gml@ssc-vax.UUCP (Gregory M Lobdell) (09/14/88)
I am looking for astronomy software for the Macintosh. I have already
gotten the software review package from the Astronomy Society of the
Pacific, which was very helpful. I have basically narrowed my
consideration down to the following four packages:
Voyager "The Interactive Desktop Planetarium (tm)", Carina Software,
San Leandro, CA.
MacStronomy, Etlon Software, Lafayette, CO.
Sky Travel [also marketed as Atari Planetarium], Deltron, Lebanon, NJ.
TellStar II, Spectrum Holobyte, Boulder, CO.
I have written to each of them and received informational packages.
In addition, I received a demo disk of MacStronomy and was very
impressed. The others seem to have equal capabilities, but without a
demo in hand I am hesitant to simply buy the least expensive one.
This is where the net comes in. Does anyone out here have any
experience with any or all of these packages? Comparisons, especially
with MacStronomy, since I am familiar with it, would be most helpful.
This is to be a gift to someone who has taken Astro 101, knows the
major constellations, can find the Andromeda Galaxy, subscribes to
(and reads) Astronomy Magazine, and knows his way around the Mac.
Please MAIL responses to me and I will summarize to the net if there
is interest. Also, is there some other astronomy program which I have
overlooked? I have pretty much ruled out the following packages,
unless I get a really rave review from someone:
Astro-MACronomer, Patterson.
Astronomy, E&M.
Learn About the Solar System & Halley's Comet, Millett.
Stargazer, Mousetrap.
Star View/2, Arktos.
Thanks for your help, and remember, MAIL and I'll summarize.
--
Gregg Lobdell
Boeing Aerospace Co. usenet: {theknownworld}!uw-beaver!ssc-vax!gml
Seattle, WA arpanet: ssc-vax!gml@beaver.cs.washington.edu