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A American Association of Variable Star Observers The AAVSO was founded in 1911 at Harvard College Observatory to coordinate variable star observations made largely by amateur astronomers. In 1954, the AAVSO became an independent, private research organization. Today with members in more than 40 countries, over 10 million observations to date, and headquarters in Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA, it is the world's largest association of variable star observers in existence. Aurora Watch The aurora borealis (or northern lights) is a spectacular natural phenomenon which can occasionally be seen in the night sky over Britain. Once seen, it is never forgotten. This Web site provided by Lancaster University's Ionosphere and Radio Propagation Group offers a free Aurora Alert e-mail service to warn you whenever aurorae are likely to be seen across the British Isles. These alerts can be forwarded to your mobile 'phone as a text message, so you will know when to look out for aurorae wherever you are. [Return to index] B British Astronomical Association Formed in 1890, the British Astronomical Association has an international reputation for the quality of its observational and scientific work. Membership is open to all persons interested in astronomy. [Return to index] C Campaign for Dark Skies The Campaign for Dark Skies (CfDS) was set up by concerned members of the BAA in 1989 to counter the ever-growing tide of sky-glow which has tainted the night sky over Britain since the 1950s, mostly as a result of poorly aimed streetlights and floodlights emitting light above the horizontal into the sky, but nowadays increasingly because of vastly over-powered and poorly-mounted household security lights, and sports facility lights. CfDS has grown into a network of over 120 volunteer local officers, who work to convince their local councils and organisations of the benefits of well-directed lighting. Computers in astronomy — software There is an enormous amount of software available for PCs, Macs, and the various flavours of UNIX. Dan Bruton maintains a Web site that contains over 200 links to just about every conceivable program you may require. [Return to index] D Digital Camera Astrophotography Amateur astronomers everywhere are becoming digital camera astrophotographers and the results are astounding. The Digital Camera Astrophotography List is the place where those, both new and accomplished at this rewarding and exciting endeavour, exchange ideas, perfect techniques, and help each to achieve digital camera images of astronomical proportions. [Return to index] E Ephemeris Generator The Jet Propulsion Laboratory's HORIZONS On-Line Solar System Data and Ephemeris Computation Service provides access to key solar system data and flexible production of highly accurate ephemerides for solar system objects — 163000+ asteroids and comets, 128 natural satellites, 9 planets, the Sun, L1, L2, select spacecraft, and system barycentres. Please note: this service is intended for experienced observers requiring very accurate observational data. If you just wish to see how the planets or their moons will look at any given instant, use the JPL Solar System Simulator below. [Return to index] F Federation of Astronomical Societies Formed in 1974, the FAS was conceived as a sort of union of astronomical societies, groups, and individuals, liasing together, where practicable, for their mutual benefit. A list of federation aims was drawn up which included such items as the compilation of lists of people prepared to give talks, the encouragement of the teaching of astronomy in educational establishments, the giving of advice on problems commonly encountered by astronomical societies, and so on. Faulkes Telescope Project This is the Faulkes Telescope Project, home of telescopes for astronomy education in the U.K. The project makes a robotic telescope in Hawaii, and another one in Australia, available to students enabling them to carry out their own research in astronomy, working with local universities and providing them with inspirational science activities. [Return to index] G Gallery — Astronomy Picture of the Day NASA's APOD offers a visually stunning way to discover the cosmos! Each day a different image or photograph of our fascinating universe is featured, along with a brief explanation written by a professional astronomer. There is an extensive searchable archive. [Return to index] H Heavens Above! The aim of Chris Peat's Web site is to provide you with all the information you need to observe satellites such as the International Space Station and the Space Shuttle, spectacular events such as the dazzlingly bright flares from Iridium satellites as well as a wealth of other spaceflight and astronomical information. [Return to index] I