Solanum
04-06-2008, 03:49 PM
I see threads on MacOS and Vista, so here is one on linux.
I use XEphem for a quick look at what is in the sky at any one time, it also has great views of the individual planets and where their moons are that is really helpful.
I use Stellarium for pretty views of the night sky and to help when I'm a bit confused.
I use Star Atlas pro (that I won in the birthday competition) under XP in a vm using the free server version of VMWare (only really used for this and the ATO tax submission) to produce finder charts of specific objects with stars down to the limiting magnitude of my scope for use t the eyepiece.
I have tried KStars as a replacement for XEphem and Star Atlas pro, but it doesn't do the planet w/ moon views as well as Xephem, nor the charts/search as well Star Atlas Pro.
I have also looked at Celestia, but it doesn't appear to do anything useful for observational astronomy.
1) Does anyone have any other suggestions I should have a look at - for observing rather than imaging?
2) Can anyone suggest software, on any platform, that I can use to generate observation lists by specifying a minimum alt at a given time then generating a list of a given type of DSO of a given magnitude/size/other characteristic within the defined area of sky? I know it sounds a bit odd, but I think it would be a great way of coming up with a quick obs list for those nights where you stick your head outside and the sky looks great, but you don't have anything planned or the time to come up with a proper planned session.
I use XEphem for a quick look at what is in the sky at any one time, it also has great views of the individual planets and where their moons are that is really helpful.
I use Stellarium for pretty views of the night sky and to help when I'm a bit confused.
I use Star Atlas pro (that I won in the birthday competition) under XP in a vm using the free server version of VMWare (only really used for this and the ATO tax submission) to produce finder charts of specific objects with stars down to the limiting magnitude of my scope for use t the eyepiece.
I have tried KStars as a replacement for XEphem and Star Atlas pro, but it doesn't do the planet w/ moon views as well as Xephem, nor the charts/search as well Star Atlas Pro.
I have also looked at Celestia, but it doesn't appear to do anything useful for observational astronomy.
1) Does anyone have any other suggestions I should have a look at - for observing rather than imaging?
2) Can anyone suggest software, on any platform, that I can use to generate observation lists by specifying a minimum alt at a given time then generating a list of a given type of DSO of a given magnitude/size/other characteristic within the defined area of sky? I know it sounds a bit odd, but I think it would be a great way of coming up with a quick obs list for those nights where you stick your head outside and the sky looks great, but you don't have anything planned or the time to come up with a proper planned session.