Software Reviews

This book titled "Software Reviews" is intended to serve as a collection of reviews on various features, pros and cons of various available Astronomical Software. It is not wholly dedicated to Desktop Planetariums and Night Sky simulators, but to a larger genre of software that are related to astronomy. The motive is to help the reader to choose the software that is best for his intended usage.

• Platform: Microsoft Windows


• System Requirements: Pretty slow on a Pentium II with 128 MB of RAM


• Plus Points: Eye Candy Graphics, Planner Feature listing bright objects visible during the night, Simulates the Night Sky from non-terrestrial locations, User Friendly, Ideal for a beginner in developing countries (Backyard Demo Version)
  


• Minus Points: Hogs system resources, Very limited database (in Backyard Demo version)


• License: Demo


• Website: http://www.starrynight.com/


• Reviewer's Rating: 4 / 10
  

• Platform: Microsoft Windows, Linux and other UNIX variant


• System Requirements: Minimal


• Plus Points: Extensive database covering several catalogs, Plug-in based, Additional Catalogs can be added, Low on system resources, Simple, Extensive object information, Fully configurable appearance, Capability to print finder charts, Can control telescopes, fit for the experienced amateur.


• Minus Points: Not very user friendly and somewhat complicated to use, Graphics are not good, Calculations don't seem very accurate.


• Website: http://www.stargazing.net/astropc/


• Reviewer's Rating: 8 / 10

• Platform: Linux, UNIX Variants, Microsoft Windows. KDE Required.


• System Requirements: Requires about 160 MB of free RAM.


• Plus Points: Pretty stable, Observing Log feature, Conjunctions predictor, Simple and Fast, User friendly, Can control telescopes / observatories, Fully Open Source, Accurate, Links to external sources of information, inbuilt DSS / SIMBAD query feature, Additional Catalogs downloadable include USNO-NOMAD to 16.5 magnitude.


• Minus Points: Not accurate enough at high zoom levels, Finder charts printed are not very good, graphics are not good, Many features are still incomplete


• Website: http://edu.kde.org/kstars


• Reviewer's Rating: 8 / 10

• Platform: Linux, Microsoft Windows. KDE Required.


• System Requirements: Requires hardware graphics acceleration, heavy on system resources otherwise.


• Plus Points: Unsurpassable graphical quality, compatible with All-Sky planetarium projectors, simulates ground / horizon / surroundings, Constellation Art, Realistic Milky Way, Scriptable, Simulates light-pollution, Images of all Messier and bright NGC objects, Fully Free and Open Source


• Minus Points: Catalogs are not exhaustive enough, Search facility is not too good


• Website: http://www.stellarium.org


• Reviewer's Rating: 8 / 10

• Platform: Microsoft Windows


• System Requirements: Very light. Can run on archaic computers. Compatible with PocketPC.


• Plus Points: Excellent for naked eye and binocular sky gazing, so good for beginners; can add additonal plugins available to see portion and phase of moon, asteroids, solar / lunar eclipse, Messier Object and NGC objects. Also supports USNO-A, Tycho 2 and GSC [Star Catalogs], making it suitable for use with high power scopes. Can print finder charts, simple controls.
  
• Minus Points:
  
• Website: http://www.relex.ru/~zalex/main.htm


• Reviewer's Rating: 8 / 10