Astronomy software the sky

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All of the software listed here are popular among the amateur astronomer population; in fact, it is common for one person to have several different programs that do about the same thing - the features of one might be missing in another, but that other may excel in something else if that makes sense.

For ease, I will break them down into category. Keep in mind this list is not at all complete. If there is a software that is worth mentioning, please send us the link. View or download the file. It most cases, the software below can print our star charts for a night of viewing and will have extensive databases with at least the most popular night sky objects. The SkyX by Software Bisque is probably the most popular planetarium software available.

I also use version 6 of this software. The benefit of using TheSky is their extensive database, ability to remotely control a computerized telescope, and work seamlessly with their other popular product, CCDSoft. Their website also has a Hot Fix section for up to date software updates you will have to register. Windows 7 and 64bit OS's are supported. The previous version, The Sky 6 Professional is still a well respected program that does run on 64bit operating systems but is a Windows only program.

For the diehard astronomer, you can download and extended version of the SAO catalog as well. A free, open-source software called Stellarium is probably a good place to start. Another free planetarium software is Celestia. It runs on Windows, Linux and Mac. This software not only shows you the sky from Earth, but also allows you to "fly" to other locations and view the sky from there. Google Earth is no longer limited to great satellite images of Earth, they have created color images of the space as well.

They include Hubble images in places where they belong, and a cool feature is that you can switch the view based on where you live. Microsoft Research has put together an educational program that is nothing short of a breakthrough. The World Wide Telescope allows the user access to just about every image taken from just about every space probe there is.

Better still, the user can change the view from radio through to x-ray visible included of course. It's Windows only, its free so download it now. Keeping with the freeware theme, the third free bit of software is an up-and-coming simple yet capable sky charting program called Asynx Planetarium. It also provides telescope control. Updates for this software are available at their website, but newer versions allow updates through an application installed with the program.

While it does not have the pizzazz associated with the "modern" planetariums, it does have what I consider one of the best presentations of nebula.

Guide updates are also available on the website. A specialized planetarium software called AstroMB is also available. I have no experience with this software, but it boasts a pretty impressive set of features - available for viewing at their website.

SkyMap is another software title I am not familiar with, but it does seem to have a faithful following. Redshift is a program that used to be Macintosh only, and doesn't seem to want to go away.

I used it many years ago and found it capable although I have no idea how the newer versions are compared to what is currently available. Sky Tools by CapellaSoft is a bit different from other planetarium software as it has an integrated notepad to store observing notes during observation. While I have no personal experience with this software, this also seems to have a faithful following. Voyager 4 by Carina Software - a Windows and OS X platform planetarium software, this provides the standard features expected in virtual sky and telescope control.

Supports Windows, Mac and Linux and has a few more catalog add-ons available. Celestia Celestia has several catalogs of planets, galaxies, stars and many others which help you make your way to the solar system and explore all that you want.

WWT This easy to use software, the WorldWide Telescope will help you explore space by combining images from space-based telescopes and from those on the ground. The planetarium comes with both the Web Client and Windows Client to help you get a clear glimpse of the sky and capture a better view of celestial objects in 3D. Orbiter Another free and friendly Planetarium is Orbiter.

You have a chance to do several other things, including planning interplanetary slingshots, recreate historic flights, design your own rockets and much more. These catalogs have all you need to explore space including millions of stars, comets, asteroids, NGC objects and Meisser objects. The software displays the phase and location of the moon, location of earth satellites, and day and night earth regions. With this software, you can make your own sky chart using the data provided.

It has advanced features to help you make a complete sky map making it a good bet for stargazers. Winstars Winstars is yet another free software for stargazers. It has a database of more than 2 million stars and a catalog of thousands of star clusters, nebulae, and galaxies.