Websites Of Exhibit Organizers And Funders
NASA web portal for International Year of
Astronomy
Amazing Space - The Space Telescope
Science Institute’s “Amazing Space”
website uses the Hubble Space Telescope’s
discoveries to inspire and educate about the wonders of
our universe. Within the website are the following
important activity/resource areas:
A. “For Educators and
Developers” contains teaching tools and
astronomy basics for educators and program developers.
B. “For Everyone”
contains a
number of activity areas:
- A monthly guide to the night sky
- “Capture the Cosmos” contains online adventures, downloadable pictures, games, Q and As, and other activities on topics such as the Hubble Space Telescope, black holes, the solar system, comets and asteroids, galaxies, stars, and the history of science.
- This section contains a number of “online explorations” with interactive activities, teaching tips, homework help, and other resources on topics such as comets, galaxies, stars, black holes.
- “Telescopes from the Ground Up,” explores the history of telescopes, from Galileo to NASA’s great observatories. Includes online interactive activities covering all eras of the telescope, scientific background, teaching tips, diagrams, and images.
- “Solar System Trading Cards” asks questions about astronomical images and awards trading cards to those who select the right answers.
- "Galaxy Hunter: A Cosmic Photo Safari” explores galaxies found by the Hubble Space Telescope.
Hubblesite - Everything you need to know about the Hubble Space Telescope in a colorful, comprehensive and interactive website for all ages. The following areas are of particular interest:
- Breathtaking images taken by the Hubble Space Telescope, with a movie theatre, astronomy printshop, tours of the Hubble images, photos of the telescope itself, computer wallpaper, and other features.
- Examines the science behind the beautiful images and what major discoveries have been made through the Hubble Space Telescope; includes and interactive exhibit and other image tours.
Take photos of celestial objects, The MicroObservatory, created by the Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory, is a network of robotic telescopes that users can control over the Internet to take their own images of celestial objects, free of charge. The site contains a special section for the International Year of Astronomy that allows users to take images of the objects Galileo saw, and describes what Galileo observed and what we know now.
Websites That Turn Your Computer into a
Planetarium
World Wide Telescope
- WorldWide
Telescope (WWT) from Microsoft Research enables your
computer to function as a virtual telescope, bringing
together imagery from the best ground and space-based
telescopes in the world. Experience narrated guided
tours from astronomers and educators featuring
interesting places in the sky. Can be used only with
Windows.
Google Earth - You can now soar
throughout the night sky using Google Earth, zooming in
on astronomical objects at their precise location in the
heavens.
The Space Telescope Science Institute has developed a video
with instructions for using Google Earth to view images
from the Hubble Space Telescope at http://hubblesite.org/explore_astronomy/gsky/
Celestia - A free space simulation
that lets you explore the universe in three dimensions.
Celestia runs on Windows, Linux, and Mac OS X.
Stellarium - Stellarium is a free open
source planetarium for your computer. It shows a
realistic sky in 3D, just like what you see with the
naked eye, binoculars or a telescope.
Careers In Astronomy
American Astronomical Society
- A downloadable
pamphlet offering advice on preparing for careers in
astronomy.
Curious about Astronomy? Ask an
Astronomer - This website is maintained
by partcipating scientists at Cornell University.
Frequently Asked Questions about Being an
Astronomer -
Answered by
staff members of the National Optical Astronomy
Observatories.
A Guide Book to Astronomy
- NASA
astronomer Dr. Sten Odenwald describes how he came to
astronomy as a career, and provides interviews with
other astronomers. He also answers questions about
astronomy as a career at www.astronomycafe.net/qadir/acareer.html
General Astronomy Websites
Astronomy Magazine - Very nice interactive
website with lots of informative features for all ages.
Subscribers to the magazine have access to premium web
features.
The Astronomy Café - Termed “a website
for the astronomically disadvantaged,” this site
was created in 1995 by NASA Astronomer Dr. Sten
Odenwald. Includes an “Ask the Astronomer”
section with more than 2,000 questioned answered.
NASA Astronomy Club Partner
Program—“The Space Place,”
- Astronomy
Clubs throughout the United States and beyond are
invited to partner with The Space Place to bring news of
specific NASA projects to their members and to help
spread the excitement of space and Earth science, as
well as the technology that advances the science.
NASA Solar System Ambassadors
Program - The Solar System
Ambassadors Program is a public outreach program
designed to work with motivated volunteers across the
nation. These volunteers communicate the excitement of
NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory’s space
exploration missions and information about recent
discoveries to people in their local communities.
Night Sky Network - Helps astronomy clubs
bring the wonders of the universe to the public. Much
information about International Year of Astronomy
activities.
NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory Education
Gateway for Amateur Astronomers
Features monthy video podcasts and monthly updates
about The Discovery Channel Space
Website and videos, news, quizzes,
lists, and links to other websites.
Planetariums - websites of planetariums
around the world.
Websites Related to Television
Presentations
Galileo’s Battle for the
Heavens - Presented in 2002 on PBS
contains a library resource kit, teacher’s guide,
and bibliographies and webographies.
Other Websites for Teachers and Students about
Astronomy
The Universe in the Classroom
is an electronic
educational newsletter available free for teachers and
other educators who want to help students of all ages
learn more about the wonders of the universe through
astronomy. Available in English, Spanish and
French.
This NASA website for educators
lists coast to
coast NASA-related astronomy activities suitable for
children on a variety of topics. Organized from K
through higher education and informal education.
Includes activities specifically for Girl Scouts and Boy
Scouts.
NASA Learning Center for Young
Astronomers - Contains lesson plans for
teachers in the Teacher’s
Center.
Astronomy for children,
students, and kids of all ages. KidsAstronomy.com, part of the KidsKnowIt
Network, is the free astronomy resource designed to
teach children about the exciting world of outer
space.
Ask an Astronomer for
kids
“In the Footsteps of Galileo:
Observing the Moons of Jupiter”
is a Powerpoint
slide show describing an astronomy activity for the
International Year of Astronomy. Any group can do this
activity together. This write-up offers choices for
flexible presentation to a variety of groups. Teachers
and group leaders without astronomy knowledge can
successfully follow them. The rest of the material is
background material and ideas for extending the activity
and adapting it for different groups. The activity has
been done successfully with mixed age groups and groups
grade three through adult. These are some of the groups
who should try this activity: school classes,
after-school groups, families, home-school groups,
scouting groups, and any other group that wants an
authentic science learning experience.
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