Anasari X Prixe
The Anasari X Prize is modeled after the Orteig Prize won by 25 year old underdog, Charles Lindberg, in 1927 for the first non-stop flight between New York to Paris. It is an international competition that will award a $10 million dollar cash prize to the first team that completes these three requirements:
1.) Privately finances, builds and launches a ship.
2.) Carries three people 62.5 miles (100km) into the Earth's atmosphere.
3.)Makes two successful flights with the same ship, within two weeks.
American Meteor Society
This is a non-profit scientific organization established to encourage and support the research activities of both amateur and professional astronomers who are interested in the fascinating field of Meteor Astronomy. Our affiliates observe, monitor, collect data on, study, and report on meteors, meteor showers, meteoric fireballs, and related meteoric phenomena.
Asteroids and Comets An announcement was made on March 15 of the discovery of the furthest object so far seen in our solar system. The object, named Sedna, is estimated to be 1300 to 1800 km in diameter (Pluto is 2400 km in diameter)
Comet Observers Club
In observing the wonders of the universe, there are perhaps no more wondrous and beautiful objects as comets. Since the invention of the telescope hundreds of years ago, astronomers have continually searched for new comets, and in the process, have discovered nebulas, star clusters, galaxies and more. Comets are important members of our solar system, and their study is important to mankind. Thus, having this observing program for members of the Astronomical League is long over due.
North American Meteor Network
NAMN serves to:
promote astronomy and related sciences, recruit and train new observers in the methods of meteor observation and coordinate North American observations. Founded in June 1995
American Association of Amateur Astronomers
The American Association of Amateur Astronomers is an organization for you and by you. When you are not close to an astronomy club, or when your local club does not offer the benefits of membership in the Astronomical League, you can find a home here.
American Association of Variable Star Observers (AAVSO) One of the oldest and most widely respected pro-am groups. This multi-thousand member, global network of observers monitors all variable stars. It is one of the best-organized astronomy organizations, and it is very welcoming of beginners. They hold your hand from naked eye estimates all through until you are set up with a permanent observatory, tracking really esoteric little monsters in the deep recesses of our galaxy.
The Antique Telescope Society of America The Antique Telescope Society, Inc. is organized and operated exclusively for educational and/or scientific purposes. The purpose of the Society is to unite colleagues interested in antique telescopes, binoculars instruments, books, atlases and related items, and to promote the membership's interests in astronomical history and discovery, the history of optics, and the preservation and use of the antique instruments through stewardship and education.
The Astronomical League Variety of amateur astronomer resources. Very accessible, and relaxed group. Fun. The Astronomical League is composed of over two hundred and forty local amateur astronomical societies from all across the United States. These organizations, along with our Members-at-Large, Patrons, and Supporting members form one of the largest amateur astronomical organizations in the world.
Association of Lunar and Planetary Observers
The Association of Lunar & Planetary Observers, which was founded in 1947 as a means for observers of our Solar System to exchange data with each other. Today, its membership is worldwide and includes beginners, amateurs and professionals.
The Astronomical Society of the Pacific Stunning collection of resources for professional and amateurs. The Astronomical Society of the Pacific was founded in 1889 by a group of Northern California professional and amateur astronomers after joining together to view a rare total solar eclipse. The ASP's earliest purpose was to disseminate astronomical information - a mission which has flourished with astronomers' inexhaustible exploration of the universe. The ASP has become the largest general astronomy society in the world, with members from over 70 nations.
Astronomy Net A wonderful site for discovering more about any aspect of astronomy that tickles your curiosity. The people here put a huge amount of effort in maintaining the site and making resources available. They're great.
Center for Backyard Astrophysics (CBA) For very serious observers. This group makes up a world network of so-called amateur observers, with robotic and other very, very high-tech telescope set ups (almost all in permanent observatories) for monitoring cataclysmic variable stars that are in a wild and constant state of explosion or transformation. The stars are very dim (10th magnitude being about the brightest, down to around 20th mag...as I say...dim) but this is one area that a deeply serious amateur observer can snuggle up to the pros and be fully included.There are many times when you are the only human witnessing a violent and bizarre vacuuming of one star by a black hole. Yea...wild.
