Links Page
We've added a number of links (in no particular order) to sites
that we think will be of special interest to members.
What's Up There Now!
The
Salopian Web
Here you will find plenty of information for budding
astronomers: A guide to the current month's night sky, sky charts
& astronomical events. Facts about the planets; eclipse
details, how to choose a telescope, a handy astro dictionary plus
a huge list of links and software downloads...and yes it's UK
centric!!
Online Charting
Sky
and Telescope Skychart
Simulate a naked-eye view of the sky from any location on
Earth, at any time of day or night, on any date from 1600 to 2400.
Or print an all-sky map. This interactive sky chart works in most
Java-enabled Web browsers.
Skyview
Cafe
Sky View Café is a
Java applet that lets you use your web browser to see many types
of astronomical information, in both graphical and numerical form.
You can see which stars and planets will be out tonight in the sky
above your home town, see how the next solar or lunar eclipse will
look from St Austell, or find out when the Moon rose over Truro on
your birthday ten years ago. Sky View Café includes star charts,
a 3-D orrery, displays of the moons of Jupiter and Saturn, an
astronomical event calendar, an ephemeris generator, and many
other features
.
PC Charting Software
Software
Bisque
The Sky version 5 for Windows or Macintosh is an easy-to-use,
full-featured, graphical astronomy program that turns your
personal computer into a personal planetarium. Fully configurable
on all levels, this software is highly regarded by experienced
astronomers.
SkyMap Pro
Chris Marriott's SkyMap Pro 8 is a CD-ROM planetarium and
star-charting program for Microsoft Windows 98 or later. Written
by astronomers, for astronomers. SkyMap Pro is equally suited for
use by both the casual "star gazer" and the serious
amateur or professional astronomer, although its feature list will
appeal especially to the more "advanced" user. A usable
Demo of the software is available from their website.
Starry
Night
Brilliantly realistic, but designed for anyone with an interest
in the night sky, Starry Night Backyard lets novice space
explorers instantly launch themselves into the fascinating world
of astronomy right from their desktops, with or without a
telescope. Comes in various flavours from the backyard edition to
the pro version.
Equipment Suppliers
and Manufacturers
South West
Optics
Steve Rogers is our local astronomical supplier and an active
supporter of the Club. For all you astronomical needs visit
South West Optics, River Street, Truro, Tel: 01872 263444
Orion
Optics
British manufacturers and suppliers of quality astronomical
telescopes and accessories.
Meade
Founded in 1972 and public since 1997, Meade is a world leader
in the design and manufacture of mass produced telescopes and accessories for
amateur astronomers. The ETX and LX range of Go-To telescopes have
probably introduced more people to observational astronomy, than
any other telescope.
Celestron
America's other mass producer of quality affordable telescopes.
TMB Optical
Available through UK importer Telescope
House
By using the most advanced glass types in fully optimized
air-spaced triplet designs, TMB have created optical systems
that are simultaneously corrected for secondary color spectrum,
coma, spherical and higher order aberrations. The result is a
series of telescopes that are a clear step above the performance
of the many so-called apochromats that use inferior low dispersion
ED glass.
Takahashi
Available through UK Importer True
Technology Ltd
Takahashi Seisakusho of Tokyo, Japan has been producing
fluorite apochromatic refracting telescopes since they introduced
the 90mm f/10 FC-90 in 1979. This revolutionized amateur astronomy
as the world's first fluorite apochromatic telescope in regular
production. Since that time Takahashi has not only produced
fluorite apochromats up to 250mm but also mountings and a variety
of state-of-the-art telescopes such as the four-element FSQ-106,
Hyperbolic Astrographs, Newtonian-Cassegrains and Dall-Kirkham
Cassegrains.
Planetary & Lunar
Observation
Inconstant
Moon
The Moon is the most
easily observable astronomical object, and also the most
rewarding. For the beginner, it is a breathtaking spectacle
through even a modest optical instrument, and as the knowledge and
resources of the astronomer increase, it will continue to provide
fascinating new challenges and insights. Inconstant Moon is
intended as both an introduction to lunar astronomy for the
beginner, and an ongoing reference point for the more experienced
observer.
2001
Mars Odyssey
Odyssey's primary science mission will take place February 2002
through August 2004. For the first time, the mission will map the
amount and distribution of chemical elements and minerals that
make up the Martian surface. The spacecraft will especially look
for hydrogen, most likely in the form of water ice, in the shallow
subsurface of Mars. It will also record 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.
Deep Sky Observation
Messier45.com
Messier45.com constitutes an effort to provide online, the deep
sky observer's most valuable tools; the map and the lists of
objects. Great effort is made to provide as accurate data as
possible in the most efficient and most accessible way.
Satellite
Observation
Prediction position and timing of ISS , Starshine3 and
other orbital satellites. The link here has been pre-configured
for the St Austell Area.
Astronomy Magazine Websites
Sky &
Telescope Magazine
America's premier
Astronomical monthly magazine. Aimed at the more experienced
observer.
Astronomy
Magazine
America's other major Astronomical month publication.
Astronomy
Now
The UK's only Astronomical magazine
Research Databases
Simbad
The SIMBAD astronomical database provides basic data,
cross-identifications and bibliography for astronomical objects
outside the solar system.
ADS
Abstract Service
The NASA Astrophysics Data System Abstract Service provides a
powerful search engine for each of its four bibliographic
databases. Each database contains abstracts from articles and
monographs published in the different disciplines. The databases
cover all the major journals, many minor journals, conference
proceedings, several Observatory reports and newsletters, many
NASA reports, and PhD theses. Not very user friendly but a
valuable resource.
The
Digitized Sky Survey
The Digitized Sky Survey comprises a set of all-sky
photographic surveys in E, V, J, R, and N bands conducted with the
Palomar and UK Schmidt telescopes. The Catalogs and Surveys Branch
(CASB) is digitizing the photographic plates to support HST
observing programs but also as a service to the astronomical
community. The 6.5-degree x 6.5-degree plates are scanned using a
modified PDS microdensitometer to a pixel scale of about 1.7
arcseconds per pixel for the POSS, SERC, and Palomar Quick-V
surveys, and to about 1.0 arcseconds per pixel for the POSS-II
surveys. Images of any part of the sky may be extracted from the
DSS, in either FITS or GIF format.
NASA Near Earth Object
Program
This Program Office was established in mid-1998 to help
coordinate, and provide a focal point for, the study of those
comets and asteroids that can approach the Earth's orbit. Also
generates High-Accuracy Ephemeris for objects that can then
be inputted into astronomical programs like 'The Sky'.
Astronomical Societies
British
Astronomical Association.
The Association was formed in 1890 and membership is open to
all persons interested in astronomy. It has an international
reputation for the quality of its observational and scientific
work.
Society for Popular
Astronomy
Stargazing is fun! But for a beginner, it can be like exploring
a strange new country. The Society for Popular Astronomy can help.
For nearly 50 years, we've been bringing the excitement of the sky
to everyone. Our magazine Popular Astronomy cuts through the
jargon and regular printed News Circulars and Email Bulletins will
update you on events. We've meetings, advisory services and
observing sections too - plus a great discount scheme for members
only.
Weather Forecasting for Astronomers
Weather forecasting for astronomers are as rare as Hen's teeth.
But here are couple that have sections specifically for us.
Weatherweb
Metcheck
Space Weather
Spaceweather.com
News and information about the Sun-Earth environment.
BBC Goodies
BBC.
Space Website
The BBC’s Space
website. Full of general space related news and well as and online
version of their own Astronomy flagship ‘The Sky and Night’ TV
programme.
Principal Club Contacts
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