In the vast expanse of the internet, where information is as limitless as the stars in the night sky, finding great resources can be as challenging as identifying a distant galaxy. Whether you’re an aspiring astronomer or simply captivated by the night sky, the right tools and knowledge can expand your understanding and significantly enhance your next stargazing adventure. Here, I'm highlighting the current selection of ‘Great Astronomy Links’ I’ve curated and featured in the Astronomy section and Links pages of this site. These stellar resources stand out for their value, usability, uniqueness, and the sheer excitement they bring to the astronomical community.

Aladin is an interactive sky atlas that is both educational and engaging. By allowing users to visualize and analyze astronomical images and data, Aladin bridges the gap between amateur astronomy enthusiasts and the professional astronomical community. Its intuitive interface makes it accessible to users of all skill levels, inviting a deeper exploration of the night sky.

​Astronomy Cast takes listeners on an auditory voyage through the cosmos. Hosted by Fraser Cain and Dr. Pamela L. Gay, their fact-based discussions make complex astronomical concepts accessible, enriching your knowledge and passion for the universe with each episode. 

Astronomy Tools offers a collection of free tools for the astronomer, including Field of View and other calculators, star charts, sky and atmospheric conditions, and lookup coordinates. These tools enhance the stargazing experience, making it easier to plan observations, track celestial events, and understand the night sky. Valuable companions for night-time expeditions.

CosmoQuest is a community of astronomers and astronomy enthusiasts who connect via podcasts, streams, forums, and chats. CosmoQuest aims to foster a community of citizen scientists and encourages people to ask themselves the question: How do you want to explore our Universe?

Lynkeos is a specialized tool for processing astronomical images on Mac OS X. For those who capture the night sky through a telescope and webcam, Lynkeos simplifies the post-processing of images, making it easier to unveil the beauty and detail of celestial objects.

​Our Galaxy provides a 3D atlas of the Milky Way, offering a unique perspective on our cosmic neighbourhood. This tool enhances our understanding of the galaxy's structure, helps us visualize the locations and physical properties of deep sky objects, and assists us with comprehending our place within it. 

Dive into the heart of a vibrant astronomical community with the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada (RASC). Established in 1868, the RASC is a cornerstone for enthusiasts of all levels, offering a constellation of local centres across Canada. These centres are the gathering grounds for regular meetings where members share insights, learn from one another, and fuel their passion for the cosmos. The society is renowned for its star parties, enchanting events that bring the community together under the vast, starlit sky for unforgettable nights of observation and camaraderie. Whether you're just starting your celestial journey or are a seasoned stargazer, the RASC website is your portal to a universe of knowledge, connection, and the shared joy of astronomy.

Sky Maps offers high-quality digital star charts for educators, publishers, and enthusiasts. These maps are indispensable for navigating and appreciating the night sky's splendour.

SPACE.com is the go-to destination for news in the realm of astronomy and space exploration. This site is a vibrant hub for anyone eager to keep a pulse on new discoveries, skywatching events, and advancements in space technology. 

Stellarium is free, open-source planetarium software that transforms your computer into a window to the cosmos. With a realistic 3D sky and a wealth of features, it's an exceptional tool for educators, students, and anyone mesmerized by the stars.

The Awesome Amateur Astronomer provides a guide for beginners by laying out ten practical steps to get started in astronomy. This resource demystifies the initial challenges of stargazing, providing a clear path for newcomers to the hobby.

​Each of these resources, with its unique offerings, weaves together a tapestry of knowledge and exploration that enriches our understanding of the universe. From practical tools to enhance your stargazing experience to rich sources of scientific knowledge and cultural insight, this curated selection of links opens up a universe of possibilities. Whether you're an amateur astronomer, an educator, or simply a curious mind, these links invite you to gaze upwards, dream big, and explore the wonders of the cosmos. They offer a pathway to not just observe, but to understand and participate in a vast astronomical community, encouraging us to connect with the night sky and each other in our shared quest for knowledge.

