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Observatories
 Websites presented in alphabetical order Ancient Observatories 
 This website about ancient astronomy features exhibitions on Chaco Canyon (New Mexico) and Chichén Itzá, the ancient Mayan city that was located in the Yucatán Peninsula area of Mexico. Features information and activities on seasons, alignments, petroglyphs, Mayan mythology, the Mayan calendar, and related topics. Includes a teacher's guide. From the Exploratorium. http://www.exploratorium.edu/ancientobs/ Topics: Archaeology, Astronomy, Native Americans Last updated Jul 6, 2005 Anglo-Australian Observatory (AAO)
A "gateway to a unique collection of wide-field astronomical photographs." Choose images by object type (stars, nebulae, galaxies, etc.) or telescope. Each image contains a description and links to related images. Includes essay on innovative photographic techniques. http://www.aao.gov.au/images.html/ Topics: Astronomy, Photograph Collections, Technology Last updated Mar 4, 2004 Astronomical Applications: Data Services
Provides "fundamental astronomical reference data, the position, brightness, and other observable characteristics of celestial bodies": Sun and Moon rise and set times, phases of the Moon, eclipses, planetary transits, positions of the Sun and Moon, the seasons (equinoxes, solstices, perihelion, aphelion), celestial navigation, and more. Enter data and produce your own table. Includes a navigational star chart. From the Astronomical Applications Department of the U.S. Naval Observatory. http://aa.usno.navy.mil/data/ Topics: Astronomy, Holidays and Observances Individually, Ready Reference & Quick Facts, Ready Reference & Quick Facts Last updated Jun 1, 2006 Carnegie Institution for Science
"Nonprofit organization engaged in basic research and advanced education in biology, astronomy, and the earth sciences." The site includes information about the institution's programs (such as embryology, global ecology, and plant biology), observatories, and geophysical laboratory. "First Light and CASE" has information for elementary schools and teachers. The general public can send questions to Carnegie scientists through "Ask the Experts" link. Searchable. http://www.ciw.edu/ Topics: Astronomy, Biology, K-12 Education, Libraries & Archives by Type, Science Last updated Oct 30, 2007 Chandra X-Ray Observatory
Devoted to NASA's Chandra X-ray Observatory. Contains photos taken by Chandra, a history of the Chandra Mission, information on x-ray astronomy, a glossary, and more. http://chandra.harvard.edu/ Topics: Astronomy, Photograph Collections Last updated Jul 6, 2004 Complete Sun and Moon Data for One Day
Enter a U.S. town and a date and view a page with longitude and latitude; the time of the beginning and end of civil twilight, sunrise and set; sun transit; moonrise and set; moon transit; and phase of the moon, including percentage of illumination. Another form for any location worldwide is available, but the user must enter longitude, latitude, and time zone. From the U.S. Naval Observatory Astronomical Applications Department. http://aa.usno.navy.mil/data/docs/RS_OneDay.html Topics: Astronomy Last updated Mar 10, 2004 Dartmouth Flood Observatory
"This site is a research tool for detection, mapping, measurement, and analysis of extreme flood events world-wide using satellite remote sensing. The Observatory provides yearly catalogs, maps, and images of river floods, from 1985 to the present." Features interactive maps, tables about large flood events, and aggregated data on flood severity, damage, duration, recurrence intervals, and more. The site also discusses hydrologic monitoring technologies and provides links to related information. http://www.dartmouth.edu/~floods/ Topics: Astronomy, Hurricane Katrina, Water, Weather Last updated Jul 10, 2006 The Date of Easter
"The usual statement, that Easter Day is the first Sunday after the full moon that occurs next after the vernal equinox, is not a precise statement of the actual ecclesiastical rules." This site gives the rules, a chart of the dates of Easter for the years 1980-2024, and an algorithm that "will compute the date of Easter in the Gregorian Calendar system." From the U.S. Naval Observatory Astronomical Applications Department. http://aa.usno.navy.mil/faq/docs/easter.php Topics: Astronomy, Christianity, Holidays & Observances Last updated Sep 12, 2007 Earth Observatory
This site provides "new satellite imagery and scientific information about our home planet. The focus is on Earth's climate and environmental change." Articles under Features are about the atmosphere, oceans, land, life on earth, heat and energy, and remote sensing. Other sections present current stories, reference materials, earth observing missions, experiments for learning about remote sensing, and a glossary. Weekly updates available. http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/ Topics: Astronomy, Environment, Pollution, Science, Weather Last updated May 7, 2002 EarthScope
