This is really cool!
Stellarium is free GPL software which renders realistic skies in real time with openGL. It is available for Linux/Unix, Windows and MacOSX.
With Stellarium, you really see what you can see with your eyes, binoculars or a small telescope. Stellarium is also used in planetariums

Of course, I grew up watching Jack Horkheimer: Star Gazer. (Back then it was called, Star Hustler)