Recommend a good Astronomy star map chart program?

hamster

Can anyone kindly recommend me a good Astronomy night sky chart program that I could use to identify stars outside my window?
I have come across "Sky Charts" and "Win Stars" both seem good. I'm fairly new to these programs but
I'm wondering what one is recommended for ease of use and features?

Thanks!

Astro1996

You could try, http://skyandtelescope.com/observing/skychart/article_1220_1.asp#

My Favourite is Stary Night..
http://www.starrynight.com/digitaldownload/trial_download.php

http://www.hnsky.org/software.htm

http://www.cybersky.com/

hamster

Thanks! Up to now I have used Redshift and Celestia for this information. Starry night looks good. Maybe too much in it! I will give Hnsky a go! Thanks for the alternatives!

michaeloconnell

Sky Charts is one of THE best astronomy programs available. What's great about it is that a) it's free and b) it's not too demanding on the pc. Overall, I'd highly recommend it!

ednwireland

buy a copy of this months pcpro (computer magazine) free copy of starry night enthusiast 4.5 available on the cover.

albertw

http://www.stargazing.net/astropc/ Cartes du Ciel

Or for UNIX & cygwin fans http://www.clearskyinstitute.com/xephem/

Cheers,
~Al

hamster

ednwireland wrote:

buy a copy of this months pcpro (computer magazine) free copy of starry night enthusiast 4.5 available on the cover.

Yes! I picked up a copy this morning... looking forward to it.

hamster

Just an update...

I have been using Starry Night 4.5 Enthusiast 4.5 for over a week now and it's amazingly detailed. The companion book is excellent as it really shows to look at the stars at night.

Just wondering if anyone has tried version 5 and know what is improved? I can't make out exactly what's new in 5 from the main Starry website. The OpenGL in 4.5 makes a huge difference. I love those transit /sets/rises times!

Is there a bigger forum for this software by any chance?

Thanks!