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Astronomical Information
Astronomical Societies
Astronomy Information
Observatory Information

Astronomy Picture of the day from NASA

Picture of the day archive

"The surface of the Earth is the shore of the cosmic ocean. On this shore we've learned most of what we know. Recently, we've waded a little way out, maybe ankle-deep, and the water seems inviting. Some part of our being knows this is where we came from. We long to return. And we can't, because the cosmos is also within us. We're "made" of star stuff. We are a way that the cosmos can know itself. The journey for each of us begins here. We're going to explore the cosmos in a ship of the imagination, unfettered by ordinary limits on speed and size, drawn by the music of cosmic harmonies. It can take us anywhere in space and time. Perfect as a snowflake, organic as a dandelion seed, it will carry us to worlds of dreams and worlds of facts. Come with me."

-- Carl Sagan

There are more than three thousand spacecraft orbiting Earth including Communication (TV, pager, and Cell Phone for example), GPS, and weather satellites. The most noticeable is the large Hubble Space Telescope which circles the earth every 97 minutes. A thousand or more satellites can be seen with low power optical instruments such as binoculars, and some orbiters can bee seen without any optics such as the Hubble. If you're able to find a dark area away from light sources, some 3000 stars can be seen with the naked eye. The Earth is constantly bombarded with a stream of accelerated particles arriving not only from the Sun, but also from interstellar and galactic sources. Study of these energetic particles will contribute to our understanding of the formation and evolution of the solar system as well as the astrophysical processes involved.

Events

Central Bureau for Astronomical Telegrams

The Central Bureau for Astronomical Telegrams (CBAT) operates at the Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics (specifically under the SAO umbrella), under the auspices of Commission 6 of the International Astronomical Union (IAU) and is a nonprofit organization, with principal funding coming from subscriptions to the various services offered by the Bureau.

The CBAT is responsible for the dissemination of information on transient astronomical events and various IAU news including the announcement of designations and names of various celestial objects -- via the IAU Circulars (IAUCs), a series of postcard-sized announcements issued at irregular intervals as necessary in both printed and electronic form, and (as of 2002 Dec. 20) often now also via the electronic-only Central Bureau Electronic Telegrams (CBETs). The CBAT is the official worldwide clearinghouse for new discoveries of comets, solar-system satellites, novae, supernovae, and other transient astronomical events. The first Central Bureau was formally created in the 1880s in Kiel, Germany, remaining there until World War I when it was moved to the Copenhagen Observatory (Denmark), where it remained until the end of 1964; the IAU (formed in 1919) adopted the Copenhagen Observatory's Central Bureau as its official Bureau Central des Télégrammes Astronomiques in 1922. On 1965 Jan. 1, the CBAT moved from Copenhagen to Cambridge, Massachusetts, where the Harvard College Observatory had been acting as the western hemisphere's astronomy information center also since 1883.
Space Calendar

The Space Calendar covers space-related activities and anniversaries for the coming year.


Strange New Planet Baffles Astronomers, HAT-P-1

Hungarian Automated Telescope

A compact observatory that operates without human intervention. Development of HAT was initiated by Bohdan Paczynski in 2001, with the original goal monitoring the sky for bright variables. We started searching for planetary transits in 2003. Since then the project expanded to what we call HATNet: a network of HAT telescopes that are installed to two sites on the globe: the Fred Lawrence Whipple Observatory (FLWO) in Arizona and the Submillimeter Array of the Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory (SAO) atop Mauna Kea, Hawaii. This expansion was very much promoted by the Harvard Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics (CfA), the host institution of the PI, Gaspar Bakos. We were also helped out by the decommissioned ROTSE-I project by using their lenses and CCDs. Currently the project is funded by the NASA TPF project.

There are six HAT wide field instruments altogether; 4 at FLWO (called HAT-5,6,7,10) and 2 at Mauna Kea (called HAT-8 and HAT-9). We also installed a bigger, follow-up instrument called TopHAT to FLWO.

The Hatnet page is updated often.

Universe Today

1997 XF₁₁ From NASA On October 26, 2028, the Astroid "1997 XF₁₁"> will come very close to earth. This site has detailed maps and the latest information.

The Pluto Controversy or Scientists vs Linguists

Pluto is a planet, has always been a planet, and will always be a planet, as long as we continue to call it a planet. Usage of words drives the definitions found in dictionaries. The AIU tried to describe, explain, and demote Pluto objectively, however they cannot change the meaning of words. As long as we as people think of Pluto as a planet, Pluto will always be defined as a planet.

If any change is needed, it might be correct to call Pluto and Charon a double planet, because both Pluto and Charon orbit around a barycenter between the two.

Editor - Is Mercury next? It doesn't clear it's neighborhood as required by the AIU to be a planet, nor does it have any moons, and only about twice the size of Pluto. And then, Earth isn't that big either!

Tools

HM Nautical Almanac Office, Websurf

Includes a sunrise and sunset time calculator, equinox and solstice dates, visibility predictions for the new crescent Moon, maps of forthcoming eclipses and information on UK public holidays.

NASA Astrophysics Data System

The Astrophysics Data System (ADS) is a NASA-funded project which maintains three bibliographic databases containing more than 4.6 million records: Astronomy and Astrophysics, Physics, and ArXiv e-prints.

US Naval Observatory, Astronomical Applications Department

Sun and Moon rise and set times, Moon phases, eclipses, seasons, positions of solar system objects, and other data.

Space Weather

News and information about meteor showers, solar flares, auroras, and near-Earth asteroids.

Astronomical Glossary

Asteroid, Comet & Planet Information

Planets
Name	Astronomical Symbol	Mean Distance From the sun		Period of Revolution In Days Or Years	Equatorial Diameter In Miles
		Astronomical Units	million miles
Mercury		0.387	36.0	87.97 d.	3,032
Venus		0.723	67.2	224.70 d.	7,523
Earth		1.000	92.9	365.26 d.	7,928
Mars		1.524	141.5	686.98 d.	4,218
Jupiter		5.203	483.4	11.86 y.	88,900
Saturn		9.522	884.6	29.46 y.	74,900
Uranus		19.201	1783.8	84.01 y.	31,800
Neptune		30.074	2793.9	164.79 y.	30,800
Pluto		39.725	3690.5	247.69 y.	1,400

The Planetary Society
Asteroids and Comets
Earth
  The Moon
Jupiter
  Jupiter's Moons
Mars
  Mars' Moons Phobos Diemos
Mercury
Neptune
  Neptune's Moons
Pluto
Saturn
  Saturn's Moons
Trans-Neptunian Objects
Uranus
  Uranus' Moons
Venus
Xena, 2003UB313 the 10^th Planet

Kid Sites

European Space Agency Kids Highlights

StarChild: A Learning Center for Young Astronomers

Planetary Society Activities for Kids

Teen and Young Adult Sites

Imagine the Universe!
News and events from NASA.

Night Sky Network

The Night Sky Network is a nationwide coalition of amateur astronomy clubs bringing the science, technology, and inspiration of NASA's missions to the general public. Includes a club locater.

Space Missions - Past, Present and Future

This list contains missions probing or orbiting the moon and beyond.

2001 Mars Odyssey Launched April 7, 2001, and arrived at Mars on October 24, 2001

Odyssey's primary science mission took place February 2002 through August 2004, and the orbiter began its extended mission on August 24, 2004. For the first time, the mission mapped the amount and distribution of chemical elements and minerals that make up the martian surface. The spacecraft globally mapped many elements, and the maps of hydrogen distribution led scientists to discover vast amounts of water ice in the polar regions burried just beneath the surface. Odyssey recorded the radiation environment in low Mars orbit to determine the radiation-related risk to any future human explorers who may one day go to Mars.

Advanced Composition Explorer (ACE) Launched on 25 August 1997.

The primary purpose of ACE is to determine and compare the isotopic and elemental composition of several distinct samples of matter, including the solar corona, the interplanetary medium, the local interstellar medium, and Galactic matter.

The Advanced Composition Explorer (ACE) spacecraft carrying six high-resolution sensors and three monitoring instruments samples low-energy particles of solar origin and high-energy galactic particles with a collecting power 10 to 1000 times greater than past or planned experiments. The spacecraft is 1.6 meters across and 1 meter high, not including the four solar arrays and the magnetometer booms attached to two of the solar panels. The mission was on a McDonnell-Douglas Delta II 7920 launch vehicle and launched from the Kennedy Space Center in Florida.

BepiColombo

ESA's Cornerstone mission to Mercury, it will endure extreme temperatures to bring us new images and data about composition and history of the least explored planet in the inner Solar System. Europe's space scientists have identified it as one of the most challenging long-term planetary projects. Why? Mercury's orbit is so close to the Sun that it makes the planet difficult for a spacecraft to reach and difficult to observe from a distance. Scientists want to study Mercury because of the valuable clues about understanding how planets form.

