Software

I am interested in getting a computer program to help me learn the sky and plan out nights for observing. I have a plain Dob, no DSCs or servos, just a scope. So, I don't need any software to program with. On nights that aren't good for seeing I thought it would be nice to have something to wander around with that is a fair representation of the actual sky.

As far as price, cheaper is better, but a low cost item that isn't any good is a waste. On the other side, I don't want a wiz bang do-all, end-all program (I get enough of that at work.) Simple is a good thing.

I would appreciate comments and experiences.

Thanks,
Chas

Not being smart, but how about a star chart and maybe a Messier card like what Sky and Telescope put out?

Matt

CHAS,

Do a quick google search on free astronomy software.. There are some good ones out there but I just can't remember what they are.

I would download and install several.. They all have an option to set your latitude and longitude to make the sky relevent to your area..

See which ones appeal to you most and just uninstall the others.

I prefer software myself... I just print out the area of sky I'm interested in for the night and bring the sheet out with me.. No worries about ruining the sheet cause I can just print out another..

I usually take several with me.. One of the general area, then I keep zooming in and print out a couple more... I live in a light polluted area so this method works good for me..


Mark V

I have a tag along question. I would really like to get a plnetarium program into which I can program a custom obstacle template. Lots of trees and such to see around and it seems like it would be a fairly simple task to account for them in the program. Any such beast around?

Thanks,

TOm