Research Guides: Sky: Astronomy

Astronomy: The Solar System and Objects in Space

Exploring the Solar System (J. Corum, NY Times, July 2020)
This interactive visualization shows the many active and inactive spacecraft that roam the wilds of space, orbiting around the sun and planets.
Minor Planet Center (International Astronomical Union)
The Minor Planet Center, operating at the Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory, "is responsible for the designation of minor bodies in the solar system: minor planets; comets; and natural satellites." They allow contributions from amateur astronomers, and provide public access to data collected. That data is used to inform international organizations of the potential impact of asteroids and other bodies.
Pan-STARRS (Institute for Astronomy, University of Hawaii)
There are two Pan-STARRS telescopes in operation at the Institute for Astronomy, and they both include digital cameras to take detailed photos of space objects, in order to track any Near Earth Objects which may pose a threat to the planet.

Caltech Astronomy Lectures

Lectures from the Department of Astronomy and Astrophysics at the California Institute of Technology, led by Dr. Cameron Hummels and staffed by volunteers in the Caltech astronomy community, recorded since 2016 and presented monthly.

Monthly lecture series playlist

Astronomy on Tap playlist

Archival Space Maps

Libri Cosmo: Schema huius praemissae divisionis sphaerarum, Fo.V (NY Public Library Rare Book Division)
This 1539 celestial map by Peter Apian (1495-1552) and Frisius Gemma (1508-1555), held in the New York Public Library's Rare Book Division, illustrates the cosmos as they were thought of in the 16th century.
Hemisphaerium Coeli Australe (Boreale), in quo loca Stellarum fixarum secundum Æquatorem, per ascenciones ad annum 1730 completum, sistuntur, a J.G. Doppelmaiėro; operâ J.B. Homanni. (Topographical Collection of George III, British Library archives)
This 1730 map of the stars was originally owned (and perhaps used?) by King George III (1738-1820), and is currently held by the British Library in the Topographical Collection of George III.

Sky

Astronomy: The Solar System and Objects in Space

Caltech Astronomy Lectures

Monthly lecture series playlist

Astronomy on Tap playlist

Archival Space Maps

Find

Research Help

Services

Contact Us