What is the best astronomy software with telescope control capability?
Which software has the largest database?
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The most popular software I’ve seen is MaximDL. It can control the telescope and has some sophisticated data reduction techniques. You can download a free demo version too.
TheSky by Software Bisque or Starry Night. Each has different levels with different features for differing costs. TheSky Professional is kind of pricey but it’s very robust and can control just about any computerized telescope out there.
MaxImDL is only for camera control and image processing. Technically speaking, it CAN control the telescope’s motion but only in limited ways (such as to correct the telescope’s position when “autoguiding”). It doesn’t give you a planetarium-like interface with advanced telescope control features like the other 2 pieces of software do.
Hope that helps.
As has already ben mentioned, “The Sky” ( which is what I have) and “Starry Night” are both excellent and can control just about any telescope.
The different levels have different capabilities.
Read the descriptions to decide which level to get.
In my case, “The Sky6″ “serious Amateur edition was the one that suited me best. The next higher “Pro” level had additional capabilities that dealt mostly with Observatory operations and things of that nature. For my purposes, the lower level does more than I will ever use. I do lots of Astrophotography and things like that and the program is more than adequate for everything I do.
Adolph