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Home Observing Astrophotography Telescopes Dark Skies Star Parties Solar System Light Pollution
Winter Objects
Try to find these objects with your telescope.
  M45 - Pleades (Seven Sisters)
    In the east near Perseus and Taurus
  M31 - Andromeda Galaxy
    Directly over head near the great square of the constellation Andromeda
  NGC-869 - Perseus Double Cluster
    Between Perseus and Cassiopeia
  M42 - Orion Nebula
    You need to say up late in December to see this. Orion come up around 8:30PM and gets high enough for viewing aroung 11PM



Telescopes
If you are considering purchasing a telescope and are not sure what type to get take a look at our intro to telescopes section.

Astronomy Books
There are a number of books you can look at weather you ar just starting out os are an avid armature astronomer.

Star Parties
Our Star Party Calendar is the most comprehensive and up to date list of star partieson the web.

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Turn Off the Lights in 2009

This year you can be green and dark at the same time by turning out, or at least down, the lights in your area. Bright or misdirected lights in your yard not only waste energy but they cause a type polliution called light pollution.

One fifth of the world's population cannot see the Milky Way because street lamps and building lights are too bright. So scientists are mounting a new campaign, called Dark Skies Awareness, aiming to reduce light pollution as part of the 2009 International Year of Astronomy

Dark Skies Awareness” is one of 11 Global Cornerstone Projects during the 2009 International Year of Astronomy (IYA2009). Its goal is to raise the level of public knowledge about adverse impacts of excess artificial lighting on local environments and help more people appreciate the ongoing loss of a dark night sky for much of the world’s population. Toward this end, a range of programs and resource materials has been developed. Everyone is invited to use any of these as local solutions to a global problem.


 

The Universe is yours to discover during the International Year of Astronomy 2009

Saturn

The International Year of Astronomy 2009 (IYA2009) has been launched by the International Astronomical Union (IAU) and the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) under the theme, "The Universe, yours to discover". Thousands of IYA2009 events are described on the national websites, as well as on astronomy2009.org, and a few of the global projects are listed here.

The IYA2009 Solar Physics Group have been busy planning a grand worldwide campaign, with over 30 countries involved at more than 150 venues, which will see amateur stargazers set up their telescopes on pavements as well as in science centres, letting passers-by observe the Sun using special safety equipment.
Getting Started (for budding astronomers)
Telescopes
If you are considering purchasing a telescope and are not sure what type to get take a look at our intro to telescopes section.

Observing Basics
If you are considering a night out observing, here are some tips that can help make sure you night goes well.

Star Parties
Here is a list of star parties. These events consist of lectures, demonstrations, equipment swaps, and plenty of observing.

 
Night Sky Objects
Here is a list of interesting object to look at. Also found here are links to challenge lists.

Books
There are a number of books you can look at weather you ar just starting out os are an avid armature astronomer.

LIght Pollution
Light pollution is one of the fastest growing forms of pollution. The stars of night sky are quickly disappearing due to indiscriminate lighting.

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