Listed here are software packages useful for conducting scientific research in astronomy, and for seeing, exploring, and learning about the data used in astronomy.
Package NamePro AmInterfaceConnects to Online (e.g. VO) DataDisplays or Manip. FITS ImagesTiled Multi-Resolution All-Sky image HandlingDisplays or Manip.
SpectraHandles Cubes (Volumes)Statistics?OSHas APICostSuppt'd or Sold bywebsiteCurrently Supported?glueProGUI and command lineYesManipulatesNoYesYesBasic, plus python terminalMac, Win, LinuxYesFreeNASA (JWST), NSFhttp://glueviz.orgYesGNU Astronomy Utilities (Gnuastro)ProCommand-lineYesManipulatesNoNoYesYesLinux, MacYesFreeGNU, AEI, CEFCA, ARRAKIHS, IAChttps://gnu.org/software/gnuastroYesWorldWide TelescopePro/AmGUIYesDisplaysTOASTNoLimitedLimited (histograms)BrowserYesFreeAmerican Astronomical Society (originally by Microsoft)http://worldwidetelescope.org/webclientYesGoogle SkyAmGUIYesDisplaysMercatorNoNoNoBrowserYesFreeGooglehttps://www.google.com/sky/NoIRAFProGUI and command lineYesDisplay & ManipulatesNoYesYesLimitedMac, LinuxYesFreeNOAOhttps://iraf-community.github.io Yesds9ProGUIYesManipulatesNoYesLimitedLimitedMac, Win, LinuxNoFreeNASAhttp://ds9.si.edu/site/Home.htmlYesjs9ProGUIYesManipulatesNoYesNoLimitedBrowserNoNASAhttps://js9.si.eduYesAladinProGUI and command lineYesDisplays & ManipulatesHiPSNoYesLimited (histograms)Mac, Win, Linuxyes (java plugins)FreeCDShttps://aladin.u-strasbg.fr/DesktopYesAladin LitePro/AmGUIYesDisplaysHiPSNoNoNoBrowserYesFreeCDShttp://aladin.u-strasbg.fr/AladinLite/YesESASkyPro/AmGUIYesDisplaysHiPSNoNoNoBrowserNoFreeESAhttp://sky.esa.intYesStarry NightAmGUINo?NoYesNoNoNoMac, WinNo$Simulation Curriculum Corphttp://www.starrynight.com/starry-night-7-professional-astronomy-telescope-control-software.htmlYesLegacy Survey Sky BrowserPro/AmGUIYesDisplaysYesNoNoNoBrowserNoFreeNOAO, AURAhttp://legacysurvey.org/viewerYesQFitsViewProGUI and command lineNoDisplays & ManipulatesNoYesYesLimitedMac, Win, LinuxNoFreeThomas Ott, MPEhttp://www.mpe.mpg.de/~ott/dpuser/qfitsview.htmlYesGaia SkyAmGUI and scriptsYesNoNoNoNoNoMac, Win, LinuxNoFreeZAHhttps://zah.uni-heidelberg.de/de/institute-des-zah/ari/gaia2/info-material-fuer-die-oeffentlichkeit-downloads/gaiasky/YesFITS LiberatorPro/AmGUINoDisplays & ManipulatesNoNoNoNoMac, WinNoFreeESA, ESO, NASAhttps://spacetelescope.org/projects/fits_liberator/YesxTimeProUtilityYesNoNoNoNoNoBrowserNoFreeNASA Goddardhttps://heasarc.gsfc.nasa.gov/cgi-bin/Tools/xTime/xTime.plYeswiseviewPro/AmGUIYesDisplays & ManipulatesNoNoNoNoBrowserNoFreeDan Caselden and Paul Westinhttp://byw.tools/wiseviewYesAstropyProGUI and command lineYesDisplays & ManipulatesLimitedYesYesYesbased on pythonYesFreeNumFOCUShttps://www.astropy.org/YesLightkurveProGUI and command lineYesDisplays & ManipulatesNoNoNoYesbased on pythonYesFreeLightkurve collaborationhttps://docs.lightkurve.org/YesChirpProAlert SoftwareYesNoNoNoNoYesBrowser, Google Play, App StoreNoFreeAurore Simonnet, EPO Sonoma State Universityhttp://chirp.sr.bham.ac.uk/YesTOPCATProGUI and command lineYesDisplays & ManipulatesLimitedYesYes(?)YesMac, Win, Linux, SolarisYesFreeDeveloped mostly in the UKhttp://www.star.bris.ac.uk/~mbt/topcat/YesSpace EngineAmGUINoNoNoNoNoNoMac, Win, LinuxNo$Vladimir Romanyukhttp://spaceengine.org/YesUniverse SandboxAmGUINoNoNoNoNoNoMac, Win, LinuxNo$Dan Dixonhttp://universesandbox.com/YesAstrometry.netPro/AmGUIYesNoNoNoNoYesBrowser or Mac, Win, LinuxNoFreeNSF, NASA & NRChttps://web.archive.org/web/20101015122353/http://www.astrometry.net/YesMISTProGUIYesNoNoNoNoYesBrowserNoFreeNSF, NASA & Packard Foundationhttp://waps.cfa.harvard.edu/MIST/index.htmlYesBanyan ΣProGUIYesNoNoNoNoYesBrowser, IDL code or python codeNoFreeJonathan Gagnéhttp://www.exoplanetes.umontreal.ca/banyan/banyansigma.phpYesOpenSpaceAmGUINo?NoNoNoNoNo?Mac, WinNoFreeNASA, Knut & Alice Wallenberg Foundation, AMNHhttps://www.openspaceproject.com/YesiDaVIEProVR and GUINoDisplaysNoYesYesYesWinNoFreeIDIA and UCThttps://idavie.readthedocs.io/en/latest/ https://vislab.idia.ac.za/toolsYesCollimation CirclesPro/AmGUINoNoNoNoNoNoWin, Mac, Linux, Raspberry PI OSNoFreeSimon Šanderhttps://saimons-astronomy.webador.com/software/collimation-circlesYes
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