Attention: Upon selection of the links below you are transferring to a non RAC website. These links do not constitute an endorsement by RAC and its members.

The following computer software allows you to see the sky as it is from any time and place on the Earth. It allows you to plan what to look for and it allows you to identify things that you have seen. Many use computer software in place of printed star atlases found in books.

>> Windows and Mac OS
>> Palm OS
>> PocketPC

For Windows and Mac OS

AstroPlanner Cost: $20 download version; $30 CD-ROM version Web Site: http://www.ilangainc.com/astroplanner Computer Systems Supported: Mac OS and Windows 95/98/ME/NT/2000/XP

Cartes du Ciel (Sky Charts) Cost: Free Web Site: http://www.stargazing.net/astropc Computer Systems Supported: Windows 95/98/ME/NT/2000/XP

Deepsky 2002 Cost: $53 on CD, $30 when downloaded Web Site: http://www.deepsky2000.net Computer Systems Supported: Windows 95/98/ME/NT/2000/XP

NexStar Observer List (written by RAC's own Mike Swanson) Cost: Free Web Site: http://www.NexStarSite.com Computer Systems Supported: Windows 95/98/ME/NT/2000/XP

Sky Chart III Cost: $49.95 Web Site: http://www.southernstars.com Computer Systems Supported: Windows 98/ME/NT/2000/XP, and Mac OS 8/9/X

SkyMap Pro Cost: $100 Web Site: http://www.skymap.com Computer Systems Supported: Windows 95/98/ME/NT/2000/XP

Starry Night Pro and Starry Night Backyard Cost: Pro - $130 / Backyard - $50 Web Site: http://www.starrynight.com Computer Systems Supported: Windows 95/98/ME/NT/2000/XP and Mac

TheSky Cost: Comes in various 'Levels' - Level II ($130) or higher recommended. Web Site: http://www.bisque.com Computer Systems Supported: Windows 95/98/ME/NT/2000/XP and Mac

For the Palm OS

Astromist Planetarium software. Cost: $39 Web Site: www.astromist.com/ Computer Systems Supported: Palm OS 4.0 or higher

Planetarium Planetarium software. Cost: $24 Web Site: http://www.aho.ch/pilotplanets Computer Systems Supported: Palm Pilot (or compatible) running Palm OS version 2.0 or higher

StarParty Cost: $12 Web Site: http://www.pfdsystems.com   Computer Systems Supported: Palm Pilot or compatible - see web site for OS version requirements

TheSky Pocket Edition Planetarium software with scope control capability. Cost: $79 Web Site: http://www.bisque.com Computer Systems Supported: Windows CE Version 3 on Pocket PC, Windows CE 2.11 for Palm-size PC and a few other version/hardware combinations detailed on the web site.

For the Pocket PC

PNSOL (Pocket NexStar Observer List) The portable branch of Mike Swanson's NSOL for HC versions 100.xx (GT), 2.xx and 4.xx. Requires serial adapter. Cost: Free Web Site: www.nexstarsite.com Computer Systems Supported: PocketPC 2002/2003(SE)

Pocket Deepsky 2000 Deepsky object database and observation planner. Cost: $20 Web Site: http://www.deepsky2000.net Computer Systems Supported: Windows CE Version 3

TheSky Pocket Edition Planetarium software with scope control capability. Cost: $79 Web Site: http://www.bisque.com Computer Systems Supported: Windows CE Version 3 on Pocket PC, Windows CE 2.11 for Palm-size PC and a few other version/hardware combinations detailed on the web site.