Linux users - XEphem and KStars

[rcheshire (Rowland)]

Is anyone using XEphem (http://www.clearskyinstitute.com/xephem/). It's running on my notebook (screenshot below). Very light on resources. With the INDI driver installed there is support for Apogee, FLI and SBIG cameras (indi packages required). As you can see there is SBIG support.

XEphem will run an entire remote observatory. Filter wheels, focusers, telescopes and the Maxidome.

KStars is running on a newer, more powerful laptop, with a better interface, but the qt environment is heavy on resources. Kstars also runs video cameras for planetary work.

Of the two, Xephem is the science package, while KStars is easier to use. Both provide sophisticated control of astronomy hardware for Linux users.

All running under ubuntu 11.10. It took a bit of work to get all the dependencies right to compile XEphem, but it's all there and working ready to connect a camera. Kstars installs automatically using ubuntu packages.

[Zaps]

KStars is new to me but I used XEphem when it was the only game in town and loved it. That's an incredibly capable and powerful astro application, maybe even overkill for a lot of potential users. It has been a few years since I last used it so I don't know how much more it has progressed.

[rcheshire (Rowland)]

Lots of capacity for automation. Steep learning curve though. Ultimately, its a complete observatory control system.

[Zaps]

So nothing has changed?

Kidding aside, it was a great app way back in the day, so it's not surprising that it's even better now. Tonight I'll give KStars a whirl. It looks impressive.