The advent of smart telescopes has revolutionized amateur astronomy, making the wonders of the universe more accessible to everyone. Smart telescopes automatically take and stack images, making the intricate process of capturing the celestial grandeur of the night sky far more accessible to enthusiasts. Gone are the days when a smart telescope required a hefty investment of thousands of dollars. Recent innovations have brought us marvels like the ZWO Seestar S50 and Dwarf II smart telescope, available for under $1000 CAD. These devices, while more limited than their pricier counterparts such as the Unistellar eVscope, provide a solid user-friendly introduction to astrophotography.

​With the upcoming solar eclipse on April 8, 2024 I recently took the plunge and acquired the Seestar S50 to fill gaps in and expand my observational capabilities. This piece of technology not only complements my existing equipment but also opens new doors to the universe's mysteries. Before delving into this smart telescope, it's crucial for anyone considering a telescope to reflect on how they wish to engage with the night sky. Whether it's star hopping, deep-sky viewing, or planet gazing, the right equipment can significantly enhance your experience.

My arsenal includes a Celestron Regal M2 100ED spotting scope and Orion 2x54 Ultra Wide Angle Binoculars. Both are ultraportable and serve a unique purpose. The spotting scope is great for star hopping and viewing the planets. The binoculars (aka constellation binoculars) provide a 36 degree field of view that fully encompasses a constellation and allows you to see about 1.2 magnitudes fainter than you can with the naked eye. This has come in handy at star parties, where I used them to identify locations to set up telescopes for public outreach before the stars and planets were visible to the naked eye. They also provide a more ‘dark sky’ experience in areas with light pollution by enabling viewing of fainter magnitudes. These tools have been invaluable in my stargazing adventures, from casual walks under the stars to camping in beautiful parks to educational sessions at star parties.

​The Seestar S50 promises to broaden my view of the cosmos with its ability to capture images of the sun and deep-sky objects such as galaxies and nebulae in a user-friendly and portable package. It boasts a 50mm apochromatic lens, a 250mm focal length, and utilizes a high-quality Sony sensor to capture the cosmos in decent detail.

The Seestar S50 is celebrated for its straightforward setup and portability, making it an ideal choice for astronomers of all levels. Setting it up is a breeze—just mount it on the tripod, turn it on, sync it with the app, and you're ready to explore the night sky. This ease of use extends to the app, which guides you through selecting and capturing celestial wonders. Thanks to its compact design, the Seestar S50 can easily accompany you on your adventures, from casual backyard observations to star parties to explorations under the dark skies of remote locations. This portability and convenience makes the Seestar S50 a perfect match for my Celestron Regal M2, allowing for a comprehensive observational experience where deep-sky imaging with the Seestar S50 complements serendipitous explorations with the Celestron Regal M2.

My initial outing with the Seestar S50 had a minor learning curve. Calibrating the telescope required a delicate balance, quite literally, as I discovered the importance of smooth rotation of the telescope while connected to the tripod. I had initially aimed to keep the telescope level when rotating, but this led to bumps and jolts due to surface friction as the tripod's legs brushed against the surface it was placed on. This minor hiccup aside, the telescope soon proved its worth, effortlessly tracking celestial wonders from the Sun to the Triangulum Galaxy. Despite urban light pollution and a bright moon, the images I captured, including the Orion Nebula and the Double Cluster in Perseus, were a testament to the telescope's capabilities.

The Seestar S50's value extends beyond personal exploration to public outreach. As highlighted in Urban Astrophotography, this smart telescope is an excellent tool for educational initiatives, bringing the night sky closer to the community and sparking interest in astronomy among people of all ages.

My journey with the Seestar S50 is just beginning. I eagerly anticipate further tests and adventures, especially from dark sky sites and with longer sessions, where the true potential of this telescope can be unleashed.

​Life has been growing busier, so I am shifting to a biweekly blogging schedule. Mark your calendars for my next post on February 21, 2024.