Editing FlightGear (section)

===== Orbital rendering =====
''FlightGear'' is able to render day/night visuals of Earth from orbit at high detail with scattering due to clouds, dust, and moisture, as well as effects such as lightning illuminating storm cells. Orientation cues in cockpit are provided by changing colour of light from Sun, Earth, and Moon for craft such as the Space Shuttle. The gradual transition in lighting for spacecraft, between upper and lower atmosphere regimes, is handled by dedicated rendering code. Auroras are simulated with varying intensity and varying penetration of magnetic flux tubes into the atmosphere. They are visible from both space and ground.<ref name=":732" /><ref name=":4">{{Cite web|last=|first=|date=August 26, 2018|title=The Grand View – FlightGear Flight Simulator|url=https://www.flightgear.org/tours/the-grand-view/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201205091017/https://www.flightgear.org/tours/the-grand-view/|archive-date=5 December 2020|access-date=2019-08-31|website=FlightGear.org|language=en-US}}</ref><ref name=":1" />

Accurate rendering of planets, moons, and stars with correct phases/brightness based on ''FlightGear''<nowiki/>'s celestial simulation allows cues or data for [[celestial navigation]] - without reliance on vulnerable ground aids, including of pre-GPS era craft. The celestial simulation allows craft such as the Space Shuttle<ref name=":732" /><ref>{{Cite web|title=FlightSim.Com - FlightGear - Visiting the ISS|url=https://www.flightsim.com/vbfs/content.php?19086-FlightGear-Visiting-the-ISS|access-date=2021-03-15|website=FlightSim.Com}}</ref> to use [[star tracker]] instruments.