Comet Observers Club
In observing the wonders of the universe, there are perhaps no more wondrous and beautiful objects as comets. Since the invention of the telescope hundreds of years ago, astronomers have continually searched for new comets, and in the process, have discovered nebulas, star clusters, galaxies and more. Comets are important members of our solar system, and their study is important to mankind. Thus, having this observing program for members of the Astronomical League is long over due.
International Dark Sky Association (IDA) If you have a multi-million dollar observatory with professional observing, robotic, coffee-making, massage and air-conditioning abilities, it does little good if you can't get the light from afar down into the scope. If you are more politically inclined, you may want to join efforts with the building crusade to darken our skies nation- and worldwide. Light pollution is a very non-funny matter. The International Dark Sky Association has been enjoying a growing membership and higher and higher budgets to sponsor legislative efforts that have been making considerable progress in many regions. But they've just started. Utility companies, and many light manufacturers are resistant to having to change how they make light fixtures and install them. They have deep pockets and, thus, political influence. If you want to try your hand at cut-throat politics and influence, here's your starting point.
North American Meteor Network
NAMN serves to:
promote astronomy and related sciences, recruit and train new observers in the methods of meteor observation and coordinate North American observations. Founded in June 1995
The Planetary Society
The Planetary Society was founded in 1980 by Carl Sagan, Bruce Murray, and Louis Friedman to encourage the exploration of our solar system and the search for extraterrestrial life. The Society is a nonprofit, nongovernmental organization, funded by dues and donations from individuals around the world. With more than 100,000 members from over 140 countries, we are the largest space interest group on Earth. Membership is open to all people interested in our mission.
The Royal Astronomical Society of Canada
Dedicated to the Advancement of Astronomy and Allied Sciences. The beginnings of "The Royal Astronomical Society of Canada" (RASC) go back to the middle of the nineteenth century. The Society was incorporated within the province of Ontario in 1890, received its Royal Charter from King Edward VII in 1903, and was federally incorporated in 1968.
Star Worlds Still not enough for you? This site is a searchable directory for all astronomy organizations (there are a lot...and I mean...a lot).
Students for the Exploration and Developement of Space (SEDS)
SEDS is an independent, student-based organization which promotes the exploration and development of space. SEDS pursues this mission by educating people about the benefits of space, by supporting a network of interested students, by providing an opportunity for members to develop their leadership skills, and inspiring people through our involvement in space-related projects. SEDS believes in a space-faring civilization and that focussing the enthusiasm of young people is the key to our future in space.
Stellafane Convention
The Stellafane convention is a gathering of amateur telescope makers. The convention was started in 1926 to give amateur telescope makers an opportunity to gather, show off their creations and teach each other telescope
making and mirror grinding techniques. If you have made your own telescope, we strongly encourage you to display it in the
telescope fields near the Pink Clubhouse. If you wish, you can enter it in the mechanical and/or optical competition. There
are also mirror grinding and telescope making demonstrations, technical lectures on telescope making and the presentation of
awards for telescope design and craftsmanship. Vendor displays and the retail sale of commercial products are not permitted.
The Deep Impact mission will send a probe to impact with Comet Tempel a year from now, around July 4, 2005. The comet will be around 10th magnitude at that time. It will be low in the evening sky, not far from Spica, so the aftereffects of the collision may be visible.
What's Inside A Comet? Mike A'Hearn, principal investigator for the Deep Impact project has reported that upon impact the comet could brighten by as much as 4 magnitudes, depending on how much dust
is kicked up by the collision.
History of the Discovery of the Deep Sky objects A document written by the Students for the Exploration and Developement of Space (SEDS).
Deep Sky Database This site is an online observing list generator for amateur astronomers who love to pursue deep sky objects.
Eclipse
The Eclipse Home Page at the NASA/GSFC Sun-Earth Connection Education Forum. This web site strives to be the ultimate resource for online information about eclipses.
MrEclipse.com
The Ultimate Resource For Eclipse Photography.
