Helpful links

Astronomy is a fascinating science, but it can often be hard to work out where to start and, even for experienced amateurs, to keep up with everything that is going on and on offer. As such, this page seeks to bring together a series of links to societies, events, places to visit, retailers and other tools that could hopefully enrich your astronomical life! Please note that a link on this site is not an endorsement of a site - but does reflect the fact that one or more members think they are worthy of a look. Indeed, if you feel a really useful site is missing, please get in touch at the communications@newburyastro.org.uk address and we may end up adding it.

SOCIETIES

The British Astronomical Association - The UK's National amateur astronomical society https://britastro.org/

The Society for Popular Astronomy - Aimed at beginner to intermediate level amateurs https://www.popastro.com/

The Webb Society - Aimed at experienced amateurs who enjoy observing Deep Sky objects https://www.webbdeepsky.com/

The American Association of Variable Star Observers - American group with an international membership https://www.aavso.org/

The Astronomer - A UK-based but international organisation for more advanced amateurs that grew out of The Astronomer magazine https://www.theastronomer.org/

Society for the History of Astronomy - The name is self-explanatory! https://societyforthehistoryofastronomy.com/

British Interplanetary Society - UK based international society devoted to the understanding and promotion of spaceflight https://www.bis-space.com/ 

British and Irish Meteroite Society - For those who love their space rocks https://www.bimsociety.org/ 

GROUPS & FORUMS

Star Gazers Lounge - UK based space forum with topics including equipment, imaging, star parties, history and more  https://stargazerslounge.com/ 

Cloudy Nights - US equivalent of SGL above https://www.cloudynights.com/

PLACES TO VISIT

Royal Observatory, Greenwich - The historic home of UK astronomy https://www.rmg.co.uk/royal-observatory

South Downs Planetarium - Who doesn't love a planetarium show? https://www.southdowns.org.uk/index.html

Herschel Museum of Astronomy - Located in Bath, the house from where Herschel discovered Uranus back in 1781 https://herschelmuseum.org.uk/ 

The Observatory Science Centre - Located at the old site of the Royal Greenwich Observatory https://www.the-observatory.org/ 

Norman Lockyer Observatory - Located on the South Devon coast, and home of the South West Astronomy Fair https://normanlockyer.com/ 

National Space Centre - Real rockets, a planetarium, hands-on exhibits and more https://www.spacecentre.co.uk/

Winchester Science Centre - Probably our closest planetarium, a good day out with young kids https://www.winchestersciencecentre.org/ 

STAR PARTIES AND ASTRONOMICAL EVENTS

Equinox Sky Camp - arguably the UK's largest star party, held twice annually at Kelling Heath in North Norfolk https://las-skycamp.org/

Kielder Star Camp - one for the hardy observer. Dark skies can be stunning if clear, but bring your thermals! https://www.sunderlandastro.com/star-camp/ 

Astrocamp - Not the original in Sussex, this one is in Brecon, a rather darker part of the UK https://astrocamp.awesomeastronomy.com/ 

Winter Star Party - held annually in the Florida Keys. Famous for steady skies in a stunning setting https://www.scas.org/winter-star-party/ 

Texas Star Party - possibly the most famous star party on the planet. If you can get there https://texasstarparty.org/ 

The Practical Astronomy Show - an annual day of lectures with trade stands and exhibitors, in Warwickshire  https://practicalastroshow.com/ 

European Astrofest - two days of lectures with trade stands and exhibitors, in Kensington, London https://europeanastrofest.com/ 

ASTRONOMICAL RETAILERS AND RESALE SITES

The Widescreen Centre https://www.widescreen-centre.co.uk/ 

Rother Valley Optics  https://www.rothervalleyoptics.co.uk/ 

First Light Optics  https://www.firstlightoptics.com/ 

Telescope House  https://www.bresseruk.com/ 

Altair Astro  https://altairastro.com/ 

Harrison Telescopes  https://www.harrisontelescopes.co.uk/ 

Astro Buy-Sell (site for buying and selling used gear, plus links to new product retailers)  https://www.astrobuysell.com/uk/ 

PERIODICALS

Astronomy Now - UK magazine for astronomers of all experience levels https://astronomynow.com/

Sky at Night - BBC magazine aligned with the TV programme https://www.skyatnightmagazine.com/

Sky & Telescope - Longstanding US magazine for amateurs of all levels https://skyandtelescope.org/

Astronomy - Another longstanding US magazine, rival of Sky & Telescope https://www.astronomy.com/

Spaceflight Now - Online magazine focussing on Spaceflight https://spaceflightnow.com/ 

BBC Science Focus Magazine - Great source of general interest articles, often on topics including astronomy and spaceflight https://www.sciencefocus.com/ 

USEFUL TOOLS

Aurorawatch UK - a great source for updates on aurora activity. You will have the app on your phone before you know it! https://aurorawatch.lancs.ac.uk/ 

Space Station Transits - a quick and easy resource to find out your next transit of the ISS https://transit-finder.com/ 

Heavens Above - for all satellite predictions, eclipses and more https://www.heavens-above.com/ 

Space Weather - solar activity, near earth asteroids, comets etc https://www.spaceweather.com/ 

For astronomy apps, please also see Chris Lloyds slides on astronomy apps, on the Meeting Presentations page, click here

SPACEFLIGHT

UK SPACE AGENCY  https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/uk-space-agency 

European Space Agency  https://www.esa.int/ 

NASA  https://www.nasa.gov/ 

SPACE X  https://www.spacex.com/