Astronomy Software packages

Here is a list of the software packages I recommend to people. They cover the basics all the way up to advanced astronomy and a few others for good measure. All run on Linux, Mac and Windows and all are free!

  • Stellarium

    Stellarium is a planetarium for your computer. It shows a realistic sky in 3D, just like what you see with the naked eye, binoculars or a telescope. Great for presentations and learning the sky, a good one for beginners.

  • Celestia

    A space simulation program that lets you explore our universe in three dimensions.

  • Cartes du Ceil

    Great star charting tool for the more advanced observer!

Podcasts - Astronomical and Scientific

I subscribe to all of the following and can highly recommend each. They will give you up to date news about astronomy and science in general.

Equipment

I can recommend all of the following sites (although usual disclaimers apply, Caveat emptor!).

  • Celestron

    I've been using a Celeston 9¼" Ultima since it first came out (circa 1996), althougn I've replaced the original fork mount with an EQ6 SynScan.

  • Obsession Telescopes

    I made their 18" example, a photo of my Mark II version is right. Although they did provide some excellent advise and some hard-to-get components.

  • Sky Watcher

    Great scopes, although I do not own one, however I do own their fantastic EQ6 SynScan with my Celestron (see right).

Other goodies

I've not bought from any of the following but I'd like to one day buy an orrery (although usual disclaimers apply, Caveat emptor!).

  • Orrery Maker

    Beautiful mechanical orrery manufacturer based in Australia.

  • Orrery Store

    Beautiful mechanical orrery manufacturer based in China.