Astronomy Links for Beginners

• American Association of Amateur Astronomers Observing guides, AL links, Member activities, Yahoo group, quarterly newsletter, observing reports, wonderful group!
• Astronomical League Composed of over 240 local amateur astronomical societies across the United States. The AL strives to promote interest in astronomy. Observing certificates, outreach and education, quarterly magazine, resources for astronomy club activities. Also take a look at "Astro-Notes Index" # 19 for the AL guide to buying a telescope.
• Astronomy Discussion Forum A collection of forums to discuss various topics related to amateur astronomy. Equipment, astrophotography, classified adds, reviews.
• Astronomy Magazine Tips Beginners guides from Astronomy Magazine, Stargazing Necessities, Beyond the Rainbow, information on understanding the science of Light Waves and Astronomy, Binocular guide, and Scoop on Scopes discusses telescopes for the beginner.
• AstroWeb Astronomy on the Internet Large web guide from The Strasbourg Astronomical Observatory research unit, in Strasburg, France. Web site provides a large database of Astronomical resources on the Internet. Links to Professional Organizations, Observing resources, Abstracts, publications, Astronomy and Astrophysics Research, and other categories. Also provides a search engine and archives.
• Bad Astronomy Bad Astronomy is the web site for Phil Plait who is a Professor in Astronomy at Sonoma State University, Sonoma, CA. He is a program manager with the GLAST Public Outreach program. His best selling book "Bad Astronomy", is devoted to debunking myths and misconceptions in Astronomy and related topics. His web site features many topics from his book, a forum discussion group, a link to purchase his book, an archive of his past articles and links to related reading. He also maintains a Yahoo group newsletter for "Bad Astronomy" updates and news.
• British Astronomical Association Formed in 1890, encourages observational astronomy, current astronomical information, observing materials, subscriptions are available to the BAA journal.Cloudy Nights Telescope Reviews Premier web site for reviews of telescopes, and accessories. Forums, articles, latest information on equipment.
• The Constellations and Their Stars by Chris Dolan A wonderful online guide to learn about the Constellations from Andromeda to Vulpelcula. The index of Constellations is searchable alphabetically or monthly. He also provides celestial position and coordinates for the stars in each of the Constellations, and an interactive star chart that uses a Java Applet. A very appealing guide to help you gain knowledge about the Constellations.
• Glossary for Telescope Buyers & Users Useful glossary to help you learn the vocabulary of Telescopes, eyepieces & accessories.
• Latitude/Longitude Position Finder Identify your latitude & longitude by using a clickable map. Continental United States ( 36.6 thru -96.8) only. Zoom map provides 9 levels allows you to zoom down to street level.
• Sky & Telescope Beginners Tips Beginners guide, Observing tips, Binocular & telescope guide, Moon guide, Solar System, and Deep Sky information. Sky & Telescope is a wonderful magazine to subscribe to if you are getting started in Astronomy. Their web site provides many links, an interactive sky chart and monthly observing tips.
• Society for Popular Astronomy UK Amateur Astronomy Organization in the UK. for 50 years. Their web site is full of information and links for amateur astronomers in the UK. They provide beginners information, choosing binoculars & telescopes, Astro forums, observing notes, updates, and Solar System guides, an informative Newsletter and a quarterly Magazine, Monthly Sky guide (PDF), Email bulletins, and numerous links to related web sites.
• Stars and Constellations Web site developed by Prof. Jim Kaler, professor in Astronomy at the University of Illinois. This web site provides an online guide to understanding the various types of stars. Discusses the nature of stars, the constellations and star names, stars and their spectral classes, Classical star atlases, the Greek alphabet and stars, and images of the stars. A large web site containing information on 288 stars, and several links to related web sites.

Astronomy

Astronomy, from the Greek words astron (star) and nomos (law) which literally means "law of the stars", is the scientific study of celestial objects (such as stars, planets, comets, and galaxies) and matter (such as the dark matter) outside the earth's atmosphere, and of their physical and chemical properties.