Links

Metservice.com - Weather, tides, rain radar and forecasts from around NZ.

Bureau of Meteorology - Weather, rain radar and forecasts from around Australia.

All due care is taken in compiling the list of links on these pages. CosMos Astronomy is not responsible for the content of any linked sites and makes no representations regarding the content or accuracy of materials on such sites. Clicking on any of the links will teleport you to the third party website.

ASTRONOMICAL SOCIETIES

Astronomical Society of the Pacific - (US) The Astronomical Society of the Pacific (ASP) was founded in 1889 by a group of Northern California professional and amateur astronomers after joining together to view a rare total solar eclipse. The ASP's earliest purpose was to disseminate astronomical information -- a mission which has flourished with astronomers' inexhaustible exploration of the universe. The ASP has become the largest general astronomy society in the world, with members from over 70 nations.

Auckland Astronomical Society - (NZ) The Auckland Astronomical Society was founded in 1922. The Society meets at the Stardome Observatory in Auckland on the second Monday of each month (except January). There are additional meetings every Friday night offering a wide range of interesting talks and activities for our members. Regular star parties are held at a dark site for casual observing. Facilities available to members include an excellent borrowing library, rental telescopes and a monthly Journal of over 24 pages. A number of our members are volunteers at the Stardome; others are actively involved in astronomical research.

Astronomical Society of Australia - (AUS) The Astronomical Society of Australia (ASA) was formed in 1966 as the organisation of professional astronomers in Australia. Membership of the ASA is open to anyone contributing to the advancement of Australian astronomy or a closely related field.

Astronomical Society of New South Wales - (AUS) The Astronomical Society of NSW exists to bring together people interested in Astronomy and related sciences, and to promote public interest and education in Astronomy.

Astronomical Society of South Australia - (AUS) The Astronomical Society of South Australia was founded in 1892 and is the oldest society of its kind in Australia. It is the only representative body for amateur astronomy in the state of South Australia.

Astronomical Society of Tasmania - (AUS) The Astronomical Society of Tasmania Inc. was founded in 1934 for amateur astronomers who share an interest in all aspects of astronomy and its related sciences.

Astronomical Society of Victoria - (AUS) The Astronomical Society of Victoria Inc. is a Melbourne based Society (but with many country members) for people interested in astronomy, attracting and catering for people from a wide range of ages and a wide range of abilities and interests.

Australian Astronomy (ASA) - (AUS) Australian Astronomy is an official web site of the Astronomical Society of Australia featuring extensive links to astronomical research, teaching, and public education facilities and activities in Australia.

Brisbane Astronomical Society - (AUS) What makes the Brisbane Astronomical Society such an exciting group is our friendly and motivated amateur astronomers covering a broad range of interests. We welcome beginners taking their first steps to exploring the skies and seasoned amateurs alike.

British Astronomical Association - (UK) Formed in 1890, the British Astronomical Association has an international reputation for the quality of its observational and scientific work. Membership is open to all persons interested in astronomy.

Canberra Astronomical Society - (AUS) The Canberra Astronomical Society Inc. (CAS) was established in 1969 to serve the needs of amateur astronomers within the Australian Capital Territory and surrounding regions. The Society has amongst its membership a wide variety of skills and interests, catering for the beginner and advanced astronomer alike.

Canterbury Astronomical Society - (NZ) The Canterbury Astronomical Society (CAS) is the largest astronomical society in the South Island. The R.F. Joyce Observatory, at West Melton is privately owned by the Society and contains a number of telescopes including a 14in cassegrain reflecting telescope which is used for photography, visual and photometric observing.

Dunedin Astronomical Society - (NZ) The Dunedin Astronomical Society Incorporated (DAS) is an amateur astronomical group operating from the Beverly-Begg Observatory Dunedin, New Zealand. It is affiliated with the Royal Astronomical Society of New Zealand and with the Otago Institute.

Hamilton Astronomical Society - (NZ) The Hamilton astronomical society was formed in 1933 and is one of the oldest of New Zealand's 25 Amateur Astronomical Societies. The prime goal is to provide the people of Hamilton and the Waikato with an opportunity to learn about astronomy and to share their enthusiasm with like minded people.

