One of the lures of amateur astronomy is trying things on one’s own and learning as much as one can about the amazing world of astronomy and all it has to offer. Below are some stepping stones to further enrich your understanding of the wonderful world of astronomy.
Amateur Telescope Making
Although ready-made telescopes can easily be bought, you can still make a telescope from scratch. Stellafane.org will help you on the journey to build an optical instrument.
American Association of Variable Star Observers (AAVSO)
The AAVSO provides opportunities for the amateur to contribute and make astronomical discoveries through a wide variety of amateur based programs rooted in the observation of variable stars.
Astrophotography
The advent of technological strides in astro imaging equipment allows the amateur to produce magnificent stellar images today.
Citizen Science
Citizen science is the usage of the public or “crowd sourcing” to provide resources for scientific research and to contribute to science in a meaningful way. Zooniverse has an assortment of scientific projects from astronomy to zoology.
Denver Astronomical Society YouTube Channel
The DAS has a YouTube channel hosting various playlists on astronomy education as well as DIY projects.
University of Nebraska-Lincoln Astronomy Education
UNL is a good source for astronomy knowledge and projects that one can do in astronomy.
McDonald Observatory
McDonald Observatory has some great K-12 astronomy projects.
Free Sky Maps
Sky maps are a must have in the amateur astronomy world. Skymaps.com is a good source for free maps of the sky.
Meteors
For those interested in meteors, the American Meteor Society is an excellent first stop.
Organizations
The following are professional organizations that can provide a multitude of information and resources.
- Sky and Telescope Magazine: https://skyandtelescope.org
- Astronomy Magazine: https://astronomy.com
- NASA: https://www.nasa.gov
- American Astronomical Society: https://aas.org
- Astronomical League: https://www.astroleague.org
Solar Observing
The following websites provide resources for understanding solar activity and tracking sunspots.
- Peter Meadows: http://www.petermeadows.com/indexsolar.html
- Mt. Wilson Observatory: http://obs.astro.ucla.edu/intro.html
- SpaceWeather.com: https://spaceweather.com
Project Library
The following are articles developed by DAS members.
Night Sky Gazing
Excellent site for beginners and intermediates to learn about the Night Sky,
Astrophotography and Telescopes
Exploring Night Skies – Where to Stargaze by National Park Service
A whole new world comes alive at night and is waiting to be explored. When you head out at night to stargaze, take your family or friends with you, be prepared for a cool night, and let your eyes adjust to the wonder above. Below are some recommendations from our friends at the National Park Service to make your experience memorable and #BringHomeaStory!