Links

For Beginners
Observatories
Amateur Telescope Making
Deep Sky
Interesting Sites for Amateur Astronomers
Astronomical Software
Amateur Research
Star Parties and other getaways
Periodicals and Books
Commercial Sources
Other Clubs
For Fun

For Beginners

• Ask the Space Scientist
• Astronomer.com - a great site to see what is going on in the astronomy world.
• Bad Astronomy - Phil Plait's musings on astronomy both good and bad.
• Curious About Astronomy? Ask an Astronomer! - scientists at Cornell University will answer your astronomy questions.
• Frequently asked questions about being an Astronomer - if you are at the start of your life and trying to figure out if you would like to be an astronomer this place has most of the answers.
• How to Choose a Telescope - telescope basics.
• Imagine the Universe! - dedicated to discussion about the universe, how it is evolving, and the kinds of objects and phenomena it contains. A service of NASA's High-Energy Astrophysics Learning Center.
• Jack Horkheimer, Star Gazer - Transcripts of the short PBS weekly TV series on naked-eye astronomey. (Formerly 'The Star Hustler')
• Janet's Amateur Astronomy - northern constellations, Hale-Bopp and other points of interest.
• NASA Human Space Flight - the latest information of the space shuttle and other manned missions.
• San Francisco Exploratorium Observatory
• Space Place - great for children.
• Star Journey - journey through the stars with National Geographic. Includes a Star Chart with overlays of images from the Hubble Telescope.
• Structure and Evolution of the Universe - NASA's quest to understand the Universe: its evolution, structure and ultimate fate.
• Students for the Exploration and Development of Space (SEDS) - SEDS is an independent, student-based organization which promotes the exploration and development of space.
• The Universe today - space news from around the internet.

Observatories

• Apache Point Observatory - located in the Sacramento Mountains in the Lincoln National Forest, 18 miles south of Cloudcroft, NM.
• Arecibo Observatory - the site of the world's largest single-dish radio telescope. Part of the National Astronomy and Ionosphere Center.
• Bradford Robotic Telescope - anyone on the Internet can register and ask the telescope to look at anything in the northern night sky. Located high on the moors in West Yorkshire, England.
• Canada-France-Hawaii Telescope - a 3.6 meter optical/infrared telescope located atop the summit of Mauna Kea.
• Gemini 8-Meter Telescopes Project - a multi-national effort to build twin 8.1 meter astronomical observatories atop Hawaii's Mauna Kea and Chile's Cerro Pachon.
• Hanna City Robotic Observatory
• Iowa Robotic Telescope Facility
• Keck Observatory - Mauna Kea, Hawaii.
• Lowell Observatory - particularly recognized for its work on the smaller solar system bodies.
• MIT Haystack Observatory
• Next Generation Space Telescope (NGST)
• Space Telescope Science Institute - official HST site from the astronomical research center responsible for operating the Hubble Space Telescope as an international observatory.
• University of Hawaii 2.2-meter Telescope

ATM - Amateur Telescope Making

• 1.8 Meter Amatuer Telescope!
• Amateur Telescope Makers of Boston - membership is open to all those interested in pursuing astronomy as a hobby.
• The ATM Page
• ATM's Resource List
• Bruce Sayre's Telescope Maker's Projects Page
• Fraser Valley Astronomers
• Mel Bartel's Homepage
• Riverside Telescope Makers Conference
• Spectrum Coatings' mission is to become a leader in front surface mirror and decorative thin film production for Amateur Astronomers, Precision Optical companies, and the Art Glass and Awards industries. Check out their site for more information on their coating process.

Deep Sky

• 2MASS - Two Micron All-Sky Survey project is designed to close the gap between our current technical capability and our knowledge of the near-infrared sky.
• Astronomical Images by Brad Wallis and Robert Provin - photographs, CCD images and FAQ sheets on imaging techniques.
• CCD Images of Galaxies
• Digitized Sky Survey - retrieve images from astronomical coordinates or object name.
• Galaxy Catalog, The - collection of 113 galaxies assembled at Princeton University Observatory by Zsolt Frei during his thesis work.
• The Messier Catalog .