Only one probe has visited Mercury so far, NASA's Mariner 10. It flew past three times in 1974-5 and returned the only close-up images of the planet. Once BepiColombo arrives, it will help reveal information on the composition and history of Mercury, and the history and formation of the inner planets in general, including Earth.

BepiColombio as of January 2006 was scheduled to launch in April 2012.

Cassini-Huygens Launched 15 October 1997 at 4:43am EDT, entered orbit around Saturn on Jun. 30, 2004.

Picture of Cassini

Mission to Saturn and its moon Titan. The first launch attempt 13 October 1997, was scrubbed due to upper atmosphere winds.

With Saturn's stunning rings and dozens of moons, Saturn is an intriguing planet. The giant planet has a huge magnetosphere and a stormy atmosphere with winds clocked at about 1,800 kilometers per hour (1,118 mph) near the equator. These super-fast winds, combined with heat rising from within the planet's interior, cause the yellow and gold bands in its atmosphere.

Saturn, like Jupiter, Uranus and Neptune, is a gas giant. Saturn is about 75% hydrogen and 25% helium, with a specific gravity of 0.7 (it is lighter than Water).

Cassini-Huygens is an international collaboration between three space agencies. Seventeen nations contributed to building the spacecraft. The Cassini orbiter was built and managed by NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory. The Huygens probe was built by the European Space Agency. The Italian Space agency provided Cassini's high-gain communication antenna. More than 250 scientists worldwide are studying the data streaming back from Saturn on a daily basis.

Four NASA spacecraft have been sent to explore Saturn. Pioneer 11 was first to fly past Saturn in 1979. Voyager 1 flew past a year later, followed by its twin, Voyager 2, in 1981.

The Cassini spacecraft is the first to explore the Saturn system of rings and moons from orbit. Cassini entered orbit on Jun. 30, 2004 and immediately began sending back intriguing images and data. The European Space Agency's Huygens Probe dove into Titan's thick atmosphere in January 2005. The sophisticated instruments on both spacecraft are providing scientists with vital data and the best views ever of this mysterious, vast region of our solar system.

Saturn's 47 or so moons are equally mysterious, especially Titan because of its atmosphere.

These three views of Titan from the Cassini spacecraft illustrate how different the same place can look in different wavelengths of light. Cassini's cameras have numerous filters that reveal features above and beneath the shroud of Titan's atmosphere.

The first image, a natural color composite, is a combination of images taken through three filters that are sensitive to red, green and violet light. It shows approximately what Titan would look like to the human eye: a hazy orange globe surrounded by a tenuous, bluish haze. The orange color is due to the hydrocarbon particles which make up Titan's atmospheric haze. This obscuring haze was particularly frustrating for planetary scientists following the NASA Voyager mission encounters in 1980-81. Fortunately, Cassini is able to pierce Titan's veil at infrared wavelengths.

The second, monochrome view shows what Titan looks like at 938 nanometers, a near-infrared wavelength that allows Cassini to see through the hazy atmosphere and down to the surface. The view was created by combining three separate images taken with this filter, in order to improve the visibility of surface features. The variations in brightness on the surface are real differences in the reflectivity of the materials on Titan.

The third view, which is a false-color composite, was created by combining two infrared images (taken at 938 and 889 nanometers) with a visible light image (taken at 420 nanometers). Green represents areas where Cassini is able to see down to the surface. Red represents areas high in Titan's stratosphere where atmospheric methane is absorbing sunlight. Blue along the moon's outer edge represents visible violet wavelengths at which the upper atmosphere and detached hazes are better seen.

Bigger than the planets Mercury and Pluto, Titan is of particular interest to scientists because it is one of the few moons in our solar system with its own atmosphere. The moon is cloaked in a thick, smog-like haze that scientists believe may be very similar to Earth's before life began billions of years ago. Further study of this moon promises to reveal much about planetary formation and, perhaps, about the early days of Earth as well.

Corot Launch Date: June 2006

From the ground, the only planets detected around other stars have been giant gaseous worlds (Jupiter-like planets), over 10 times the diameter of the Earth. Not affected by the distorting effects of the atmosphere, Corot will be the first spacecraft capable of finding worlds made of rocks.

Such rocky worlds are smaller than the gas giants but several times larger than the Earth, itself the biggest rocky planet in the Solar System. Such planets would represent a new, as yet undiscovered, class of world that astronomers believe exists. With Corot, astronomers expect to find between 10-40 of them, together with tens of new gas giants.

The Eddington mission will develop the techniques that Corot will pioneer. It will be a larger telescope, in a more distant orbit, capable of detecting worlds down to half the size of Earth, and it will search for planets around more than 500 000 stars.

ESA then plans to continue its search for Earth-like worlds into the second decade of the century with the launch of the Darwin mission. This flotilla of eight spacecraft will take pictures of Earth-like worlds, allowing scientists to search for signs of life.

Eddington Status as of 14 December 2005: Cancelled.

In 2008, ESA plans to launch its 'rocky planet' finder Eddington. By detecting the drop in light seen when a world passes in front of its parent star, Eddington will be capable of discovering planets the size of Jupiter, and also those smaller than Mars.

That means, if our own Solar System is anything to go by, it will be capable of detecting moons similar in size to Titan and the four large moons of Jupiter.

It would be particularly exciting if such combinations of planets and moons were found orbiting a star at Earth's distance from the Sun.

NASA's Explorer Missions, Listing of Explorer Missions and Experiments

From the days of the early explorers like Christopher Columbus and Magellan, there has always been an inherent desire in humanity to explore its surroundings. From the exploits of those early knowledge seekers, many incredible discoveries were made. So it was fitting and understandable that the first spacecraft launched by the Army Ballistic Missile Agency on January 31, 1958, was named "Explorer".

Since the first mission, more than 70 U.S. and cooperative international scientific space missions have been part of the much celebrated Explorer program. Explorer satellites have made impressive discoveries: Earth's magnetosphere and the shape of its gravity field; the solar wind; properties of micrometeoroids raining down on the earth; much about ultraviolet, cosmic, and X-rays from the solar system and universe beyond; ionospheric physics; solar plasma; energetic particles; and atmospheric physics. These missions have also investigated air density, radio astronomy, geodesy, and gamma ray astronomy. Some Explorer spacecraft have even traveled to other planets, and some have monitored the Sun.

The mission of the Explorer program is to provide frequent flight opportunities for scientific investigations from space. The Explorer program enables the definition, development and implementation of mission concepts through a variety of modes to meet the need of the scientific community and the NASA space science enterprise.

The Explorer Program Office at Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, MD, provides management of the multiple scientific exploration missions in the Explorer space flight program. The missions are characterized by relatively moderate cost, and by small to medium sized missions that are capable of being built, tested and launched in a short time interval compared to the large observatories.

Hubble Space Telescope (HST) Launched in 1990.

Hubble is located about 600 km (375 miles) above the surface of the Earth. Hubble was named after Edwin Hubble, (1889-1953). In what is now known as Hubble's Law, he was the first to offer observational evidence supporting the theory of an expanding universe.

Hubble is 13.2 meters (43.5 ft.) long and its maximum diameter is 4.2 meters (14 ft.). Hubble completes one orbit around the Earth (crossing over the same longitude line) every 97 minutes. Its estimated speed is 8 km per second (5 miles per second). Hubble's primary mirror is 2.4 m (7 feet 10.5 inches).

Mars Express Launched June 2, 2003.

It left Earth shortly before Earth and Mars make their closest approach to each other for 17 years. The Mars Express was launched, which consisted of a Lander and Orbitor. Mars Express is so called because it will be built more quickly than any other comparable planetary mission. Beagle 2 (the lander) was named after the ship in which Charles Darwin sailed when formulating his ideas about evolution.

The ESA ground station is in New Norcia, near Perth, Australia. Planned operational duration: One Martian year (687 Earth days) is funded. The spacecraft is designed for a further Martian year's operation.

The Mars Express Orbiter will:

• image the entire surface at high resolution (10 metres/pixel) and selected areas at super resolution (2 metres/pixel);

• produce a map of the mineral composition of the surface at 100 metre resolution;

• map the composition of the atmosphere and determine its global circulation;

• determine the structure of the sub-surface to a depth of a few kilometres;

• determine the effect of the atmosphere on the surface;

• determine the interaction of the atmosphere with the solar wind.

The Beagle 2 Lander was planned to:

• determine the geology and the mineral and chemical composition of the landing site;

• search for life signatures (exobiology);

• study the weather and climate on Mars.

The orbiter successfully entered Martian orbit on 25 December 2003. First it went into a highly elliptical capture orbit from which it moved into its operational near polar orbit later in January 2004.