Hawkes Bay Astronomical Society - (NZ) The Hawke's Bay Astronomical Society is an active club with a strong membership base. Our monthly meetings are held at the Hawke's Bay Holt Planetarium in the grounds of Napier Boys' High School, off Chambers S A range of equipment is owned by the club, including a six inch refractor, 80mm Vixen refractor with solar filter, eight inch table top Schmidt Cassegrain and a lovely hand made 16 inch reflector. These instruments are complimented by personal equipment owned by the members themselves.treet, Napier.

Phoenix Astronomical Society - (NZ) The Phoenix Astronomical Society (located in the lower North Island of New Zealand) is an extremely active and enthusiastic society whose aim is to make astronomy accessible to everyone whatever their level of interest and knowledge; to increase public awareness of astronomy and related sciences, and to share with others the mysteries and wonders of the universe.

Royal Astronomical Society of NZ (RASNZ) - (NZ) The object of the Society is the promotion and extension of knowledge of astronomy and related branches of science. It encourages interest in astronomy, and is an association of observers and others for mutual help and advancement of science. It was founded in 1920 as the New Zealand Astronomical Society and assumed its present title on receiving the Royal Charter in 1946.

Royal Astronomical Society - (UK) The Royal Astronomical Society (RAS), founded in 1820, encourages and promotes the study of astronomy, solar-system science, geophysics and closely related branches of science.

Southland Astronomical Society - (NZ) The Southland Astronomical Society is a small but active group of amateur astronomers based in Invercargill at the southern tip of New Zealand's South Island. Members participate in a variety of astromomical activities including education with groups and school children, deep sky observing, astrophotography, aurora observation, to name just a few.

Tauranga Astronomical Society - (NZ) Public meetings held in the Soccer Club rooms, Ferguson Park, Tauranga. These are held on the fourth Wednesday of every month at 7:30 pm. Presentations have been given on current astronomical topics. All those interested in astronomy in the Bay of Plenty district are encouraged to attend. Weather permitting, there will be some telescopes available for a public viewing session.

Wellington Astronomical Society - (NZ) The Wellington Astronomical Society is an incorporated society for anyone who is interested in stars, planets or any other topic related to astronomy. Membership includes experienced and distinguished astronomers and also caters for the interest of beginners who come from a diverse range of age groups and professions.

COMETS

Southern Comets - (Aus) Interesting website by Michael Mattiazzo who specialises in comets including observing data and photography.

Cometography.com - All things cometary by Gary Kronk including current and future comets, comets of the past and a catalogue of periodic comets.

OBSERVATORIES

Auckland Observatory - (NZ) The Stardome Observatory and Planetarium is situated on the lower southern slopes of One Tree Hill (or Maungakiekie) - one of Auckland's volcanic cones and most prominent natural landmarks. When you enter the Stardome you will begin an adventure that's truly out-of-this-world! Sit back in our Planetarium, an all-sky 360º panoramic theatre and enjoy the experience featuring 3,500 brilliant stars, delivered by our digital technology with stunning digital surround sound... day or night, rain or shine.

Australia Telescope National Facility - (AUS) The Australia Telescope National Facility (ATNF) supports Australia's research in radio astronomy. It is administered by the CSIRO, Australia's national scientific research organisation and is funded by the Australian Government. The ATNF operates the Australia Telescope which consists of the Compact Array at Narrabri and the Parkes and Mopra radio telescopes. These telescopes can be used together as a long baseline array for use in Very Long Baseline Interferometry.

Carter Observatory - (NZ) Carter Observatory is New Zealand's longest serving national observatory. Thanks to funding from the New Zealand Government, Wellington City Council, New Zealand Lotteries Grant, and the Pelorus Trust among others, a revitalised Carter opened its doors on 27 March 2010.

European Southern Observatory - (CHILE) ESO is the foremost intergovernmental astronomy organisation in Europe and the world's most productive astronomical observatory. It operates three sites in Chile.

Farm Cove Observatory - (NZ) Farm Cove Observatory (FCO) is a private observatory operated by Jennie McCormick conducting astronomical research for the Centre for Backyard Astrophysics (CBA), Microlensing Follow Up Network (MicroFUN) at The Ohio State University Astronomy Department and regular comet and asteroid astrometry. FCO was built in 1999 and sits on the western side of the Wakaaranga reserve which is a tributary of the Tamaki River. The observatory gets its name from Farm Cove, an eastern suburb of Auckland some 25kms from the heart of the city centre.

