OpenSpace

OpenSpace is an open-source astrovisualization software project that enables interactive exploration of the entire known universe — from the surface of Earth to the edge of the observable cosmos. Developed through a collaboration between NASA, the American Museum of Natural History (AMNH) in New York, and Linköping University in Sweden, OpenSpace provides scientifically accurate, real-time rendering of planetary surfaces, star fields, exoplanet systems, and large-scale cosmic structures.

The platform is used by science museums, planetariums, educators, and researchers to create immersive visualizations of space data, bringing NASA mission data, solar system simulations, and cosmological models to life for public audiences. OpenSpace can render everything from detailed Mars terrain to galactic filaments in the large-scale structure of the universe, using the latest observational data from space missions and astronomical surveys.

OpenSpace is freely available under an open-source license, enabling researchers, educators, and developers worldwide to contribute to and extend the platform. Major planetariums and science museums around the world use it to power dome shows and educational exhibits, making it one of the most widely used tools for public space science communication globally.