Archive for November, 2017

A New Exoplanet & Interstellar Messenger | Update 20.3

Run Steam to download Update 20.3, or buy Universe Sandbox ² via our website or the Steam Store.

Update 20.3 features two new simulations for the recently discovered exoplanet, Ross 128 b, and the first observed interstellar visitor, ‘Oumuamua. This update also includes a number of smaller improvements and bug fixes.
 

Ross 128 b

On November 15, 2017 astronomers with the European Southern Observatory (ESO) discovered Ross 128 b, a potentially habitable, Earth-sized exoplanet orbiting a red dwarf star 11 light years away.

Though Ross 128 b is farther than the closest temperate planet, Proxima b, it orbits a “quieter” red dwarf that emits far less deadly ultraviolet and X-ray radiation. This makes it a much better candidate for habitability.

Learn more on ESO’s website.

See Ross 128 b in Universe Sandbox ²:
Home > Open > Ross 128 with Earth-sized Planet
 

‘Oumuamua

On October 19, 2017, astronomers in Hawaii observed an asteroid soaring past Earth. Analysis of its trajectory revealed that it is the first interstellar object ever observed in our solar system. Nicknamed ‘Oumuamua, meaning “a messenger from afar arriving first,” the asteroid carries the story of a distant star system born a long time ago.

Learn more about ‘Oumuamua on NASA’s website.

See ‘Oumuamua in Universe Sandbox ²:
Home > Open > Oumuamua in 2017

 

Check out the full list of What’s New in Update 20.3.

 


The New Dynamic Bottom Bar

 

We improved the bottom bar of the user interface in our last few updates. Now when you change the width of the Universe Sandbox ² application window, the bar automagically resizes. Buttons that don’t fit are grouped into a More button, and if the window is narrow enough, the bar adapts to two rows. (Please note that this design is a work in progress and likely to change in future versions.)

It’s a small touch, and you may not think it’s that useful at first, as you probably won’t be resizing your window too often. But the portrait-style ratio of the window at the end of the video above may look familiar, and that’s because it’s very similar to your smartphone.

This dynamic resizing tech is extremely useful for Universe Sandbox ² on mobile devices. Use it in portrait mode or flip your phone sideways and use it in landscape — everything shifts and resizes seamlessly.

Thanks to our mobile developer, Dave, for all of his great work on Universe Sandbox ²!

Sign up to be notified when Universe Sandbox ² is available on mobile!

 

Universe Sandbox ² Featured in Vsauce Video

Friday, November 3rd: We’ve released Updates 20.2.3 and 20.2.4, which add two sims from this Vsauce video as well as a few improvements and bug fixes. See the sims in Home > Open.

Hey, did you hear that? Michael from Vsauce just gave some high praise of Universe Sandbox ²: “This simulator will blow your mind. I love it.”

Vsauce is a science and education YouTube channel that has attracted over 12.5 million subscribers with “videos that feed the curious and illuminate the amazing.”

We’re very honored and humbled to be featured in their latest video! Check it out below.
 

 

For the latest Universe Sandbox ² news, follow us on Twitter and Facebook.