International Space Station (ISS) Our own alerts page gives predictions on a daily basis when the ISS is visible from the British Isles. However, should you wish to track the Space Station from elsewhere in the world, this link will give you the necessary data. ISS transits of the Sun, Moon & planets Many amateur astronomers around the world have witnessed the exciting spectacle of the International Space Station passing in front of a prominent solar system body thanks to this valuable service provided by Thomas Fly. If you know your precise latitude and longitude on Earth, you can subscribe and have detailed predictions e-mailed to you on a regular basis. A special solar filter is required for your telescope in order to see the ISS crossing the face of the Sun, but a small instrument is all that's needed to see it transiting the Moon or — much rarer — a bright planet. [Return to index] J Jet Propulsion Laboratory Welcome to the Jet Propulsion Laboratory, managed for NASA by the California Institute of Technology. There has never been a more exciting time for JPL than now, with exciting missions spread throughout the solar system. Use this Web site to chart this time of unprecedented challenge and exploratory adventure. [Return to index] K Keck Observatory From a remote outpost on the summit of Hawaii's dormant Mauna Kea volcano, astronomers at the W. M. Keck Observatory probe the deepest regions of the universe with unprecedented power and precision. Their instruments are the twin Keck Telescopes, the world's largest optical and infrared telescopes. [Return to index] L Lunar and Planetary Institute The Lunar and Planetary Institute is a focus for academic participation in studies of the current state, evolution, and formation of the solar system. The Institute provides a computing centre, extensive collections of lunar and planetary data, an image-processing facility, an extensive library, education and public outreach programs. [Return to index] M Meteor Showers and Comets Gary W. Kronk's Web site offers a wealth of information relating to the study and observation of these fascinating and ephemeral objects. [Return to index] N Near-Earth Objects Near-Earth Objects (NEOs) are comets and asteroids that have been nudged by the gravitational attraction of nearby planets into orbits that allow them to enter the Earth's neighbourhood. This NASA Web site offers a wealth of information concerning these fascinating and potentially hazardous bodies. National Schools Observatory The National Schools' Observatory (NSO) offers U.K. schools the most exciting opportunity to observe the universe through the world's largest robotic telescope sited in the Canary Isles. [Return to index] O Occultations by the Moon One of the most beautiful sights to behold in the night sky is the Moon passing in front of a planet or a bright zodiacal star. Fortunately, this is a relatively regular occurrence. We always publish the best of these events visible from the British Isles each month on this Web site, but observers further afield may wish to see what is predicted for their locality at the International Occultation Timing Association (IOTA) Web site. [Return to index] P Planetarium For many people living in cities and heavily light-polluted areas, the only way to get a feel for the awe-inspiring majesty of the night sky is to visit a planetarium. Fortunately, the U.K. has a number that you can visit, some of which are listed here: The London Planetarium The Armagh Planetarium, Northern Ireland The South Downs Planetarium and Science Centre, Chichester, West Sussex The James Lockyer Planetarium, Sidmouth, Devon Bob Mizon's Mizar Travelling Planetarium The Astrodome Mobile School Planetarium [Return to index] Q Quasar Quasars are enigmatic and extremely distant objects that may emit as much energy as hundreds of ordinary galaxies, yet look very much like a star. They are believed to be the bright centres of galaxies where matter is being consumed by a massive black hole. The Department of Physics at Virginia Tech. has a great frequently asked questions page for quasars and other perplexing bodies. [Return to index] R Radio Astronomy — Jodrell Bank Observatory The Lovell Radio Telescope has stood proudly over the Cheshire Plain for over 40 years. It is the flagship of the Jodrell Bank Observatory which is part of the School of Physics and Astronomy of The University of Manchester. Jodrell Bank is also a place of wonder and inspiration for the 140,000 who visit the Science Centre each year. [Return to index] S Society for Popular Astronomy There's so much happening in the skies above. The Society for Popular Astronomy brings the excitement of the universe to everyone. Whether you are young or old, a beginner or an experienced skywatcher, you'll get a great deal from the SPA — Britain's brightest astronomical