100,000 Stars is a Chrome Experiment that turns the neighborhood of our galaxy into a flyable 3D map. You see a field of stars, color-coded by temperature, and can zoom in or out to move from the nearby stars to the wider scale. Clicking the Sun helps you get oriented, since it is easy to get lost.
It is a lovely piece of data art. The stars on the map are real, and the point of the experiment is to give you a feeling for how they are distributed around us. Google's Data Arts Team made it as part of the Chrome Experiments showcase.
It works best on a desktop with a modern browser, and the site flags that. Because it is a graphics demo rather than a reference tool, treat it as a way to wander rather than to measure. Pair it with /site/stellarium-web for the view from the ground, or find more in /category/science-space.
Tips for getting the most out of it
- Use a desktop; the site is best on a computer, not a phone.
- Click the Sun if you lose your bearings.
- Zoom out slowly to see the structure of the neighborhood.
Questions about 100,000 Stars
What is 100,000 Stars?
100,000 Stars is a Chrome Experiment that visualizes over 100,000 stars in our part of the galaxy in an interactive 3D view. Stars are colored by temperature, and you can fly through the map. Plan on about 5 min. It is best on a computer.
Does 100,000 Stars work on mobile?
The site says it works best on desktop, and it is not suited to mobile. Use a computer with a modern browser for the best experience. Plan on about 5 min. It is best on a computer. You can find it at stars.chromeexperiments.com, and we check the link daily.
Sites like 100,000 Stars
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Astronomy Picture of the Day
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