Its amazing how popular astronomy is. There are literally millions of people each day who love star gazing. Some of these are professionals who work in observatories. Others are merely hobbyists who enjoy it. Hobbyists have even made many amazing discoveries. For the longest time telescopes or at least binocular were the tools of choice. Astronomy software makes it possible study the stars and other phenomena without them. This is a discussion of just some of the available software. Click over here for extra info on starry night software.

One popular application is SETI@Home. the point of this software was to use all the idle time on peoples home computers. Before SETI@Home the SETI radio telescope, SETI meaning Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence, scanned the heavens for radio signals that would indicate a pattern, an intelligence behind them. the data were analyzed with supercomputers. Today, however, it's up to people's computers at home and at the office. There won't be some kind of alert if intelligent life is found. But if SETI does find alien intelligence then there are going to be a lot of happy people.

3-D screen savers are a more basic type of star charting software. These programs kick in when a PC is idle, and show various space objects rendered in spectacular 3D computer graphics. This can include simple views as well as navigable planets, solar systems or other objects that the user can explore from any angle and distance. A search engine like Google can help you locate one of these programs.

Not many people know what F.I.T.S is. It's NASA's flexible image transport system that delivers data including 2-D and 3-D imaging. It's used in a lot of software. These include freeware and software for sale. A web search will find many more. Try Duke University's website.

There is even software that helps adjust for imperfections in telescope lenses. Images seen through the telescope are compared with those shown by the software and adjustments can be made.

Astronomy software is as varied as the universe. All you need to do is search and you will find some computer software that will be relevant to your position. It is an ever growing field and more and more computer software is published on a daily basis. There are a lot of sites where you can get both free and paid for computer software - all you truly need to do is have a bit of a look. Install some today. You should gain more invaluable info on astronomy magazine here.

When the moon is out in all its bright glory many observers don't even bother taking out their scopes. Why? Because the light from the moon washes out all their favorite deep-sky targets. But not this bird. It's time for the planets and the MOON! I love pouring over Luna's surface, mountain ranges, rilles, etc. And I have found a wonderful piece of software that makes it the more enjoyable, the Virtual Moon Atlas. And it's free.

Here is a look at the interface:

And here we pick an area to explore:

Zoom in:

And you can view photos of the area as well:

Great piece of software for planning a lunar tour. You can now know what you are viewing, learn all about it as well. It has a telescope control interface as well. Top flight stuff and you sure can't beat the price. Here are the details provided on Grimaldi, the lunar feature I chose above:

GRIMALDI

Type: Walled plain
Geological period: Pre-Nectarian (From -4.55 billions years to -3.92 billions years)

Size:
Dimension: 228×228Km / 134×134Mi
Height: 0
Height/Wide ratio: 0.009

Description:
Very dark circular formation resembling to a sea.
Steep slopes supporting many craterlets whose Grimaldi K L M N and P to the South Grimaldi D E and Q to the
North-East and Rimae Grimaldi to the South-East.
Few high walls ridden by Grimaldi B to the North.
Very large and flat floor filled somber lava. Small relief to the North-East. Craterlets and clear bands.

Observation:
Interest : Exceptional formation
Observation period: 6 days after First Quarter or 5 days after Last Quarter
Minimal Instrument: 10x binoculars

Position:
Longitude: 68.6° West
Latitude: 5.2° South
Quadrant: South-West
Area: Moon West limb

Atlas:
Rukl map: 39 Grimaldi
Viscardy page: 226
Hatfield map: 3c4
Westfall Atlas: 067C 075C 080C Q3W. 233C 237C 247C
Charles Wood article: MM183
Lunar Orbiter:  IV-161-H3  IV-161-M  IV-162-M  IV-168-H3  IV-168-M  IV-169-M  IV-173-M  IV-174-M  IV-181-M
IV-187-M  IV-188-M

Name Origine:
Detailed Name: Francesco Grimaldi
17 th century italian Astronomer and physicist born in Italy
Born at: Bologne in 1618
Dead at: Bologne in 1663
Important Facts: Jesuit. Discoverer of luminous interferences and the diffraction of the light in 1650. Author of
a map of the Moon used by Riccioli in 1651.
Name Author: Riccioli (1651)
Name by Langrenus: Not named
Name by Hevelius: Palus Maraeotis
Name by Riccioli: Grimaldi

Click the link to learn more: Virtual Moon Atlas