[GoJoAGoGo]

Here's a site for all you space oriented folks:

http://athena.cornell.edu/kids/index.html

[joe2cool]

Passed on to my son ..cheers !

[GoJoAGoGo]

Glad it was useful for you, hope your son enjoys ...

[gotrootdude]

Don't know if you've ever tried this. But, there is a wonderfull open source 3-d space simulator that will give you the stats on celestrial bodies as well as the ability to view them close up in a realistic 3d inviroment. It's called Celestria and it's available here. http://www.shatters.net/celestia/

[Perfesser]

Here's hoping for clear skies the next few weeks! Saturday night I spotted Mars just rising in the southeast, and it'll be up a little earlier each night. According to Astronomy mag it'll be visible throughout September (closest approach is on Aug 27th). Time to get the BIG telescope set up in the front yard and maybe try some photography through it.

[GoJoAGoGo]

gotrootdude:

I downloaded Celestria and I'm impressed. Thanks for the link.

[GoJoAGoGo]

Perfesser:

Yes, this has been an exciting few weeks for viewing Mars and I'll be looking forward to the upcoming weeks as the peak is reached.

Gotrootdude:

I also downloaded Celestria and I am very impressed.

Many thanks for the link.

I have passed it on to the PC Q&A Forum where there are many who have telescopes and are watching Mars and keeping a wary eye on the tides too.

[brindle]

I've been watching Mars for the last week as the planet moves closer and closer to Earth. As each star filled dark clear night passes Mars appears larger and a brighter orange in the southeastern sky. I'm awed and amased knowing what an historic event is taking place. Today Seattle is covered with a thick cloud layer and my freinds thats why I don't play the horses.

Do any of you know of a *downloadable* close up of the Solar System such as this site provides, but which is not downloadable:

http://www.nationalgeographic.com/so...em/splash.html

http://www.nationalgeographic.com/so...m/ax/high.html

I don't seem to be able to achieve this sort of view with Celestria.

Anyone know if it can be done?

[Alaska]

This is off topic from the Mars & Stars but a very beautiful freeware program is SatScape:

http://www.satscape.co.uk/

Keeps track of satellites in the sky: Hubble Space Telescope, International Space Station, etc.

I would recommend reading the "SatScape Help Page" on the web-site before installing should you decide to try it out and there is a not too active discussion group on the web-site you may want to look at too.

Satscape is in my top five list of favorite programs.

[Cédric]

Thanks a lot!