Release v26.1

[alex-w]

Step 1: two weeks before release (2026-03-15)

Core

• Update the list of planetary nomenclature

Environment

• Weak freeze the master branch (accept bug fixes and typo fixes only)
• Extract all lines for translation
• Send notification for translators and developers (via maillist)
• Publish first release candidate (RC1)
• Assign this issue to the milestone of upcoming release

Step 2: one week before release (2026-03-22)

Core

• Update the default list of locations
• Update orbital elements for minor bodies of Solar system

Plugins

• Update the default list of satellites
• Update the default catalog of pulsars
• Update the default catalog of exoplanets
• Update the default list of comets (data\ssystem_minor.ini)

Environment

• Update the Stellarium User Guide
• Strong freeze the master branch (accept bug fixes only, which don't touch translatable data)
• Publish second release candidate (RC2)

Step 3: immediately before release (2026-03-29)

Core

• Update the default list of locations
• Update orbital elements for minor bodies of Solar system
• Update the list of contributors
• Update the list of financial supporters

Plugins

• Update the default list of satellites
• Update the standard magnitudes and RCS of satellites
• Update the default catalog of pulsars
• Update the default catalog of exoplanets
• Update the discovery circumstances for minor planets (Solar System Editor)
• Update the discovery circumstances for comets (Solar System Editor)

Environment

• Update the ChangeLog file
• Update the link to Stellarium User Guide in README.md file
• Update BUILDING.md file
• Update the version number in CMakeLists.txt file
• Set STELLARIUM_RELEASE_BUILD 1 in CMakeLists.txt file
• Update metainfo for new release (util\metainfo\metainfo.sh)
• Update translations of desktop info (util\desktop\desktoppo.py)
• Update translations for landscapes descriptions (util\landscapes\translate.sh)
• Update translations for scenery3d descriptions (util\scenery3d\translate.sh)

Step 4: release (2026-03-29)

Environment

• Add tag on the GitHub
• Fill the release notes on the GitHub
• Make and upload Stellarium User Guide for AppVeyor
• Upload packages on the GitHub
• Close milestone on the GitHub
• Remove label state: published for all items from closed milestone on the GitHub
• Update CITATION.cff and CITATION files

Step 5: immediately after release (2025-03-29)

Environment

• Update API documentation on the website (make apidoc)
• Update release data on the website
• Update translations on the website
• Add news about new release on the website
• Update the catalog of pulsars on the website
• Update the catalog of exoplanets on the website
• Update Stellarium User Guide on the website
• Set STELLARIUM_RELEASE_BUILD 0 in CMakeLists.txt file
• Check Stellarium data on Zenodo and update DOI on the website
• Upload Stellarium User Guide on ResearchGate
• Close this issue

[alex-w]

I plan to publish RC3 around March 26 with changes, described above for RC2 - I hope 2 new SC will be finalized before this date.

[taurasg1]

Please update Stellarium's translations of webpage after this version released.

[gzotti]

Don't forget to pack good elements for C/2026 A1 (MAPS). Esp. brightness estimate from http://www.aerith.net/comet/catalog/2026A1/2026A1.html: abs_mag=10.0, slope=4.