Software   

   *  Indicates freeware

Aberrator *  Win 95-98 software program that will allow you to generate star testing images to show aberrations and how they affect your telescope performance. Also offers Registax imaging software.
AstroArt 3.0  Win 98-2000 XP Astroart 3.0 is a software program for advanced  image processing, photometry, astrometry, CCD control and image stacking for CCD and film images. Includes CCD camera control, multi-tasking capabilities, real-time focus, and web cam auto guide, multiple plug-ins. Star catalogs (GSC, USNO SA1.0, SA2.0 or USNO A2.0).
AstroCalculator  Win 95-XP calculator program for general Time and Astronomical Calculations, Conversions and Corrections. Also provides precessions, Lunar data, Solar system data, Planar Sundial. Printed manual & electronic manual (PDF).
Astro Info  Astro Info is a free open-source astronomical ephemeris/almanac for PalmOS 3.0 - 5.0. It displays basic information useful to star gazers, such as rise, trans and set times, coordinates, magnitude and phase information for Sun, Moon, the other 8 planets and stars. It also features a rotatable and zoomable map. Nightmode on Palm Color Screens.
AstroMB  For PC's Win 95-XP Astronomy software SAO, GCVS, NGC catalogs. The Guide Star Catalog, the USNO catalog, Hipparcos and Tycho 1and Tycho 2 catalogs are also supported.
Astrometrica   For PC's Win 95-XP  Interactive software tool for scientific research grade astrometric data reduction of CCD images, developed by amateur astronomer Herbert Raab. Current version is for the Windows 32bit operating system. Reads FITS & SBIG image files. Features Automatic image calibration, zoom & "Magnifying glass" for close up, automatic reference for star identification, and several other features. Catalogs include USNO-B 1.0, USNO-A 2.0, USNO-SA 2.0, ESA Hipparcos & Tycho catalogs. Web site offers full download of the Shareware program, user support via a mailing list, list of current Astrometrica users, and Minor Planet discoveries.
Astromist  PalmOs Astronomy Tool for Palm users, designed by Cyrille Thieullet . Provides up to 2.5million of stellar and 18200 deep sky objects. It controls most of the telescope drives available (meade, celestron, takahasi, losmandy, Astrophysic, ouranos, bbox, ) and provides GPS support. Scope Assistant to control your scope using palm keys. A Bluetooth to serial converter is mandatory. A special southern hemisphere version of Astromist (with inverted moon pictures) is available for registered users.
Astronomica  Win 95-XP planetarium software. Orrery that simulates the solar system, a sundial/moon dial, print customizable star charts, view control palette to set observing time & location, help center. Also available for Mac users.
AstroPack III  (Shareware) Astronomy software for PalmOS 3 or higher, consisting of J-Moons, Moon Info, Saturn and Sol II, developed by Edward Wilborne III. Downlaodable from website. Updates, news, and links available on website.
AstroPlanner  Software application for Macintosh and Windows, providing astronomical visual observation planning and logging as well as control of Meade telescopes that use the LX200, LX200GPS or Autostar controllers, Celestron NexStar scopes, Astro-Physics GTO mounts, the Vixen SkySensor 2000 system, and several others. Use on Mac OS 9, Mac OS X, Win 98-2000/XP. Basic installation requires 15MB hard disk space, the full installation (all catalogues) requires about 120MB of hard disk space. Users group (Yahoo) available.
AstroStack *  Win 98-XP imaging software to enhance pictures made by CCD and or videocapturing developed by Robert J. Stekelenburg. The full program & manual are available to download from the web site. Features include details of Preview & load frames, frame quality, stack frames, combine frame to picture, enhancement, and status. Web site includes support and a discussion forum for AstroStack users.
C2A  Win 95-XP C2A (Computer Aided Astronomy) is a Planetarium software that allows you to build detailed views of stellar fields, in order to prepare observations on small fields as well as astrometry works. C2A is able to access several catalogues: SAO, Guide Star, Tycho-2, USNO-SA1.0, USNO-A2.0 and UCAC1. Download and Help files only available in French! Version 2.0.8 original is English.
CalSky *  Windows 95-XP. Astronomical calendar, sun & moon phases, create star charts, deep sky objects.
Cartes du Ciel *  Linux or Windows. Very popular program created by Patrick Chevalley, allows you to create your own sky charts, making use of the data in 16 catalogs of stars and nebulae. In addition the position of planets, asteroids and comets are shown. Includes updates, FAQ's, documentation, and related links. Yahoo group available for support.
Celestia *  Celestia is a real-time space simulation that lets you experience our universe in three dimensions. Contains a lesson plan for use in the classroom available from Celestia web site.
