by Mega Systems
Platform:
Windows 98 / Me / 958 used & new from $1.25
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Pulsars, quasars, the patterns that galaxies make across the known universe--it's only in a 3-D format that astronomical concepts like these truly come to life. Like its cousin products The Earth 3D, The Human 3D, and Dinosaurs 3D, The Cosmos 3D is a nifty digital collection of animations and printable illustrations and text resources on everything from the Earth and the solar system to galaxies.
Often reminiscent of Carl Sagan's Cosmos series on PBS, the animations are accompanied by voice-overs and music--they are at once beautiful and informative. If you're less of a cosmological aesthete, you'll prefer the comprehensive dictionary of astronomical terms, its powerful search function, and the encyclopedialike database of cross-referenced articles. Possibly the best feature of the package is the Star Navigator, which displays the nighttime sky from Earth, adjusting for seasonal variations.
Caveats: The interface is at times clunky. Also, some of the language on the packaging and in the Install Shield dialog boxes is gibberish because Glaskar skimped on its German-to-English translations. Rest assured, however, that once installed, the articles in the product itself are well written and clear, with high school seniors or college freshmen as the target audience. Overall, this is a fun and educational item--great for learning, reference, or indoor star gazing on a cloudy night. --Erik Macki
If you always wanted to understand the structure of the solar system, learn what galactic clusters are, and explore the outer realms of space, The Cosmos 3D is for you. This package contains excellent 3-D animations, outstanding graphics, and easy-to-grasp texts to answer virtually all your questions on the universe. Discover its origins and learn about the probability of extraterrestrial life. For enthusiasts of astronomy, a star navigator presents the sky as it appears through the season to you on your PC screen. The advanced search facilities and the logical, user-friendly program structure make The Cosmos 3D a source of knowledge for everyone.