Interesting Sites for Amateur Astronomers

• Astronomical League - The Astronomical League is composed of over two hundred local amateur astronomical societies from all across the United States.
• Astronomical Data Center for Amateurs - specializes in archiving and distributing collections of data that have been published by professional astronomers. Most of these data sets are in the form of computer-readable tables of numbers, rather than images.
• Comet Hyakutake (1996 B2) - picture archive.
• Current Solar Images
• David Hanon's Astronomical CCD Imaging - Deep sky and planetary images taken with 7' Refractor and ccd camera. Images of recent astronomical events.
• Fred's Astronomy Stuff - pictures of everything astronomical, geared towards beginners. Also info on my Moonglow Observatory and Cookbook 245 CCD camera.
• GRACE maps the Earth's gravity fields by making accurate measurements of the distance between  two satellites, using GPS and a microwave ranging system. It provides scientists from all over the world with an efficient and cost-effective way to map the Earth's gravity fields with unprecedented accuracy.
• Heavens-Above -provides all the information you need to observe satellites, Mir and the International Space Station, the Space Shuttle, the dazzlingly bright flares from Iridium satellites and more.
• The International Dark Sky Association - Devoted to preserving the sky for all of us, IDA will help you learn to fight light pollution at all levels. Visit this site often, and consider joining the battle through membership and advocacy.
• ISO Science Results
• NSSCD Planetary Photo Gallery  
• Red Colony.com - here you'll find the latest news, images, and happenings on the future of Mars.
• Regulus - Amateur Astronomy Newsletter.
• SARA - Society of Amateur Radio Astronomers
• SkyCalendar - online star charts for you location as well a a monthly calendar of interesting events in the sky.
• Telescope Review - reviews scopes, eyepieces, binoculars, accessories, and more.  

Astronomical Software

• AIPS ("Classic", not aips++) - Astronomical Image Processing System is a software package for calibration, data analysis, image display, plotting, and a variety of ancillary tasks on Astronomical Data.
• Astronomy Freeware - download astronomy freeware and shareware.
• Digital Universe, The - complete astronomy software simulation package for the amateur or professional observer.
• FITS - Flexible Image Transport System
• Google Sky
• Home Planet - freeware to display planets and star maps.
• Image Reduction and Analysis Facility - a general purpose software system from the National Optical Astronomy Observatories for the reduction and analysis of astronomical data.
• Nova Astronomics. The Home Page of the Earth Centered Universe, a great planetrium and telescope control program for Windows 3.1 or 95.
• PlanetWatch shareware - A multimedia atlas and simulation of our solar system for Windows 3.1 or better.
• Software Bisque - advanced astronomical tools for professional and amateur astronomers.
• Starry Night - a wide range of planetarium software.

Amateur Research

• ALPO Homepage The Association of Lunar and Planetary Observers home page.
• American Association of Variable Star Observers (AAVSO). Information about stars whose brightness varies.  Amateur astronomers observe these unique stars and measure their brightness. Learn how you can join in the fun!
• The American Meteor Society - We are an organization of amateur and professional meteor scientists and observers founded in 1911, with a common goal of studying meteors: - bright fireballs, the annual meteor showers, and the random sporadic meteors that appear every night.
• Center for Backyard Astrophysics
• The Delta Scuti Network
• Global Network of Astronomical Telescopes (GNAT) - GNAT is interested in creating a network of identical (thus easily group-maintained) small automated telescopes for global collaborations. GNAT invites institutions considering building their own small telescope observatories to check them out.
• International Meteor Organization
• IOTA - International Occultation Timing Association, Inc.
• Role of Small Telescopes in Modern Astronomy Workshop
• The Star Trails Society - is an initiative by Science@NASA to involve our readers in scientific research.
• TASS, The Amateur Sky Survey  - a whole amateur-run network of these.
• The Webb Society - international society of amateur and professional astronomers specializing in the observation of double stars and 'deep sky' objects.

Star Parties and other getaways

• Chiefland Star Party - Northwest Florida has some of the darkest skies in the eastern US. Since 1985 astronomers have been using a site six miles south of Chiefland.
• Mid-Atlantic Star Party. MASP is held on a 2500 acre boy scout reservation. There are two complete scout camps in addition to the Jamboree Camp that we use to take advantage of the large open fields. The "hard facilities" of the summer camp include a 400 seat dining hall and the facilities normally found in a Scout Camp.
• Nebraska Star Party, a week-long dark sky event will be held at Merritt Reservoir, 27 miles south of Valentine, Nebraska, July 18-25, 1998. There are many activities available, both astronomical and non-astronomical.  This is a really fun family event.
• Observatory B&B - A weekend stay at Alice & Jack Newton's Bed & Breakfast is a must for anyone with an interest in CCD photography. Alice & Jack are great hosts and their place has all the astronomical amenities. Jack is a master astrophotographer who gladly shares his knowledge with guests. I have only visited their Florida B&B (FLIC) but I very much would like to visit them in Canada also.
• Peach State Star Gaze - The annual star party put on by the Atlanta Astromomy Club.
• SCAS Winter Star Party - The annual winter star party put on by the Southern Cross Astronomical Society.
• StarQuest - AAAP's annual Star Party
• Table Mountain Star Party information by e-mail at tmsp@triax.com. This is a major star party in the Northwest Region and takes place in Washington state.
• Texas Star Party, the premier star party of the Southwest. Dark skies, great speakers, a weeklong immersion in amateur astronomy. This site is chocked full of information, and contain all of the information that you can get from the TSP large Information Packet that gets mail out each year.  There are also other items of interest, including pictures, links to TSP astronomy clubs, local west Texas pages, etc.

