GOAT LabAstroRef: Astronomy, Solar System & Exoplanet Reference
AstroRef is a free, static astronomy reference covering 6,291 confirmed exoplanets (NASA Exoplanet Archive), 137 Messier/NGC/Caldwell deep-sky objects, the 88 IAU constellations with a star-map simulator, and a 23-body solar system comparison.
- Free
- No sign-up
- Works offline
What is AstroRef?
AstroRef is a browser-based astronomy reference with four modules: a constellation guide with a lat/lon/date star-map simulator, a 137-object deep-sky catalog (Messier/NGC/Caldwell), a 23-body solar system comparison with 3D orbit animation, and a catalog of 6,291 confirmed exoplanets with habitable-zone assessment. Available in 5 languages.
How does it work?
All data is bundled as static JSON, so it loads without a server. The exoplanet set comes from the NASA Exoplanet Archive (pscomppars, default_flag=1), refreshed weekly. Habitable-zone status uses the Kopparapu et al. 2013 model; orbits use Kepler's equation solved by Newton-Raphson. The star map converts equatorial to horizontal coordinates for your location.
When should I use it?
Use AstroRef to look up a planet's physical data, find a deep-sky target by magnitude/distance/constellation, check whether an exoplanet sits in its star's habitable zone, compare planet sizes and orbits, or simulate which constellations are visible from a given latitude, longitude, and date. Good for students, stargazers, and quick fact-checks.
At a glance
| Confirmed exoplanets | 6,291 (NASA Exoplanet Archive, pscomppars, refreshed weekly) |
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| Exoplanets in habitable zone | 178 classified as In HZ (Kopparapu et al. 2013) |
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| Deep-sky objects | 137 Messier / NGC / Caldwell objects |
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| Constellations | 88 IAU constellations referenced |
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| Star catalog | HYG v4.1, 8,920 stars to magnitude 6.5 |
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| Solar system bodies | 23 (8 planets, 5 dwarf planets, 9 moons, the Sun) |
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| 1 astronomical unit | 149,597,870.7 km |
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| Languages | English, 日本語, Español, 中文, Deutsch |
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Frequently asked questions
How many exoplanets does AstroRef list?
AstroRef includes 6,291 confirmed exoplanets sourced from the NASA Exoplanet Archive (pscomppars table, default_flag=1), refreshed weekly. Of these, 178 are classified as inside the habitable zone. Discovery years span 1992 to 2026.
How does AstroRef decide if a planet is habitable?
It computes the host star's habitable-zone boundaries with the Kopparapu et al. 2013 model (recent Venus, runaway greenhouse, max greenhouse, early Mars limits) and compares the planet's semi-major axis, labeling it In HZ, Near HZ, or Outside HZ.
What detection methods are represented?
Transit (4,651), radial velocity (1,181), microlensing (278), direct imaging (97), timing (68), and astrometry (6). Transit dominates because of survey missions like Kepler and TESS.
What does the star map simulator do?
It renders the visible sky for a given latitude, longitude, and date/time, converting equatorial coordinates to horizontal (altitude/azimuth). It draws up to 8,920 stars from the HYG v4.1 catalog down to magnitude 6.5.
How many constellations and deep-sky objects are included?
AstroRef references the 88 official IAU constellations with detailed entries, and a curated catalog of 137 deep-sky objects (Messier, NGC, and Caldwell) filterable by magnitude, distance, size, type, and constellation.
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