Beagle 2 was planned to descend to the surface, entering the atmosphere at more than 20,000 kilometres per hour. A heat-resistant shield would have protected it as friction with the upper atmosphere slowed it down. When its speed had fallen to about 1600 kilometres per hour, a parachute would have deployed to slow it further. Finally, large gas-filled bags inflate to protect it as it bounced to a halt on the chosen landing site. As soon as the lander came to a halt, the gas bags would have been jettisoned, its clam-like outer casing sprung open, its solar panels unfurled, the robotic arm deployed and its cameras started to take in the view. Unfortunately, the Beagle 2 lander was declared lost after it failed to make contact with orbiting spacecraft and Earth-based radio telescopes.

Data collected by the orbiter instruments is transmitted to an ESA ground station at New Norcia near Perth, Australia, at a rate of up to 230 kbps. Between 0.5 and 5 Gbits of scientific data is downlinked from the spacecraft to Earth every day. From Perth they are sent on to the European Space Operations Centre (ESOC) in Darmstadt, Germany, which adds spacecraft attitude and orbital data, and then retransmits the data to the instrument Principal Investigators (PI) for further processing and analysis. After about six months, the processed data will be sent to the European Space Research and Technology Centre (ESTEC) in the Netherlands for placing in a publicly available Mars Express science data archive.

Mars Express cost approximately 300 million Euros. This includes the launch, the spacecraft, the scientific payload (including the lander) and operations.

Mars Global Surveyor Launched November 7, 1996, arrived at Mars on September 12, 1997.

After a year and a half trimming its orbit from a looping ellipse to a circular track around the planet, the spacecraft began its prime mapping mission in March 1999. It has observed the planet from a low-altitude, nearly polar orbit over the course of one complete Martian year, the equivalent of nearly two Earth years. Mars Global Surveyor recently completed its primary mission on January 31, 2001, and is now in an extended mission phase.

NASA's Mars Global Surveyor orbiter is the oldest Mars spacecraft currently in operation, and it has been studying the red planet for nearly a decade. Mars Global Surveyor was the first successful U.S. mission launched to Mars since the Viking mission in 1976. After a 20-year absence at the planet, Mars Global Surveyor ushered in a new era of Mars exploration.

New Horizons Launch: January 2006, it should arrive at Pluto in 2015.

New Horizons' closest approach to Jupiter occurred at 12:43 a.m. EST February 28, 2007, when it passed 1.4 million miles from the planet. The studies of Jupiter and its four largest moons began several weeks ago and are scheduled to continue through June 2007.

New Horizons Goal:

Pluto's atmosphere is escaping into space like a comet, but on a planetary scale. Nothing like this exists anywhere else in the solar system. It is thought that the Earth's original hydrogen/helium atmosphere was lost to space this way. By studying Pluto's atmospheric escape, we can learn a great deal about the evolution of Earth's atmosphere. New Horizons will determine Pluto's atmospheric structure and composition and directly measure its escape rate for the first time.

Pluto's moon, Charon, is half the size of Pluto. The pair form a binary-planet, whose gravitational balance point is between the two bodies. Although binary planets are thought to be common in the galaxy, as are binary stars, no spacecraft has yet explored one. New Horizons will be the first mission to a binary object of any type.

Our solar system contains three zones: the inner, rocky planets; the gas giant planets; and the Kuiper Belt. Pluto is the largest body in the icy, "third zone" of our solar system.

Smart-1

Over 30 years after the last Apollo mission visited the Moon in 1972, there is still much that we do not know about our nearest satellite. For example, how was it created? What role did it play in the formation and evolution of Earth? SMART-1 may help to answer these questions.

The main purpose of the SMART-1 mission is to flight-test the new solar-electric propulsion technology, a kind of solar-powered thruster that is ten times more efficient than the usual chemical systems employed when travelling in space. If all goes well, such a system could be providing the propulsion system for future ESA missions into deep space, such as BepiColombo.

However, in the process, the mission will be providing some fascinating science. For example, SMART-1 will be mapping the lunar surface chemical composition more accurately than ever before. Apollo spacecraft carried hand-held cameras to photograph the lunar surface. SMART-1 will be leading the way in the latest imaging techniques. Images taken from many different angles and X-ray and infrared detection work will allow scientists to draw up new three-dimensional models of the Moon's surface.

SMART-1 will be looking at the darker parts of the Moon's south pole for the first time. It will be mapping the so-called Peak of Eternal Light, an eerie mountaintop that is permanently bathed in sunlight, while all around are dark craters never touched by the Sun. These craters are believed to harbour water-ice in the lunar soil. SMART-1 will also help scientists to confirm if ice is present at the lunar poles, where the temperature never rises above -170 Degrees C. Any water on the lunar surface would be very helpful in the creation of permanent bases on the Moon.

SMART-1 is also the first European spacecraft to go to the Moon. It's main objective is to test solar-electric primary propulsion for future deep-space missions.

The engine was finally shutdown on 17 September 2005. From then, the SMART-1 was left in a natural orbit determined by lunar gravity and perturbations caused by gravitational influence of the Earth and Sun. The preliminary orbit propagation done by Flight Dynamics indicated that SMART-1 would its life naturally, through an impact on the Moon's surface in Mid August, 2006. On September 3, 2006 at 05:42 GMT SMART-1 crashed into the moon, as shown in the animated image on the left or above depending on your monitor's resolution.

Stardust Launched 7 February 1999, scheduled return 15 January 2006

The primary goal of Stardust is to collect dust and carbon-based samples during its closest encounter with Comet Wild 2 - pronounced "Vilt 2" after the name of its Swiss discoverer - is a rendezvous scheduled to take place in January 2004, after nearly four years of space travel.

Additionally, the Stardust spacecraft will bring back samples of interstellar dust, including recently discovered dust streaming into our Solar System from the direction of Sagittarius. These materials are believed to consist of ancient pre-solar interstellar grains and nebular that include remnants from the formation of the Solar System. Analysis of such fascinating celestial specks is expected to yield important insights into the evolution of the Sun its planets and possibly even the origin of life itself.

In order to meet up with comet Wild 2, the spacecraft will make three loops around the Sun. On the second loop, its trajectory will intersect the comet. During the meeting, Stardust will perform a variety of tasks including reporting counts of comet particles encountered by the spacecraft with the Dust Flux Monitor, and real-time analyses of the compositions of these particles and volatiles taken by the Comet and Interstellar Dust Analyzer (CIDA). Using a substance called aerogel, Stardust will capture these samples and store them for safe keep on its long journey back to Earth. This silica-based, material has been inserted within the Aerogel Collector Grid, which is similar to a large tennis racket. Not until January 2006, will Stardust and its precise cargo return by parachuting a reentry capsule weighing approximately 125 pounds to the Earth's surface.

Stardust is the fourth NASA Discovery mission to be chosen and follows on the heels of Mars Pathfinder, the Near Earth Asteroid Rendezvous (NEAR) mission, and the Lunar Prospector mission. The Discovery Program, is an ongoing program that is intended to offer the scientific community opportunities to accomplish frequent, high quality scientificinvestigations using innovative and efficient management approaches. It seeks to keep performance high and expenses low by using new technologies and strict cost caps.

The Stardust capsule was visible from parts of Nevada and Utah when it returned on January 15, 2006.

See also Stardust@Home

Rosetta

ESA's Rosetta spacecraft will be the first to undertake the long-term exploration of a comet at close quarters. It comprises a large orbiter, which is designed to operate for a decade at large distances from the Sun, and a small lander. Each of these carries a large complement of scientific experiments designed to complete the most detailed study of a comet ever attempted. After entering orbit around Comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko in 2014, the spacecraft will release a small lander onto the icy nucleus, then spend the next two years orbiting the comet as it heads towards the Sun. On the way to Comet Churyumov-Gerasimenko, Rosetta will receive gravity assists from Earth and Mars, and fly past main belt asteroids.

The main spacecraft, the orbiter, has dimensions of 2.8 x 2.1 x 2.0 meters, on which all subsystems and payload equipment are mounted.

The Rosetta orbiter has eleven scientific instruments:

• ALICE Ultraviolet Imaging Spectrometer
• CONSERT Comet Nucleus Sounding
• COSIMA Cometary Secondary Ion Mass Analyser
• GIADA Grain Impact Analyser and Dust Accumulator
• MIDAS Micro-Imaging Analysis System
• MIRO Microwave Instrument for the Rosetta Orbiter
• OSIRIS Rosetta Orbiter Imaging System
• ROSINA Rosetta Orbiter Spectrometer for Ion and Neutral Analysis
• RPC Rosetta Plasma Consortium
• RSI Radio Science Investigation
• VIRTIS Visible and Infrared Mapping Spectrometer

The Rosetta lander has nine scientific instruments:

• APXS Alpha Proton X-ray Spectrometer
• ÇIVA / ROLIS Rosetta Lander Imaging System
• CONSERT Comet Nucleus Sounding
• COSAC Cometary Sampling and Composition experiment
• MODULUS PTOLEMY Evolved Gas Analyser
• MUPUS Multi-Purpose Sensor for Surface and Subsurface Science
• ROMAP RoLand Magnetometer and Plasma Monitor
• SD2 Sample and Distribution Device
• SESAME Surface Electrical and Acoustic Monitoring Experiment, Dust Impact Monitor

Rosetta was launched as flight 158 on 2 March 2004 by an Ariane-5G rocket from Kourou, French Guiana. Rosetta's journey takes it out to 5.25 AU (about 790 million kilometres from the Sun). The journey to Comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko lasts 10 years.
First Earth fly-by (November 2005)
Mars fly-by (February 2007)
Second Earth fly-by (November 2007)
Third Earth fly-by (November 2009)
Deep-space hibernation (May 2011 - January 2014)

During its journey, Rosetta will fly-by one or more asteroids.

