compatible with both Python 2 and 3 and makes it easy to generate high precision research-grade positions for planets for the stars, planets, and satellites in orbit around the Earth.
Its results should agree with the positions generated by the United States Naval Observatory and their Astronomical Almanac to within 0.0005 arcseconds (half a “mas” or milliarcsecond).
This is free and open source software.
Key Features
- Written in pure Python and installs without any compilation.
- Supports Python 2.6, Python 2.7 and Python 3.
- Has NumPy as its only binary dependency, the fundamental package for scientific computing with Python, whose vector operations make Skyfield efficient.
Website: rhodesmill.org/skyfield
Support: GitHub Code Repository
Developer: Brandon Rhodes
License: MIT License
Skyfield is written in Python. Learn Python with our recommended free books and free tutorials.
Related Software
| Astronomical Data Analysis Tools | |
|---|---|
| Astropy | Collection of Python software packages for astronomy |
| CARTA | Cube Analysis and Rendering Tool for Astronomy |
| AstroImageJ | Powerful tool for astronomical image analysis and precise photometry |
| TOPCAT | Tool for OPerations on Catalogues And Tables |
| astroML | Python module for machine learning and data mining |
| DS9 | Astronomical imaging and data visualization application |
| Siril | Astronomical image (pre-)processing software |
| Skyfield | Pure-Python astronomy package |
| Sherpa | Modeling and fitting application for Python |
| IRAF | Image Reduction and Analysis Facility |
| PyRAF | Python-based IRAF command language |
| THELI | Tool for the automated reduction of astronomical images |
| SunPy | Python ecosystem for accessing and analysing solar physics data |
| Gammapy | Python package for analysing gamma-ray astronomical observations |
| jdaviz | Interactive visualisation and analysis suite for astronomical data |
| Gnuastro | Processes and analyses astronomical datasets |
| ASTAP | Astrometric STAcking Program |
| FIPS | OpenGL FITS image viewer for astronomical data |
| ORSA | Framework for celestial mechanics investigations |
| CRUSH | Data reduction and imaging for select astronomical cameras |
Read our verdict in the software roundup.
 Explore our carefully curated directory of recommended free and open source software, covering every major software category.The directory forms part of our extensive collection of articles for Linux enthusiasts. It includes hundreds of detailed reviews, together with free and open source alternatives to proprietary software from companies such as Google, Microsoft, Apple, Adobe, IBM, Cisco, Oracle, and Autodesk. LinuxLinks also covers interesting projects worth exploring, Linux-compatible hardware, free programming books and tutorials, and much more. Know a useful free and open source Linux application that we haven’t covered? Tell us about it using our submission form. |
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.