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When it comes to astronomy software, it seems the best things in life really are free. The four programs listed below are of the highest quality. I use them all, and highly recommend them. They will significantly enhance your knowledge and enjoyment of the night sky. In an age where avarice seems to know no bounds, the fact that these exceptional programs are all completely free, with no ads or spyware or strings of any kind is truly amazing. It's almost enough to renew one's faith in his fellow man.
This program has recently taken over the role of the Mexican Skies workhorse from Home Planet. Although not quite as user friendly, the added depth and realism made it worth the effort to learn. To fully utilize this program, you need at least a basic understanding of astronomical terms and processes. Then you can really appreciate what this program can do. Thank-you, Patrick, for sharing your efforts with the rest of us. Download here.
This was the workhorse in my stable for many years. It is accurate and professional with too many features to count. Although the graphics are not the most real looking, they are clear and concise. Its best feature is that it is extremely user friendly. The programmer has other free goodies at his website as well, including an excellent screen saver that I use myself. It displays the current positions of the stars and everything else in the sky, day and night. All of this and more at http://www.fourmilab.ch/.
This is the prettiest horse in my stable. This program has the most realistic portrayal of the night sky I've ever seen. You will swear you are looking at the real thing. The graphics are exceedingly awesome. This is a free, open source program, which means that a lot of programmers have pooled their talents, and it really shows. You can download it at www.stellarium.org.
This is the most fun horse in my stable. This program is a flight simulator for space. It is another free, open source program, so a lot of very talented folk have put their heads together and come up with an extremely detailed and realistic program that lets you go out into space and fly around the planets and the stars and anything else that's out there. The scope of this program seems almost as limitless as space itself. And just as in the flight simulator world, there is a huge community of people who have designed add-ons and enhancements for this program. If you have any interest in flying, or in space travel, or astronomy, go and get Celestia right away at www.shatters.net/celestia/.
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