Comet approach (January-May 2014)
Comet mapping / Characterisation (August 2014)
Landing on the comet (November 2014)
Escorting the comet around the Sun (November 2014 - December 2015)

The orbiter continues to orbit Comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko, observing what happens as the icy nucleus approaches the Sun and then travels away from it. The mission ends in December 2015. Rosetta will once again pass close to Earth's orbit, more than 4000 days after its adventure began.

Comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko has a nucleus about 4 kilometres wide. It orbits aroud the Sun every 6.6 years, between 186 million kilometres and 857 million kilometres from the Sun. It was discovered in 1969 by K. Churyumov (University of Kiev, Ukraine) and S. Gerasimenko (Institute of Astrophysics Dushanbe, Tajikistan).


EAS SMART-1

SMART-1 is the first of ESA's 'Small Missions for Advanced Research in Technology'. It is heading for the Moon using revolutionary propulsion techniques and carry a battery of miniaturised instruments. As well as testing new technology, SMART-1 will make the first comprehensive inventory of key chemical elements in the lunar surface. It will also investigate the theory that the Moon was formed following the violent collision of a smaller planet with Earth, four and a half thousand million years ago.

Solar & Heliospheric Observatory (SOHO) Launched 2 December 1995

Designed to study the internal structure of the Sun, its extensive outer atmosphere and the origin of the solar wind, the stream of highly ionized gas that blows continuously outward through the Solar System.

The Solar and Heliospheric Observatory (SOHO) is helping us understand the interactions between the Sun and the Earth's environment better than has been possible to date. Its legacy may enable scientists to solve some of the most perplexing riddles about the Sun, including the heating of the solar corona, the acceleration of the solar wind, and the physical conditions of the solar interior. It will give solar physicists their first long term, uninterrupted view of the mysterious star that we call the Sun.

The SOHO project is being carried out by the European Space Agency (ESA) and the US National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) as a cooperative effort between the two agencies in the framework of the Solar Terrestrial Science Program (STSP) comprising SOHO and CLUSTER, and the International Solar-Terrestrial Physics Program (ISTP), with Geotail (ISAS-Japan), Wind, and Polar.

The SOHO spacecraft was built in Europe by an industry team led by Matra, and instruments were provided by European and American scientists. There are nine European Principal Investigators (PI's) and three American ones. Large engineering teams and more than 200 co-investigators from many institutions supported the PI's in the development of the instruments and in the preparation of their operations and data analysis. NASA was responsible for the launch and is now responsible for mission operations. Large radio dishes around the world which form NASA's Deep Space Network are used to track the spacecraft beyond the Earth's orbit. Mission control is based at Goddard Space Flight Center in Maryland.

Soyuz, Russian Soyuz TMA Spacecraft

A Soyuz space capsule took the first crew to the International Space Station in November 2000. Since that time, at least one Soyuz has always been at the Station, generally to serve as a lifeboat should the crew have to return to Earth unexpectedly. After the Columbia accident in February 2003, the Soyuz TMA became the means of transportation for crewmembers going to or returning from the orbiting laboratory.

Spitzer Space Telescope Sitio de Spitzer en Español

NASA's Spitzer Space Telescope is a space-based infrared observatory, part of NASA's Great Observatories program (which also includes Hubble, Chandra, and Compton). This is the mission's official homepage, including mission information, pictures, news, features, and more. The website is maintained by the Spitzer Science Center, located on the campus of the California Institute of Technology and part of NASA's Infrared Processing and Analysis Center.

Ulysses

Launched: 06 Oct 1990 11:47 UT. Orbit: Heliocentric inclined at 80^o to the ecliptic plane.

After it was Launched, it headed out to Jupiter, arriving in February 1992 for a gravity-assisted manoeuvre that swung the craft into its unique solar polar orbit. Ulysses passed over the Sun's south pole in 1994, and the north pole in 1995. In 2000/2001, Ulysses visited the solar poles for a second time. Its next swing by the Solar poles will be 2006/2007 and 2012/2013, and next fly by Jupiter in 2016 and then a little further away in 2028.

For a time lapse into the future see Ulysses in 3D

Ulysses is equipped with a comprehensive range of scientific instruments. These are able to detect and measure solar wind ions and electrons, magnetic fields, energetic particles, cosmic rays, natural radio and plasma waves, cosmic dust, interstellar neutral gas, solar X-rays and cosmic gamma-ray bursts. This combination of experiments is helping scientists to understand the Sun and its heliosphere. Because Ulysses travels far from the Sun, solar power can't be used to provide electricity to the spacecraft. Instead, a Radio-isotope Thermoelectric Generator (RTG) is used.

A major milestone for Ulysses was reached on 6 October 2005, namely the 15th anniversary of the launch from Cape Canaveral on board the space shuttle Discovery. After 15 years of operations, and a journey of 7 billion kilometres, the spacecraft and its scientific payload remain in good health.

Venera

16 Soviet Missions to Venus from 1961 to 1983. Vernea 7, sometimes called Venus 7, became the first spacecraft to return data after landing on another planet.

Venus Express Launched on 9 November at 3:33 UT (Soyuz-Fregat from Baikonur, Kazakhstan).

Thanks to a set of state-of-the-art instruments for planetary investigations, Venus Express will dig into the secrets of the Venusian atmosphere.

It will study its complex dynamics and chemistry, and the interactions between the atmosphere and the surface, which will give clues about surface's characteristics. It will also study the interactions between the atmosphere and the interplanetary environment (solar wind) to better understand the evolution of the planet.

Instruments:

• ASPERA (Analyser of Space Plasma and Energetic Atoms)
• MAG (Venus Express Magnetometer)
• PFS (Planetary Fourier Spectrometer)
• SPICAV/SOIR (Ultraviolet and Infrared Atmospheric Spectrometer)
• VeRa (Venus Radio Science Experiment)
• VIRTIS (Ultraviolet/visible/near-infrared Mapping Spectrometer)
• VMC (Venus Monitoring Camera)

Ground stations at Villafranca (15 m), Spain, New Norcia (35 m), Australia, and Kourou (15 m), French Guiana, will be used for communication and orbit determination. At Venus, Cebreros (35 m) near Madrid, Spain. The New Norcia antenna will be used to support the Venus Radio science experiments.

The launcher placed the spacecraft into a transfer orbit to Venus. It will travel through space for 155 days and, once it is captured by Venusian gravity, it will take five days to move into its operational orbit in April 2006.

Venus Express will study our nearest planetary neighbour. It has been built around the design of Mars Express, making it quicker, therefore less expensive, to develop. In particular, Venus Express will study the Venusian atmosphere and clouds in unprecedented detail and accuracy. It is ESA's first spacecraft to visit this planet.

Viking Mission to Mars Mission Ended August 1980

The primary mission objectives were to obtain high resolution images of the Martian surface, characterize the structure and composition of the atmosphere and surface, and search for evidence of life.

Viking 1 was launched on August 20, 1975 and arrived at Mars on June 19, 1976. The first month of orbit was devoted to imaging the surface to find appropriate landing sites for the Viking Landers. On July 20, 1976 the Viking 1 Lander separated from the Orbiter and touched down at Chryse Planitia (22.48 degrees N, 49.97 degrees W planetographic, 1.5 km below the datum (6.1 mbar) elevation).

Viking 2 was launched September 9, 1975 and entered Mars orbit on August 7, 1976. The Viking 2 Lander touched down at Utopia Planitia (47.97 degrees N, 225.74 degrees W, 3 km below the datum elevation) on September 3, 1976. The Orbiters imaged the entire surface of Mars at a resolution of 150 to 300 meters, and selected areas at 8 meters. The lowest periapsis altitude for both Orbiters was 300 km.

The Viking 2 Orbiter was powered down on July 25, 1978 after 706 orbits, and the Viking 1 Orbiter on August 17, 1980, after over 1400 orbits.

Voyager Missions

On the 12th of November 1980, at 3:56 PM PST, the Voyager 1 spacecraft made its closest approach to Saturn in man's first detailed look. One hour and 25 minutes later, the signal with the image arrived at Earth.