High Altitude Observatory - (US) Although the Sun has been the most studied star in the heavens, little was known about the structure of its atmosphere or the role of its magnetic fields, or much at all about the fundamental motions of its surface or interior, until fairly recently. The past six decades have been productive ones for solar physics, and the High Altitude Observatory at NCAR has been a core contributor to that productivity.

Mauna Loa Solar Observatory - (Hawaii) Funding has been approved for a new coronagraph at MLSO by the end of 2012! This new instrument will provide significantly better signal-to-noise, high time cadence, uniform spatial resolution and will observe lower in the corona than Mk4.

Mount John University Observatory - (NZ) MJUO is run by the Department of Physics and Astronomy of the University of Canterbury for the use of the Department's staff and students. Certain other New Zealand astronomers also use the facilities.

The Townsend Observatory - (NZ) The Townsend Observatory is the only part of the Arts Centre still owned by the University of Canterbury. Each year the Department of Physics and Astronomy appoints a student as the Townsend Observer. Public viewing is held during the months of the year when there is no daylight saving. Now restored to near new condition, the telescope offers good views of the Moon, planets, stars and star clusters and other bright objects. In late March 1996, the Townsend observatory reached its first 100 years.

OBSERVING

Astronomy Sketch Of The Day (ASOD) - (Aus) The idea behind ASOD is to provide an appropriate stage for a single astronomical sketch for the entire day, much as other similar calendrical websites treat the best CCD and DSLR images supplied by amateurs. Obviously these other sites have specific areas of interest. One of the very cool things about Astronomical Sketching is that it includes just about every type of celestial object you can think of, and that makes it very attractive to all. This is another chance for sketching to reach out and instruct, not only with techniques but with serious discussion of the objects through the works and words of the artists themselves.

ORGANISATIONS

NASA - (US) Detailed site about space exploration, the solar system and the universe.

SOFTWARE

Cartes du Ciel - A free program, it enables you to draw sky charts, making use of the data in 16 catalogs of stars and nebulae. In addition the position of planets, asteroids and comets are shown.

Celestia - The free space simulation that lets you explore our universe in three dimensions. Celestia comes with a large catalog of stars, galaxies, planets, moons, asteroids, comets, and spacecraft. If that's not enough, you can download dozens of easy to install add-ons with more objects.

Orbitron - Orbitron is a satellite tracking system for radio amateur and observing purposes. It's also used by weather professionals, satellite communication users & astronomers.

Stellarium - Stellarium is a free open source planetarium for your computer. It shows a realistic sky in 3D, just like what you see with the naked eye, binoculars or a telescope.

SOLAR

Atmospheric Optics - (UK) Light playing on water drops, dust or ice crystals in the atmosphere produces a host of visual spectacles - rainbows, halos, glories, coronas and many more. Some can be seen almost every day or so, some are once in a lifetime sights. Find out where to see them and how they are formed. Then seek and enjoy them outdoors.

High Altitude Observatory - (US) Although the Sun has been the most studied star in the heavens, little was known about the structure of its atmosphere or the role of its magnetic fields, or much at all about the fundamental motions of its surface or interior, until fairly recently. The past six decades have been productive ones for solar physics, and the High Altitude Observatory at NCAR has been a core contributor to that productivity.

NASA Eclipse Web Site - (US) Solar system data, Sun and Moon eclipses.

NOAA Space Weather Prediction Center - (US)

The Space Weather Prediction Center (SWPC) is part of the National Weather Service and is one of the nine National Centers for Environmental Prediction. It is the nation's official source of space weather alerts, watches and warnings. SWPC provides real-time monitoring and forecasting of solar and geophysical events which impact satellites, power grids, communications, navigation, and many other technological systems.

Solar Dynamics Observatory - (US) The Solar Dynamics Observatory is the first mission to be launched for NASA's Living With a Star (LWS) Program, a program designed to understand the causes of solar variability and its impacts on Earth. SDO is designed to help us understand the Sun's influence on Earth and Near-Earth space by studying the solar atmosphere on small scales of space and time and in many wavelengths simultaneously.