Can’t find what you’re looking for on the SPA site? Here are some links to some of the most popular and useful links on the Internet. Each link will open in a new window.
Astronomical Societies
Federation of Astronomical Societies www.fedastro.org.uk
Use this site to find details of over 175 local astronomical societies throughout the UK
British Astronomical Association www.britastro.org
Formed in 1890, the BAA has an international reputation for the quality of its observational and scientific work.
Webb Society www.webbdeepsky.com/
For deep-sky observers
Royal Astronomical Society www.ras.ac.uk
The society for UK professional astronomers, but with many amateur members.
Photo Galleries
Hubble Space Telescope pictures hubblesite.org/
Archive of almost all Hubble images
Planetary photos from NASA spacecraft photojournal.jpl.nasa.gov/
Covers all recent planetary missions, regularly updated
Space Shuttle and International Space Station spaceflight.nasa.gov
Although the page address has changed, the link now provides links to other NASA sites
Reference – positions of objects, star maps etc
Heavens Above www.heavens-above.com
Gives timings of International Space Station and other satellite passes over your chosen location, plus much more
IAU Minor Planet Center minorplanetcenter.net/
For orbits and positions of comets, asteroids, etc. Requires an understanding of orbital parameters.
Stellarium www.stellarium.org
Excellent free software for showing a realistic view of the sky from your location
Solar System Live http://www.fourmilab.ch/solar/solar.html
Useful live plots of the positions of solar system objects
Monthly magazines
Astronomy Now www.astronomynow.com/
Authoritative UK astronomy magazine
Sky at Night www.skyatnightmagazine.com
UK magazine based on the BBC TV show
The Astronomer www.theastronomer.org/
UK based, consists largely of detailed observational reports: for dedicated observers
Astronomy www.astronomy.com
Popular US magazine
Sky and Telescope www.skyandtelescope.com
Has a very long pedigree
Observing help
Jodrell Bank www.jb.man.ac.uk/astronomy/
Monthly night sky guide and podcast
SEDS Deep Sky spider.seds.org/spider/Deepsky/deepsky.html
Masses of information about deep-sky objects
Annual Star parties
Kelling Heath star party las-skycamp.org
The UK’s leading observing event, in Norfolk. Occurs near autumn equinox. Camping sites with some caravans.
There is also a separately organised spring event
Kielder Forest Star Camp http://kielderforeststarcamp.org/
Takes place twice a year in Northumberland’s dark skies
Places to visit
The Observatory Science Centre, Herstmonceux, Sussex www.the-observatory.org/
Home of former Royal Greenwich Observatory, now a science centre with many astronomical exhibits
National Space Centre, Leicester spacecentre.co.uk/home/
Modern space and astronomy exhibits and planetarium
Royal Observatory, Greenwich www.rmg.co.uk/royal-observatory
The original home of the Royal Greenwich Observatory, with the famous Meridian Line and historic telescopes
Glasgow Science Centre www.glasgowsciencecentre.org/
Includes a planetarium
Intech Science Centre, Winchester www.winchestersciencecentre.org/
Includes a planetarium
Mills Observatory, Dundee http://www.leisureandculturedundee.com/mills-home
Observatory and planetarium
Island Planetarium, Isle of Wight www.islandastronomy.co.uk/
Part of Fort Victoria Country Park
South Downs Planetarium, Chichester www.southdowns.org.uk/
Planetarium and science centre
Jodrell Bank Visitor Centre, Cheshire www.jodrellbank.net/
Displays about astronomy and the famous radiotelescope
Thinktank, Birmingham www.birminghammuseums.org.uk/thinktank
Science centre with planetarium
Liverpool Planetarium www.liverpoolmuseums.org.uk/whatson/world-museum/exhibition/planetarium
Part of Liverpool Museum
Weather and aurorae
UK Met Office www.metoffice.gov.uk/
Forecasts and updated weather satellite photos
UK Auroral Activity http://aurorawatch.lancs.ac.uk/
Constantly updated graph of auroral activity
https://aurora-alerts.uk/index.php
An aurora app that provides alerts.
Spaceweather www.spaceweather.com
Updates on solar and auroral activity plus photos of atmospheric and other phenomena