SkyOrb 3D takes you on a tour of the solar system or the galaxy. This free astronomy program charts the stars, planets, and other celestial objects such as comets and asteroids and lets you navigate through space.

The program opens up with a window into which you are asked to enter your physical location (using latitude and longitude) and other graphics settings. The largest resolution SkyOrb 3D is capable of displaying is 1280 by 768, which was a bummer on a computer with a big, 24 inch monitor that supports 1600 by 1200. Once those settings are entered, the program knows with fair accuracy (more on that later) which stars are in the sky above you (or any other location on Earth).

SkyOrb 3D requires the use of some of DirectX 10's more advanced display capabilities; as a result of DirectX 10 being integrated into Windows Vista and 7 operating system and not regressed, you can't use the current version of SkyOrb under Windows XP.

kyORB is recommended for : Windows Vista, Seven, with DirectX 10.0 compatible video card (Radeon HD 2400, or Geforce 8000 minimum).