Signals are still (as of 2007) being received from Voyager I & II as they both go into deep space.

Organizations, Telescopes and Observatories

ASociación de Astrónomos AFicionados-UCM ( ASAAF-UCM )

Society of Astrophysics students. Travels, amateur projects and introductory lessons. [in Spanish]

Aberdeen and District Astronomical Society ( ADAS )

An organization for astronomy enthusiasts that meet on a regular basis for astronomical observing, talks by guest speakers and visits to observatories and planetaria. They meet at the historic Cromwell Tower Observatory at King's College in Old Aberdeen UK.

Adler Planetarium & Astronomy Museum

The first planetarium built in the Western Hemisphere.

Located at 1300 S. Lake Shore Drive, Chicago, Illinois. Phone 312-922-STAR. También en Español (also in Spanish).

Advanced Modular Incoherent Scatter Radar (AMISR)

A modular, mobile radar facility that will be used by scientists and students from around the world to conduct studies of the upper atmosphere and to observe space weather events. Remote operation and electronic beam steering will let researchers operate and position the radar beam instantaneously to accurately measure rapidly changing space weather events.

Agrupación Astronómica Aragonesa

Articles, Images, Events, located in Zaragoza, Spain. [in Spanish]

Agrupación Astronómica de Madrid (AAM)

The Agrupación Astronomica de Madrid (AAM) is a cultural association founded in 1974, with two main objectives: study and development of the Astronomy and related sciences at an amateur level, located in Madrid, Spain. [in Spanish]

Aldrich Astronómical Society (AAS)

The official homepage of Aldrich Astronomical Society, a club founded in 1932 which is active in the central Massachusetts area.

Amateur Astronomers Association of Princeton (AAAP)

Home Page for the Amateur Astronomers' Association of Princeton (New Jersey). Includes information about club activities, program schedule, and special events.

Amateur Astronomers Association (AAA)

The Amateur Astronomers Association is the regional society for astronomy in the New York cosmopolitan area. It operates a wide range of public and inhouse educational programs in astronomy. These include lectures, seminars, classes, and starviewing. Sessions are held at the Association's offices are at other venues, like parks, in and around New York. The Association is the City's advocate for astronomy before social and cultural matters, development hearings, community discussions, and science & nature projects of other organizations.Membership in the AAA, $20 per annum, includes monthly newsletter EYEPIECE. It enables receipt of a member's discount subscriptions to Sky & Telescope and Astronomy magazines. Address: 1010 Park Avenue, New York NY 10028. Phone 212-535-2922.

Amateur Astronomers, Inc. Cranford, New Jersey (AAI)

Oldest amateur astronomy club in NJ. Sperry Observatory, Cranford NJ: 24-inch reflector, 10-inch refractor. Lectures, seminars, talks, demos, tutorials. CCD and H-alpha imaging. Eclipse chasing.

Amateur Observers' Society of New York

Established in 1965 and was created in order to bring together astronomy enthusiasts and people of all ages.

Amateurs Astronomes du Luxembourg (AAL)

AAL is a non-profit organization dedicated to the promotion of astronomy. The site contains basic information on the activities of the organization and links to various resources of interest to amateur-astronomers.

American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)

The Editor of Science.

American Association of Amateur Astronomers (AAAA)

The American Association of Amateur Astronomers. welcomes all individuals interested in astronomy of any level of expertise, from novice to nationally recognized expert. Interests range from observing and astrophotography to CCD imaging and armchair astronomy.

American Association of Variable Star Observers (AAVSO)

AAVSO (American Association of Variable Star Observers) is the world's largest variable star organization; serving amateur and professional astronomers since 1911.

American Astronomical Society - Division of Dynamical Astronomy (DDA)

The object of the American Astronomical Society Division on Dynamical Astronomy is the advancement of all aspects of dynamical astronomy, including celestial mechanics, solar system dynamics, stellar dynamics, the dynamics of the interstellar medium and galactic dynamics, and coordination of such research with other branches of science.

American Astronomical Society (AAS)

Contains information on the Society, meeting schedules, meeting abstracts (in HTML), staff directory, the AAS Job Register

American Geophysical Union (AGU)

American Geophysical Union is an international scientific society with more than 32,000 members in over 115 countries. For over 75 years, AGU researchers, teachers, and science administrators have dedicated themselves to advancing the understanding of Earth and its environment in space and making the results available to the public

American Institute of Physics (AIP)

The American Institute of Physics (AIP) is a not-for-profit membership corporation chartered in New York State in 1931 for the purpose of promoting the advancement and diffusion of the knowledge of physics and its application to human welfare.

American Meteor Society (AMS)

The American Meteor Society is a non-profit organization devoted to the observation of meteoric phenomena, the analysis and publication of results, and promoting cooperation in meteor science.

American Physical Society (APS)

On-line information includes the APS E-Print Archive Forum.

Ames Area Amateur Astronomers (AAAA)

The Ames Area Amateur Astronomers, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) non-profit educational and scientific organization.

Apache Point Observatory

The observatory consists of The Astrophysical Research Consortium's 3.5-meter telescope, the Sloan Digital Sky Survey 2.5-m telescope with a 20" photometric telescope, and New Mexico State University's 1.0-m telescope. Access to the telescopes and buildings is restricted but the public is welcome to stroll the grounds. Located at 2001 Apache Point Road, P.O. Box 59, Sunspot, NM.

Arcetri Observatory [ English ]
Osservatorio Astrofisico di Arcetri [ Italiano ]

The Arcetri Observatory, or Osservatorio di Arcetri is located in Arcetri, formerly a village near the city of Florence (Firenze) Italy. Tel: +39 055 2752 1, Fax +39 055 220039.

Arkansas Tech University Celestial Observatory

The Celestial Observatory features a 16-inch reflecting telescope. It can be utilized in an f/16 Cassegrain or f/4 Newtonian configuration.

Arkansas/Oklahoma Astronomical Society (AOAS)

The Arkansas Oklahoma Astronomical Society is a registered not-for-profit organization dedicated to raising the public's awareness about the science of astronomy and to increasing the application of astronomical science in education. The AOAS primary focus is the region around in Fort Smith, Arkansas.

Armagh Observatory

The Armagh Observatory is a modern astronomical research institute with a rich heritage. Founded in 1790 by Archbishop Richard Robinson, the Observatory is one of the UK and Ireland's leading scientific research establishments. Around 25 astronomers are actively studying Stellar Astrophysics, the Sun, Solar System astronomy, and the Earth's climate. Located in College Hill, Armagh BT61 9DG, Northern Ireland Telephone: +44 (0)28 3752 2928, FAX +44 (0)28 3752 7174.

Armagh Planetarium

An astronomical resource for educators and Planetarium workers which contains images obtained through the telescopes and a variety of other material.

Armenian Astronomical Society (ArAS)

Asociación Colombiana de Estudios Astronómicos (ACDA)

ACDA is a non profit amateur association devoted to the research and popularization of Astronomy in Colombia. [in Spanish]

ASociación de Astronomos AFicionados de la Univ. Complutense de Madrid ( ASAAF-UCM )

Society of students of Astrophysics. Travels, amateur projects and introdution lessons. [in Spanish]

Asociación Valenciana de Astronomía (AVA)

Astronomical amateur society founded in 1972, in Valencia (Spain). [in Spanish].

Association des Astronomes Amateurs de l'Abitibi-Temiscamingue (AAAAT)

This is an amateur organization located in the western part of the Province of Quebec, Canada, far away from major centers. [in French]

Association Francaise d'Astronomie (AFA)

The Association Française d'Astronomie (AFA) publishes monthly "Ciel & Espace".

Association Nouvelle pour la Diffusion et la Recherche á l'Observatoire de Marseille Et le Développement des Expositions ( ANDROMEDE )

Association ANDROMEDE, Observatoire de Marseille [in French].

Association of Falkirk Astronomers (AFA)

Astronomy society active in central Scotland.

Association of Lunar & Planetary Observers (ALPO)

An educational organization that instucts observers in proper technique, collects amateur observations and promulgates them to the professional community.

Associazione Friulana di Astronomia e Meteorologia (AFAM)

AFAM is an Italian amateur astronomical society in 1970, and devoted to the popularization of astronomy and amatorial research. The activity is conducted in its observatory, located in Remanzacco (about 150Km E-NE of Venice). Main fields of interest are: Solar System radioastronomy (Sun, meteors, Jupiter), and photometry of cataclismic variables. AFAM is deeply involved with professional and amateur astronomers conducting international studies in selected topics.

Portal for amateur astronomy in Italy [in Italian].

Astrological Lodge of London

The Astrological Lodge of London is an Educational Charity whose aim is the study of astrology in all its branches. Founded in 1915 by Alan Leo for the study of astrology,the Astrological Lodge of London provides a weekly focus for a dynamic and lively community of astrologers.

