Aladin Desktop
What Aladin Desktop is
Aladin Desktop is software for viewing and working with digitized astronomical images, surveys, and catalogue data. It can overlay catalogue entries on images and access more than 20,000 data collections, including DSS, SDSS, PanSTARRS, Gaia, SIMBAD, NED, and VizieR. Visualization options include zoom, pan, rotation, multiple views, map projections, and coordinate systems. It supports common astronomical image, cube, table, and region formats; the feature list states there is no image size limit and that overlays can handle millions of sources. Image tools include color mapping, contours, cropping, mosaicking, astrometric calibration, and photometric measurements. Catalogue tools support filtering, merging, cross-matching, and scatter plots. Aladin can connect to astronomical servers and local data, and lists VO standards for interoperability. Users can add Java plugins or control it through its VOApp interface. It is free under GPL v3 for Linux, macOS, and Windows, and requires a Java Virtual Machine.
Who it suits
It suits astronomers and scientific users exploring distributed datasets or comparing multi-wavelength images and catalogues. It is available for desktop use on Linux, macOS, and Windows.
What it does well
- Access to more than 20,000 data collections.
- Supports common astronomical image, cube, table, and region formats.
- Catalogue tools include filtering and cross-matching.
- Free under GPL v3.
What to know first
- Requires a Java Virtual Machine.
- Community plugins are provided without a guarantee.
- Beta features may not be stable.
Plans
| Plan | Billed and limits | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Aladin Desktop | Free software · GPL v3 · Requires a Java Virtual Machine | Free |
As aladin.cds.unistra.fr lists them, read 10 Oct 2026. The maker's own page has the final word.
Getting started
- Open the Aladin Desktop website.
- Choose the package for Windows, Linux, Mac ARM, or Mac AMD x86.
- Install or provide a Java Virtual Machine.
- Open the application and access astronomical servers or local user data.
- Consult the FAQ, user manual, filter manual, or script reference as needed.
Verdict
Aladin Desktop combines astronomical image visualization, catalogue work, and access to distributed data in one desktop application. Its Java runtime requirement and the caveats around beta features and community plugins are worth considering.
Questions
How much does Aladin Desktop cost?
The official release is free and distributed under the GPL v3 license.
Which operating systems are supported?
Packages are listed for Windows, Linux, Mac ARM, and Mac AMD x86.
Does Aladin Desktop require a runtime?
Yes. It requires a Java Virtual Machine.
What data can it access?
It provides access to more than 20,000 data collections and astronomical servers, as well as local user data.
Can users extend or control the application?
Users can extend it with Java plugins and control it through its VOApp interface. Community plugins are provided as-is without a guarantee.
Where can users find help?
The project provides an FAQ, user manual, filter manual, and script reference. It lists [email protected] for contact.
Facts from Aladin Desktop's own pages
- Analysis tools
- Image tools include color mapping, contours, cropping, mosaicking, astrometric calibration, and photometric measurements; catalogue tools include filtering, merging, cross-matching, and scatter plots. · aladin.cds.unistra.fr, 10 Oct 2026
- Beta limitation
- The beta version includes features in testing whose stability is not guaranteed, and the page says it is not open source and all rights are reserved to the right owner. · aladin.cds.unistra.fr, 10 Oct 2026
- Data access
- Aladin Desktop provides direct access to astronomical servers including CDS, NED, ESO, CADC, MAST, HEASARC, NRAO, ROE, and IMCCE, as well as local user data. · aladin.cds.unistra.fr, 10 Oct 2026
- Data collections
- The feature list states that Aladin provides access to more than 20,000 data collections, including DSS, SDSS, PanSTARRS, Gaia, SIMBAD, NED, and VizieR. · aladin.cds.unistra.fr, 10 Oct 2026
- Documentation and support
- The project provides an FAQ, user manual, filter manual, and script reference, and lists [email protected] as a contact address. · aladin.cds.unistra.fr, 10 Oct 2026
- Extensibility
- Users can extend Aladin Desktop with Java plugins and control it through its VOApp interface. · aladin.cds.unistra.fr, 10 Oct 2026
- Formats and image scale
- The feature list supports common astronomical image, cube, table, and region formats and states there is no image size limit and that million-source overlays are supported. · aladin.cds.unistra.fr, 10 Oct 2026
- Founded
- 1999 · aladin.cds.unistra.fr, 28 Sept 2026
- Intended audience
- The site describes Aladin Desktop as a professional sky atlas and highlights data exploration, distributed datasets, and multi-wavelength visualization for scientific work. · aladin.cds.unistra.fr, 10 Oct 2026
- License
- The official release is free and distributed under the GPL v3 license. · aladin.cds.unistra.fr, 10 Oct 2026
- Platform and runtime
- The official download page lists Windows, Linux, Mac ARM, and Mac AMD x86 packages and says Aladin requires a Java Virtual Machine. · aladin.cds.unistra.fr, 10 Oct 2026
- Plugin caveat
- Community plugins are provided as-is without guarantee, and the project directs users to contact plugin authors about bugs or remarks. · aladin.cds.unistra.fr, 10 Oct 2026
- Purpose
- Aladin Desktop visualizes and manipulates digitized astronomical images and surveys, overlays catalogue entries, and accesses related data from SIMBAD, VizieR, and other archives. · aladin.cds.unistra.fr, 10 Oct 2026
- Standards and interoperability
- The site lists VO standards including JSAMP, TAP, CS, SSA, and SIA, and describes interconnection with other visualization or analysis tools. · aladin.cds.unistra.fr, 10 Oct 2026
- Visualization
- Features include zoom, pan, rotation, overlays, multiple views, multiple map projections, and multiple coordinate systems. · aladin.cds.unistra.fr, 10 Oct 2026
Where Aladin Desktop stands on Freedom251
- Astronomy Apps#4 of 35