 |
 New
Planet ~ Michael E. Brown is Professor of Planetary Astronomy at
the California Institute of Technology. He also jointly discovered object
2003 UB313, already known to many astrologers as Xena, although apparently
the use of this name is both premature and erroneous. You can find out
all the latest at Professor Brown’s website… |
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| Planetary
Fact Sheets ~ A no frills website this one, maintained by Dr. David
Williams of the NASA Goddard Space Flight Center. It has a comprehensive
astronomical fact sheet for each of the main players in our solar system,
along with major satellites, the asteroids and notable comets, plus there’s
some great detail on Chiron too. |
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| Pluto and Charon ~
From the definitive Nine Planets site of Bill Arnett, a man sicker than most at Pluto’s recent demotion from planet to dwarf … erm, planet. Pluto and Charon are of comparable size, are very close together and orbit one another round a mysterious central point. Can we really understand Pluto, without thinking also of its binary twin? |
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| Pluto Petition ~ Apparently, only 4% of those astronomers entitled, voted to reclassify Pluto as a minor planet. To continue this important debate,
Dr. Tony Phillips has started an online petition, although it is doubtful
whether the surfing public will prove any better informed. Got half a mind
to vote for Pluto? Don’t worry, that’s all you’ll need! |
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| Sedna ( 2003 VB12 ) ~ As our telescopes and research facilities improve, increasing numbers of celestial bodies are now being located in the outer reaches of the solar system. As of March 2004, the largest of these is called Sedna. A complete astronomical introduction to this latest discovery can be found here… |
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| SEDS Messier Database ~ Between 1758-1782 Charles Messier selected a group of diffuse objects that were difficult to distinguish from comets through the telescopes of the day. Luckily, his Messier Catalogue is known today for another reason, as a collection of the most beautiful features from the night sky including nebulae, star clusters and galaxies. |
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| Skymania ~ British astronomy site in blog format, presenting the latest celestial happenings and news from space in a way that almost everyone can understand and get enthusiastic over. In particular check out their guide to Mars, for the latest on the NASA Phoenix mission to the red planet, now extended through September 2008. |
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| Solar System Exploration ~ An awesome site from NASA that does just what it says on the tin. If you want to know the latest and most comprehensive information about the planets and their moons, breaking news, recent discoveries, related events and planned missions to find out more, you’ll have problems getting this kind of detail anywhere else… |
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| Solar
System Jigsaw ~ The BBC have devoted a lot of energy to the development
of the Science and Nature section of their website. Part of their Space
subsection has received a recommendation before, but this Flash based
interactive jigsaw will really test your knowledge of celestial dynamics
and the frontiers of space exploration. |
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| Solar System Scale Model ~ Stunning example demonstrating that you don’t need bleeding edge technology to create a lasting impact, when it comes down to the strength of your design concept in the first place. As the title suggests this webpage is a scale model of our solar system, scroll sideways for an unforgettable introduction to the vastness of space. |
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| Solar
System Simulator ~ For
those who can let their imagination wander to the furthest reaches of
the multiverse, this site from NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory is a
dream come true. You can select a view of any planet from almost any
other location in the solar system. There are some great space landscapes
too. |
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| Space & Astronomy Stamps ~ I don’t actually collect stamps you’ll understand, having not quite reached that point in my life just yet, but I was impressed by the comprehensive range of this site, the clean design, enormous catalogue of stamps from all over the world and the astronomical theme, with astrology featuring too if you look for long enough… |
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| Space.Com ~
The online home of Space Holdings, publishers of Starry Night™ astronomy
software. With a multimedia focus, this site features all the latest
developments from the world of astronomy. At the time of writing
there is a special emphasis on the Leonid meteor shower, set to peak on
November 19 this year. |
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| Spacehack ~ Spacehack is a directory of the ways you can get involved in space exploration for yourself. Some of these are only for engineers or software developers, but with others like the great worldwide star count, mapping the surface of Mars and soon the search for new planets, you can definitely help out from your desk or backyard. |
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| SpaceWeather.com ~
A detailed and proficient astronomy site that is both well presented
and easily accessible. Look no further for the latest news regarding
the Sun-Earth environment, including such gems as the current speed of
the solar wind, condition of the sunspot cycle and what to look for in
the night sky at the moment. |
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| StarDate
Online ~ Another great site for all matters astronomical, this time
provided by the public education and outreach arm of the University of
Texas McDonald Observatory. The site provides a useful astronomical diary,
together with some comprehensive and easily accessible information on
the planets and the stars… |
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| Starry
Messenger ~ This site is the first phase of the electronic history
of astronomy, as developed in the UK for the University of Cambridge,
under the auspices of the Department of History and Philosophy of Science.
It pulls few punches when explaining how many key figures in astronomical
history, were also keen astrologers too. |
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