Want to see the same images that scientists at NASA use for their research or perform your own research with those images? Or do you want to see the Earth from the same perspective that astronauts see as they descend to Earth? How about taking a 5 minute break and viewing a panorama of a different city? Install WWT and start your explorations.

The installation instructions below refer to the WorldWide Telescope Windows ® client that launched to the public in Spring 2008. We are currently previewing the Web Client version of WorldWide Telescope. For a details on the Web Client preview, including feature comparisons between the two versions, please click here.

1. Review the System Requirements to ensure that WWT can run on your computer.
2. Click Download.
        If you don't have Microsoft .NET Framework 2.0, or later, installed on your computer, a message box
        displays prompting you to install it. Click Yes to go to the .NET Framework 2.0 SDKs, Redistributables
        & Service Packs page.
   • On the .NET Framework 2.0 SDKs, Redistributables & Service Packs page, scroll down the page to the .NET Framework Version 2.0 Redistributable Package section, and then click the link for your computer's architecture and operating system.
     Note  Most computers currently use a 32-bit architecture and operating system and should click the
               Download x86 version.
   • On the Microsoft .Net Framework Version 2.0 Redistributable Package page, read the system requirements to ensure that your computer has all the necessary software installed, and then click Download.
   • In the File Download – Security Warning message box, click Run.
   • In the Internet Explorer – Security Warning message box, click Run.
   • Follow the software installation instructions.
   • After the software has been installed, click the Windows Update link to make sure that you have all the latest service packs and security updates. Click Express to review all recommended software and follow the software installation instructions.
3. In the File Download – Security Warning message box, click Run.
4. In the Internet Explorer – Security Warning message box, click Run.
5. Follow the instructions in the WorldWide Telescope Setup Wizard.
6. After WWT installs, double-click the WWT icon on your desktop to open WWT.

WorldWide Telescope minimum system requirements (For PC):

• Microsoft® XP SP2 (minimum), Windows® Vista®, or Windows® 7 (recommended)
• PC with Intel Core 2 Duo processor with 2 gigahertz (GHz) or faster, recommended
• 1 gigabyte (GB) of RAM; 2 GB RAM recommended
• 3D accelerated card with 128 megabytes (MB) RAM; discrete graphics card with dedicated 256-MB VRAM recommended for higher performance
• 1 GB of available hard disk space; 10 GB recommended for off-line features and higher performance browsing
• XGA (1024 x 768) or higher resolution monitor
• Microsoft Mouse or compatible pointing and scrolling device
• Microsoft® DirectX® version 9.0c and .NET Framework 2.0
• Required for some features; Internet connection at 56 Kbps or higher through either an Internet service provider (ISP) or a network. Internet access might require a separate fee to an ISP; local or long-distance telephone charges might also apply