In order to help you make an informed decision about which satellite tracking program best satisfies your needs, the following information is provided for the Macintosh OS. Unfortunately, because I do not have access to a Macintosh to evaluate the software personally and no WWW sites can be found for many of these packages, the information provided is somewhat limited.
If you are aware of any other Macintosh satellite tracking programs or can provide additional information on those listed below, please let me know.
Amateur Radio and SWL 3D Satellite tracking software for the Macintosh. Available from:
Features:Calculates look angles to selected satellites, plots current satellite positions on a world map, and displays the visible passage of a satellite against background stars (either within the program itself or via a data file that can be read into the Voyager astronomy program). Please note that one version requires an FPU to operate!
BEK Developers
P.O. Box 47114
St Petersburg, FL 33743
(Bill Bard, bekdev@ieee.org)
You can download this software on AMSAT's site at:
(Note: This replaces BEK's previous MacSat program, which was not related to the program of the same name from UNB.)
System 7 compatible.
Macintosh version of N4HY's QuikTrak program. Requires Microsoft BASIC.
AMSAT
P.O. Box 27
Washington, DC 20044
Macintosh conversion of W3IWI program. Requires Microsoft BASIC. Send formatted 800k Macintosh disk with stamped, self-addressed disk mailer to:
Earl Skelton, N3ES
6311 29th Place NW
Washington, DC 20015
Or send self-addressed stamped envelope for source listing.
Uses world maps and tables to indicate rising and setting schedules, current locations, mutual visibility opportunities, and footprints. Includes Mercator, polar, and great-circle displays. Optional antenna control.
MacTrak Software
P.O. Box 1590
Port Orchard, WA 98366
Tracks one satellite across a world map as it moves, displays the instantaneous position of several satellites, or generates tables of all satellites visible from a certain location at a given time. Also calculates beam headings, Maidenhead grid locations, and MUFs. Shareware. Send a formatted 800k Macintosh disk with stamped, self-addressed disk mailer to:
Mike Pflueger, WD8KPZ
6207 W. Beverly Lane
Glendale, AZ 85306
System 7 compatible.
SkyChart III is an advanced planetarium program but it can also compute and display satellite orbits using standard two-line element set files. For more information see:
For MacOS System 7; 68020 or higher or PowerPC.
The invention of desktop astronomy software has been the most exciting new development in the astronomy hobby in years, perhaps since that night four centuries ago when Galileo pointed the newly invented telescope at the heavens for the first time! Starry Night Pro is the premier astronomy software package on the market, putting more power and knowledge in your hands than even the world’s pre-eminent astronomers had just a few years ago.
You can see how the sky will look tonight, tomorrow, or far into the past or future. You can view the stars as they appear from your own backyard, from a country on the other side of the world, or from another planet. You can witness a total eclipse from the Moon, watch the Sun set from the surface of Mars, or even ride a comet. You are limited only by your curiosity.
For more information see:
PowerPC or better, color monitor, CD-ROM drive and System 7.5 or later. Requires 24MB RAM and 50-75MB of hard disk space.
Other sources of Macintosh satellite tracking software:
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Dr. T.S. Kelso
[TS.Kelso@celestrak.com] Follow CelesTrak on Twitter @TSKelso Last updated: 2006 January 31 15:03:34 UTC Accessed 24,032 times since 2000 December 16 Current system time: 2010 March 17 21:45:32 UTC |