Starry Night Software

[Radar]

Has anyone got the Starry Night Astro Suite software?

What is it like?

[CanisMajorTom]

I have not seen this software mate. Though from what I have heard the night sky is one massive hi res photo that can be zoomed in on etc (I may be wrong).

I shall withdraw that missing persons report about you. :lmao:

[RSW]

Not sure if the version I saw is the version you are asking about, but if it is, then the sky is simply one large hi res photo that you can zoom around and zoom in on. Starry Night release a new version of their software every few weeks so I have no idea what version I saw.

[CanisMajorTom]

You can upload your own images in Starry night. This has advantages and disadvantages though. If you want high detail then you'll need to upload large files, which means longer computer processing. Also if you orient your images wrong, you'll be getting lost whilst using the software.

[Jackson42South]

Hi Radar,

I have Starry Night Pro version 4.5.2
The latest Version is 6.

Paul J.

[Radar]

G'day Paul, yeah they are selling an astro suite which I think is an addon. But I'm not sure. I think my version is the same as yours though. It's hard to know about software sometimes unless they allow people to download a demo.

I like Starry Night so far, though there are a few things that could be improved. I've never used The Sky yet, which I have heard good things about.

Regards

Ray

[AstroTasmania]

Hello Radar

I use Starry Night Pro Plus 6.0.4, it has many good features including a real image sky. I have a feeling they took over ? Desktop Universe, which I also use (no longer available) was based on real CCD images, and is excellent because it displays the sky as you see it, not just make believe dots etc. It displays at various image scales as you zoom in. I still use it for many things because of its real image nature. It prints out very nice real sky images with overlay data etc. in colour as well. The Astrosuite version includes Maxim DL Lite for image processing. I use Images Plus, excellent software with tutorial CD's and lower cost.

I have all the necessary plugins for Starry Night Pro plus, which can interface with my various mounts, so have mount and camera control. The Pro Plus 6.0.4 version has the most features. I also use Star Atlas PRO, by well-known astro photographer, Paul Mayo, in NSW, a great planetarium program.

It is great software.

Clear skies...

[Radar]

Cheers Shev.. I just checked my version, I have starry night pro 5.

[AstroBob]

Star Atlas Pro? Yes I have seen this in action. Smooth software. Australian made. Good for working out F.O.Vs.

[Tenacious Del]

I have one called Red Shift. Not sure if I like it yet.

[gyro]

I can recommend S.N Enthusiast verson for beginners/armchair observers who don't need the more costly, sophisticated 'Pro' version. I can also complement their online support service to 'Astro Dummies'. For UK folks the BBC Sky at Night mag' often includes freeware on the disk which I found a good intro' into this type of software.
Gyro.

[Tenacious Del]

I'm not following properly Gyro. When you say Disk, which disk are you referring to? Thanks mate.

[gyro]

Dellio, The mag' comes with a CD-ROM full of extra goodies including free software covering most Astro' applications
Eg, this month has "Stellarium 0.8.2 and Meridian 4.8.6
The freeware offered is probably available on-line but I tend to stick with the disks because the mag' recommends them.

[Tenacious Del]

I see said the blind man.

I haven't played with those programs yet. Pretty cool you get them with a mag though Gyro.

[Jackson42South]

Starry Night 6 is available as a Digital Download; the Core Application only, costs $US24.95 (about $AUS33.00).
Each module is available as a single download for $US5.95 ($A8.00) each.
See here:
http://store.starrynightstore.com/digitaldownload.html

It is not the full Pro Plus suite, but it is a good (low cost) way to check out the program to see if it is worth spending $US250 ($A330) on the Pro Plus suite.

[gyro]

If hard to find, off the shelf, Annual subscription [airmail] = A$200 for 12 issues includind CD with Patrick Moore's TV prog' and other goodies.

skyatnightmagazine@dovetailservices.com