Astronomy Links
Here are some of my favorite web sites that I recommend for beginners and seasoned observers alike. You will likely find yourself using these resources over again and again, as I do.
The online observing information gets you going with sky maps, planning tools and weather forecasts. I emphasize the tools with printable charts (not to waste paper!) because then you print only what you need and it’s easy to read under red light in the field (tip - mark them with a green highlighter). I use these charts as my ad-hoc observing log form.
Also check out the other astronomy and space web sites and links for a bounty of useful research material. The NASA resources are some of the best on the web and are constantly getting updated and expanded. The Wikipedia astronomy content is vast and covers all matter of technical, scientific and historical information. You can start with the Astronomy Portal and branch out from there.
Online Observing Information and Sky Maps -
Sky View Café - My favorite sky watching app on the web; Sky Chart, Moons of Jupiter & Saturn and more
Skymaps - Free downloadable monthly maps with calendar; nice printable PDF file
Sky & Telescope’s Sky Tonight - Another Java tool for observation planning; another nice PDF file
Heavens Above - Great tool for tracking the ISS and other man made objects; printable sky chart
Visibility of the Planets - Find when the planets are visible in the evening or morning sky
EarthSky Visible Planets - One of EarthSky’s Astronomy Essentials
The Planets - One of In The Sky’s guides
TimeAndDate - Sun & Moon and the Night Sky; lots of real time data on the planets
NASA SkyWatching - Tips, guides, activities, and videos for skywatchers
NASA Solar System Exploration - Science of our galactic neighborhood
Astronomy Weather -
Fernbank Clear Sky Clock - THE clear sky clock, an essential tool; pick your own site from over 4000 locations
Clear Outside (Dekalb Cty) - Weather & cloud cover forecasts for astronomers
Space Weather - Solar astronomy updates, aurora alerts and more
Astronomy Web Sites -
Fernbank Science Center - Planetarium and observatory run by Dekalb County School System in Atlanta
Astronomy Picture of the Day (APOD) - Like it says. Make sure to check daily
International Year of Astronomy 2009 - Archive of 2009 “Beyond IYA 2009″
Night Sky Network - Joint site from NASA and ASP with very good educational resources
Space Web Sites -
NASA - National Aeronautics and Space Administration
NASA’s JPL - Jet Propulsion Laboratory
NASA Learning Resources - NASA’s STEM engagement site
NASA’s “The Moon” - Portal to NASA Lunar Science site
NASA’s Hubble Space Telescope - Still a work horse producing great science
NASA’s Webb Space Telescope - The best eyes in the sky!
Space.Com - Great source for space news
Wikipedia Web Links -
Astronomy Portal - Great starting page for all things Astronomy
Constellations - Complete reference to all 88 Constellations, including star maps