BAS
Astro Desktop Wallpaper
A series of stunning Astronomical images that will really brighten up your
computer's desktop (screen). Click here
for full instructions.
Celestia
A
free program recommended by one of our members, Steve Hill. Steve says
it's especially good if you have a good graphics card and that, to make the most
of it, you can download loads of surface textures for the major solar system
bodies (some of these are large downloads and would require broadband to save
time).
JupSat95
V1.14
This program calculates the positions of and displays
side-on and plan views of Jupiter and its satellites (for three optical
configurations), along with the Longitude of Jupiter's Central Meridian for both
equatorial (System I) and non-equatorial (System II) zones. It also displays
(and can print) monthly satellite tracks, Great Red Spot transit times and
allows animation.
LunarPhase
V2.50
LunarPhase is a utility for Win 95/98/NT which provides
rising, transit and setting times for both the Sun and Moon, start and end times
for Civil, Nautical and Astronomical twilight and a range of information on the
Moon and, to a lesser degree, the Sun, graphically displaying the current phase
of the moon (in real time), its age, percentage illuminated, distance, position
and the times and dates of the major lunar phases for the selected month and
year. It also provides Lunar Eclipse information and Equinox and Solstice times.
SkyMap
Chris Marriott's superb SkyMap Pro is a 'planetarium'
program that draws maps of the sky, as seen from anywhere on Earth, for any date
between 4000BC and 8000AD. The program is very accurate (Planetary positions,
for example, have a mean error of less than a half second of arc). Two different
types of the map can be drawn; a 'Horizion' map, showing a local view of the sky
as seen by an observer, and an 'Area' map showing a detailed view of a small
area of the sky on an RA/Dec grid. You can download a fully functional
demo version here.