Subject Guides>>Astronomy
Websites
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Astronomy Media Player
http://www.jodcast.net/amp/index.html
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The University of Manchester's Jodrell Bank Observatory (UK) has compiled multi-media resources related to astronomy. This website provides auditory and video links to sites where basic questions can be asked as well as links to podcasts about astronomy or podcasts run by professional agencies or observatories. There is a section of podcasts that will assist the user with finding a particular object in the sky as well as a section linking the user to college level courses on astronomy.
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The Astrophysics Data System
http://www.adsabs.harvard.edu/
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This database website is funded through NASA and is hosted by the Computation Facility at the Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics. This website provides close to six million bibliographic references for astronomy and astronomy related fields and, in addition, provides full-text scans of much of the literature. There are links to external resources that may also prove helpful to the user. |
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Astro Web
http://www.cv.nrao.edu/fits/www/astronomy.html
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This website, which is maintained by the AstroWeb Consortium, provides easy access to over three thousand astronomy related sites and puts these websites into basic categories which can be easily searched by clicking on the corresponding category. Sample categories include Pretty Pictures, People-Related Resources, and Software Resources. Each category is further divided into sub-categories to make accessing information easier. The majority of the websites are checked three times daily to insure that they continue to be viable links. |
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The Nine Planets (now with a line through nine and changed to eight)
http://www.nineplanets.org/
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This website includes copious amounts of information about planets, moons, and other objects that are present in the solar system. The information provided is factual and historical, covering myths to actual scientific data regarding the planet. Hyperlinks, colorful graphics, and mp3 files are used to enhance this website. The user can choose to read in depth about a particular area or may also take the express tour of the which provides a general overview.
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National Aeronautics and Space Adminstration (NASA)
http://www.nasa.gov/
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This comprehensive website, run by NASA, offers something for all users. It is divided into sections for kids, students (allows the reader to indicate a specific grade range), educators, media / press, researchers, industry, and employees. Each section concisely and easily provides appropriate information and activities for the given demographic. Information is available about past missions as well as current missions. Many multimedia resources are also availalble to enhance research. The site includes a place where the user can customize their own NASA page with information that is of a specific interest to them. |
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NASA Images
http://www.nasaimages.org/
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Thousands of NASA images of the universe, the solar system, Earth, aeronautics and astronauts. Also includes a spaceflight timeline. |
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Peoria Astronomical Society
http://www.astronomical.org/
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This website, run by the Peoria Astronomical Society, provides information specific to the society as well as information related to the general field of astronomy. Current astronomical events and top news stories are highlighted and a thorough reference section is available which includes such things as a glossary, a guide to constellations, basic and advanced lessons on astronomy, and links to other useful websites. There is a wealth of information which will prove useful to the novice or the seasoned astronomer. |
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Planetary Data System
http://pds.jpl.nasa.gov/
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This website is affiliated with the NASA Office of Space Science and provides an archive of data from NASA planetary missions. All information has undergone a peer review and is cataloged by planetary disciplines. This website allows users to submit data for review and also provides software downloads so that the data accessed through this site can be easily used and manipulated without needing to purchase additional software. |
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The Planetary Society
http://www.planetary.org/home/
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This site covers a wide range of topics. The user can view current news related to astronomy or can find information about political initiatives that deal with astronomy. There is a explore section where adults can learn more about various areas of astronomy and a children's section where kids can go to learn more about science. For members of the Planetary Society there is a separate section where they can look up information from current or past issues of the Planetary Report or can communicate with other members. This site is run by the Planetary Society. |
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Space Telescope Science Institute
http://www.stsci.edu
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This website provides extensive information about the Hubble Space Telescope and its components. Data archives are also available on this site as is a link to the James Webb Space Telescope. This site is run by the Space Telescope Science Institute. |
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Webstars: Astrophysics in Cyberspace
http://heasarc.gsfc.nasa.gov/docs/www_info/webstars.html
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This website is affiliated with NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center and the Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory. It is a site which connects the user to websites that provide basic information about astronomy. It uses a table of contents which breaks the sites into 14 basic areas which can be explored to find specific information on a given topic. It also includes a section to explain confusing acronyms to the unfamiliar user. |
Print Resources (Reference)
Astronomy Encyclopedia: An A-Z Guide to the Universe/Sir. Patrick Moore
Reference QB14.A875 2002
This encyclopedia, published in 2002 by Oxford University Press, provides an alphabetical listing for a multitude of topics related to astronomy. It explains acronyms, scientific principals, and provides information about important astronomers. Cross references are provided where the reader may find additional information and the encyclopedia is filled with colorful pictures and charts which further explain the information from the text. The end of the encyclopedia also provides detailed star maps as a reference.