Periodicals and Books

• 365 Starry Nights : An Introduction to Astronomy for Every Night of the Year
• A Field Guide to the Stars and Planets (Peterson Field Guide Series) - this should be on every amateur  astronomer's field kit.
• A Practical Guide to Ccd Astronomy (Practical Astronomy Handbooks , No 8) - everything you could possible want to know about CCD astronomy.
• Advanced Amateur Astronomy - for the amateur astronomer who is bored with constellation spotting and elementary observing.
• Amateur Astronomy Magazine - news by, for and about amateur astronomers around the world.
• Astronomy Hacks: Tips and Tools for Observing the Night Sky - This handy field guide covers the basics of observing, and what you need to know about tweaking, tuning, adjusting, and tricking out a 'scope. Expect priceless tips and tools for using a Dobsonian Telescope, the large-aperture telescope you can inexpensively build in your garage. Get advice on protocols involved with using electronics including in dark places without ruining the party.
• Astronomy Magazine
• Burnham's Celestial Handbook vols 1-3 - An Observer's Guide to the Universe Beyond the Solar System
• CyPress-StarPublications - Since 1995, CyPress-Publications has been assisting writers with complete, independent publishing services. Providing editing, typesetting, proofreading, design, and illustrations; and the ISBN, Bar Code, Library of Congress and Copyright registrations--all on an as-needed basis. 
• Making & Enjoying Telescopes - 6 Complete Projects & A Stargazer's Guide
• Sky & Telescope - monthly magazine containing sky maps, astrophotos, and observationtips for sky-gazers of all levels.
• Star Ware - The Amateur Astronomer's Ultimate Guide to Choosing, Buying, and Using Telescopes and Accessories

Commercial Sources.

• Apogee Instruments - high performance astronomical CCD imaging.
• Ash-Dome - A leader in the design and manufacturing of high quality observatory domes and tracking instrument shelters.
• Astromart - "Your Global Astronomy Resource"
• AstroSystems Products - ATM supplies such as focusers, star charts, spiders, secondary holders, teflon as well as TeleKits.
• BigBinoculars.com - "Astronomical Binoculars (56mm - 150mm) at the lowest prices in the universe".
• 
  Celestron - quality optics; wide range of telescopes, binoculars, spotting scopes, and optical accessories.
• Company Seven Astro-Optics Division - A wide selection of astronomy services and products. Loaded with information on astronomy, astrophotography. Come visit our site and take a look at the universe.
• DFM Engineering - Manufacturer of computer controlled astronomical telescopes and instruments.
• Equatorial Platforms
• HOME-DOME observatories come in diameters of 6 feet and 10 feet.
• Jim's Mobile, Inc. - Manufacturer of Advanced Telescope Products. Focusers, astro-computers, cases, accessories and the impressive NGT series of telescopes.
• Kendrick Astro - dew heaters, battery packs and more.
• Ken's Custom Rings and Things - hinge and clamp custom tube rings and balancing weights.
• 
  LOSMANDY Astronomy Products - Precision equatorial mounts and secondary systems.
• 
  Meade - World's Leading Manufacturer of Astronomical Telescopes for the Serious Amateur
• Mountain Instruments - maker of fork and german equatorial telescope mounts. Additional services include telescope restoration and custom work.
• NOVOSIBIRSK INSTRUMENT-MAKING PLANT - Looks like some well made scopes at very affordable prices. If you get one of these, let me know what you think of it. 
• Observa-Dome
• Obsession Telescopes - handcrafted large aperture Dobsonian telescopes.
• Orion Telescope and Binocular Center
• Parallax Instruments - custom telescopes, mounts, and mounting rings made to order with optional
• 
  SBIG Astronomical Instruments - SBIG Online has the latest software and information for users of SBIG's CCD cameras.  
• Software Bisque - lots of first rate astronomical software and hardware.
  
• Stargazer Steve. Read about a unique offer from amateur astronomer and telescope builder Steve Dodson.
• Starmaster Portable Telescopes. Information on what they make and sell. 7-inch through 22-inch Dobsonians and accessories.
• Tele Vue Optics - telescopes, eyepieces, accesories and more.
• The Telescope Wharehouse Inc. - New and used equipment of all kinds. Bill Vorce is a good source of information on telescopes of all types.
• TL Systems - binocular viewer & equatorial platform for astronomy and telescope enthusiasts.
• Torus Precision Optics  Torus Precision Optics designs and manufactures research-quality optics, opto-mechanical instruments, and cutting-edge computer-controlled telescopes. Every product is carefully researched and developed using the most recent technology available. Our products are manufactured to the highest tolerances possible and thoroughly tested to ensure quality.

Other Clubs

• AstronomyClubs.com - a very extensive list of astronomy clubs worldwide.
• Chiefland Astronomy Village - a unique village devoted to amateur astronomy.
• The Jordanian Astronomical Society (JAS) - previously known as the Jordanian Amateur Astronomers Society - was founded in Amman in September 1987.

For Fun

• 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.
• U.S.S. Khai Tam - Tallahassee's branch of Star Fleet.
• Life on Mars
• Saucers.com Paranoidal Page - where humans, aliens, and interplanetary hybrids can all stare together at the same mindless dribble.