A question for astronomers re: a star-mapping software

[Frostbite]

I'm looking for a type of software which would allow me to map out and calculate relative differences between stars and constellations. Sorta like a Google Earth with a star chart instead of satellite pictures of the earth. I found something called Sky Charts but it's not quite what I need.

Help would be appreciated, as I know nothing of this type of software...

Thanks!

[Yllanes]

I think my astronomer friends use this one (but am not sure). Check it out, if it doesn't work I can find out about a better choice:

http://www.stargazing.net/astropc/index.html


Hmmm... after rereading your post, it seems this is the one you found (I knew it as Cartes du Ciel, not Sky Charts). I'll ask and see what I can find.

[gnome]

This might suit you well--especially if you like Google Earth...

http://www.shatters.net/celestia/

[Frostbite]

Thanks for the quick answers!

Yeah Cartes du Ciel I tried, it's pretty good except I'd like to switch to another view. Celestia is even better, tho I have the same problem. I'd like to have a view of the night's sky that's wrapped around a sphere instead of the classic view. I might end up needing to use a 3D rendering program.

[Plasmadog]

Have a look at Stellarium. I can't post a URL, but you can Google for it.