Helpful Space and Astronomy Links and Information

Sky Watching Links

     Heavens Above  

                  This is an amazing web site where you can find out about all things happening in the sky!

• See the International Space Station from your backyard! 
• Show constellations and planets by date and hour.
• Identify satellites passing overhead.
• Sunrise/set, Moonrise/set times and Moon phases.
• Much much more...

                   (Note: After you first identify your location, bookmark the site so you can skip that step next time.)

     Monthly Sky Map 
                   Print a free map showing this month's evening constellations, visible planets and special happenings!

     Space Weather

                   News and Information about the Sun-Earth environment.

    This Week’s Sky At a Glance 

                 Observing tips and celestial events for the week.  Published every Friday.

                 What's Up: Skywatching Tips from NASA

Learning about Space & Astronomy  

       Astronomy Picture of the Day - a daily photograph with a professional explanation.

       Sky View Lite App (Free) - this is a great, easy to use app that helps you learn the night sky.   < Great App!

      Space Launch Schedule - A regularly updated listing of planned missions from spaceports around the globe.

      Beginner's Book - The Stars: A New Way to See Them  (ISBN: 978-0-5471-3280-8)  $13

      Reference Book - Nature Guide: Stars and Planets  (ISBN: 978-0-7566-9040-3)  $15

      Space History Book - The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Space & Space Exploration (ISBN: 978-1782741640)

 Equipment for the New Observer

      If you enjoy learning about Astronomy or want to further the interest in a young person, I beg you not to make the

      mistake so many have done - buy a telescope. Don't do it - just don't!

       For the beginning astronomer it's far better to buy a pair of binoculars, and get a book on observing the night sky        with binoculars.

      Look for binoculars that are light weight, rated as good quality and with a specification of either 7x35 or 10x50.

      (The first number tells you the magnification power, and the second tells you the size of the objective lens in
       millimeters, which affects how much light can enter the binoculars.)

      Arm yourself with a red-light flashlight (red light preserves night vision) and a lawn chair and sit in the darkest

      place in your backyard and start observing. You will be amazed on how much you can see and learn!

      A good article about binoculars can be found here.

     (Might also be a good idea to alert your neighbors as to what you're doing - so they don't get the wrong idea!)

       After you spend a few weeks observing and you feel more comfortable with finding and identifying celestial

      objects, then visit an observatory and talk with the members. They probably will have many scopes for you to try

      out so you can get a feel for what's right for you. They will also be a great source of advice.

      Hey - you might even pick up a used scope at a great price!

      Clear Skies!       PJC

Questions?  email:  info@AstronomyNJ.com