HELPFUL ASTRONOMY LINKS

STELLARIUM

http://www.stellarium.org/

Stellarium is a free open source planetarium for your computer. It shows a realistic sky in 3D, just like what you see with the naked eye, binoculars or a telescope.

CLEAR DARK SKY

http://www.cleardarksky.com/

ClearDarkSky brings you:

Clear Sky Charts

Based on a numerical weather model, Clear Sky Charts are perhaps the most accurate and the most usable forecasters of astronomical observing conditions for over 5300 observatories and observing sites in North America.

North-American Seeing Observations Database

A web database which allows observers all over North America to enter observations of seeing (atmospheric turbulence which causes loss of telescopic resolution) and correlates them to seeing forecasts. The data is used to refine numerical forecast models.

DARK SITE FINDER

https://darksitefinder.com/

Created for those who are interested in finding a dark place to observe the night sky or capture the heavens.

GOOD TO STAR GAZE

https://www.goodtostargaze.com/#/

This site estimates light pollution at your location, measuring it on a scale known as the Bortle scale. Higher values indicate worse light pollution.

SKY & TELESCOPE

https://www.skyandtelescope.com/

Sky & Telescope magazine, founded in 1941 by Charles A. Federer Jr. and Helen Spence Federer, has the largest, most experienced staff of any astronomy magazine in the world. Its editors are virtually all amateur or professional astronomers, and every one has built a telescope, written a book, done original research, developed a new product, or otherwise distinguished him or herself. Find out more about the editorial and arts staff of Sky & Telescope, or read on for a historical perspective on the magazine.