The feature image of the observer's page was taken during observations of Comet Hale-Bopp. The dark shadow of a telescope with a camera mounted on it is highlighted in the vanishing twilight. The blue component of the comet's tail is cropped off the image.
"What's Up in the Night Sky?" is Astra's monthly almanac! Find out what's up in the sky this month. Monthly features cover constellations or other astronomical topics of interest. The almanac was original written by the Star Geezer, Ron Leeseberg who retired in December 2011. Bookmark this page to find out what to look for this month by reading the latest issue. Works great on phones, too!
Find out more about this feature by clicking on the home page, "What's Up? home".
The Observer's Page offers advice to newbies, stargazers, amateur astronomers and astronomy clubs. Welcome to the new Observer's Page!
Stargazing Basics - from Sky and Telescope
Astra's Guide to Commercial Vendors - Just links, no endorsements, find the equipment you need to get started.
Observational Astronomy - from David Haworth
Suzieastro presents Starry Trails - great for family stargazing
What's Up in the Night Sky? - Astra's montly almanac at the 'Gate
Check Abram's Sky Calender for monthly sample
Astronomy Center - at the Old Farmer's Almanac (eclipse and weather info available)
NGC/IC Observing List Generator - Professionals and Amateurs working together
The Interactive NGC Catalog Online - SEDs.org
Sky Insight Online Observing List and Catalog Cross Reference
It's About Time ! - An observing article from By John A. Morris
Astra's Celestial Challenge: Star Associations Group
The 88 Constellations and Their Brightest Stars - Sleeopolis
Learn the constellations - Astronomy Magazine
Aboriginal Star Knowledge - how native Americans see the night sky
Astra's Celestial Challenge: Naked Eye Group of Objects
Learn Naked Eye Astronomy with Aboriginal Star Knowledge - Native American Indian
Spot the International Space Station - NASA's ISS Sightings Page!
Learn your way around the Moon - pdf from Lunar-occultations.com
Don't forget the King of the Naked Eye Observers The Star Hustler - yes he left us awhile ago, but his dream and website live on!
Check out *MeteorObs* an internet discussion group for meteor astronomy and observing.
Dawn's Tips on Observing Jupiter
Astra's Celestial Challenge: Solar System Group of Objects
Astra's 3 Faces of Mars Page - Astra's Mars Home
No finer planet in the sky when Mars is at Opposition! - Astra presents the red planet from Earth, in Space, and not too far away!
- - Totally Eclipsed - -
Astra's Guide to the Total Solar Eclipse 2017 - Get eclipsed all across the U.S.A.
Astra's 1998 Total Eclipse page - and -
Totally Eclipsed Astra's personal experience
1994 Annular Eclipse Astra's article in the A.B. from 1994
1991 Eclipse -Astras's journey to the 1991 Eclipse from Baja California
Upcoming solar eclipses for N. America
Oct 14, 2023 - annular 90.6% obscuration
Apr 08, 2024 - total solar eclipse
Jan 26, 2028 - annular 85% obscuration
NASA's August 11, 1999 eclipse page toc - and -
Sun Earth Day 2008 - teachers and students eclipse info from NASA
NASA Info on July 11, 2010 eclipse
Eclipse Home Page - by Fred Espenak
NASA Predictions for Solar Eclipses
NASA site on the August 21, 2017 eclipse
The Winter Solar Observatory--check out the ICStars home world while you're there!
Upcoming total lunar eclipses, visible for N. America
May 26, 2021
March 14, 2025
March 26, 2026
Total Lunar Eclipse December 20-21, 2010
Lunar Eclipse January 2000- Images page from ICStars !
April 3, 1996 Lunar Eclipse - from Cleveland, Ohio
Solar System & Eclipses - Astronomical Society of South Australia, in the land down under
Inconsistant Moon - The Moon at Apogee and Perigee by John Walker
This is a short list of the many comet sources that are out on the www. The first goes to an article written a few years ago. Click on the title of this section to go to the main comet page at Astra's Star Gate
Astra presents Basic Binocular Information for observers
Binocular Observing - at the Gate
Astra's Celestial Challenge: Binocular Group of Objects
The Binocular Messier Catalog - Donald L. Baker
Holding a Messier Marathon - advice from Astra
Messier Marathon Sequence - Use this list for your Marathon Observations
The Binocular Messier Catalog - Donald L. Baker
Mel Bartel's Messier Observations
SEDS - The Grandaddy of Messier Links
Link to the Astronomical League's Observing Notes
Astra's Pages
What's Up?
This Month's Sky
Guide to Commercial Astronomical Equipment - just links no endorsements
Dawn's Tips for Observing Jupiter
ATM - Astra's Telescope Making Page
Comets! - Read Astra's Comet Article
Observer's Topics
Online Planetariums and Downloads
Observing Solar System Objects
Information for Astronomy Clubs
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Ohio's Own OTAA
Page last modified 10/4/21
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