I think you really have to try out the different packages first hand. It's a personal preference thing.
Forementioned inaccuracies aside, I generally like theSky because.... it's what I'm used to.
Also it's alot of software for the money.
I've all but abandoned using paper charts in favor of software. I also do not have a goto scope, so I want a product that will
assist in star hopping.
The features I need are a telrad image superimposed on the chart, easily accessible zoom features, and a reasonably good search
engine (something theSky can use some improvement on).
RO
----- Original Message -----
From: "Doug Wolf" <apmldoug@No-Spam>
To: "The Astronomy Connection" <sf-bay-tac@No-Spam>
Sent: Friday, February 14, 2003 1:27 PM
Subject: [TAC] Astronomy Software & Databases
> Gang,
>
> I'm just coming back to astronomy after a very long
> absence. I typically use Tiron's "Sky Atlas 2000.0"
> as my reference but, this being the 21st century and
> all, am wondering if I should investigate PC astronomy
> software.
>
> I'm not using a "GOTO" scope, so I don't need any of
> the fancy controls that let you click on a place in
> the sky and it drives your scope to that location.
> Other than that... what do folks usually use astronomy
> software/datbases for? (i.e., what good will it do me
> that accurate paper-charts won't?)
>
> And here's the REAL can of worms: What do you guys
> general prefer? I've heard a number of votes for
> "Megastar" in the last few days. Are there any other
> serious contenders?
>
> Thanks for the help. I realize I probably just
> started a "my favorite astro-software" religious war!
>
> -- Doug
>
>
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