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Table of Contents
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On-line Planetarium Show (Thinkquest -- EXCELLENT!)
LiveSky.com (Sienna Software - the Starry Night people)
Excellent starting point: includes Observing the Sky Tonight, Recent Astronomical News, good database, educational links, specialised astronomy search engines, and much more...
Through Starry Night, it also provides direct linkage to the Sky Survey (i.e., retrieve images from the Digitized Sky Survey for whatever area / object you are observing in Starry Night).
Excellent set of teaching materials
ThinkQuest (international web design competition) sites on astronomy - space, especially:
View space as seen through the Hubble Telescope with the interactive planetarium program "Hubble from Here to Eternity." Take the guided tour or wander through the marvelous photos and information including planets, galaxies, black holes, and other phenomena in the universe. An excellent table of contents makes finding specific topics such as the biographies of astronomers or the mythology behind the stars easy. Also, there are many good links to other space sites. [Awarded 5th place, 1996]
Outstanding graphics set this excellent site apart from many others. Although looks aren't everything it's clear from the detailed and informative material included--about the solar system, space exploration, and other astronomy matters--that this is a fine combination of appearance and content. The interactive section features quizzes, activities, and a game, all of which add interest to the topic. Links are well-chosen and complete, as is the bibliography.
A very well-done web site that covers History, Radio Astronomy, Optical Astronomy, and the Physics of Astronomy. Brief biographies of famous astronomers describe their notable achievements. There's a time line that gives a brief overview of major astronomy milestones from 2500 BC to 1980. Don't forget the glossary, the games, and quizzes, and lots more when you explore this site.
Take a Bite of the Milky Way: A Child's Guide to Astronomy
Take a Bite Out of the Milky Way: A Child's Guide to Astronomy is bursting with interesting facts and entertainment. This website will keep children interested by the puzzles and games while helping them learn about the Milky Way Galaxy. Our group has included mini reports about each of the nine planets, famous astronomers, comets, and other space information. The photographs of outer space phenomenas will leave you in awe after you have experienced the fascinating colors and designs. Don't get us wrong, this website is not just for children; it is also for adults. We hope everyone out there will enjoy this website that our group has designed.
Astronomy for Kids (years 4 - 6)
The educational objectives of "Astronomy for Kids" are to teach kids in grades 4 through 6 about astronomy and outer space in a fun and interesting manner. One of the fun ways of learning on our web site is using the "Virtual Telescope". You can also post messages on our forum and learn about other kids' thoughts and ideas.
From NASA - Goddard Space Flight Center (separate K-8 and 9-12 materials)
An Astronomy Course for Students using the Internet (from Jack Troeger, Iowa State Univ -- looks good for upper primary, middle school, lower secondary -- lots of links)
Includes:
STARGZR, Sparkling Eyes, Happy Grins
Observing The Night Sky
Dark Skies
Finding Your Way Around The Sky
Messages From The Cosmos
Binoculars & Telescopes
The Moon
The Sun
The Solar System
Stars, Nebulae, and Star Clusters
Galaxies & Quasars
Cosmology
Other Really Cool Astrostuff
Who Writes This Stuff Anyway?
Educational Observatory - Astronomy Resources (Samual Wormley, Iowa State University)
Extensive and very good guided links.
Astronomy Education Resources K-12: University of Washington)
Good site appropriate for years 6 - 9; sections on the solar system, galaxy and galaxy clusters, the expanding universe, Big Bang, fate of the universe, galaxy formation, and more
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The Nine Planets Top site - 5 stars! Years 8-12
Mirror site at Australian National University -- may be faster...
The Nine Planets for Kids Modified for about years 2-6
Windows to the Universe (University of Michigan -- very comprehensive!!)
Views of the Solar System (another excellent site: good animations, teachers' materials, etc.)
