Stop press :
Further investigation shows you can achieve this from the “sky and viewing options”
menu :-
In the SSO tab, untick the “Solar System Objects” box (no sun = no sunlight !!)
In the Landscape tab, untick the “Show Ground” box.
I use Celestia and Space Engine. I can confirm the star is HIP 24041. In these programs you can go to visit the star itself and view the sky from there.
I was beta tester for Starry Night, but that was many years ago.
Brian
That did it! Thanks!