any recommendations for free astronomy software?

[msbee]

I'm looking to download some free astronomy software..just something for beginners that is easy to use.
CNET Download has a few programs. I wonderr if anyone is familiar with any of them and would recommend one ?
thanks in advance

Adastra Freestar
The free version of Coeli's astronomy software lets you point and click your way around the solar system.
License: Free 1,437


2. Coeli Stella 2000
This virtual observatory lets you explore the stars in real time and includes three encyclopedic reference works.
License: Free to try; $49 to buy 752


3. WinStars
Beginning astronomers love this SETI@Home-compatible freeware that shows the sky from any location on Earth.
License: Free 703


4. Starry Night Digital Download
View 35,000 stars along with more than 170 deep-space objects such as galaxies, star clusters, and nebulae.
License: Free to try; $49 to buy 200


5. Sky Calendar
Some WinXP users complain about compatibility, but others like this tool for tracking local and global sky events.
License: Free

[blizzard]

Sorry Msbee, I have tried a couple but for the life of me cannot remember the names, but none of the above are it.

[msbee]

thanks anyway blizzard
I'll just download one or two and see which best fits my needs

[kmanWX]

thanks anyway blizzard
I'll just download one or two and see which best fits my needs

what are you looking for in a program?

[Rainband]

Weather Underground has an astronomy section. Don't know what they offer. Hope that helps. It's... all I knew to tell you

[msbee]

thanks Rainband. I'll check that out
KmanWZ.. not sure what I am looking for actually..just experimenting.. I'm a beginmner who likes to look at the stars but can never figure out what I am looking at....

[Rainband]

I hope it helps. There are star charts by zipcode.