astronomy software

[ANDYB]

I have been using Star AtlasPro for observation planning but my CD has developed a crack and as a result in can no longer be read. Does anyone have any advice on a good program to purchase?

[Clarry]

I, along with many others, use Stellarium. It's good and free, can't beat that.
http://www.stellarium.org/

[Coen]

Do not have direct experience with commerical software.

I use/have used the free tool CNebulaX which is a little different. It is not small when you down load all the data bases including the >100MB guide star catalogue with 25 million plus stars in it. Full installation cost me about 361MB disk space.

It has planning components to it allowing the building of observing lists, incorporation of notes, pictures etc.

Link: http://www.uv.es/jrtorres/index.html and follow link at the top to CNebulaX.

Note that CNebulaX was used to produce the excellent Tri-Atlas series of maps (new version out soon).

While not planning tools, I compliment CNebulaX with

Cartes du Ciel (CdC): http://www.ap-i.net/skychart/ which can get big when one incorporates a number of catalogues. Installation with far too many catalogues: 701MB.

StarCalc (http://www.relex.ru/~zalex/main.htm) with a few extras including 32MB Tycho catalogue and the GCVS for a total of about 68MB.

You can interface the USNO catalogue into CdC or StarCalc but it will cost you about 5.9GB of hard disk space.

There are other packages out there such as HNSky, Stellarium etc.

There are a number of sites that give links to astronomy related software, one such starting point is:
http://www.pierpaoloricci.it/index_eng.htm
There might be further information on planning software there as both freeware, shareware and commercial are linked.

There is also some discussion in another forum with regards to observation logging software. Deviates from your planning comment.

[allan gould]

I aslo use CNebulaX and after talking to Jose he will be implementing an ascom iterface once he has his atlas features out of the way(which he is currently doing). Might be nice if you were to drop him an email and ask about ascom - might make him more 'receptive?'.

[byronpaul]

I'm a newbie as well.:welcome:

I use Stellarium and find that it more than exceeds my requirements at present. It is very easy to use, has some great features .... and it's absolutely free.:D

[turbo_pascale]

Why don't you email them. I'm pretty sure if you send them the original disk/proof of purchase, they would send you another CD for a nominal fee to cover costs. Doesn't hurt to ask. Paul Mayo (the author) is an IIS regular and a really nice bloke to boot (from all accounts!)

Link to their website here: http://www.skylab.com.au/

Turbo

[ANDYB]

Thanks to all who have answered and offered assistance. You have all been very helpful and it is very much appreciated:D

[tonybarry]

+1 for Stellarium.
+1 for AstroPlanner - this app is a great bit of gear, controls Meade / Celestron scopes directly, shows you fields of view in different eyepieces, scopes, cameras etc. Recommended.

Regards,
Tony Barry
(Disclaimer - I am not associated with Paul Rodman - Astroplanner's writer - but have bought his software and use it. A Lot.)