RedShift 4: Amazon.co.uk: Software

Product details

Product Description

Amazon.co.uk Review

Astronomy is a very popular hobby, and many people find computer software helps them to pursue this interest. Redshift 4 just goes to show that software can be very flexible in its approach, helping you both to identify what you are looking at in the night sky on any particular date, and learn more about astronomy in general. Past incarnations of this title have been regarded by many as the best astronomy software available.

The great thing about Redshift 4 is that it works well for both novice and experienced astronomer. The Sky Diary is on hand for you to look up interesting events for the month ahead from meteor showers to phases of the moon and eclipses. You get an explanation of what each event is, and when best to look out for it. Manipulating the night sky is easy too. You can add and remove objects easily, and can even plot spacecraft as they track across the sky if you want to observe them.

If armchair learning is more to your liking, then you can browse the Photo Gallery, with its 400 plus photos taken with some of the most sophisticated telescopes in the world, or view the multimedia tutorials which talk you through the history of the solar system, the Big Bang, double stars and more. And for a real treat, how about observing the night sky from the surface of Mars, or Jupiter, or the Moon? RedShift always was a powerful piece of software. It just got better. --Sandra Vogel

Manufacturer's Description

RedShift 4 offers a presentation of our universe, created by experts and filled with scientifically accurate information. Penetrate millions of light years into space, plot out the constellations, analyse dramatic cosmic events and print accurate star maps. RedShift 4 has been designed for both novices and professionals. The easy-to-learn and user-friendly interface helps beginners navigate around the heavens. The advanced astronomer can rely on accurate and in-depth information from comprehensive catalogues, including the new Tycho-2 Catalogue, the Hubble Space Telescope Guide Star Catalogue, and the General Catalogue of Variable Stars.

Features include the following:

Multiple windows allow simultaneous views of events from multiple locations. For example, you can watch an eclipse from the earth, moon and sun all at the same time
RedShift's real-time celestial mechanics engine plots the positions of over 18,000,000 stars, allowing you to see the universe at any point from 4713 B.C. to 9999 A.D.
The movie recorder feature lets you create videos of your own journeys through space and time
Plan the best time for observations with the Sky Diary and Visibility reports
Integrated multimedia Story of the Universe
Over 80,000 other objects, including 7,000 deep sky objects, such as star clusters, nebulae, and non-optical sources
A comprehensive and newly updated Dictionary of Astronomy
A direct connection to the RedShift Web site for downloading new discoveries, upgrades, and tech support.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

55 of 55 people found the following review helpful

Marvellous! 1 Sep 2001

By A Customer

This is just about the best value software I've ever had the pleasure to purchase and to use. Staggering amounts of wonderfully accurate astronomical data and information, lots of control over a profusion of elements, and with an excellent user interface which is very easy to learn, despite its complexity. When I was a young teenager, over 30 years ago, then at the hight of my passion for astronomy, I would have sold my soul to the devil for this - but nothing like it existed then! Believe me, even at two or three times the asking price it would be a gift, so if you are feeling even slightly tempted to try this software, stop thinking about it and buy it!

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26 of 26 people found the following review helpful

A first class piece of software 27 Jan 2002

By A Customer

If you are intested in astronomy or just curious about the night sky then buy this now! It can give views from many locations of a vast range of ojects. It can, for instance, show the sky at your location in detail and at the same time in another window a view looking "down on the solar system". It is easy to use but has depth and will repay examining the "Workspaces" (setups) which you can download, to show just what can be done with this application. A galactic bargain.

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17 of 17 people found the following review helpful

As good as everybody says 29 Aug 2001

By Richard_S

I haven't checked out Starry Night, which also seems to get raves, but I can confirm Redshift is outstanding. You can do just about anything that an enthusiastic amateur is likely to want. It takes a while to figure things out - there's no printed manual, which is understandable at this price - but it's worth investing the couple of hours it takes. Like the other reviewer said, at this price it's a no-brainer.

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