Astronomy Software List

[mikkelbo]

Hi all,

Does SAC or IFAS have a list of astronomy software, e.g. planetarium software and image reduction software, so especially newbies can get started loading up thier PC (or Mac) with neat software? If not, shouldn't we have such a list? (If yes, where is it?)

I was thinking both freeware and commercial software for Windows PC, Mac, and Linux. (I'm on a Mac so I can contribute there). Also online software (web sites) could be included.

The list could be a page on the main SAC website.

What do you say?

[donkearns]

Google Earth now has the ability to pick any spot on Earth and then change the view to look out into space from there.
Thankfully without the clouds.
It's a neat new feature.
You will need the latest version and it's FREE.

Clear skies.

Don

[Frank Ryan]

sounds good to me, we dont have one yet, but there is one on IFAS, maybe we could incorporate this into our site.

(Sorry Dave I accidentally deleted your post while grabbing the quote)

Lads, it's in the links section under 'Useful Software'
http://www.shannonsideastronomy.com/links.htm

I'm thinking now that I'll have to make this more obvious to see / read.

Any suggestions?

[DaveN]

As a newbie, the most useful tool I found was

http://www.stellarium.org/ [ AND ITS TOTALLY FREE ]

It's actually quite easy to use, for someone starting out it has more than enough objects.

I found it particularly useful after my first observing session to see if I could find some of the objects I was looking at the night before without a team of pro's by my side. (Of course when I gave up I was able to use the search feature to cheat).

For the cloudy nights, its just a great way to practice finding objects.

[Dave Lillis]

Its an excellent program Dave, the graphics it has are some of the best out there.
Were you able to find with the aid of the search feature what you saw ?