Welcome to the Planets (NASA / JPL) [info and excellent images]
Centre for Earth and Planetary Studies: National Air and Space Museum, Smithsonian Institution
The Pluto Home Page (University of Colorado)
Special on Mars (NASA)
Hubble Space Telescope Public Pictures
Solar - Terrestrial Division of National Geophysical Data Center
The Virtual Sun (a 20 minute journey -- excellent)
Sunspots (Exploratorium -- very good)
60 inch Solar Telescope at Mount Wilson
Eclipse Home Page: Goddard Space Flight Center
Very detailed info, such as this [Courtesy of Fred Espenak, NASA/GSFC]
Solar Eclipses (Exploratorium)
From Bill Arnett (author of The Nine Planets) trip to the eclipse -- contains other links
Aurora (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration)
More on the aurora (from Alaska -- EXCELLENT photos)
NASA's Twelve Year Planetary Ephemeris provides detailed and accurate geocentric positions
Stellar astronomy and astrophysics
Stars (NASA: yr 9 - 12 with teachers guide)
Stellar Evolution (NASA: yr 9 - 12)
Stars (University of Michigan -- very comprehensive)
Portraits of Stars and their Constellations (University of Illinois)
Life on the Main Sequence (University of Oregon)
Reference Site with Links: Astronomy and Astrophysics on the Web (adv 11-12-uni)
Gamma Rays (Compton Gamma Ray Observatory)
Deep Space: Information, photos, catalogues and databases
The Interactive NGC Catalog Online -- simply enter a deep space object's NGC, IC or Messier number for detailed info and photos -- excellent !!
The Web Nebulae Also from Bill Arnett: excellent photos, years 8-12
Images from the Digitized Sky Survey as posted on alt.binaries.pictures.astro by Richard Bright -- photos and descriptions of all 110 M objectsGalaxies (University of Michigan -- very comprehensive)
The Cosmos (University of Michigan -- very comprehensive)
SkyView
a Virtual Observatory on the Net. Astronomers can generate images of any portion of the sky at wavelengths in all regimes from radio to gamma-ray. Users tell SkyView the position, scale and orientation desired, and SkyView gives users an image made to their specification. The user need not worry about transforming between equinoxes or coordinate systesm, mosaicking submaps, rotating the image,.... SkyView handles these geometric issues and lets the user get started on astronomy.
Example:
M31 - Andromeda Galaxy -- at 408 MHz
Fundamental Questions of the Universe (NASA)
Guide to the Quantum World (New Scientist)
NGC (New General Catalog {of deep-space}) Objects
The Grove Creek Observatory archive of NGC images.
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.
You can retrieve highly detailed [15 x 15 minutes of sky -- i.e., half the width of the full moon) (black and white) photos for any part of the sky. [This can also be done directly from Starry Night.]
Become a Stargazer (StarDate Online)
Estimating Limiting Magnitudes
An easy method of determining how clear your sky is (thanks to Veikko Makela): good teaching module.Ptolemy's Supper ClubVery good amateur astronomy site -- lots of helpful information.Astronomy Software (free, shareware and purchase)Starry Night Planetarium (Pick of the litter: truly excellent planetarium software on CD-ROM, Mac or PC, -- highly discounted prices available to Australian schools, teachers and students through Curtin University) -- Click here for details.Sky Maps (Northern Hemisphere -- at weekly increments)
Skywatching Center (Northern Hemisphere -- at daily increments)
The World's Largest Telescopes
Links to the world's largest observatories home pages: photos and information on the telescopes, observing programs, lots of photos of astronomical objects, etc.
