http://www.h-online.com/open/features/Interstellar-overdrive-Linux-and-astronomy-863154.htmlDesktop astronomy has become more accessible over the last few years as hardware and software have come down in price. For an outlay not much greater than a top of the range PC it is possible to put together a CCD powered telescope that is more than adequate for hunting comets or prospecting for asteroids which are still popular pastimes among amateur astronomers. This optical hardware can be augmented by a substantial range of free software to process the raw images and guide amateur astronomers on where to look and what to see.
I'd like to say nothing new there.. but a nice collection of links etc.