Re: Linux astro software: KStars planetarium and observatory control program.

Uncle Bob wrote:
Greetings, my brothers and sisters!
I just wanted to share my favorable impression of the marvelous KStars
program, which is freely distributed to members of the Linux community.
The project web page is here:
http://edu.kde.org/kstars/
There is a link for downloading the latest version there.

Some of the features include an AAVSO light curve generator,
altitude vs time plotter, astronomical calculator, a "what's up tonight"
doohickey, charting software and ASCOM compliant telescope and
observatory control.
I think it is an improvement over Cartes du Ciel, has a more realistic
and informative display and is more feature rich. It is certainly worth investigating if you are so blessed as to be a
Linux user.

I especially like the feature that allows you to click on an object and
download HST, SEDS, DSS images.
It is really amazing how a community of developers can pull together and
produce such a product for free. Thanks to them for their generosity.

Clear Skies!
Uncle Bob





Hi.

Yes KStars is very nice, but Cartes Du Ceil is really more
useful, and usable to me.
It also goes far deeper in star magnitude. KStars goes down to
mag 8. CDC goes to mag 15 IIRC

What really is better than both (IMHO) is XEphem. (ver 3.7.1)
Everything you mentioned above, and with the full version stars
down to mag 21. This is my preffered choice.

http://www.clearskyinstitute.com/xephem/


And dont forget Stellarium. An excellent prog showing
the sky and many DSO's in a beautiful format !









--
AM

http://sctuser.home.comcast.net

CentOS 4.3 KDE 3.3
.

Relevant Pages

  • Re: [OT] Astro Program
    ... And honestly, at least on my PocketPC, it's far from being as good as KStars. ... If it turns out that folks in the Linux community don't want things like that, then I guess people won't bother writing code like that ... ...
    (Ubuntu)
  • Re: [OT] Astro Program
    ... And honestly, at least on my PocketPC, it's far from being as good as KStars. ... If it turns out that folks in the Linux community don't want things like that, then I guess people won't bother writing code like that ... ... "De toutes les aberrations sexuelles, la chasteté ...
    (Ubuntu)
  • Re: Linux astro software: KStars planetarium and observatory control program.
    ... CDC goes to mag 15 IIRC ... I don't know about "better than Cartes," but XEphem is a great program. ... I'm a little surprised that Kstars hasn't been taken farther than it ...
    (sci.astro.amateur)