Lagrange Points
The Italian-French mathematician Josef Lagrange discovered five special points in the vicinity of two orbiting masses where a third, smaller mass can orbit at a fixed distance from the larger masses. More precisely, the Lagrange Points mark positions where the gravitational pull of the two large masses precisely cancels the centripetal acceleration required to rotate with them.
International Dark Sky Association (IDA) If you have a multi-million dollar observatory with professional observing, robotic, coffee-making, massage and air-conditioning abilities, it does little good if you can't get the light from afar down into the scope. If you are more politically inclined, you may want to join efforts with the building crusade to darken our skies nation- and worldwide. Light pollution is a very non-funny matter. The International Dark Sky Association has been enjoying a growing membership and higher and higher budgets to sponsor legislative efforts that have been making considerable progress in many regions. But they've just started. Utility companies, and many light manufacturers are resistant to having to change how they make light fixtures and install them. They have deep pockets and, thus, political influence. If you want to try your hand at cut-throat politics and influence, here's your starting point.
The Night Sky in the World
How much does light pollution actually effect our ability to see the heavens? Visit this site to find out. The interest for the protection of the night sky from light pollution is growing every day. This site is created by the Light Pollution Science and Technology Institute.
Sunrise, Sunset
Use this site to find out what time the sun sets on any given night? How about the moon? What phase will it be in? Will it be full on the night you want dark skies?
Your Sky
Here's an "Interactive Planeterium" you can acess with your web browser. It allows you to project an image of the night sky at your location, for whatever date and time you choose.
Your Sky Tonight
The best way to learn the night sky is to have someone standing right next to you, pointing out interesting objects. This web site has tried to create a bit of that feeling with a sky chart, and a paragraph of information, for each day.
Astrobiology Magazine
"A golden age has begun for the life sciences, an age in which science and technology will benefit enormously from a fundamental understanding of the full potential of living systems... This is an agenda for inspiring the next generation of planetary explorers and stewards to sustain the NASA vision and mission." --Astrobiology NASA Roadmap
BBCi Science & Nature: Space
The British Broadcasting Company's Space Page within their website. Their Purpose: "The BBC exists to enrich people's lives with great programmes and services that inform, educate and entertain. Its vision is to be the most creative, trusted organisation in the world."
Sky and Telescope online Magazine
Sky Publishing Corp. was founded in 1941 by Charles A. Federer Jr. and Helen Spence Federer, the original editors of Sky & Telescope magazine. The company's headquarters are in Cambridge, Massachusetts, near the Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics. In addition to Sky & Telescope and SkyandTelescope.com, the company publishes an annual magazine called SkyWatch as well as books, star atlases, posters, prints, globes, and other fine astronomy products.
space.com
The name says it all. Its all about space!
Space Daily
An online daily news site, covering only space related articles.
AstronomyOutreach Network
While there are many astronomy and space exploration sites on the web, there seems to be few that spotlight the people and organizations who do outreach in this regard. There are also so many of those engaged in this endeavor who did not have a platform or a home to make themselves known to the general public. This was the primary purpose of the AstronomyOutreach network.
Night Sky Network
We are a nationwide coalition of amateur astronomy clubs bringing the science, technology and inspiration of NASA's missions to the general public. We share our time and telescopes to provide you with unique astronomy experiences at science museums, observatories, classrooms, and under the real night sky.
Astronomy Picture of the day
Each day a different image or photograph of our fascinating universe is featured, along with a brief explanation written by a professional astronomer.
Mars Global Surveyor images
Mars Global Surveyor was launched in November 1996 and has been in Mars orbit since September 1997. It began its primary
mapping mission on March 8, 1999. Mars Global Surveyor is the
first mission in a long-term program of Mars exploration known as
the Mars Surveyor Program that is managed by JPL for NASA's Office
of Space Science, Washington, DC. Malin Space Science Systems (MSSS)
and the California Institute of Technology built the MOC
using spare hardware from the Mars Observer mission. MSSS operates
the camera from its facilities in San Diego, CA. The Jet Propulsion
Laboratory's Mars Surveyor Operations Project operates the Mars Global
Surveyor spacecraft with its industrial partner, Lockheed Martin
Astronautics, from facilities in Pasadena, CA and Denver, CO.
