Laptop sorted now for some software

[GOTO (Geoff)]

Hi all,

Well I sorted the laptop and now need the software to run on it. I used Cart du Ceil with EQMod before but it was a tad odd at times. At this stage I only use a Canon DSLR but am thinking of an Atik 420 soonish.
So far on my list is:
EQMOD
Stellarium, Cart du Ceil or do I buy SkyX?
Backyard EOS
Registax
Sequence Generator pro (not sure if I even need it but cheaper than competitors and easier to learn from what I've been told)
Is there something to help plan imaging runs? I can find my way around the sky visually and the major hit parade objects but after the obvious ones I struggle.
Anything else?

Cheers and thanks for suggestions
Geoff

[Occulta (Chris)]

Geoff

Try C2A for the planetarium program. Works well with EQMOD and ASCOM.
Regularly updated as required. It has a multitude of catalogues, several of which come with the download, others as additional downloads and does not hog computer resources.

See here

Chris

[lazjen (Chris)]

You could consider APT (http://www.ideiki.com/astro/) instead of, or as well as Backyard EOS - it supports CCD and DSLR.

astrotortilla (http://sourceforge.net/p/astrotortilla/home/Home/) for plate solving to go to whatever object you choose.

PHD2 (http://openphdguiding.org/) for guiding.

DSS - DeepSkyStacker is similar to Registax, I think. It might be useful as well.

PixInsight for image processing. StarTools is another possibility.

[DavidLJ (David)]

For planning you might consider SkyTools. Not particularly cheap but once used you wonder how you ever did without it. Suggest you have a look at their website where they provide a wealth of information.