This site provides information about the project that uses "modern ... technologies to investigate the structure and evolution of the North American continent and the physical processes controlling earthquakes and volcanic eruptions." Learn about projects such as the drilling of a borehole into the San Andreas Fault, and read reports on the progress of research. "EarthScope is sponsored by the National Science Foundation and conducted in partnership with the US Geological Survey." http://www.earthscope.org Topics: Astronomy, Geology, Science, Science Last updated Sep 6, 2004 The Extrasolar Planets Encyclopaedia
Information on research into planets outside our solar system is covered in this site maintained by Jean Schneider of the Paris Observatory. Includes a bibliography, and links to related resources. Also available in French and Spanish. http://www.obspm.fr/planets Topics: Astronomy, Ready Reference & Quick Facts, Ready Reference & Quick Facts Last updated Dec 18, 2005 Goldendale Observatory State Park (GOSP)
Presents information about this observatory and interpretive center in Klickitat County, Washington state. Features a history of the observatory, details about the winter and summer evening programs and other events, volunteer opportunities, and information about the Friends of the Goldendale Observatory. Includes links to astronomy clubs and societies in the Pacific Northwest, and to other astronomy sites. http://www.perr.com/gosp.html Topics: Astronomy Last updated Mar 21, 2005 Hands-On Universe (HOU)
"Using the Internet, HOU participants around the world request observations from an automated telescope, download images from a large image archive, and analyze them with the aid of user-friendly image processing software." Requests require a teacher log in, but there is plenty of material here that does not require a password: astronomy activities, information about student discoveries, telescope images, student research papers, and curriculum support. From the Lawrence Hall of Science, University of California, Berkeley. http://www.handsonuniverse.org Topics: Astronomy, Mathematics Last updated May 14, 2007 Large Synoptic Survey Telescope (LSST)
This site provides background and updates on the construction of the Large Synoptic Survey Telescope (LSST), which "will provide time-lapse digital imaging of faint astronomical objects across the entire sky." Features details about the telescope (to be located in northern Chile) and areas planned for study by the telescope (such as dark energy and near-Earth objects), photos, material for scientists, and more. LSST is "a collaboration of a number of national labs and organizations." http://www.lsst.org Topics: Astronomy Last updated Feb 1, 2007 Lost at Sea: The Search for Longitude
This site is a companion to a Public Broadcasting Service (PBS) NOVA program that tells the story of how British clockmaker John Harrison solved the problem of calculating longitude and thus "discovered the key to navigating on the open seas." The site provides a program transcript, information about secrets of ancient navigation and the current Global Positioning System (GPS), and thoughts from scientists about recent scientific challenges. Also includes a teacher's guide. http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/longitude/ Topics: Astronomy, Geography, Technology, Transportation Last updated Jul 27, 2004 Lunar Eclipse Observer
Serious astronomers as well as backyard moon watchers will find valuable information here: analyses of lunar eclipses, moon topography, lunar animations and images, and links to relevant sites. Amateurs and professionals are invited to contribute observations of lunar eclipses or of the moon's surface features from their site. Maintained by Fadden Lunar Observatory, Australia. http://www.netspeed.com.au/minnah/LEOx.html Topics: Astronomy Last updated Aug 26, 2002 National Maritime Museum; Royal Observatory Greenwich
These organizations, located in Greenwich, England, work "to illustrate for everyone the importance of the sea, ships, time and the stars." The site features searchable and browsable images of over 7,500 artifacts; a maritime art collection; and the "Search Station," which provides access to over 1,800 objects based on themes. Also includes information about the discovery of calculating longitude, and much more. Searchable. http://www.nmm.ac.uk/ Topics: Astronomy, Museums, Museums by Place, Transportation Last updated Oct 20, 2003 Near-Earth Asteroid Tracking