society! Solar System Simulator The Jet Propulsion Laboratory provides this visually-stunning and accurate means to simulate a view of the major bodies of the solar system as seen from one another — or their principal moons — for any specified date and time. [Return to index] T Telescopes — how to choose and use them. With a huge range of quality telescopes, binoculars and accessories currently available at competitive prices, there's never been a better time to get started in astronomy. But with so much choice, where does the beginner start? Our advice is to first seek out experienced telescope users from a local astronomical society (see the Federation of Astronomical Societies). Alternatively, you may wish to consult the comprehensive series of articles here. [Return to index] U Usenet — uk.sci.astronomy discussion group If you're new to the hobby and don't happen to live close to an astronomical society, it can be hard to find satisfactory answers to your many questions. Fortunately, the Internet gives us access to an enormous virtual community in the form of the Usenet — discussion forums covering tens of thousands of subjects. U.K. astronomers wishing to chat about everything from the weather, new discoveries, cosmology, astrophotography and observing, to telescope hints and tips and much, much more can be found here. Please note: Astronomy Now is not responsible for the content of these external Usenet groups. [Return to index] V Variable stars See the Web site of the American Association of Variable Star Observers above. [Return to index] W Weather — will it be clear tonight? We all know how frustrating it can be trying to pursue an interest in observational astronomy from the British Isles! However, metcheck.com does provide a nocturnal cloud cover prediction service. All you need to do is enter your U.K. postcode and you can receive an hour-by-hour forecast for the night ahead. [Return to index] X X-Rays — NASA's Chandra Observatory NASA's Chandra Observatory is a space telescope that allows scientists from around the world to obtain unprecedented X-Ray images and spectra of violent, high-temperature events and objects to help us better understand the structure and evolution of our universe. [Return to index] Y Yerkes Observatory Yerkes is a 100-year-old observatory (owned by the University of Chicago) with five research telescopes, one of which is the largest refractor in the world. This virtual tour is designed to not only show you what kinds of things you would see on a real tour, but also to give you a little history and show you a little of what goes on behind the scenes. [Return to index] Z Zodiacal Light The Zodiacal Light (or 'false dawn') is a faint, roughly conical beam of light seen either to the east before dawn or to the west after dusk. For Northern Hemisphere observers blessed with dark skies, the best time to see it in the morning is around the September equinox, or in the evening around the March equinox. It is caused by sunlight scattered by dust particles orbiting the Sun in the plane of the ecliptic. [Return to index]				2008 Yearbook This 132-page special edition features the ultimate observing guide for 2008, a review of all the biggest news stories, in depth articles covering all aspects of astronomy including astrophotography, the future of the Sun and space missions for 2008, and much, much more.  U.K. STORE  E.U. STORE  U.S. & WORLDWIDE STORE Take the tour! A 100-page special edition from the creators of Astronomy Now magazine, The Grand Tour of the Universe takes readers from one end of the Universe to the other and, in doing so, asks the question "just how big is the Universe?"  U.K. STORE  E.U. STORE  U.S. & WORLDWIDE STORE Infinity Rising This special publication features the photography of British astro-imager Nik Szymanek and covers a range of photographic methods from basic to advanced. Beautiful pictures of the night sky can be obtained with a simple camera and tripod before tackling more difficult projects, such as guided astrophotography through the telescope and CCD imaging.  U.K. STORE  E.U. STORE  U.S. & WORLDWIDE STORE Starry Night Explore the Universe with these new versions of the award-winning Starry Night Software. Available now from the Astronomy Now Store.  U.K. STORE  E.U. STORE  U.S. & WORLDWIDE STORE Exploring Mars Astronomy Now is pleased to announce the publication of Exploring Mars. The very best images of Mars taken by orbiting spacecraft and NASA's Spirit and Opportunity rovers fill up the 98 glossy pages of this special edition!  U.K. STORE  E.U. STORE  U.S. & WORLDWIDE STORE Mars rover poster This new poster features some of the best pictures from NASA's amazing Mars Exploration Rovers Spirit and Opportunity.  U.K. STORE  E.U. STORE  U.S. & WORLDWIDE STORE
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