Skymaps.com
Skymaps.com makes available for free each month The Evening Sky Map. It’s a two page monthly guide to the night skies of the world with both northern and southern hemispheres available, and the equatorial regions. Each issue contains a detailed sky map, a monthly sky calendar, and a descriptive list of the best objects to see with binoculars, a telescope, or using just your eyes.
In-The-Sky.org
In-The-Sky.org is an online guide to what you can see in the night sky, which automatically tailors its information to wherever you happen to live. Founded by Dominic Ford in 2012, it has grown to cover planets, asteroids, comets, deep sky objects, as well as satellites in low-Earth orbit. Much of the text you’ll see on In-The-Sky.org is automatically generated specifically for you, based on exactly where in the sky each event will appear.
Light Pollution Map
www.lightpollutionmap.info is a mapping application that displays VIIRS/DMSP/World Atlas overlays/IAU observatories and the user measurements overlay over Microsoft Bing base layers (road and hybrid Bing maps). The primary use is to show VIIRS/DMSP data in a friendly manner, but over time it also included some other interesting overlays that deal with light pollution like SQM/SQC, World Atlas 2015 zenith brigtness and IAU observatories. Use this map to look up a location’s coordinates (Lat & Long) and check it’s Bortle Dark Sky Scale. The lower the Bortle number for a location the darker the sky.
Astrometry.com
Astrometry.com allows you to submit astronomical images of the sky with celestial coordinates you might not be sure of or simply do not know or do not trust. Once your image is uploaded, the site gives you back astrometric calibration meta-data, plus lists of known objects falling inside the field of view. A very helpful tool for astrophotographers.
https://astronomy.tools/
Astronomy.tools is a collection of useful, free astronomy tools. FOV Calculator with visual, imaging and binocular modes, Magnification, Focal Length/Ratio, Star Chart, Cloud Forecast, Lookup Coordinates… A very helpful site for telescope, camera and CCD owners as well as those curious about what views their new or potential equipment might provide.
Space Calendar
The Space Calendar covers space-related activities and anniversaries for the coming year. Included are over 4,100 links to related home pages. Note that launch dates are subject to change at any time. Also, anniversary dates are listed in 5 year increments.
SKYCAL – Sky Events Calendar
There is always something interesting happening in the sky. SKYCAL will help you keep track of the sky by calculating the local date and time of all these celestial happenings. It displays them on a convenient calendar that you can print and hang on the wall. You can generate a calendar for a single month or for an entire year. Just choose your Time Zone.
DSLR Astrophotography
Excellent site with useful information for astrophotographers using DSLRs. PixInsight articles for those who use the software, astrophotography tips and tricks, ISO settings for your DSLR, discussions on dynamic range and the best ISO settings for your camera, and equipment and interviews of DSLR astrophotographers. A wealth of information for DSLR users interested in astrophotography.
Clear Sky Chart
The Clear Sky Chart is specifically intended for amateur astronomers. It shows at a glance what your observing conditions will likely be for the next 48 hours for a specific observing site and chances are there is an existing chart for your city or a location very near you . On the chart you’ll find a wealth of information including cloud cover, transparency, seeing, darkness, wind, humidity and temperature all listed and easy to read.
Digital Camera Database
Search through thousands of digital cameras and compare them side-by-side on important information such as actual sensor size, sensor area, pixel pitch, pixel area, pixel density, crop factor, and more.
USNO Sun/Moon Rise/Set Data
The U.S. Naval Observatory’s site provides a way for you to obtain a table of the times of sunrise/sunset, moonrise/moonset, or the beginning and end of twilight, for any year between 1700 and 2100. Queries can be made using your State or city or town name. You can easily obtain a table with data for any location worldwide and print it out.
Heavens-Above.com
Heavens-Above.com provides predictions for satellites of special interest including the ISS and HST and when they will pass over your location as well as a satellite database, daily predictions for brighter satellites and Iridium flares. Additionally you’ll find astronomical resources like a current sky chart and detailed information on the sun, moon, planets, comets, asteroids and constellations. Click on any of the links below to be taken to the corresponding page.
NASA’s Eclipse Web Site
Fred Espenak’s definitive prediction data for eclipses (solar, lunar and transits). World maps showing regions of visibility for each eclipse. Lunar eclipse diagrams including the path of the Moon through the Earth’s shadow and contact times for each principal phase. Magnitudes and geocentric coordinates of the Sun and Moon at greatest eclipse, and much more.
3D International Space Station Technology Guide
The International Space Station (ISS) is a space station in low Earth orbit with the purpose of being a laboratory, observatory, factory, and a manufacturing and launch facility. Use this 3D interactive model to explore the ISS’s major elements and build timeline, life aboard the ISS and visiting spacecraft.
Telescopius.com
Telescopius helps you find deep sky objects to observe or astrophotograph by letting you specify filters like observing hours, desired minimum elevation and duration, object types (galaxies, clusters, etc.) and many other options. Create an observing list with the objects you plan to see your next session. Sort them by different criteria, compare altitude charts and make sure you make the most out of your night. Once you’ve created your list, you can import it right into the Astro Photography Tool (APT) and Sequence Generator PRO image capture suite. Additional tools found on Telescopius.com: Free and Unlimited Astrophotography Profile, Telescope Simulator, Altitude Charts, Distance from the Moon, Astronomy Calculator, Weather Forecast, Sky Map, Object Reminders and Moon Calendar. Telescopius.com is an amazing resource that will assist you in your astrophotography or observing sessions, and it’s free.
Moon 101 Lecture Series
Enjoy engaging online lectures produced by NASA and posted on the Lunar and Planetary Institute’s web site.
The following presentations are included in the lecture series. Introduction to the Moon, Dr. Paul Spudis,
The Lunar Environment, Dr. Wendell Mendell, Physiography and Geology of the Moon, Dr. Paul Spudis, The Lunar Surface, Dr. Jeff Plescia, The Lunar Crust, Dr. Gary Lofgren, The Lunar Interior, Dr. Jeff Plescia, The Lunar Polar Environment, Dr. Ben Bussey, A Brief, Selective History of the Apollo Program, Dr. Dean Eppler, Future Scientific Exploration of the Moon, Dr. Paul Spudis and Lunar Meteorites, Dr. Kevin Righter.
Online College Intro Astronomy Course 2014
“Take an Introductory Planetary Science and Astronomy class at your leisure with the Planetary Society’s Director of Projects, Dr. Bruce Betts. This virtual college class at California State University Dominguez Hills spring semester 2014, Physics 195: Introduction to Planetary Science and Astronomy. Dr. Betts guides you through the solar system and universe in a class heavy on imagery and fun, and light on math, while still giving you a strong introduction to what we know and how we learn more. He also talks to a number of guests throughout the course.”
Know of an astronomy related site or sites that would be good additions to this page?
Please contact me with your suggestions.