One Stop Observing Resource

So, you're going to dust off the old scope and eyepiece case and head out to one of our dark sky observing sites? You have come to the right place. How many times have you arrived at your dark sky site only to find that you forgot to check the International Space Station pass times? Or maybe you forgot to look up the coordinates for that new comet or supernova that was recently discovered. Maybe you just want to know if the Northern Lights might be visible or what time the moon sets tonight. The purpose of this page is to put all of the information you want and need in one convenient location. Now, once you have loaded all your astro gear, warm clothes and munchies into the car just spend a few minutes here and you'll be ready to go. If you have suggestions for this page or links to contribute that would make the page more useful please send them here.

Time

Official Time Don't forget to set your watch!

Weather

Clear Sky Clocks are an amazingly accurate tool that give forecast information for Cloud Cover, Sky Transparency, Seeing Conditions and Darkness. For instructions on reading the clocks or finding out more about them just click on and black area of the clock. 

Space Weather

SpaceWeather.com News and information about the Sun-Earth environment.

What's Up Tonight?

JPL Space Calendar An AMAZING collection of day by day observing highlights. Be sure to look here before heading out!
CalSky Celestial Observer. "The most complete astronomical observation and information online calculator on the planet."
Abrams Planetarium Skywatcher's Diary
Your Sky Star Chart Generator.
 

Earth's Atmosphere

Atmospheric Phenomena -Site describes everything from Rainbows to Glories to Green and Red Flash.
Atmospheric Optics -Site similar to the one above but also includes Clouds, Lightning, Weather, Rain, Snow and Ice.

Aurora Oval -Shows the location of strongest Auroral Activity. An activity level of 4 (four) or higher is needed to see Aurora in the Spokane area. Updated every 10 minutes.
Geomagnetic (Kp index) Activity -A Kp reading of 4 (four) or higher is needed to see Aorora in the Spokane Area. When the Kp index and the Aurora Oval both show readings of 4 (four) or higher then Aurora is visible from a dark site. Updated every 15 minutes.

Earth Orbit

Heavens-Above -Site that lists pass times and locations for satellites including ISS, Space Shuttle (when in orbit), Iridium Flares and many others. This link goes to the Spokane, WA page selected from the database. Any point on Earth can be entered lat&long coordinates.

U.S. Naval Observatory Sun and Moon Data
A.L.P.O. Association of Lunar and Planetary Observers
The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Moon A guide to telescopic observations of the moon.

Solar System

The Sun
The Sun -SEDS page for solar facts and information.
Stanford Solar Center -Providing Solar On-Line Activity Resources for the joy of solar science exploration.
SpaceWeather.com -Science news and information about the Sun-Earth environment.
Current Solar Data -Data from both space based and ground based observatories.
Eclipse Homepage -Everything you ever wanted to know. Courtesy of Nasa's Goddard Space Flight Center and Fred Espenak.
Solar-Terrestrial Dispatch -Space Weather Specialists.
Solar Observing FAQ -Learn about Safe solar observing.

Comets & Asteroids
Comet Observation Homepage Loads of comet information from JPL.
Comets and Meteor Showers Gary Kronk's site provides news, information, professional & amateur observations and historical research.
Skyhound.com Skyhound's Observers pages provide some excellent and detailed comet information.
Leonid Meteor Calculator and Observing Info

Mercury
Mercury -SEDS site for planet Mercury facts and information.
Mercury -USGS Astrogeology page on Mercury.

Venus
Venus -SEDS site for planet Venus facts and information.
Venus -USGS Astrogeology page on Venus.

Earth
Earth -SEDS site for planet Earth facts and information.
Earth -USGS Astrogeology page on Earth.

MARS
Mars -SEDS site for planet Mars facts and information.
Mars -USGS Astrogeology page on Mars.

Jupiter

Jupiter -SEDS site for Jupiter facts and information.
Jupiter -USGS Astrogeology page on Jupiter.

Saturn
Saturn -SEDS site for Saturn facts and information.
Saturn -USGS Astrogeology page on Saturn.

Uranus
Uranus -SEDS site for Uranus facts and information.
Uranus -USGS Astrogeology page on Uranus.

Neptune
Neptune -SEDS site for Neptune facts and information.
Neptune -USGS Astrogeology page on Neptune.

Pluto
Pluto -SEDS site for Pluto facts and information.
Pluto -USGS Astrogeology page on Pluto.

Deep Sky

NGC/IC Project NGC/IC Observing List Generator
The Strang List Deep Sky Favorites from SAS member Eric Strang.
The AINTNO 100 Think you've seen it all? Here are a few items in the sky you may have missed!
(AAVSO) American Association of Variable Star Observers