Planet

PLANET 8.1 is an application in which your Macintosh computes the coordinates of the planets visible to the naked eye (Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter and Saturn), the sun and the moon. The coordinates are given in different coordinate systems: the geocentric ecliptic and also the equatorial and horizontal systems of the observer. Further you will see the magnitude of the planets and the phase of the moon and also sidereal time, mean solar time and the equation of time. When a solar or lunar eclipse is possible you can also investigate the eclipse from any place on earth. You can study heliacal risings and settings of planets and stars and also conjunctions, planetary stations and occultations. A special option in the program allows you to check the visibility of the new and old moon crescent.Finally you can study the transits of Mercury and Venus. Included with PLANET is a small helper application, Mini Star Catalog, containing a list of 410 bright and important stars. It is possible to choose any star from the catalog and transfer it (one at a time) to PLANET by drag and drop. Once the star is inside PLANET it will displayed by coordinates updated for current precession and proper motion. Also it is possible to study the heliacal rise and set of the star. The program is freeware.