Astronomia Autodidacta (Colombia)

Astronomy resourses for beginners and amateurs in Spanish

Astronomical League

The goal of The Astronomical League is to encourage an interest in astronomy (and especially amateur astronomy) throughout America. This is done through educational and observational programs for the amateur astronomer.
The Astronomical League is composed of over two hundred local amateur astronomical societies from all across the United States. These organizations, along with the Members-at-Large, Patrons, and Supporting members form one of the largest amateur astronomical organizations in the world.

Astronomical Association of Northern California, AANC


Astronomical Information

From the Australian Goverment, Geoscience Australia is the national agency for geoscience research and geospatial information. It is located within the Industry, Tourism and Resources portfolio. At this site: Sunrise, Sunset & Twilight Times; Moonrise & Moonset times; Sun and Moon Azimuth & Elevation, Help with Astronomic Computations, Browse Moon phase data, Browse Planet data for major Australian cities, Definitions of Astronomical Events, and Geodetic Calculations.

Astronomical Ring for Access to Spectroscopy (ARAS)

ARAS is an informal group of volunteers who aim to promote cooperation between professional and amateur astronomers in the field of spectroscopy. The purpose of ARAS in fostering the participation of amateur astronomers in scientific projects in the field of spectroscopy is not to implement and coordinate observing campaigns. This is the role of astronomy research scientists, laboratories or international consortiums. ARAS will however attempt to consolidate the acquired data into a web database and will ensure that the quality of its data is compatible with scientific processing methods. ARAS was held from 6 to 11 May 2003 by the 8th "Ecole d'Astrophysique d'Oléron, France" and organized by Jean-Pierre Rozelot ("Observatoire de la Côte d'Azur", France), under the aegis of the "Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique" (CNRS). This session essentially focused on the theme "Astrophysics Tools for Cooperation between Amateur and Professional Astronomers", with special emphasis on spectrography. It demonstrated that amateurs can make a useful contribution to observation in a broad range of fields. [also in French, Italian, Portuguese, and Spanish]

Astronomical Society Ivan Stefek, Kutina, Croatia

Astronomical society dedicated to school astronomy, in Croatia.

Astronomical Society of Australia (ASA)

The Astronomical Society of Australia (ASA) is the society of professional astronomers in Australia. This link points to the ASA Home Page, listing a variety of information on the Society and its activities, including " Instructions to Authors" for its journal and email addresses of members.

Astronomical Society of Edinburgh

The Astronomical Society of Edinburgh (ASE) was founded in 1924 and since 1938 has run the City Observatory at the Calton Hill. Its aims are to advance the education of the public about the science of Astronomy and to promote astronomical research chiefly in Edinburgh and its neighbourhood.
Meetings are held monthly throughout the year and anyone interested in astronomy is eligible for membership.

Astronomical Society of Glasgow (ASG)

The Astronomical Society of Glasgow was founded in 1894 as the West of Scotland Branch of the British Astronomical Society (BAA), and became The Astronomical Society of Glasgow, affiliated to the BAA, in 1954. The Society is also a member of the Scottish Astronomers' Group and the British Association of Planetaria. The Astronomical Society of Glasgow holds monthly lecture meetings between September and April inclusive.
A newsletter is circulated to members nine times a year.

Astronomical Society of India (ASI)

The Astronomical Society of India was established in 1972 and in the past twenty-five years has grown to become the prime association of professional astronomers in India with more than 500 members.
The objective of the society is the promotion of Astronomy and related branches of science in India. The society organises scientific meetings, publishes a quarterly bulletin and supports the popularisation of Astronomy and other similar activities.
The site describes the activities of the Astronomical Society of India, and includes an online membership directory.

Astronomical Society of Nevada (ASN)

The Astronomical Society of Nevada is located at the University of Nevada, Reno Nevada. The Club gathers for dark sky observation at several sites on a regular basis. These gatherings allow members to explore their own interests from galaxies to nebulas and are always open to interested persons

Astronomical Society of New Haven

Gallery, links, newsletter, and a small library of about 100 books relating to various technical, observational and popular aspects of astronomy and astronomy related topics.

Astronomical Society of the Pacific (ASP)

The A.S.P. is one of the leading organizations in the world in astronomy education. The Society includes professional astronomers, amateur astronomers, educators, and interested laypeople. The site features information about its newsletter for teachers, its popular-level magazine, its workshops and meetings, its non-profit catalog of educational materials, its educational resource lists and publications, and Project ASTRO which joins astronomers and teachers as partners in the classroom.

Astronomie au Quebec

Groupe Astro & CCD. [In french]

Astronomy & Physics Internet Society (APIS)

APiS (Astronomy & Physics Internet Society) is a new type of society/club that, we hope Richard Feynman would have been happy with. This is an open society with the goal of bringing together scientists (amateur/professional/enthusiast) and students interested in astronomy & physics.

Astronomy at Belfort, France

French amateur organization. CCD photos and images processing, Moon, planetary with modified quickcam, Solar eclipse of the 08/11/99, Celestron C8 telescope, Amateur meeting. [Site in English and French]

Astronomy Section, Rochester Academy of Scieces (ASRAS)

Events schedule for the Astronomy Section, Images, links, and a list of current Supernovae.

The Astronomy Cafe

Do you have lots of questions about space that you can't seem to get answers to? Would you like to learn about a career in astronomy, Big Bang cosmology, and many other HOT topics in astronomy? Sit down, grab a cup of your favorite beverage, and have a look around!

Astroteam Mariazellerland

Homepage of astronomical club situated in Mariazell, Stmk, Austria.
Instruments : 16" Meade LX200, observation dome 5m in diameter. [also in German]

Auckland Observatory and Stardome Planetarium

Located in Auckland, New Zealand's largest city. Stardome Observatory is situated on the lower southern slopes of One Tree Hill (or Maungakiekie), one of Auckland's volcanic cones and most prominent natural landmarks. The park includes Maori archaeological sites, playgrounds, BBQ's, walking tracks, and a working farm. It is a public Observatory established in 1967. Now with a new (1997) 11 metre Zeiss planetarium.
Research interests include photometry of binary and variable stars.

Aurora Web Cam (Mt. Aurora, near Fairbanks, Alaska)

AuroraWebCam.com international project. This free site provides the 1^st private worldwide live webcast of auroras in history.

Austin Astronomical Society (AAS)

Austin Astronomical Society (AAS) is a non-profit organization for anyone interested in any aspect of astronomy or the space sciences. A major portion of AAS activities are public education outreach efforts.

Big Bear Solar Observatory

The Big Bear Solar Observatory (BBSO) located in Big Bear Lake, California is operated by the New Jersey Institute of Technology (NJIT). Our main interest is the physics of the Sun and we observe solar phenomena every day with our dedicated telescopes and instruments. In addition to our own instruments we host two different helioseismology experiments; the TON and the GONG. The Center for Solar-Terrestrial Research at NJIT also studies the Sun in radio wavelengths at the Owens Valley Radio Observatory. The Big Bear Solar Observatory is located at 40386 North Shore Lane, Big Bear City, CA 92314. Phone 909-866-5791, FAX 909-866-4240.

Big Sky Astronomical Society (Alberta, Canada)

The astronomical society for kids, their parents, and teachers. Lots of fun and educational web pages to explore, online projects, Adopt-A-Star, and more! (Vulcan, Alberta, Canada)

Big Sky Astronomy Club - Flathead Valley, Montana (BSAC)

The Big Sky Astronomy Club is a group of dedicated amateur astronomers located in the beautiful Flathead Valley of Northwest Montana. We are committed to sharing the varied interests in, the collective knowledge of and unbridled passion for astronomy with the residents of their fair valley and, to the extent possible, the rest of the "Pale Blue Dot".

Biscayan Astronomical Group (AAV-BAE)

Founded in 1983, the Agrupacion Astronomica Vizcaina - Bizkaiko Astronomi Elkartea is a cultural society of amateur astronomers, covering the territory of Bizkaia and Bilbao (Basque Country). [in Spanish]

Boothe Memorial Astronomoical Society - Stratford, CT (BMAS)

The Boothe Memorial Astronomical Society was formed in 1953 by a group of passionate individuals with a thirst for obtaining knowledge and educating the public in the field of astronomy. The observatory is located at Boothe Memorial Park in Stratford, CT.

Boston Amateur Telescope Makers (ATMoB)

ATMoB is one of North America's oldest and largest astronomy clubs. Monthly meetings are held the 2nd Thursday except in August at the Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics in Cambridge, Massachusetts and feature many distinguished speakers presenting on a wide range of topics. A clubhouse and observatory are maintained in Westford, MA.

