Index

• Local UK Amateur Societies
• What's in the sky over Farnham tonight?
• Weather: Dare I ask - will it be clear tonight?
• Sky Maps
• Variable Star Resources
• Astronomy PodCasts
• Secondhand Telescopes, CCDs and accessories
• Equipment Reviews
• Building an observatory
• Light Pollution
• UK National Astronomy Links
• Other Useful Astronomy Resources
• Astronomy Software
• Member's Web Sites
• Local Information for Farnham and the Surrounding Area

Local UK Amateur Societies

What's in the Sky Over Farnham Tonight?

Nightsky: The night sky page of the Jodrell Bank Observatory web site.  It lists some of the things that you can look out for in the night sky this month including the phases of the moon, planets and some of the prominent constellations.

Satellite sightings: Nasa's J-Pass web site  showing upcoming satellite passes (other than Space Station or Shuttle) for the Farnham area.

ISS: Sightings over Farnham

Weather: Dare I ask - Will it be Clear Tonight?

Weather Satellite

Weather over Farnham (Metcheck)

Sky Maps

Wikisky: Asrononomy's answer to Google earth - a detailed map of the sky. Yes. Click on th SDSS button to show a real high resolution Sky Survey image of the area that you are browsing. This site is simpy STUNNING !!!

Variable Star Resources

British Astronomical Association (BAA) Variable star section

BAA Chart Catalogue

American Association of Variable Star Observers (AAVSO)

Krakow University eclipsing binary data

Astronomy Podcasts

Jodcast: A twice-monthly podcast covering all aspects of astronomy from The University of Manchester's Jodrell Bank Observatory (UK). It includes the latest news, what you can see in the current night sky, interviews with astronomers and many other interesting articles.

Universe Today: Latest astronomy news and great interviews by Fraiser Cain

Secondhand Telescopes, CCDs and Accessories

Two great sites for buying and selling second hand equipment.

• UK Astro Ads: 

• UK Astronomy Buy and Sell

Equipment Reviews

Astromart: Equipment reviews and articles

Cloudy Nights: Equipment reviews by users

S&T Telescope Reviews: links to recent Sky & Telescope Test Reports on telescopes

Building an Observatory

Thinking about building an observatory? You should first visit Bill Arnett's web site where there is one of the most comprehensive list of links to amateur observatories we have seen. You will find hundreds of ideas amongst the many referenced site.

Light Pollution

Campaign for the Protection of Rural England (CPRE) Surrey Branch

Campaign for Dark Skies: The BAA's Campaign for Dark Skies

UK Parliament Science & Technology Committee Reports (PDF format):

• Government Support for Beagle 2 (2nd November 2004)

• Seventh Report on Light Pollution and Astronomy (6th October 2003)

• Government Response to the Committee's Report (18th December 2003)

UK National Astronomy Links

British Astronomical Association (BAA) 

British National Space Centre.

Federation of Astronomical Societies

Royal Astronomical Society

Royal Observatory Greenwich

SAGAS: The Southern Group of Astronomical Societies provides a forum where representatives of Astronomical Societies from the South of England can meet to share best practice and discuss items of mutual interest or concern.

Society for Popular Astronomy

Sussex Astronomy Centre (University of Sussex)

UK For Aurora: Aurora is a long-term programme from the European Space Agency for the exploration of the Moon and Mars.  One aim of this website is to help raise public awareness of Aurora and the benefits for the UK of involvement in the programme. Click here to download The Case for Aurora.

Astronomy Software

The following represents just some of the best and most useful software that's out there on the Internet and which is in common use by our members.

Other Useful Astronomy Resources

Amateur Astronomical Observatories: This web site has one of the most comprehensive list of links to amateur observatories I have seen.  If you are thinking of building an observatory you will find plenty of ideas here.

Cassini/Huygens Mission:  Latest mission news.  "Ah, but a man's reach should exceed his grasp, or what's a heaven for ?"   Robert Browning.

Consolidated Lunar Atlas:  New Lunar Atlas. Lots of thumbs, but the full size pictures are superb and well worth the downloading time.

Eclipse Info:  Searching for somewhere to take your better half on Holiday? Then look no further, here is the definitive web site on both Solar and Lunar Eclipse details.

The Hubble Telescope: Some great images for the armchair astronomer

The Best of the Hubble Space Telescope: Another amazing Hubble resource

The Planetary Society: A space-interest group dedicated to inspiring the public with the adventure and mystery of space exploration

Science Archive Facility: Includes the ESO Sky Survey

Spaceguard UK: the national focus in the UK for studies into the threat posed to the Earth by collisions with asteroids and comets

Stars:  Stars and Constellations. This is a site written by James B. Kaler. Professor of Astronomy, University of Illinois. Author of The Ever Changing Sky and other astro books.

Member's Web Sites

John Moore:  Planetary and deep sky imaging with an Artemis and modified ToUCam.   The Artemis is a new range of CCD Cameras designed by Steve Chambers and Jon Grove.  John designed the PCB layouts and was fortunate to be involved in testing the beta models.   We thoroughly recommend a look at John's stunning images of Saturn and Jupiter.  

Theo Pittas: SAC7b images by Theo and his daughter Louise.  Theo has built a lovely roll-off roof observatory in his back garden to house his 10" LX200.

Peter Campbell-Burns: Peter, our Membership Secretary and Web Site Editor started planetary and deep sky imaging with a webcam, and more recently has been trying his hand at deep sky and wide field imaging with an MX7c.

Local Information for Farnham and the Surrounding Area