Links to all major observatories
From Live Sky - Starry Night:
The Baton Rouge Observatory
Home page for Louisiana's Baton Rouge Observatory. Includes a schedule of events, information about their equipment, and links to other remote control telescopes on the Internet.Kitt Peak National Observatory
Home page for the Kitt Peak National Observatory in Tuscon, Arizona. KPNO is operated by the Association of Universities for Research in Astronomy (AURA), Inc. under a cooperative agreement with the National Science Foundation.Space Telescope Science Institute
Home of the Hubble Space Telescope (HST). Provides a public access to HST pictures.James Lick Observatory
The University of California Observatories/Lick Observatory headquarters are located on the Santa Cruz campus of the University of California. UCO/Lick oversees the operation of the Mt. Hamilton observing station east of San Jose, California.Kopernik Observatory and Space Exploration Center
The Kopernik Observatory, perched atop a 1750 foot hill in Vestal, 10 miles Southwest of Binghamton, NY, has been the best-sited and best equipped public observatory in the Northeast United States for over 20 years. The new Kopernik Space Education Center is New York State's first science laboratory facility designed for K-12 teachers, students and their families.US Air Force Academy Observatory
The Department of Physics at the Air Force Academy operates a 61-cm and a 41-cm telescope at an observatory site located just east of the cadet area overlooking the parade grounds. The observatory supports various physics classes, cadet and faculty research, and Physics and Astronomy Cadet Club activities.Kirdkao Observatory - Thailand
The newest astronomical observatory in Thailand was found in 1996 by Thai amateur astronomer and military pilot, Thagoon Kirdkao. It is located in northern Kanchana Buri, 200 km west of Bangkok, and the staff there enjoy promoting astronomy to young people.David Dunlop Observatory
Research and educational observatory located just north of Toronto. Open to the public for tours.The Keck Observatory
14 000 feet up on the summit of Mauna Kea in Hawaii, the twin 10-meter Keck telescopes are the leading tools in astronomy research today. Only open to the public during daylight hours.Arecibo Observatory
The largest radio telescope in the world, located in Puerto Rico. Featured in the movie "Contact".Las Brisas Observatory
The Las Brisas Observatory is an astrophotographic facility located high in the Colorado mountains. It has a 36-cm telescope and an 20-cm Schmidt camera. There are good Schmidt camera comet photographs at this site.Warren Rupp Observatory
Located in middle Ohio about 7 miles southwest of Mansfield. Houses one of the largest (31") amateur operated, computer controlled telescopes in the U.S. They offer monthly public nights and free access to all groups. Please call or write ahead to schedule your time.
Search for Extraterrestrial Life (SETI)
Project SERENDIP: Searching for Life in the Cosmos
Educator's Guide to Life Beyond Earth
The Search for Extraterrestrial Life (University of Arizona)
Comprehensive biographies of more than 100 astronomers (Astronomy Interactive Network)
The Galileo Project (Rice University: life and work of Galileo and the science of his time)
Good history for secondary students (Astronomy Interactive Network - brief)
History of Astronomy and Space Science (Univ of Washington - more comprehensive)
History of Astronomy (Univ of Bonn: massive)
NASA
(click
on logo for NASA's home page)
I have had mixed experiences with NASA materials. While clearly they have tremendous resources on the www, I wish they'd spend less time trying to "sell" the space program. [I found their 10 Meg Space Educator's Handbook to be so poorly constructed and organised that I deleted it.] That said, they have a LOT of resources.
Welcome to the Planets (NASA / JPL) [info and excellent images]
Hubble Space Telescope (home page) (click from their home page to get Data Archives and much more)
Hubble Space Telescope Public Pictures
"Live" from the Hubble Space Telescope (Passport to Knowledge program -- has good teachers' resources))
Asks:
- How did the first galaxies form?
- How do stars and planetary systems form?
- Are there any planets outside our solar system that are capable of sustaining life?
- How did life originate on Earth?
- Is there life (however primitive or evolved) outside our solar system?
Has good teachers' resources -- also streaming video is available
Stars (NASA: yr 9 - 12 with teachers guide)
Stellar Evolution (NASA: yr 9 - 12)
From NASA - Goddard Space Flight Center (separate K-8 and 9-12 materials)
Star Child Project (for younger students)
Project Athena (space and earth science: K-12)
Astronomy for younger students
The Nine Planets for Kids Modified for about years 2-6
KidsAstronomy (Online Astronomy Academy) -- ages 7 - 18 -- activities, links, free online classes, teachers' corner, and more
Space Kids (from www.space.com) -- large range of activities for primary students
Astronomy for Kids! (planets, puzzles, facts, sky maps, links and more... Leave it to adults to take something as exciting and beautiful as the sky and make it booooooring! )
Virtual Solar System (years 3 - 9) [requires (free download) viewer]
StudyWeb Astronomy for Kids links
NASA's Project Athena (space and earth science)
New TeachSpace module from http://www.space.com/
Take a Bite of the Milky Way: A Child's Guide to Astronomy
Take a Bite Out of the Milky Way: A Child's Guide to Astronomy is bursting with interesting facts and entertainment. This website will keep children interested by the puzzles and games while helping them learn about the Milky Way Galaxy. Our group has included mini reports about each of the nine planets, famous astronomers, comets, and other space information. The photographs of outer space phenomenas will leave you in awe after you have experienced the fascinating colors and designs. Don't get us wrong, this website is not just for children; it is also for adults. We hope everyone out there will enjoy this website that our group has designed.