Observation reports, photos, and movies of asteroids and comets from the Near-Earth Asteroid Tracking (NEAT) observing systems at Palomar Observatory and the Maui Space Surveillance Site. Includes a listing of newly discovered asteroids, an asteroid and comet FAQ, image archives, and information about NEAT observation telescopes. NEAT is a joint project of the NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory and the United States Air Force. http://neat.jpl.nasa.gov/ Topics: Astronomy, Photograph Collections Last updated Apr 8, 2005 The Official U.S. Time
Accurate to within 1 second. Pick a time zone in the the United States or its territories. The official U.S. government time is displayed in large, easy-to-read numerals, along with the coordinated universal time and a world map displaying where the sun is shining. "Time Exhibits" provides information about daylight-saving time, calendars, clocks, watches, timekeeping, and more. From the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)and the U.S. Naval Observatory (USNO). http://www.time.gov/ Topics: Astronomy, Holidays and Observances Individually, Ready Reference & Quick Facts, Science, Science, Technology Last updated Mar 5, 2009 Sedna (2003 VB12)
"On 15 March 2004, astronomers from Caltech, Gemini Observatory, and Yale University announced the discovery of the coldest, most distant object known to orbit the sun." This site provides background information about Sedna, and details about the findings of the team. Includes images and related links (such as to the legend of Sedna, the Inuit goddess of the sea). From a member of the team that discovered Sedna. http://www.gps.caltech.edu/~mbrown/sedna/ Topics: Astronomy, Geography, Technology, Transportation, Water Last updated Mar 16, 2004 Sky Information
This page from Los Angeles' Griffith's Observatory includes the Sky Report , eclipses, phases of the moon, moonrise and moonset, sunrise and sunset, the sun's daily path (from Los Angeles), tide tables, astronomical zodiac, equinoxes and solstices, and planet positions through 2010. http://www.griffithobs.org/Skyinfo.html Topics: Astronomy, Geography, Holidays and Observances Individually, Water, Weather Last updated Dec 6, 2001 SOHO: Exploring the Sun
The International Solar and Heliospheric Observatory (SOHO) is a cooperative project of the European Space Agency (ESA) and the U.S. National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). See real time photos of the sun taken from outer space. Find daily solar data as well as links and educational information for the layperson and the solar physicist. Subscribe to receive "What's New" messages by e-mail. http://sohowww.nascom.nasa.gov/ Topics: Astronomy, Photograph Collections, Weather Last updated Aug 24, 2004 Space Telescope Science Institute
Site for the Hubble Space Telescope. Includes history, news releases, photographs and movies, educational activities, an archive of data collected, and a directory of Internet resources for research astronomers. "The Space Telescope Science Institute (STScI) is the astronomical research center responsible for operating the Hubble Space Telescope as an international observatory." http://www.stsci.edu/institute/ Topics: Astronomy, Photograph Collections Last updated Oct 9, 2002 Spitzer Space Telescope
News and background information about the NASA telescope, which is a "space-borne, cryogenically-cooled infrared observatory capable of studying objects ranging from our Solar System to the distant reaches of the Universe." Features history of the telescope, fast facts, information about infrared light and the technology behind the telescope, images, and updates on findings. Also available in Spanish. Searchable. http://www.spitzer.caltech.edu/ Topics: Astronomy, Photograph Collections, Technology, Transportation Last updated Jun 2, 2004 StarDate Online
This educational site includes stargazing and planet viewing tips, a sky almanac, FAQ, news, images, an Astroglossary, and solar system, constellation, star, and galaxy guides. Other resources include their StarDate radio program and magazine (archived back to 1997). Also available in Spanish as Universo Online. From the University of Texas McDonald Observatory. http://stardate.org/ Topics: Astronomy Last updated Jan 7, 2008 U.S. Naval Observatory Master Clock Time
The latest time, with listings for each of the major time zones in the United States. From the Time Service Department, U.S. Naval Observatory. http://tycho.usno.navy.mil/cgi-bin/timer.pl Topics: Astronomy, Ready Reference & Quick Facts, Science, Science Last updated Mar 12, 2004 Virtual Reality Moon Phase Pictures
"View the phase of the Moon for any date and time [1800 to 2199 A.D.]. Updated every four hours. Provided by the Time Service Department of the U.S. Naval Observatory. http://tycho.usno.navy.mil/vphase.html Topics: Astronomy Last updated Apr 7, 2004 |
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