CoolSky  Win 95-XP  Sky charts, display photographic images, 110 Messier objects, easy to use interface, find stars to 6.5 magnitude.
Dan's Astronomy Software *  Free PC software for the amateur astronomer, educators. Several software programs available, Jovian moons, satellites of Saturn, Eclipsing binary stars, Tracker v6.0 for visualizing natural features on Jupiter. Large assortment of other free astronomy programs also available.
DarkAdapted *  Win/Mac Software for Win 95-XP Mac Power Macintosh. Program from Stephen E. Hutson to help preserve your dark adaptation. Controls your screen gamma settings so that you can use your computer while observing with out disturbing your dark adapted vision. Also available from American Dream software, ScopeDriver ( Computer control of Meade or Gemini Telescopes), UTC (displays Universal Time on your Mac), The Sky Tonight ( Astronomy Radio Program), Meteor Shower Radiant Databases (Data sets for use with Starry Night Pro 3.x) all available for download from web site.
David Paul Green *  Win/Mac/Palm software for logging your observations and finding Messier Objects. Excellent programs by Mr. Green include TUMOL: The Ultimate Messier Object Log, TSOL The Simple Observing Log, OOLog (Overlooked Object Log). Also an eyepiece calculator.
Deep Sky Astronomy Software  Created by Steven Tuma DAS for Win 98-XP. For Meade & Telestar telescopes. DVD version includes 410,000 images of deep sky objects, CD version includes 10,000 images of deep sky objects. Observing planner, observers logbook, star charts down to magnitude 15.5, Solar system information, image processing, ASCOM telescope support for GOTO scopes.
Deep Sky Map by David Chandler  Deep Space comes on a CD-ROM that contains the 250,000 star NASA Skymap database, the 18-million star Guide Star Catalog, the Saguaro Deep Sky database with about 10,000 objects, and about 10,000 asteroids and comets.
Desktop Universe  Win 95-XP, NT software from Main Sequence Software. Available in a 2 CD-ROM set. Features over 1 million stars from a variety of catalogs including Messier, NGC, IC, LBN, and others.
Digital Universe  For Mac platforms, Windows version soon to be released. View and retrieve extensive information on any of the approximately 20 million objects, including stars, galaxies, nebulae, clusters, the planets and their moons, comets, asteroids, and Earth orbiting spacecraft and satellites. Contains two software packages, "Digital Universe", and " 3D Stars".
Distant Suns *  Win 95-XP, and Mac. Desktop astronomy, star charts, in-depth planet information, database of over 16 million stars.
Encyclopedia Galactica  Freeware planetarium program Win 98-XP by Javier Martínez. You can create of different types of sky maps in which practically any element is customizable. You need to download several large files to run the program. Program is more suited to beginning observers who would like to try out a free program. Some problems have been noted with downloads.
Home Planet *  Win 95-XP comprehensive astronomy, space, and satellite-tracking package. Sky map, telescope window, object catalog, orrery,  satellite tracking panel, and satellite database.
HNSKY Program *  Win 95-XP,  planetarium program. Contains  SAO, PPM, Tycho-2 star databases, up to date deep sky database containing 26000 objects , USNO CDROM databases. Telescope control using the universal ASCOM package,  Realsky viewer.
HyperSky  Win 95-2000 detailed information on many deep sky objects. Several star catalog databases including, Bayer, Flamsteed, and SAO.Optional Hypersky CD Rom available. Complete online support.
Izzy's Skylog *  Win 95-98, Palm . Vol. 1 is freeware. Designed to teach the beginning backyard astronomer the constellations. Constellation maps, pronunciation guide, Mythological backgrounds, Prominent deep-sky objects. Other miscellaneous information.
Luna View *  Available as downloadable software. "Point & Click" graphical lunar globe. Mare labels, crater names, image maps with supporting text. The current phase of the moon can be see in the remote control monitor window while rise and set times can viewed from a selection of capital cities around the world. There is also a detailed database referencing lunar surface features and history behind the names.
Lunar Globe  Win 95-XP Lunar Globe is a "Virtual Museum of Lunar Vehicles". Lets you view the Moon surface features and lunar vehicles (computer animation). The database contains 1,400 craters, and provides "Orbit Mode" views 4700 km. from the lunar surface, "Pen-Point Mode" interactive crater information, and "Survey Mode" explore Lunar vehicles on the Moons surface.
Lunar Phase Pro by Gary Nugent  Win 98/ME/NT/2000/XP LunarPhase Pro is a moon observer’s toolkit which provides a range of information on the Moon and, to a lesser degree, the Sun, graphically displaying the current phase of the moon (in real time).
