SkySafari is among the best software for putting a planetarium on your phone or computer. As a beginner, I used it and similar software to learn the constellations. I still use software for finding objects, having never bought paper charts. This is really something for everyone, and it’s on sale now.
Anyone with an iOS device (iPhone, iPad, or iPod), Android device (phone or tablet), or Mac OS computer, Southern Stars is having a big sale on SkySafari in honor the transit. Even the 99-cent version is astonishingly complete. Read its help files to learn the basics of astronomy; they alone are worth far more than the cost of the software. I have the “Pro” version on my iPod, and can attest that its millions of objects are a pleasant curiosity, if overkill. Dwight, being the ever more practical engineer, has the smaller “Plus” version on his iPad; he notes that it is already more comprehensive than he, or nearly anyone, could ever need.
Neither I nor CMAS get a cut of the revenue, but I’m glad to help promote good astronomy software. I use this, and know it can help members who already own the necessary hardware. Besides, the latest version simulates the Transit of Venus!
