BANGALORE, INDIA: Global software major Microsoft has designed a computer programme that allows you to scan the universe and zoom into outer space through its Windows.

"We have designed a virtual telescope that can be run on Windows or a web client with our Silverlight plug-in to tour the universe and zoom into outer space," Microsoft research programme manager Yan Xu said at a demo workshop here Thursday.

Touted as a worldwide telescope, the programme enables students and scholars to conduct astronomical research, promote science education and create entertainment.

"As a virtual platform for the universe or outer space, it has huge data of images collected from Hubble and 10 other earth-bound telescopes," she said.

As a space telescope, Hubble is the largest and most versatile observatory in the earth's orbit since 1990.

Built by the US-based National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) with contributions from the European Space Agency (ESA), Hubble takes extremely sharp images of the universe, solar and other planetary systems without the distortion of the earth's atmosphere.

"At a click away, one can go on an astrological tour dating back to 1500 BC, trace objects in outer space or track an eclipse and even watch the Chinese Valentine story," Yan pointed out.