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🌎 About Paloma's Orrery
🌎 About Paloma's Orrery
This page describes Paloma's Orrery, the Python program I use to create the earth science, solar system, and stellar plots you see on my Instagram. Below, you'll find the best links to see my work and to download the program yourself.
Please let me know if you're interested in running it! You can reach me at tonyquintanilla@gmail.com. Thanks! -- Tony 1/10/2026
# Paloma's Orrery - Download & Installation
Welcome! This page helps you download and run Paloma's Orrery, the Python program I use to create the earth science, solar system, and stellar visualizations on my [Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/palomas_orrery/).
Questions? Contact me at tonyquintanilla@gmail.com — Tony
---
## Choose Your Download
| Option | Best For | What You Get |
|--------|----------|--------------|
| **Windows Executable** | Windows users who don't want to install Python | Ready-to-run app (~469 MB) |
| **macOS Executable** | Mac users who don't want to install Python | Ready-to-run app (~300 MB) |
| **Python Source** | All platforms, or if you want to modify code | Python code + data files (~222 MB) |
---
## Option 1: Windows Executable (Easiest)
No Python installation required!
1. Go to [GitHub Releases](https://github.com/tonylquintanilla/palomas_orrery/releases)
2. Download `palomas_orrery.zip` (469 MB)
3. Extract the ZIP file
4. Double-click `START_HERE.bat`
That's it!
---
## Option 2: macOS Executable
No Python installation required!
1. Download from iCloud: [Link on my webpage](https://sites.google.com/view/tony-quintanilla)
2. Extract the ZIP file
3. Double-click `start_orrery.command`
4. First time: Right-click → Open → Open (to bypass Gatekeeper)
---
## Option 3: Python Source Code (All Platforms)
For Windows, macOS, or Linux users who have (or want to install) Python.
### Step 1: Download the Project
**Recommended:** Download from [GitHub Releases](https://github.com/tonylquintanilla/palomas_orrery/releases)
- Get `palomas_orrery_2_2_zip.zip` (129 MB)
- This includes ALL code and data files
**Alternative:** [Google Drive](https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1LjMsFH6mx7g21R_F1WVYJ-fZ6bc1LIAm?usp=sharing)
- Right-click `palomas_orrery` folder → Download
- Google will zip it automatically
Extract the ZIP to your Documents folder (or wherever you prefer).
### Step 2: Install Python
Skip this if you already have Python 3.11, 3.12, or 3.13.
1. Download from [python.org/downloads](https://www.python.org/downloads/)
2. Run the installer
3. **CRITICAL:** Check ✅ "Add Python to PATH"
4. Click "Install Now"
**Verify it worked:**
- Open Command Prompt (Windows) or Terminal (Mac/Linux)
- Type: `python --version`
- You should see: `Python 3.13.x` (or similar)
### Step 3: Install Required Libraries
**Windows:**
```
cd Desktop\palomas_orrery
pip install -r requirements.txt
```
**macOS:**
```
cd ~/Desktop/palomas_orrery
pip3 install -r requirements.txt
```
**Linux:** See [Linux Users](#linux-users) section below.
(Installation takes 2-5 minutes)
### Step 4: Run!
**Windows:**
- Double-click `START_HERE.bat`, OR
- In Command Prompt: `python palomas_orrery.py`
**macOS:**
- Double-click `start_orrery.command`, OR
- In Terminal: `python3 palomas_orrery.py`
**Linux:**
- Double-click `start_orrery.desktop` (right-click → "Allow Launching" first), OR
- In Terminal:
  ```bash
  cd ~/Desktop/palomas_orrery
  python3 palomas_orrery.py (to run the Paloma's Orrery gui)
  python3 star_visualization_gui.py (to run the Star Visualization gui) OR
- Run from a Python editor such as Visual Studio Code.
  ```
---
## Staying Up to Date
The GitHub repository has the latest code between releases. To update:
**Easy way:** Double-click the update script in your folder:
- Windows: `UPDATE_CODE.bat`
- macOS: `update_code.sh` (run in Terminal)
- Linux: Run in Terminal:
  ```bash
  cd ~/Desktop/palomas_orrery
bash update_code.sh
  ```
Your data files are preserved — only Python code gets updated.
**Note:** Git must be installed for updates to work.
- Windows: Download from [git-scm.com](https://git-scm.com/downloads)
- macOS: Install Xcode Command Line Tools: `xcode-select --install`
- Linux: `sudo apt install git`
---
## Linux Users
Tested on Linux Mint 22 (Ubuntu/Debian-based). Linux users will find the terminal workflow straightforward.
### Install System Dependencies
```bash
# Ubuntu/Debian/Mint
sudo apt install python3-pip python3-tk python3-pil.imagetk git
# Fedora
sudo dnf install python3-pip python3-tkinter python3-pillow-tk git
# Arch
sudo pacman -S python-pip tk python-pillow git
```
### Install Python Packages
```bash
cd ~/Desktop/palomas_orrery
pip install -r requirements.txt --break-system-packages
```
The `--break-system-packages` flag is required on Ubuntu 24.04+ and Debian 12+ due to PEP 668. This is safe for desktop applications.
### Run the Orrery
**Recommended (Terminal):**
```bash
cd ~/Desktop/palomas_orrery
python3 palomas_orrery.py
```
**Alternative (Desktop Launcher):**
1. Right-click `start_orrery.desktop`
2. Select "Allow Launching" (icon turns green, name changes)
3. Double-click to run — or drag to your dock/favorites
### Update Code from GitHub
**Use the terminal** (most reliable):
```bash
cd ~/Desktop/palomas_orrery
./update_code.sh
```
The `.desktop` updater file may not run on double-click in all desktop environments — terminal is the reliable method.
**Pull a single file** (if you know what changed):
```bash
git checkout origin/main -- palomas_orrery.py
```
### Additional Scripts
| Script | Purpose | How to Run |
|--------|---------|------------|
| `palomas_orrery.py` | Main orrery | `python3 palomas_orrery.py` |
| `star_visualization_gui.py` | Stellar neighborhood | `python3 star_visualization_gui.py` |
| `update_code.sh` | Pull latest from GitHub | `./update_code.sh` |
### Compress Screenshots
Linux screenshots can be large (2+ MB). To compress:
```bash
sudo apt install imagemagick
convert screenshot.png -quality 85 -resize 50% screenshot_small.jpg
```
---
## Troubleshooting
**"python is not recognized" (Windows)**
- Python wasn't added to PATH during install
- Uninstall Python, reinstall, and CHECK the "Add to PATH" box
**"ModuleNotFoundError"**
- Run `pip install -r requirements.txt` again (add `--break-system-packages` on Linux)
**"ImportError: cannot import name 'ImageTk'" (Linux)**
- Install: `sudo apt install python3-pil.imagetk`
**"externally-managed-environment" (Linux)**
- Add `--break-system-packages` flag to pip command
**"git: command not found"**
- Install git first (see Staying Up to Date section)
**Window doesn't appear**
- Check the Terminal for error messages
**Plots don't open**
- Make sure you have a default web browser set
---
## More Resources
- [GitHub Repository](https://github.com/tonylquintanilla/palomas_orrery) — Source code
- [Full README](https://github.com/tonylquintanilla/palomas_orrery/blob/main/README.md) — Complete documentation
- [Instagram @palomas_orrery](https://www.instagram.com/palomas_orrery/) — Visualizations
- [YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/@tony_quintanilla/featured) — Video tutorials
---
*Last updated: January 11, 2026*
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