The latest images of Saturn
Images from the Jet Propulsion Laboratory at the California Institute of Technology.
Earth and Moon Viewer
You can view either a map of the Earth showing the day and night regions at this moment, or view the Earth from the Sun, the Moon, the night side of the Earth, above any location on the planet specified by latitude, longitude and altitude, from a satellite in Earth orbit, or above various cities around the globe.
Jupiter Jupiter is the fifth planet from the Sun and by far the largest. Jupiter is more than twice as massive as all the other planets combined (318 times Earth).
The Moon's Crust Talented scientists are mapping the composition of the Moon's crust. They are improving the quality, and their understanding, of the remote sensing data and they are continually upgrading the calibration techniques.
The Photographic Moon Book This is a whole book that you download and print out, and bind, at home. It takes a long time, and requires paper and patience. But worthwhile.
Mars Academy Designing a manned mission to Mars is obviously an extremely complex task, and one that requires knowledge on various disciplines. Trajectories have to be calculated, rockets designed and selected, life support systems integrated into the spacecraft to provide nourishment and a survivable environment to the astronauts that will be selected to make the journey.
Real life solutions to all these problems exceed the scope of the Mars Academy project, which is intended to high school/college students and the general public. However, in our mission design we will use existing and foreseeable technology (for example, the existence of the International Space Station) to approximate and integrate solutions to all the design problems into a Mars mission. After a complete plan for the journey is put together, a web based simulation of the mission based on the adopted solutions will be run.
Mars Rover Mission Get the latest news on the robotic explorers, Spirit and Oppurtunity.
MESSENGER: Mission to Mercury MESSENGER is a scientific investigation of the planet Mercury. Understanding Mercury, and the forces that have shaped it, is fundamental to understanding the terrestrial planets and their evolution. Just what is a terrestrial planet? It is a group of planets that are like Earth.
Solar View's page on Pluto Although Pluto was discovered in 1930, limited information on the distant planet delayed a realistic understanding of its characteristics.
Cassini-Huygens: Mission to Saturn & Titan
On July 1, 2004 the Cassini-Huygens Spacecraft fired its main engine to reduce its speed, allowing the spacecraft to be captured by Saturn's gravity and enter orbit. Learn about the spacecraft's four year tour of the ringed planet, its mysterious moons, the stunning rings, and its complex magnetic environment.
Solar Filter Safety Beware: it takes only a moment to damage your eyes! Here is an article from Sky & Telescope which helps guide you in the safest means for solar viewing.
Mauna Loa's Solar Observatory
The Mauna Loa Solar Observatory, operated by The High Altitude Observatory in Boulder, Colorado, houses several instruments designed to observe the sun at many differrent wavelengths.
Nine Planets' page on Uranus
Uranus is the seventh planet from the Sun and the third largest (by diameter). Uranus is larger in diameter but smaller in mass than Neptune. Careful pronunciation may be necessary to avoid embarrassment; say "YOOR a nus", not "your anus" or "urine us".
Nine Planets' site on Venus
Venus is the second planet from the Sun and the sixth largest. Venus' orbit is the most nearly circular of that of any planet, with an eccentricity of less than 1%.
SETI Institute The mission of the SETI (Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence) Institute is to explore, understand and explain the origin, nature and prevalence of life in the universe. The Institute is a private, nonprofit organization dedicated to scientific research, education and public outreach.
Exploring Clusters of Stars
Star clusters come in many different shapes and sizes, from gigantic spheres of stars to open clusters whose members barely associate with each
other. Most are easy targets for beginning observers with small
telescopes.
Antique Telescope Society
The Antique Telescope Society, Inc. is organized and operated exclusively for educational and/or scientific purposes. The purpose of the Society is to unite colleagues interested in antique telescopes, binoculars instruments, books, atlases and related items, and to promote the membership's interests in astronomical history and discovery, the history of optics, and the preservation and use of the antique instruments through stewardship and education.