Astronomy for Kids (years 4 - 6)
The educational objectives of "Astronomy for Kids" are to teach kids in grades 4 through 6 about astronomy and outer space in a fun and interesting manner. One of the fun ways of learning on our web site is using the "Virtual Telescope". You can also post messages on our forum and learn about other kids' thoughts and ideas.
Exobiology Module: written and trialed by Steve Brown at La Jolia High School -- he's done the work for you. (8-12)
Astronomy Interactive Network's Interactive Page (great fun!! -- needs Shockwave and and Flash plug-ins)
KidsAstronomy (Online Astronomy Academy) -- ages 7 - 18 -- activities, links, free online classes, teachers' corner, and more
The Satellite Site (needs a java-enabled browser: build three different kinds of rockets with an interactive program: info on use of satellites, orbit types, GPS, and more)
Eyes on the Universe: The Hubble Space Telescope (good HST starting point)
Reference Site with Links: Astronomy and Astrophysics on the Web (adv 11-12-uni)
HomeSchoolZone's Astronomy Page
On-line Hyperlinked Astronomy Dictionary (Eric's Treasure Trove of Astronomy): Dr Eric Weisstein, University of Virginia Very useful source: years 11-12-uni
Glossary (Astronomy Interactive Network)
Astronomy FTP List (University of Arizona -- extensive !!)
Other interactive simulations on the WWW
Galaxies in Collision A sophisticated simulation of colliding galaxies and the formation of observed structures as a result. A simulation of the mass/luminance relationships of stars on the main sequence. Allows you to set the masses, orbital separation, orbital eccentricity, the inclination angle to our line of sight, and the angle of the nodes of an orbiting star pair. A simulation showing the effects on observed magnitude of eclipse events in binary systems. AJ's Cosmic Thing is a robust, full-featured sky plotter applet, capable of rendering moving, interactive full-sky plots of brighter sky objects, as seen from any point on earth. A demonstration of Kepler's three laws. Positions of Jupiter's Moons A graphical display of the positions of Jupiter's moons and the Great Red Spot. Phase of the Moon Similar to the display above. Star Chart A very nice star charting JAVA applet with adjustable parameters. Julian Date Calculator Translate any date input into a Julian date.
From Major Starting Points (above), more reference sites and links:
Links 2 Go
Franklin Institute
Space Science (238 links by background information, solar system, stars, space travel, teachers' resources, etc.)
Study Web Link takes you to Study Web; then click on Science, then subtopic (below), the further subtopics presented (all sites rated for content and approx. year level)
Astronomy
Space and AeronauticsExploratorium Link takes you to Science, then click on subtopic
Astronomy
US Science Teachers Assn: Science and Maths Links Link takes you to home page, which has links to subtopics:
Astronomy
Earth and Space ScienceYahoo! Science Link takes you to Science page, which has links to subtopics:
Astronomy
SpaceFrank Potter's Science Gems (University of California at Irvine)
Frank has located more than 2,000 WWW resources that are appropriate for the classroom. Categorized by subject and grade.
University of Oregon, Department of Physics
Interactive Astronomy and Astrophysics applets (added 22 May 2000)
A FANTASTIC RESOURCE!! (for secondary teachers and students)
http://jersey.uoregon.edu/vlab/
Great Links from NASA "Pathways to Astronomy Education Resources"
A search engine is also available for their site:
Great Links from Sky and Telescope magazine
The following links are from Rosemary Horton's award-winning web site at Trinity College, Perth. The include some of those given above, but also add many new ones too.
http://library.trinity.wa.edu.au/subjects/science/astronomy/default.htm
Many thanks to Rosemary for permission to include them...
And here is another very good set of links, with an Australian bias...
http://www.skeptics.com.au/features/links/astro.htm
Written by Stephen R. Kessell
Updated
29 July, 2002
Space.com
