Web Sites – Sites web
Heavens-Above provides free time tables and charts for observing Earth satellites that are visible to the naked eye (including the International Space Station). Also provides sky charts, as well as the positions of comets and asteroids.
Heavens-Above fournit des horaires et des cartes pour observer des satellites terrestres visibles à l'oeil nu (y compris la Station spatiale internationale). Ce site fournit aussi des cartes du ciel, ainsi que les positions des comètes et des astéroïdes. |
SkyNews is "The Canadian Magazine of Astronomy & Stargazing". Their website features a weekly This Week's Sky column which covers interesting celestial events and objects that can be observed from Canadian latitudes.
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La Société d'astronomie du Planétarium de Montréal présente une page Ciel du Mois qui renseigne sur des événements célestes, ainsi que sur des objets intéressants à observer durant le mois.
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Sky & Telescope magazine's website offers a weekly This Week’s Sky At a Glance column.
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Skymaps.com provides The Evening Sky Map, a printable 2-page monthly guide of the night sky suitable for all sky watchers including newcomers to astronomy. It also serves as a handy list of "showpieces" to present at outreach events.
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timeanddate.com has a very useful Moonrise, Moonset, and Phase Calendar to help you plan when to observe deep sky objects without interference from the bright moon.
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Observing Lists – Listes d'observation
The Explore the Universe Observing Certificate is a RASC certificate aimed at the novice astronomer. It provides an introduction to all aspects of visual astronomy, including stars and constellations, lunar, planetary, deep sky, and double stars. You don't have to be a RASC member to receive your certificate.
Le certificat Explorez l'univers est un certificat de la SRAC visé pour l'astronome débutant. Il fournit une introduction à tout les aspects de astronomie visuelle, incluant les étoiles et constellations, lune, planètes, objets du ciel profond, et étoiles doubles. Vous n'avez pas besoin d'être membre de la SRAC pour recevoir votre certificat. |
The Messier objects are a set of 110 astronomical objects catalogued by the French astronomer Charles Messier in the late 18th century. Although RASC membership is required to obtain a certificate, RASC still provides useful forms and charts to non-members.
Les objets Messier est un ensemble de 110 objets astronomiques catalogués par l'astronome français Charles Messier durant le fin du 18e siècle. Même si l'adhésion à la SRAC est nécessaire pour obtenir un certificat, la SRAC fournit quand même des formulaires et cartes utiles aux non-membres. |
Free Software – Logiciels Gratuits
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.
Stellarium est un logiciel de planétarium open source et gratuit pour votre ordinateur. Il affiche un ciel réaliste en 3D, comme si vous le regardiez à l’œil nu, aux jumelles ou avec un télescope. |
Virtual Moon Atlas is a free open source program for visualizing the moon as it should appear on any given date and time. It is useful for identifying which lunar features will be near the terminator on any given night. By installing additional textures, it's possible to visualize very fine lunar surface details.
Atlas Virtuel de la Lune est un logiciel open source et gratuit qui permet de visualiser la lune comme elle devrait apparaître à une date et une heure donnée. C'est utilise pour identifier les points d’intérêt qui seront proches du terminateur. En installant des textures additionnelles, c'est possible de visualizer des details très fines de la surface lunaire. |
Cartes du Ciel (Skychart) is a free open source program for drawing and printing your own sky charts, using data from several catalogs.
Cartes du Ciel est un logiciel open source et gratuit qui permet de dessiner et imprimer ses propres cartes du ciel, d'après des données de plusieurs catalogues. |
Astronomy Observation Books
The links for these books go to their respective publishers. Most of these books are available from Amazon, Chapters-Indigo, and other retailers.
NightWatch: A Practical Guide to Viewing the Universe
(from Wikipedia): The aim of NightWatch is to impart knowledge of the Universe and how to observe it in a ready-friendly manner and assuming no prior experience with astronomy. The book's thirteen chapters are heavily illustrated with photographs, illustrations, diagrams and star charts. |
The Backyard Astronomer's Guide
(from the publisher): Terence Dickinson and Alan Dyer provide expert guidance on the right types of telescopes and other equipment; photographing the stars through a telescope; and star charts, software and other references. They cover daytime and twilight observing, planetary and deep-sky observing, and much more. Accompanying website |
Turn Left at Orion
(from the publisher): A unique guidebook to the night sky, providing all the information you need to observe a whole host of celestial objects. With a new spiral binding, this edition is even easier to use outdoors at the telescope and is the ideal beginner's book. Large-format eyepiece views, positioned side-by-side, show objects exactly as they are seen through a telescope. Accompanying website |
The Stars: A New Way to See Them
(from the publisher): This is a clear, vivid text with charts and maps showing the positions of the constellations the year round. |
Pocket Sky Atlas
A compact, spiral-bound atlas with stars down to visual magnitude 7.6. (from the publisher): Perfect for experienced stargazers and beginners alike, Sky & Telescope's Pocket Sky Atlas will have you exploring the heavens in no time. The print version is the handiest detailed atlas around, easy to take on trips and use at the telescope thanks to its compact size, convenient spiral-bound design, and easy-to-read labels. |
Pocket Sky Atlas, Jumbo Edition
Essentially the same as the Pocket Sky Atlas, but in a larger format with a stiff cover and six additional close-up fields. |
Field Map of the Moon
(from the publisher): Using maps drawn by renowned lunar cartographer Antonín Rükl, you'll be able to find and identify craters, lava flows, mountains and more. The unique design allows you to look at the entire moon, individual quadrants, or any two neighboring quadrants at the same time, and the durable lamination will protect your map [...] for years to come. This map is also available in a mirror-image version for refractor or catadioptric telescopes. |
Binocular Highlights
(from the publisher): Exploring the wonders of the cosmos doesn't require expensive and complicated equipment. Binocular Highlights is a tour of 99 different celestial sights - from softly glowing clouds of gas and dust to unusual stars, clumps of stars, and vast star cities (galaxies) - all visible in binoculars. |