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Astronomy Software

In astronomy, there is a wide variety of software. In most cases, there are many different versions of software that do a particular thing. The most common reason for this is preference. While I  use some of these software titles, I am in no way endorsing one brand over another. 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.

Planetarium Software | Specialty Observing Programs | CCD Software | Robotic Software | Other Software

Software for OS X (Apple)

Planetarium Software:

This type of software is used to map the night sky from any location on the Earth. 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.

  • TheSky 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).
  • TheSky Pocket Edition provides access to the virtual sky from your Palm or Pocket PC. 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.
  • 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.
  • Starry Night is a software that uses OpenGL and Quick Time to show a photo realistic night sky. 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.
  • An old style DOS type software by Project Pluto called Guide is also a pretty capable Windows based software as well. 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.
  • SkyChart III by Southern Stars is a planetarium software that is for both Windows and Macintosh.
  • 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.
  • Stellaris — A shareware program for the amateur astronomer

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Specialty Observing Programs:

These programs are not full featured planetariums, but specialize in specific objects.

  • Seeker by Bisque - a 3D immersive tool for traveling through our Solar System
  • VRMars - A virtual reality program that lets you see through the eyes of the Mars Exploration Rover Spirit (The Opportunity MER version is in the works).
  • Night Sky Observer has a program called LunarPhase Pro that is a very capable Lunar observing program. It has imbedded maps, listings of major Lunar features, and Lunar time tables for anything you want to know.
  • Night Sky Observer also has a very nice program called JupSat Pro. It's a program designed to provide information on the four Galilean moons of Jupiter - and does it well.
  • Heavenscape software has a nice program called Satellite Tracker. This program allows full control of a Meade or Celestron computer controlled telescope to track the orbiting satellites - like the International Space Station and various communication satellites.
  • 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.

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CCD Control and Imaging Software:

This will be the longest list as there are many of these types of programs available. I will keep the descriptions short for this list.

  • CCDSoft - works in concert with TheSky for full camera and telescope control. Also provides the necessary image reduction, processing and stacking
  • Mira Pro and Mira AP - professional level CCD software
  • MaxImDL - a popular choice that offers CCD control and processing
  • AIP4WIN - a popular choice that is really a book with included software
  • Santa Barbara Instrument Groups software page - CCD software updates
  • IRIS - a free and capable program for CCD control and processing
  • Registar - specialized image stacking program
  • RegiStax - free image stacking program, used mostly for planets
  • K3CCDTools - provides video image stacking and image processing
  • Fits4Win - Windows program to view FITS files
  • AstroVideo - specialized video stacking program
  • RC-Astro Console - Russell Croman's add-in for enhanced MaxImDL functionality
  • SigmaReject - Another Russell Croman plug-in for MaxImDL
  • RGB Weight Calculator - Specialized program that assists in determining ideal exposure time for various filtered images
  • AstroArt 3.0 - 96bit image processing software
  • ImagePlus - image converter and processor, useful for Digital SLR cameras
  • Adobe PhotoShop - need I say more? The de-facto standard for the "digital darkroom"
  • Grain Surgery - clean up those messy images
  • PixInsight - image enhancement
  • NEAT Image - digital filter for noise reduction
  • FitsPlug - FITS file plug-in for PhotoShop
  • Irfanview - free image reader and basic processing, reads just about everything
  • FITS Liberator - a free PhotoShop plugin by the folks from the ESA/ESO and NASA

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Robotic and Remote Control Software:

This next batch of software specializes in telescope control - either from another room or across the globe.

  • TheSky with CCDSoft provide robotic control from a computer nearby.
  • Want to improve your telescopes pointing accuracy? T-Point is a software that models your mounts accuracy and uses this model to improve pointing accuracy.
  • Orchestrate is a software to automate imaging sessions - so you can get some sleep.
  • For those with motorized domes, AutomaDome adds the ability to control the dome as well - moving the dome with the scope as well as opening and closing.
  • Users of the Paramount can improve accuracy with PrecisionPEC.
  • Have your cake and eat it too - the complete Bisque Observatory Software Suite.
  • DC-3 Dreams - full suite of robotic observatory control, software updates available in their support pages
  • PoleAlignMax - software to assist your computer control telescope to point to the north
  • ASCOM - the communications standard for interface control in astronomy
  • CCDWare - a new software company providing a variety of products used to assist in tracking accuracy and automatic control (with links to other software as well), imaging stacking, session planning and CCD inspection.
  • SN Finder - This software automates supernova searches, designed by an amateur astronomer for amateur astronomers

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Other Software:

The following software doesn't really fit in the above categories.

Software for OS X (Apple):

 

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