Brasilian Astronomical Society (SAB)

Home page of the Sociedade Astronômica Brasileira with information on the Society, meeting schedules, members directory. [in Portuguese]

Bucks-Mont Astronomical Association (BMAA)

Bucks-Mont Astronomical Association is an active astronomy organization of Bucks and Montgomery County colleagues in Pennsylvania. BMAA sponsors Stella-Della-Valley, the annual weekend convention held in October at a dark-sky observing site in upper Bucks County (Ottsville, Pennsylvania, about 40 miles north of PHiladelphia). BMAA numbers about 80 members.

Buehler Columbia Amateur Astronomers Association, Emil Buehler Trust Observatory

From the Bergen Community College in in Paramus, NJ.

The Buehler Trust Observatory is equipped with three 16" Meade LX-200 telescopes. Two are permanently mounted in twin domes atop Bergen Community College's new Technology Education Center. The third telescope is designed for accessibility and is mounted on a mobile tripod.

The telescopes are each equipped with state-of-the-art SBIG XT-8 CCD cameras which will enable the scopes to capture detailed digital imagery. Custom spectrometers have been built for each telescope by Dr. Joseph Sivo of Sivo Scientific Company. The telescopes are also outfitted with astronomical video cameras.

Caltech Astronomy

As a member of the division of the Physics/Math/Astro Division, the primary mission of the department is twofold: the performance of cutting-edge research in astronomy and astrophysics, as well as the education of undergraduate and graduate students who will comprise the scientists and leaders of tomorrow. The department members engage in a wide variety of astronomical research projects, with topics ranging from the nearby stars to the most distant galaxies in the Universe. To help maintain these research efforts, their department supports an interest in several astronomical observatories.

Calumet Astronomical Society

Calumet Astronomical Society is an amateur organization serving Northwest Indiana and the Chicago area.

Carter Observatory

Carter Observatory is located in the majestic Botanical gardens in Wellington, the capital city of New Zealand.
The Observatory has a Planetarium, visitor gift shop, lecture theatre, many static displays, plus a range of telescopes, all available to the public.

Canadian Astronomical society (CASCA)

The society is devoted to the promotion and advancement of knowledge of the universe through research and education. Membership is open to persons with a professional involvement with these goals in astronomy and the related sciences. The main activities of the Society are its annual scientific meetings, the planning and realization of scientific projects, the support of the scientific activities of its members, and the dissemination of related information among members and other interested persons.

Cardiff Astronomical Society

Cardiff Astronomical Society, UK, News and Homepage Information on astronomy, telescopes and exhibitions Links to other society pages and astronomy sites in the UK.

Canberra Astronomical Society (CAS)

The Canberra Astronomical Society Inc. (CAS) was established in 1969 to serve the needs of amateur astronomers within the Australian Capital Territory and surrounding regions.

Canberra Observatory, Canberra Space Dome & Observatory

Dedicated to Public Viewing with 4 telescopes:
IK6 Telescope
16&quote; or 41 cm primary mirror and features an unusual swivelling secondary mirror, with two focal lengths at either the Cassegrain or Newtonian focus.
Celestron C14 Telescope 14&quote; or 35cm
Astrophysics 6" Telescope or 15cm
Astrophysics Starfire 7&quote Telescope, or 17.7cm

Carolune Institute for Quality Astronomy (CIQuA)

The CIQuA fellowship program is designed to allow those researchers whose partners are also scientists to remain in the same location as their partner while continuing their research. The institute works through the internet. A non-geographic institute prevents dual-career couples to be stretched over the planet. Its membership is composed of young researchers. Faculty members are associated to the research programs.

Champaign-Urbana Astronomical Society (CUAS)

The Champaign-Urbana Astronomical Society is devoted to the promotion of astronomy and enjoyment of the night skys.

Chandra X-ray Observatory Center

Chandra X-ray Center, operated for NASA by the Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory, named in honor of the late Indian-American Nobel laureate, Subrahmanyan Chandrasekhar. Lately, the Lockman Hole data and two other surveys with Chandra and the Hubble Space Telescope have provided a reasonably accurate census of supermassive black holes in the Universe. Astronomers have used this census to study the rate at which these enormous black holes grow by pulling in gas from their surroundings. Located at the Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics, 60 Garden Street, Cambridge, MA 02138 USA. Phone: 617.496.7941 Fax: 617.495.7356.

Chicago Astronomical Society

Chicago Astronomical Society is the oldest Astronomical Society in the North American Continent, having been established in 1863. Dedicated to the advancement of Astronomy; the society is presently building a small observatory for research near Kankakee, Illinois.

Chicago Astronomy and Astrophysics

At the The University of Chicago, Department of Astonomy and Astrophysics, they work on a wide range of topics at the frontiers of astrophysics: from the newest theories in early-Universe cosmology to the ancient ideas of the Babylonian theory of the planets; from distant thermonuclear flashes to the nearby interstellar medium; from large-scale structure to small-scale star formation.

Located at 5640 South Ellis Avenue, Chicago, Illinois.

Ciel d'Anjou (ACA)

[in French]

Cincinnati Observatory Center

The Cincinnati Observatory Center is the first and oldest observatory in the United States. It has been founded in 1842. It hosts a 12-inch Merz und Mahler refractor and a 16-inch Alvan Clark refractor, each with a beautifully restored tube, mount, and mechanical clock drive.

Clyde Sachtleben Observatory

Located in Hastings College, Hastings Nebraska, Clyde Sachtleben Observatory offers four mid-size telescopes with views of the moon, double stars, star clusters, nebulae and galaxies. The observatory houses 14", 10" and two 8" reflecting telescopes.


Compton Gamma Ray Observatory Launch Date: 5 April 1991. Status 4 June 2000: Deorbited

The second of NASA's Great Observatories. Compton, at 17 tons, was the heaviest astrophysical payload ever flown at the time of its launch in April 1991 aboard the space shuttle Atlantis. Compton was safely deorbited and re-entered the Earth's atmosphere in June 2000.

Cotswold Astronomical Society (CAS)

The Cotswold Astronomical Society is a society for amateur astronomers in the Cotswold's of England, centered on Cheltenham and Gloucester.

Croydon Astronomical Society (CAS)

The Croydon Astronomical Society is a registered Charity based in Croydon, South of London (UK). We organise lectures on Astronomy which are open to members & visitors. We have an observatory at Kenley with an 18" Newtonian Telescope which is for the use of members.

Cyprus Astronomical Society

Cyprus Astronomical Society was established in 1990 by a group of professional and amateur astronomers living in Cyprus.

Czech Astronomical Society

Czech Astronomical Society (CAS) is a voluntary association of professional and amateur astronomers and friends of astronomy and related sciences and also corporate members in the Czech Republic. CAS was founded on December 8, 1917 in Prague. [also in Czechoslovak]

Decatur Area Astronomy Club (DAAC)

A club and educational website. Decatur Area Astronomy Club is located in Decatur Illinois. Founded in 2002 as a chance meeting of its founding members, DAAC has grown to about 20 members at present and works with the Macon county Conservation District and Millikin University to promote the science of astronomy to its members and the public at large.

Delaware Valley Amateur Astronomers (DVAA)

The Delaware Valley Amateur Astronomers (Philadelphia, Pa) is dedicated to encouraging cooperation among amateur astronomers and educating the general public in astronomy. The home page details the club's activities, and includes excerpts from the newsletter.

Delmarva Stargazers (DMSG)

Amateur Astronomy on the Delmarva Peninsula for 7 years. Star Parties and Telescope making. Monthly meetings and club newsletter.

Denmark Astronomical Society

The Astronomical Society in Denmark is the only Danish nationwide society for people interested in Astronomy.

Doane Observatory

The Doane Observatory at the Adler Planetarium & Astronomy Museum is home to the largest aperture telescope available to the public in the Chicagoland area. As such, it is the centerpiece of all telescope observing experiences at the Adler. With its 20-inch (0.5 m) diameter mirror, the Doane can gather over 5000 times more light than an unaided human eye, allowing visitors to see with their own eyes celestial objects like the Moon, planets, stars, and galaxies that are trillions of miles away. (In fact, the Moon can be so bright when viewed through the Doane that we use special filters to reduce the amount of light reaching your eye!) The Doane is located outside of and behind the main Adler building, directly between the main building and the shores of Lake Michigan. The Doane is open to the Adler's visitors for viewing every Far Out Friday and for special observing events such as eclipses, planetary alignments, and comet watches.

Located at 1300 S. Lake Shore Drive, Chicago, Illinois. Phone 312-922-STAR.

Dominion Radio Astrophysical Observatory

They operate the seven-antenna Synthesis Telescope (ST), the 26-meter Telescope, and the 10-cm Solar Flux Monitor. Located at Penticton, BC, Canada.

Dutch Meteor Society (DMS)

The Dutch Meteor Society (DMS) is an amateur group of young people interested in all aspects regarding meteors and related matters. They observe meteors visually, photographically, video and with all-sky cameras.
DMS publishes a bi-monthly magazine called Radiant.

