Useful Astronomy Links

The founder of The Old Farmer's Almanac, Robert B. Thomas, was inspired by "unvanquished space," reading Ferguson's Astronomy at age 16. He later wrote that "it was from the pleasing study of this work, I first imbibed the idea of calculating an almanack." Thomas continued to study astronomy in his spare time while building a store and a bindery for The Old Farmer's Almanac near his farm in Massachusetts. Although the tools we use to watch the heavens are much different from those of Thomas's time, the inquisitive spirit of sky watchers remains. It is in this spirit that we compiled the following list of Web sites. Whether you're a beginner or a serious astronomer, these links will help you enjoy the heavenly details.

Sky Views

Ever wanted to look through the lens of the Hubble telescope? Here's the next best thing to being there. See current Hubble photos of star clusters and a fantastic picture of Mars.

Visit a planetarium. To find one near you, whether you're in the United States or Canada, review an on-line list of planetariums.

Whether you have a telescope or not, it's neat to know the stars by name. Just type in your zip code for a detailed map of what's in the sky above you.

See when the International Space Station (ISS) will be flying over your city.

Astronomy Clubs

Share your enthusiasm for the heavens with others by joining a group of amateur astronomers near you. The Astronomical League is one of the largest independent astronomical organizations in the world. Check out its comprehensive club list to find the one nearest you.

Buying a Telescope

If you're interested in purchasing a telescope, visit these sites:

• The telescope buying guide covers everything from aperture to focal ratio to a concise historical summary of how telescopes came to be.
• This list of telescope retailers will help you find a store near you.