MacAstronomica  MacAstronomica requires Mac OS X 10.2 or later. Program generates sky maps at any time, from anywhere on Earth. The maps show all the planets and stars visible to the naked eye, as well as some galaxies and nebulas, the Ecliptic, meteor showers and the Milky Way. Constellations are drawn in their traditional form, and a table lists the visible objects. MacAstronomica also features an Orrery that simulates the solar system, a sundial/moon dial, print customized sky maps.
MacStronomy    MacStronomy  2.0 runs on any Apple® Macintosh or compatible computer with at least 2 megabytes of RAM, a hard disk, and Mac OS 9.x or Classic under OS X. MacStronomy displays maps of the stars and planets as they appear in the sky for any date, time, and location on the earth that you choose. Download free demo, full version includes an "Introduction to Astronomy", with a glossary. $60. USD
Maestro *  From this web site offered by JPL at Cal Tech you can explore Mars with the same program that NASA scientists use to operate the Mars Rovers Spirit and Opportunity. Download Maestro and look at Mars the way NASA does! This is a light version of the actual JPL software. Check the web site frequently for updates. Also available forums, online manual, and Maestro FAQ's. A very educational way to view actual raw images from the rovers, and learn about the technology involved.
MegaStar Sky Atlas  Win 98-XP From Willmann-Bell. Professional star charts, night vision, SAO/HD/GSC/Flamsteed number, Bayer, Hipparcos, Tycho 1 & 2 catalogs. Over 208,000 deep sky objects. Solar system animation, accompanying photographs for 78,000 objects, display, eyepiece field of view for up to 20 eyepieces. Upgrades available from Willmann-Bell.
Meridian *  Win 95-XP free download from the web site. Simulates the position of planets in the sky. Provides visual magnitude, apparent diameters, and other features for the beginning amateur astronomer.
MODAS Optical Design  Win 95-98 NT software written by Ivan Krastev. MODAS (Modern Optical Design and Analysis Software) allows the user to design and evaluate the performance of various optical systems. The freeware version allows testing of four optical systems. Registered version provides tests of lens and mirror systems with up to 25 spherical, conic, or planar surfaces and perform unlimited ray tracing. Related links and support are available. Great resource for the ATM.
Planetarium  Interesting shareware for the Palm Connected Organizer that plots star charts, by Andreas Hofer. Runs on PalmOS 3.0 or higher. Runs well on PalmOS 5 devices. Supports High resolution displays. Compatible with computer controlled telescopes, and GPS. Memory requirement 144 KB minimum. Messier, Caldwell, and Herschel catalogs. Available in English, French and German.
PocketSat+ Is a full-featured satellite tracking application for PalmOS and PocketPC devicesby Jim Berry. PocketSat+ can track any satellite, and can display real-time plots of multiple satellites on both Earth maps and Sky charts. PocketPC download .6Mb, PalmOS 5. Also try LookAngles, a PalmOS application designed to help you locate geostationary satellites in the sky. If you know the latitude and longitude of your location it can be used from anywhere in the world. Within the United States you need only know the name of your location or a valid Zip Code. AstroCap a free webcam image capture software program.
RedShift 5  Win 95-XP Planetarium software available on CD-Rom. Tycho 2, Hipparcos, Hubble Guide Star Catalog, astronomy dictionary, sky diary, animated lecture on astronomy.
Registax *  Win 95-98 software for alignment, stacking, and processing of images. Very easy to use nice tools for amateur astronomers who want to improve their astrophotographs. Also available for PalmOS. 
ScopeDriver  ScopeDriver is a planning, logging, and control interface for your telescope. Works with Meade Autostar, Meade LX200 &LX200 GPS, & Gemini command set. Does not work with Celestron products. For PC's, Win 95-XP, & Mac's. free 30 day demo available ($30 USD for full version), tech support, and links to related products also available.
SkyChart III  SkyChart III is provided on a single CD-ROM that contains versions for both Windows 98/ME/NT/2000/XP, and Mac OS 8/9/X.
An advanced planetarium program that accurately simulates and displays the sky as it appears in the present, or from thousands of years in the past or future. SkyChart III is also a telescope control program. The CD-ROM also contains high-resolution images of every major planet and moon in the solar system, plus data for thousands of star clusters and nebulae, nearly a million galaxies, and more than 19 million stars from the Hipparcos, Tycho-2, and Hubble Guide Star catalogs: all in all, nearly 20 million objects. SkyChart III has been selected by textbook publisher Prentice-Hall as the companion software for its college astronomy textbooks Astronomy: a Beginner's Guide to the Universe, 4th edition, and Astronomy Today, 4th edition.
