Observing Resources

The following selected resources are of interest to observers.

Sky, Cloud and Darkness

• US Naval Observatory Ephemerides (Sun rise/set, Moon rise/set, astronomical twilight, Moon phases and more).
• Dark Sky Calculator - Interactive applet, from RASC member Larry McNish, to calculate dark skies taking moonlight into account.
• Sunrise/Sunset Calculator - Web applet that allows you to calculate today's sunrise and sunset times for your location
• Astronomical Time - What time is it? Using your PC`s time settnigs, dynamically displays your Local and Local Sidereal time, UTC, Greenwich Sidereal Time and Julian Date includes Night Vision mode, courtesy Larry McNish.
• Dark Sky Finder - Jonathan Tomshines great site of Light Pollution overlays on Google Maps.

Observing Projects

• Terry Adrians' Deep-Sky Challenge Objects Chart (820kb 10 pages) - Designed for observers who want to go beyond the Finest NGC program
• Terry Adrians' Dark Nebula Charts (400kb 4 pages)
• Terry Adrian's Dark Nebula and DSC Objects (10 kb .zip file) - These plugins for the Starry Night planetarium program will allow you to chart the Deep Sky Challenge and Dark Nebula items
• Messier Marathon Planner - Need help planning a Messier Marathon? Dynamically tailors and generates a Marathon observing list, courtesy Larry McNish.
• Night Observing Planner - Need help planning a night's observing list for yourself or because the in-laws are suddenly coming over? Dynamically tailors and generates an observing list from over 600 objects, courtesy Larry McNish.
• Ace Amateur Astronomer Tony Schellink (Halifax Centre) created this outreach program for RASC members interested in coaching absolute beginners to get started with observing, using binoculars. A special list for every month. Find 5 things—earn a certificate! Feel free to download and use locally.

Current Events / Observing Opportunities

• This Week's Sky at a Glance - Provided by the publishers of Sky & Telescope magazine
• IAU Circular Headlines - Provided by the International Astronomical Union this page highlights current comets, supernovae, minor planets and other recent discoveries.
• Association of Lunar and Planetary Observers (ALPO) - ALPO has excellent resources on all solar system objects and highlights transient events
• Minor Planet & Comet Ephemeris Service  - Allows for the calculation of orbital elements for most minor planets and comets.
• Meteors: International Meteor Organization - Listing of current meteor events, showers and reporting information
• North American Meteor Network - Founded in 1995 this organization has comprehensive predictions for upcoming meteor showers and storms
• Heavens Above - This site provides an interactive web page allowing you to predict satellite passages over your location.
• Solar Terrestrial Dispatch - Website devoted to space weather
• Variable Stars - Link to the American Association of Variable Star Observers which highlights variable stars that are in outburst and need observations

Newspaper Columns by RASC Members

Amateur Radio Astronomy Links

• Society of Amateur Radio Astronomers - Amateur organization devoted to radio astronomy
• Haystack Radio Observatory - Operated by MIT near Boston, MA
• Radio Sky Publishing - Resources for Radio Astronomers, Teachers and Students

Amateur Observatories

• Amateur Astronomical Observatories - Website by Bill Arnett with links to many amateur observatories - a great source of ideas