Firefly Atlas of the Universe/Sir. Patrick Moore
REF QB44.2.M66 2003 (located in the atlas case)
This version of an atlas that was first created in 1970 updates its predecessor with current information as of March 2003. It is broken up into seven chapters that have titles such as Exploring the Universe, The Sun, and The Practical Astronomer. It provides simplistic and concise text which can be easily understood by a novice to the field of astronomy. It includes pictures and illustrations but strives to portray them using their actual colors, whenever possible, as opposed to the false colors that often accompany astronomy texts. It is a comprehensive reference that includes maps, data obtained from space, as well as information from complex ground telescopes.
The Illustrated Encylopedia of the Universe/Ian Ridpath
REF QB14.1588 2001
This encyclopedia is broken into nine chapters which all begin with an introduction and end with a summary. Each chapter may be read from beginning to end, giving the reader an overview of all aspects of the topic, or may be scanned for one of six themes (people, time, milestones, theories & definitions, practical, concepts & issues) that are included in each chapter. Information is cross referenced allowing the reader to find additional information on the subject and includes colorful illustrations and photographs. The many references at the end of the encyclopedia include a glossary, a list of websites, a list of space missions, lists of planet and satellite data and stellar and galaxy data, a math toolbox, a section on units and constants, as well as a section on laws and formulas.
Print Sources (Circulating Materials)
Archives of the Universe: A Treasury of Astronomy's Historic Works of Discovery/ Marcia Bartusiak
QB15.A75 2004
This book includes 100 primary sources that are significant to the history of astronomy. The author provides an explanation of each event which details why the event is important as well as how it contributed to future events in astronomy. This book covers information from an enormous time span and helps to provide a comprehensive overview of how each event was critical to astronomy's timeline.
The Extravagant Universe: Exploding Stars, Dark Energy, and the Accelerating Cosmos/ Robert Kirshner
QB843.S95 K57
This book follows Robert Kirshner's team as they discover that, contrary to previous theories, the expansion of the universe is accelerating. This book provides important background as well as scientific explanations for this change, including the role dark energy plays in the expansion. This book is written at a level that can be easily understood and also includes additional references that can be explored for more information.
Fred Hoyle's Universe/ Jane Gregory
QB36.H75G74 2005
This biography, about one of Great Britain's preeminent astronomers, details the often controversial role Fred Hoyle played in the history of astronomy in Britain following World War II. This book uses government documents that, at one time, were confidential, letters to his peers, and interviews with his friends and colleagues (some of whom were critical of his work) to tell his story and illuminate his importance in the world of astronomy.
An Intimate Look at the Night Sky/ Chet Raymo
QB64.R375 2001
This book explores the night sky. It is divided up into twelve chapters which correspond to the twelve months of the year with each chapter including two star charts, one on what to see and one on what to imagine. In addition to showcasing what is in the sky during that specific month, each chapter highlights a different scientific topic. The author of this book encourages the reader to not only consider what is visible but also to use their imagination to consider what cannot be seen with the naked eye. This is an introductory book that provides a basic understanding of what is in the night sky.
Alpha and Omega: The Search for the Beginning and End of the Universe/Charles Seife
QB981.S446 2003
This reference book provides an explanation of several "theories of everything"in a way that is easily understood by both the expert scientist and the reader merely seeking more information on a topic of interest. It explains the history behind scientific discoveries as well as the people responsible for the discoveries. It also provides detailed information and explanation about theories that are currently being discussed in the field of astronomy. The author also provides a list of scientists he believes will receive the Nobel Prize as well as what current postulates he believes will be proven viable.
Created by John Schumacher, GSLIS Candidate, Dominican University.
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