Canada France Hawaii Telescope
Located on the top of Mauna Kea on the Big Island of Hawaii, is the CFH Telescope. This is their web site.
The Hubble Heritage Project
The Hubble Space Telescope (HST) is a research tool dedicated to scientific studies of nature. Enroute to illuminating the forces shaping our cosmos, HST has accumulated a cosmic zoo. The Hubble Heritage Project sees this instrument also as a tool for extending human vision, one that is capable of building a bridge between the endeavors of scientists and the public. By emphasizing compelling HST images distilled from scientific data, we hope to pique curiosity about our astrophysical understanding of the universe we all inhabit.
SLOOH
SLOOH, the first of its kind, a live online astronomy experience that captures the rhythms and wonders of the universe. SLOOH's mission is to give people a window to the natural world. SLOOH is not a simulation or an animation or a collection of old photos--it is a real live view through a powerful telescope.
Aura Mission
Aura, a next generation Earth-observing satellite, will supply the best information yet about the health of Earth's atmosphere. Aura will help scientists understand how atmospheric composition affects and responds to Earth's changing climate. The satellite will help reveal the processes that connect local anglobal air quality. It will also track the extent Earth's protective ozone layer is recovering.
Jet Propulsion Laboratory
NASA's Mission: to understand and protect our home planet, to explore the Universe and search for life, to inspire the next generation of explorer ...as only NASA can.
Photo Journal of JPL Technology
The Jet Propulsion Laboratory Technology Gallery has a wealth of images that present a cross section of JPL developments in a range of fields. This galley is constantly evolving. Visit often to see what's new and further explore JPL Technology achievements..
Kennedy Space Center
Everything you may need to know about The Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex is here. Providing an exhilarating and educational experience of the space program.
Science @ NASA
Science stories and involvement projects that bring the cutting edge to adults interested in science.
The Space Environment Center
The Space Environment Center (SEC) provides real-time monitoring and forecasting of solar and geophysical events, conducts research in solar-terrestrial physics, and develops techniques for forecasting solar and geophysical disturbances. SEC's Space Weather Operations Center is jointly operated by NOAA and the U.S. Air Force and is the national and world warning center for disturbances that can affect people and equipment working in the space environment.
Space Flight
NASA space flight site giving current information on Space Shuttle missions and ISS activities
United States Naval Observatory
The U.S. Naval Observatory is one of the oldest scientific agencies in the country. Established in 1830 as the Depot of Charts and Instruments, its primary mission was to care for the U.S. Navy's chronometers, charts and other navigational equipment. Today, the U.S. Naval Observatory is the preeminent authority in the areas of Precise Time and Astrometry, and distributes Earth Orientation parameters and other Astronomical Data required for accurate navigation and fundamental astronomy.
Clear Sky Clock At a glance, it shows when it will be cloudy or clear for up to the next two days. It's a prediction of when Hildene Observatory will have good weather for astronomical observing.
Clouds forecast
Amateur and professional astronomers are always confronted by sky conditions when they observe during the night. In the preparation of your observation session, you can take advantage of the cloud forecast of the Canadian Meteorological Centre GEM Regional model
National Weather Service Forcast Office
The Experimental Forecast Image Displayed at this web site is an experimental product for planning purposes only !!! This Forecast Image web page is an image display project. It is an effort to improve the utility of our forecast images made by National Weather Service meteorologists. This product is provided for Emergency Managers, Local Media, Businesses, Schools, Law Enforcement, and the public. Use the Forecast Image web pages to factor in the forecast weather into your daily plans.
The Space Environment Center
The Space Environment Center (SEC) provides real-time monitoring and forecasting of solar and geophysical events, conducts research in solar-terrestrial physics, and develops techniques for forecasting solar and geophysical disturbances. SEC's Space Weather Operations Center is jointly operated by NOAA and the U.S. Air Force and is the national and world warning center for disturbances that can affect people and equipment working in the space environment.
SpaceWeather.com
Science news and information about the Sun-Earth environment.
