This one's quick and dirty, friends, 'cause there's no telling how long this will last...

One of the big software packages for astronomy is Starry Night. There are several levels, ranging from the beginner to the professional, with more stuff as you go up the ladder. Naturally, the higher the version, the higher the price. But, how would you like to own a functional version of Starry Night, with a telescope control program? And to top it all off, it's only
a buck? As in, $1.00US, coin of the realm? And it comes from a legitimate source? Read on...

Our ol' buddy Jack Horkheimer, otherwise known to the world as the Star Gazer, has a sponsorship arrangement for his website and PBS TV program ( http://www.jackstargazer.com/ -- you can go here and see up to a year's worth of either the one-minute or five-minute shows). Meade Instruments is evidently cleaning out a warehouse somewhere, because on
Jack's site is the offer of software from Meade for only a buck. Check it out here
( http://www.jackstargazer.com/Meadesoftware.html ). It's available for PCs (Windows 95/98/NT/XP) and Macs (thru OS 9.x). They do say to allow 6 to 8 weeks for delivery (caveat emptor, troops -- mine took three months to get here...but it did get here). The version I got is an earlier one, and only says 95/98/NT, but this version of Starry Night (the 'Bundle
Edition' -- actually version 2.1.3) runs just fine on my XP machine.
The software includes links to LiveSky, an online astronomy-related search engine, with an interesting link setup. If you're online, and enable an object with its name in red, and enable the LiveSky bookmarks (this isn't as complicated as it sounds), a webpage link for the chosen asterism, star, or planet automatically pops up on your browser, with links to other
data sources on the chosen object.

I haven't installed the telescope control software, as there's no scope to control around here. The software is called Astronomer's Control Panel, and is designed to run a scope in the Meade LX200 series. For the first 30 uses, numerous extra features are enabled, including voice command and response. (After 30 uses, several of the advanced features are disabled, and require a license purchase to reenable them. However, basic functions for telescope control do not expire.)

Now, there are a few limitations. Purchase of this 'dollar special' doesn't entitle you to tech support from Meade or the software developers, so you're kinda on your own there. But for just the astronomy software, this isn't a big deal. I have a full version of Starry Night Backyard installed, and I must say that in the comparison, the Bundle Edition holds its own
quite nicely. The full manual is on the disk also, with instructions on setting and saving your viewing preferences.

There's no telling how long this offer from Meade will last. After all, that warehouse will be empty someday. So if you're looking for a decent software package for an extremely reasonable price, go to the Star Geezer's website (hey, that's how he signed an autograph for me!) and get the details. All this for a buck? Pfft...you probably have that much under the couch cushions...

(OBLIGATORY DISCLAIMER: the author has no connection to Meade Instruments or Jack Horkheimer, other than that of a satisfied reader and customer. The author has neither asked for nor received any remuneration of any kind from Meade Instruments or Jack Horkheimer. This review was written and submitted in the interest of public information only,
and is solely the opinion of the author.)

The preceding article is published simultaneously (except as noted) in the following places:

Phil Plait's Bad Astronomy Bulletin Board
http://www.badastronomy.com for the site in general
http://www.badastronomy.com/phpBB/index.php for the Board (see the General Astronomy forum)

The James Randi Educational Foundation Bulletin Board
http://www.randi.org for the site in general
http://www.randi.org/vbulletin/ for the Board (see the Science, Mathematics, Medicine, and Technology forum)

The Miami Valley Astronomical Society message board
http://www.mvas.org for the Society's site in general
http://www.mvas.org/discus/messages/board-topics.html for the Board (the General Astronomy forum)

and depending on space limitations, will also be printed in the MVAS's monthly newsletter The Amateur Astronomer
http://www.mvas.org/aa.html (past issues available on the MVAS site in Adobe .pdf format).

__________________
"If a tree is cut down in the rainforest, and is used to make paper to print a book, and the book is really bad, and there's nobody that will read it, do you still hear a sucking sound?"
Charlie in Dayton, A.AsC.