By Donna Ann Dub, MS.
Have you ever prepared for a long night of deep sky observing, only to step outside and be greeted by a sky full of clouds that seem to have appeared out of nowhere? We all have been in this position at one time or another, but now with the help of personal computers and laptops we can still explore the universe in spite of Mother Nature's unpredictable plans.
There is a wide variety of software available for both seasoned astronomers and beginners alike who want to explore the wonders of the universe right in their living room. Whether you want to calculate the orbits of the planets, see galaxies collide, or print a sky chart for next week's star party, there is a software package waiting for you.
However, choosing a software package can be a confusing task, as there are many brands available on the market. In the amateur realm there are two basic types: charting software, which displays real time star and celestial object charts, and simulation software, which presents astronomical events, objects, and mathematical simulations in real and condensed time. Both types are very useful and educational.
The control room at the Oliver Observing Station. One of these many computers is used to run "The Sky" software.
Charting Software
Charting software can be a very useful tool to an astronomy enthusiast. Star charts for a star party can be easily generated and printed for each hour or half hour of observing time. With a good software pack-age, charts can be quite detailed, as small areas of the sky can be targeted and analyzed.
Many charting packages come with a built-in database of celestial objects. These objects are usually drawn from the Messier Catalog and the New General Catalog (NGC). These objects appear on the star chart with a symbol. Clicking on the symbol yields a photographs or series of photographs of the object.
Remember, however, that photos of astronomical objects are taken with time exposures from a few seconds to several hours. This enables more light to strike the photographic medium and greatly enhances the color and texture of the object. For example, the Orion Nebula appears as a bright, striking pink cloud in a time exposed photograph, but through the telescope, it appears as a green translucent haze.
Therefore, the object you see through your telescope may seem slightly different from the picture presented by the software.
A laptop computer can take star charting software to an even higher level. With a laptop, you can bring your software to the observing table next to your telescope. Many packages allow you to set the software to display the sky in real time, which means the chart on screen moves just as the sky moves. Additionally, since the laptop screen is illuminated, you will not have to fumble with a red flashlight to see the chart. One note of caution: if possible, stay within your charting software. Displaying the bright blue desktop background may assist you in losing your night vision. You can also eliminate this problem by setting your desktop to a dark colon
As you can see, star-charting packages can be very useful as well as fun to work with. When choosing your charting software, compare features versus price. Features include depth of star fields and sky detail, built in databases, inclu-sion of planetary positions, moon positions and phases, and unique special features. Prices can range from several dollars for a bare bones package to hundreds of dollars for an elaborate presentation.
Simulation Software
Simulation software recreates astronomical events or processes in a scaled down format for easy observation and analysis. This type of software can be very educational and informative. Events such as the birth of a star, the move-ment of planets, and the orbit of a comet can be condensed in time and space to reveal their many intricacies and won-ders.
This type of software can come in a detailed package, specializing in one type of astronomical event, or can come in general educational packages featuring a plethora of astronomical favorites. Many smaller packages can be downloaded from the Internet as freeware or shareware. Freeware is software that can be distributed without cost. Shareware is software that can be distributed without cost on a trail basis. If the user likes the software and wishes to use it on a regular basis he or she must pay the author a nominal fee.
There are many sites on the Internet that contain downloadable astronomical simulations. These include NASA, the Planetary Society, the Jet Propulsion Laboratory and many universities. Performing a search on you topic of choice is the fastest way to locate what you're looking for. As the Internet continues to expand it promises to be a goldmine for astronomy enthusiasts worldwide.
Whether inside or out, cloudy or clear, your computer can open a new door in your study of astronomy. Both beginners and seasoned observers will find software that will expand their minds and horizons, as well as provide hours of enjoyment. With modern technology, the sky is truly the limit!
1. Astronomer's Computer Comp. by No Starch Press
2. Binary Star by Gemini Software
3. DeepSky 2000 by Steven S. Tuman Software
4. Discover Astronomy by Focus Multimedia
5. Distant Suns by Michael Jensen Software
6. Explore the Planets by Andromeda Software
7. Mega Star Sky Atlas by Willmann-Bell Software
8. Moon Phase by Locutus Codeware
9. Nine Worlds by Palladium Interactive
10. Redshift 4 by Mans Multimedia
11. Sky Map Pro 7 by Chris Marriott Software
12. Star Probe by Artemis Science Software
13. Starry Night by Siena
14. The Comet Explorer by Andromeda
15. The Sky by Software Bisque
16. Venus Explorer by Rom Tech
MIRA volunteer, Brian Jacobson, lectures to a Lyceum class at the Hamming Astronomy Center.
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Last updated 3/8/02 DMC