| 1. | The Astronomy Connection (TAC) | | | A website devoted to amateur observational astronomy - primarily geared toward the San Francisco Bay Area, but with tons of useful information for observers everywhere.
observers.org |
| 2. | Adventures in Deep Space | | | Jim Shields' cornucopia of exciting deep-sky observing projects and ideas. Includes sections on Hickson and Abell galaxy clusters, globular star clusters, and some of amateur astronomy's greatest observing challenges.
www.angelfire.com |
| 3. | Recent Supernovae Page | | | If you're looking for the exotic, this is the place! This website will lead you to information on the most recent and telescopically visible supernovae. They're just exploding stars, but when seen from distances of thousands or millions of light years, they are truly humbling!
cfa-www.harvard.edu |
| 4. | Ray Cash's Deep Sky Page | | | Ray's fine collection of observing projects for amateur astronmers with mid- to large-sized telescopes.
members.aol.com |
| 5. | Planetary Nebula Home Page | | | Doug Snyder's exquisite site that covers those blossoms of the night sky, planetary nebulae.
www.blackskies.com |
| 6. | The SAA 100 Objects | | | These are the 100 best deep-sky objects after the famous Messier objects, as chosen by the amateur astronomers on the sci.astro.amateur newsgroup. Many of these objects outshine those on Messier's ubiquitous list.
www.AstronomyBoy.com |
| 7. | Constellations and Stars | | | Like the title says - a summary of what constellations are (not the same as star clusters!) and the stars that comprise them. Not much physics, but good for a basic idea of what you are seeing in the night sky.
www.astro.wisc.edu |
| 8. | The Virtual Observatory | | | Mikkel Stein's great list-generating site, where you can concoct an unlimited number of observing program variations, with pictures!
messier45.com |
| 9. | Welcome to Deep Sky Database | | | Another excellent list generator by Duane Frybarger, more intuitive and probably more useful, in fact, than the Virtual Observatory because it simplifies the list generation procedure. This excellent tool is based on the Saguaro Deep Sky Database, a favorite of serious deep sky observers everywhere!
www.virtualcolony.com |
| 10. | The NGC/IC Project | | | This site will generate lists of objects from the New General Catalog and Index Catalog, with variables you set to tailor the list to your observing equipment and constellation of interest.
www.ngcic.com |
| 12. | Small Dob Website | | | Mark Pippin's site devoted to the small Dobsonian Telescope, the telescope for Everyman and Everywoman, that can give even those of modest means a good taste of deep sky.
www.geocities.com |
| 13. | International Astronomical Union - Discovery Headlines | | | An official clearinghouse for new discoveries of comets, supernovae, and other fascinating new objects. Many of these can be seen in your telescope, so for lovers of new and unusual objects, this is the place to come!
cfa-www.harvard.edu |
| 14. | The Astrophoto Page | | | A great page of astrophotos done by an 'expert' amateur with good quality conventional photo equipment.
www.aa6g.org |
| 16. | Your Sky | | | A nifty planetarium site that can generate star charts for your observing location.
www.fourmilab.ch |
| 19. | Astronomical Vendors | | | Bill Arnett's extensive weblist of astronomical companies and sellers that cater to the amateur. This ring is not associated in any way with the vendors on this list; this list is provided for information only.
www.sjaa.net |
| 20. | Astronomy Mall | | | An astronomy shopping center, free auction and free classified ad service all rolled into one.
astronomy-mall.com |
| 21. | History of Deep Sky Discovery | | | A lovely thumbnail sketch of the history of deep-sky observation. It's amazing to know that our equipment today is light-years ahead of the devices used to make so many major astronomical discoveries!
www.seds.org |
| 22. | Gary Kronk's Comets and Meteor Showers | | | This isn't deep sky, but this webpage by Gary Kronk is so good that it is obligatory for any list of websites about astronomy. One of the best!
comets.amsmeteors.org |
| 23. | Charles Morris's NASA Comet Observers Site | | | *The* source for comet information. If it's known about comets, it's here. Read about others' observations of comets, and learn how to discover and observe these most beautiful and intriguing objects of the sky.
encke.jpl.nasa.gov |
| 24. | Deep-Sky Objects according to Telescope Size | | | No matter what scope you use, this site will give you a list of everything you can expect to see in your scope - the volume of objects will amaze you! Please note, these lists are for quality scopes under perfect conditions; for your circumstances, using the list for the next smaller size range may be more appropriate. Note - Access involves zipped files!
ftp.seds.org |
| 25. | Students for the Exploration and Development of Space | | | SEDS, one of the Web's major clearinghouses for all information astronomical, including descriptions of many deep-sky objects and links to places where you can learn the history of deep-sky observation and how to see these objects.
seds.lpl.arizona.edu |
| | |