Websites and Apps

The following compilation of websites and apps are not meant to be a complete list of everything available. However, they hopefully provide a good starting point and supplement to other well known resources related to astronomy.

Astronomical League

The Astronomical League (AL) promotes amateur astronomy and supports astronomical organizations throughout the U.S. The AL also provides Observing Program certificates and pins to recognize certain observing achievements by AL members that demonstrate observing skills with a variety of instruments and objects. These observation challenges and their Night Sky Tools page provide a fantastic way to learn the night sky. BAS Membership provides automatic enrollment into the AL.

Planetarium Software

Stellarium (app; Google and Apple stores) - Free

Star Walk 2 (app; Google and Apple stores) - Free

SkySafari (app; Google and Apple stores) - For purchase

Worldwide Telescope

OpenSpace

NASA’s Eyes

Sky Charts and Object Lists

Astronomy and Astrophysics in the New Millennium

Interactive Messier Catalog

Interactive NGC Catalog Online

Monthly Star Chart

SEDS Messier Catalog

SEDS NGC Catalog

The STScI Digitized Sky Survey

Light Pollution and Observing Tools

DarkSky International is an organization dedicated to restoring the nighttime environment and protecting communities from the harmful effects of light pollution through outreach, advocacy, and conservation. Additional information can also be found on our own Protecting Dark Skies page.

Astrospheric is an astronomy weather tool for astronomers and astrophotographers in North America. This is a real time resource that is also available as an app (Google and Apple stores). Astrospheric provides information on up to the minute observing conditions such as clouds, humidity, seeing, and transparency. There is even a light pollution map to assist with locating darker skies for better observing of the night sky (click on the “lightbulb” icon).