Photo Credit: Conal Richards
For Further Reading: The following series of websites, books, magazines, and other media are some of the best resources available for learning about the cosmos and exploring astronomy further. These educational resources cover everything from guides on using backyard telescopes to the latest data from large observatories and space telescopes. The materials given here explore all depths of astronomy, providing something for students at all levels of interest.
Sky & Telescope Magazine: A leading magazine for astronomy enthusiasts, Sky & Telescope is a great resource for those interested in observing the night sky for themselves. The magazine regularly provides information on when to see certain planets, stars, and other night sky phenomena, as well as how to observe the sky with a set of binoculars or a backyard telescope. S&T features a number of free articles and resources on its website, covering all aspects of the amateur astronomy hobby and the science behind it. The website's interactive star charts and weekly "Sky at a Glance" posts about upcoming celestial events are helpful tools when learning about stargazing. (https://skyandtelescope.org/)
Eyes on the Sky: Eyes on the Sky is an amateur astronomy website and YouTube channel dedicated to sharing the hobby with others and tackling the issue of light pollution. Run by Illinois hobbyist and science writer David Fuller, the website focuses on how to use amateur telescopes and what to observe with them. Fuller regularly uploads videos to his YouTube channel detailing how to find and observe particular objects in the night sky with a telescope. Additionally, Eyes on the Sky is dedicated to discussing the issue of light pollution and protecting our view of the night sky. (http://www.eyesonthesky.com/Home.aspx)
Nightwatch: Written by Canadian amateur astronomer and writer Terence Dickinson, Nightwatch is a book tailored to those looking to enjoy backyard astronomy. The book introduces all aspects of the hobby in a simple way, and it teaches readers how to purchase and use telescopes for astronomy. Nightwatch features chapters on observing different objects in the night sky and how to use different types of equipment. Many enthusiasts consider this book an essential resource for starting out in amateur astronomy. (https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/nightwatch-terence-dickinson/1102512346)
Carl Sagan: Carl Sagan, the late astronomer and science communicator, has been known as a powerful science author for decades. His books explore a variety of subjects, including astrophysics, spaceflight, science and religion, and the importance of science literacy in the modern world. One of his most popular books, Cosmos, poetically explores the history and science behind astronomy in simple terms. Pale Blue Dot, another popular book of Sagan's, reflects on the Voyager missions to the planets and the future of humanity in space. His writing is well-established in popular astronomy, and his books are a must read for those curious about the universe. (https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/10538.Carl_Sagan)
The World at Night: The World at Night, an international project involving photographers from around the world, seeks to capture landscapes of the night sky from different places. Founded by National Geographic photographer Babak Tafreshi, TWAN features beautiful photographs from all corners of the globe. Solar eclipses seen from Iceland, star trails around ancient buildings in Iran, and planets above the Austrian Alps are just some examples of what can be found on TWAN's website. This collection of landscape photography is inspiring for stargazers at all levels of interest. (http://twanight.org/newTWAN/index.asp)
NASA Astronomy Picture of the Day: Found on NASA's website, the Astronomy Picture of the Day features a new image each day related to astronomy, spaceflight, or science. Images include stunning photographs from distant spacecraft, scientists that have made great contributions to spaceflight and astronomy, space-themed art, and beautiful night landscapes from photographers around the world. Each picture is accompanied by a caption and brief description written by one of the agency's professional astronomers. (https://apod.nasa.gov/apod/astropix.html)
Spaceflight Now Launch Calendar: For fans of rockets and satellites, Spaceflight Now's rocket launch schedule provides regular updates on upcoming rocket launches. Descriptions of missions are given with information on the launch vehicles to be used, the agency or company organizing the particular launch, and the date and launch window for the mission. For most launches described in this schedule, webcasts of the mission can be found on the websites of the space agencies and aerospace companies involved. (https://spaceflightnow.com/launch-schedule/)
NASA Mission Directory: The National Aeronautics and Space Administration's extensive A-Z mission directory provides information on many past, present, and future American space missions. Satellites, crewed missions, and research programs are organized alphabetically with detailed descriptions available for each mission. Dates, crew involved, important findings, and other information about each mission are available on the page. (https://www.nasa.gov/missions)