If you ever had an interest in the rest of the universe (and you should at least keep in mind that we are just a very tiny portion of said universe), then you will no doubt enjoy checking out the Microsoft Research WorldWide Telescope . The Beta has just opened to the public, and I have to say it is a very nice piece of work.
With a click and a drag you can explore the heavens in detail you never thought possible (or convenient) before. I am astounded at the wealth of astronomical information that is at your fingertips (mouse cursor?) within the program. The program is more deserving of a full on review than what I present here, but suffice it to say any astronomy buff should be very happy with the WorldWide Telescope (WWT). For education, as a few WAHM sites have pointed out, the WWT could provide the stepping stone to a lifelong appreciation of the Universe.
While the best way to use the WWT is to explore with the mouse, I would suggest checking out the guided tours as well for a quick capability example that it offers. The program is a free download from the WWT site, and you must have the 2.0 .Net frameworks to run it. Now, excuse me, I am off the explore the universe.
Aloha from the Beach