Dutch Society for Meteorology and Astronomy (NVWS : Nederlandse Vereniging voor Weer- en Sterrenkunde )

The society unites nearly 4000 people with an interest in astronomy and/or meteorology and was founded in 1901. Purpose: popularization of astronomy and meteorology. A lot of the members do amateur observations or build telescopes.

The society cooperates in the publishing of the monthly magazine Zenit and the annual almanac Sterrengids.

Each year there are a popular symposium and several amateur meetings. There are regional departments, national working groups on specific subjects and a large society for youth, the Jongerenwerkgroep.

Earth and Space Foundation (ex-2111 Foundation for Exploration)

The Earth and Space Foundation is an international charity that funds scientific exploration that both helps us to understand the Earth's environment and explore the frontier of space.

Earth Observatory from NASA

The purpose of NASA's Earth Observatory is to provide a freely-accessible publication on the Internet where the public can obtain new satellite imagery and scientific information about our home planet. The focus is on Earth's climate and environmental change.

East Sussex Astronomical Society (ESAS)

Our aim is simple, we want people to enjoy Astronomy and feel welcome to join in our activities and meetings. Meetings are held at St Mary's College, Wrestwood Road, Bexhill on Sea, East Sussex, UK.

Eastbay Astronomical Society

The Eastbay Astronomical Society, founded in 1924, is associated with the Chabot Observatory & Science Center in Oakland, California.

Eastside Astronomical Society

Based in the East-Seattle, Washington Metropolitan area, the Eastside stronomical Society is a non-profit, public organization of amateur astronomers, active and retired science professionals, as well as space enthuiasts, all of whom are dedicated to advance and promote the understanding of astronomy within the community and to keep abreast of developing events in space science.

Escambia Amateur Astronomers Association (EAAA)

This site contains educational resources and information for the use of amateur astronomers of all ages.

Euganea Astronomical Association (AAE)

The Associazione Astronomica Euganea is an amateur organization located in the north eastern part of Italy. The primary interest of the association is the divulgation of the Astronomy. [in Italian only]

Eugene Astronomical Society ( Oregon )

The Eugene Astronomical Society in Eugene, Oregon provides access to information about Astronomy, telescopes, meeting information, and members. Also available are links to Web formatted versions of it's newsletter, 'Io'

Euro-Asian Astronomical Society (EAAS)

The Euro-Asian Astronomical Society was created in April 1990.
The Society performs its activities mainly in New Independent States on the territory of the Former Soviet Union and surrounding countries. The main goals of the society are to maintain the development of astronomy and to reinforce scientific contacts between astronomers of the former Soviet Union and their colleagues all over the world.

European Association for Astronomy Education (EAAE)

The purpose of the EAAE is to improve and promote scientific astronomical education all over Europe in schools of all levels and other institutions involved in the teaching of astronomy. [also in French and German]

European Association for Research in Astronomy

EARA is an Associated European Laboratory for promoting research and collaboration at its five member laboratories:

  Instituto de Astrofisica de Canarias (IAC), Tenerife, Spain
  Institut d'Astrophysique de Paris (IAP), France
  Institute of Astronomy (IoA),
  University of Cambridge, UK
  Sterrewacht Leiden,
  University of Leiden, The Netherlands
  Max-Planck Institut fuer Astrophysik (MPA), Garching, Germany.

European Astronomical Society (EAS)

The European Astronomical Society is an association founded in 1990. The purpose of the society is to contribute to and promote the advancement of astronomy, in its broadest sense, in Europe, by all suitable means and in particular:
a) by providing an independent forum for the discussion of subjects of common interest.
b) by providing means whereby action can be taken on those matters which appear desirable to be handled at the European level.

European Geophysical Society (EGS)

The EGS, founded in 1971, is a dynamic, innovative, and interdisciplinary learned society devoted to the promotion of: the sciences of the Earth and its environment, and of planetary and space sciences; cooperation between scientists.

European Interferometry Initiative (EII)

The mission of the Eur Interferometry Initiative is: 1. Facilitate communications and collaborations between European scientists and institutes working on optical long-baseline interferometry for astronomy 2. To exploit synergy within Europe in order to produce world leading science in the field of optical long-baseline interferometry 3. To work toward integration of education activities on an European scale. Both for professional astronomers through workshop and symposia, and at the graduate level (European Graduate School) 4. To work toward an European vision on the long term future of optical long-baseline interferometry

European Physical Society (EPS)

The European Physical Society is an organization of more than 70 000 European Physicists. Since its foundation in 1968 in Florence, Italy, it has been dedicated to the advancement and diffusion of the knowledge of physics.

European Science Foundation (ESF)

The European Science Foundation acts as a catalyst for the development of science by bringing together leading scientists and research funding agencies to debate, plan and implement pan-European initiatives.

European Southern Observatory (ESO)

The European Southern Observatory is an intergovernmental, European organization for astronomical research. It has eleven member countries. ESO operates astronomical observatories in Chile and has its headquarters in Garching, near Munich, Germany.

Euroscience

Euroscience was founded in 1997 in order to:

• Offer an open forum for scientists, industrialists and citizens interested in science and technology,
• Strengthen the links between European research and European society,
• Contribute to the creation of an integrated space for science and technology in Europe,
• Influence science and technology policies.

Evansville Astronomical Society ( Indiana )

Meetings are held monthly at the Wahsiedler Observatory in Lynnville Park, Lynnville Indiana. The Observatory houses a 14" SCT and a 12.5" Newtonian Reflector.

Federation of Astronomical and Geophysical Data Analysis Services ( FAGS )

The Federation of Astronomical and Geophysical Data Analysis Services (FAGS) was formed by the International Council of Scientific Unions (ICSU) in 1956 and includes today eleven Permanent Services each operating under the authority of one or more of the intererested Scientific Unions: International Astronomical Union (IAU), International Union of Geodesy and Geophysics (IUGG), and Union Radiologique Scientifique (URSI). Their tasks are to continuouisly collect observations, information and data related to astronomy, geodesy, geophysics and allied sciences; to analyse, synthesize, and draw conclusions from them; to distribute data; and to publish the results obtained.

Fox Park Public Observatory (FPPO)

The Fox Park Public Observatory is located in Potterville, Michigan.

Francois-Xavier Bagnoud Observatory (OFXB, Switzerland)

The François-Xavier Bagnoud Observatory, located above the village of St-Luc in the Swiss Alps, stands at an altitude of 2200 metres. It is intended not only for the experienced amateur wishing to produce work of a quasi-professional quality, but also for the use of schools and for simple visitors. curious.
Equipped with numerous instruments (60 cm reflecting telescope with CCD camera, 20 cm refracting telescope, coelostat, 16 cm coronagraph) it may be used day or night. [in French]

Fremont Peak Observatory Association (FPOA)

The Fremont Peak Observatory Association is a non-profit corporation associated with the State of California Department of Parks and Recreation. FPOA is one of many state parks cooperative associations. It is unique in the it is the only cooperative association devoted to interpreting astronomy to the public. The FPOA constructed an observatory in the Fremont Peak State Park in San Benito County. It is eleven miles from San Juan Bautista. The main objective of the FPOA is to promote astronomy through public educational and interpretive programs at Fremont Peak State Park.

French Association of Variable Star Observers (AFOEV)

More than 1,800,000 observations with the first recorded observation dating back to 1896. This database also includes observations made by other associations, namely the BAV (Germany), HAA (Hungary), NHK (Japan), NVVW (The Netherlands), Belgian, Norwegian, Swedish, Ukrainian and several astronomical groups in Spain. The observations are suplied free of charge. [also in French]

Future Asteroid Interception Research ( astronomy fund raising )

On-Line Fund-Raising for individuals to contribute to asteroid research projects to assess asteroid or NEO risk from space. Links and News of latest research.

Gemini Observatory

Gemini Observatory: Exploring The Universe From Both Hemispheres. Gemini is an international partnership managed by the Association of Universities for Research in Astronomy under a cooperative agreement with the National Science Foundation.

The Gemini Observatory consists of twin 8-meter optical/infrared telescopes located on two of the best sites on our planet for observing the universe. Together these telescopes can access the entire sky.

The Gemini South telescope is located at almost 9,000 foot elevation on a mountain in the Chilean Andes called Cerro Pachón. Cerro Pachón shares resources with the adjacent SOAR Telescope and the nearby telescopes of the Cerro Tololo Inter-American Observatory. The Gemini North Telescope is located on Hawaii's Mauna Kea as part of the international community of observatories that have been built to take advantage of the superb atmospheric conditions on this long dormant volcano that rises almost 14,000' into the dry, stable air of the Pacific. The Gemini Observatory's international headquarters is located in Hilo, Hawaii at the University of Hawaii at Hilo's University Park.

Both of the Gemini telescopes have been designed to take advantage of the latest technology and thermal controls to excel in a wide variety of optical and infrared capabilities. One example of this is the unique