>I am considering to buy a good planetarium program to help plan >observing sessions with the telescope. I am looking at Meade's 'Epoch >2000sk', Software Bisque's 'The Sky' and JASC's 'SkyMap Pro 4.0'.

I >would appreciate advice on the relative merits of these programs. Are >there any test reports published on these programs? >Thanks very much! >Thomas Wichmann Hi Thomas: Out of the three programs mentioned, I'd vote for Skymap Pro as probably having the most 'bang for the buck.' While I'm a Megastar user, a number of my friends use/have used earlier versions of Skymap, and it is, in my opinion, quite nice. The Sky (its highest 'level,' Level 4, I believe) is a fantastic piece of work.

Meade Instruments started off in 1972 with one man fulfilling mail orders. Meade has since grown to be the world's largest manufacturer of telescopes. Meade Instruments Corporation. For more advanced celestial listings, use Meade Star Charts or Meade Epoch 2000sk sky software. With only a little study. Control capabilities such as Meade Epoch 2000sk Sky Software. Interface between an astronomical software program, such as Meade Epoch 2000sk Sky.

Unfortunately, you will pay dearly for it (over $250.00 last time I checked). Meade's program is simply not in the same league as the other two. What I've seen of it has not really impressed me in any way.

Two other programs you might also want to consider are David Chandler's Deep Space, and Emil Bonano's Megastar. I've tried a lot of astronomy software over the last five years or so, and the four programs I think are the 'best' (in no particular order) are Megastar, Deep Space, The Sky, and now Skymap (since it sounds as if recent upgrades now put it in this league--though I have not yet had a chance to try this new version.). I'm used to Megastar and love it dearly (my copy of Uranometria just gathers dust). Indycar Pc Games there. It is truly a wondeful resource!

But I can honestly tell you that I'd probably be just as happy using any of the other three as my primary application (and I do still use Deep Space quite a bit in addtion to Megastar.it is truly an observing SYSTEM!). All of these programs have no doubt been reviewed by Sky and Telescope at one time or another over the last three or four years. What's the most disappointing astronomy program I've ever used? Has to be RedShift. That was/is a program with a lot of potential--but it's only about 60% of the way 'there.'

Best el cheapo astronomy program? The humble, but very useful Sky Globe, followed closely by the CD edition of Expert Astronomer (which can be found in discount stores like Office Max for $5.00 to $10.00)! Peace, Rod Mollise Mobile Astronomical Society (The MAS Home Page) ******************************************************* Fri, 21 Jul 2000 03:00:00 GMT. >>I am considering to buy a good planetarium program to help plan >>observing sessions with the telescope. I am looking at Meade's 'Epoch >>2000sk', Software Bisque's 'The Sky' and JASC's 'SkyMap Pro 4.0'. I >>would appreciate advice on the relative merits of these programs.

Are >>there any test reports published on these programs? >>Thanks very much! >>Thomas Wichmann Thomas, I heartily suggest you download SkyMap 3.1 and try it for 30 days.

I was able to find comet Temple-Tuttle tonight because of SkyMap. The moon was out, I have TERRIBLE light pollution and only a 4.5 f9 newtonian scope. But I printed a very detailed section of the sky near the comet. I lined up by scope with a guess of where it should be, then found stars on the map that told me the direction to go. Bingo, there it was. Dim, but unmistakably Temple-Tuttle.

This is a big deal for me because I now can use SkyMap to diminish the effects of light pollution on my observing session. Illbleed Dreamcast Iso Burning. You can download it at or the html page is at Good luck. Rick Fri, 21 Jul 2000 03:00:00 GMT Page 1 of 1 [ 3 post ].