2Sky  Software  For PalmOS 2.0.5 or higher. A full planetarium program, uses Wolfgang Steineke's corrected NGC/IC catalog, and the Hawaiian online sky atlas.
TheSky  Win 95-XP, NT planetarium and telescope control software from Software Bisque. Several versions available, also available for Mac users.
Skyglobe 4.0  Shareware planetarium software program from Villanova University.
Skyhound  Win 95-XP Current events, nightly event planner, comprehensive database from 12 catalogs, fully integrated telescope control, print customizable
SkyMap Software  Win 98-XP CD-Rom Planetarium and star chart software. Observing log, artificial satellites, solar & lunar eclipses, telescope control. Catalogs include, Tycho 2, Hipparcos, Yale Bright Star, GCVS, NGC, IC, SAC, and LEDA. Map overlays, library of telescope and eyepiece data.
Software & Data by Dave Ransom *  Win 95-2000 Freeware/shareware from Dave Ransom a member of NASA's Space Shuttle program. Please visit his informative web site, he has many links and provides an amazing service to the amateur astronomy community. Several downloadable programs available. STSPLUS used to track the space shuttle or any satellite. ASTROCLK  astronomical clock and celestial tracking program. ORBITEL is a utility program to verify, merge, and sort standard 2-line orbital elements files. JPLCLOCK  DOS program provides mission and event timers for deep space programs. Also ALM2TLE zip file by Geoffrey Hitchcock.
StarCalc Home Page *  Win 95-XP Planetarium and star mapping program. Based on common "Plugin StarCalc interface to catalogs and object groups", which allows program to add new modules as Plugins available on the web site. Catalogs, Tycho 2, SAO, many useful features.
StarCats  Starcat freeware is a viewer for the Bright Star, Hipparcos and Tycho star catalogs for use under Windows or Linux, from Jim Campbell. In addition StarCat shows the position of the moon,sun and planets for any given time and location on Earth.
StarFinder *  StarFinder Planetarium software Win 95/98/Me/NT/2000 is Freeware for the beginning observer, displaying a whole-sky map of the stars, planets, Moon, Sun, and some deep sky objects for any date/time and latitude.
Stargazer's Delight  PowerPC Mac (or iMac, G3, G4),Mac OS X (10.0.4) or higher. Stargazer's Delight designed by Ruedi Schmid of Switzerland, shows you the sky, seen from any location on earth, more than 260,000 stars, planets, minor planets, galaxies, star clusters etc. All constellations and their boundaries, the phases of the moon, the apparent brightness of the planets, the length of day, the paths of the planets, animations of the sky, pictures of the planets, animated tutorials on selected astronomical questions and more.
Stella 2000  Win 95-XP 3 CD-Rom set includes Visual Planets and Dictionary of Astronomy. Observing log, customizable reports, print star charts.
Stellarium *  Stellarium is a free GPL software which renders realistic skies in real time with openGL. It is available for Linux/Unix, Windows and MacOSX. 120,000 Hipparcos stars, Planets and major Satellites in real time, all 88 constellations drawings and the mythological figures for each constellation, landscape visualizations, real time navigation and rendering to view objects, Nebulas, etc.
Terragen  Terragen is a scenery generator program for Win & Mac's. Terragen allows the user to create photorealistic results for professional landscape visualization, special effects, art and recreation. Visit the Terragen gallery to view stunning imagery and movies. Web site provides support, FAQ's, Yahoo Terragen group, and links to related information  You can download the basic version for free, or register to upgrade to the full version ($79.00 USD) Also visit Kees Veenenbos web site to view his dazzling creations using Terragen.
Virtual Moon Atlas *  Created by Patrick Chevalley, author of the freeware "Cartes du Ciel / Sky Charts", and Christian Legrand. Win 95-XP. Virtual Moon Atlas can visualize the Moons surface for any date and time. Anyone who enjoys observing the moon will appreciate this excellent software. Version 2.0 is available in several languages and versions, including "Light" 2.1 (2.9 Mb), "Basic" (7.6MB), "Light,Basic & Expert", (12.6Mb) levels. All three versions can be downloaded free from the web site. Highly recommended!
XEphem 3.5.2 *  Mac OS X  Solaris & Linux operating systems. Astronomical software.
WinStars * Win 95-XP, NT Planetarium and telescope control (Meade 200 LX and compatible). Uses BSC5 catalog, Sky2000 & Tycho2 catalogs, and SAC catalog.