Cool Astronomy Software Section

[looseskr3wz]

Do you have an area to post cool astronomy software?<br /><br />Because I have a few awesome programs to post...I think people would enjoy them.<br /><br />One of them is a program that lets you smash up to 12 galaxies into each other.<br /><br />Awesome fun!<br /><br />Plus..... I would like to see what other cool software people have.<br /><br /><img src="/images/icons/smile.gif" /><br />

 

[markj_87]

http://www.vnunet.com/vnunet/downloads/2128873/home-planet<br /><br />You can find here a great astronomy program that's free and comprehensive, and can be installed to your computer to save you from connecting to the internet to find something out (as I used to).<br /><br />It tells you everything you need to know really - detailed sky charts from your location (from any point in time - very useful), moon phases and dates, meteor shower approximate dates, distance of sun and moon to extreme precision, exact planetary positions, a satellite database, how the Earth would appear at any time from the sun and moon - everything! <br /><br />The 'animate' feature is especially useful as you can go through time and check things out. For example, if you want to know the moon phase for the 2009 Geminid meteor shower you can find out (approximately 5% by the way - I just checked!), or discover what you saw in the sky 3 months ago.<br /><br />It's called Home Planet and it's a hugely recommended program for beginner and more advanced astronomers. I use it every day.<br /><br />

 

[looseskr3wz]

Thanks markj....<br /><br />but I don't need cool astronomy software, I have some to give to people.

 

[drwayne]

looseskr3wz<br /><br />Your thread title suggested that this was a place where people would post links to astronomy software that they find useful.<br /><br />Am I to take it that you intended it as only a place to publicize your own software?<br /><br />Wayne <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p>"1) Give no quarter; 2) Take no prisoners; 3) Sink everything."  Admiral Jackie Fisher</p> </div>

 

[alienhunter]

Here are a few I think everbody should try:<br /><br />Charts:<br /><br />http://www.stargazing.net/astropc/<br />http://stellarium.sourceforge.net/<br />http://www.astrosurf.com/avl/UK_index.html<br /><br />Software for your screen:<br /><br />http://www.adpartnership.net/DarkAdapted/<br />http://www.astro.ufl.edu/~oliver/niteview/<br /><br />There are other good free resoruces to download:<br /><br />Charts to print:<br /><br />http://skymaps.com/downloads.html<br />http://www.asahi-net.or.jp/~zs3t-tk/<br />http://www.siaris.net/astro/atlas/<br />http://members.cox.net/astro7/SFAStarCharts.html<br />http://www.lhs.berkeley.edu/starclock/skywheel.html<br />http://www.uv.es/jrtorres/<br /><br />Handbooks and tutorials:<br /><br />http://www.irishastronomy.org/observers/challenges/<br />http://www.andysshotglass.com/

 

[formulaterp]

You cannot leave out the ever-so-cool "Celestia"!!!<br /><br />http://www.shatters.net/celestia/ <br /><br />And the various add-ons:<br /><br />http://www.celestiamotherlode.net/