Tools
This page lists a variety of software tools that are helpful when planning an observing run. They provide access to information on the weather, objects visible in the sky, phases of the Moon, visible features of other planets, and equipment usage.
Clear sky chart
At a glance, the Clear Sky Chart shows when it will be cloudy or clear for up to the next two days. It's a prediction of when the Oil Region Astronomy Learning Center site will have good weather for astronomical observing.
Click the icon below for the current Clear Sky Chart.
Click the icon below for the current Clear Sky Chart.
Click on "HELP" in the lower right-hand corner of the Clear Sky Chart for information on how to read the chart.
The Clear Sky Chart was developed by the Canadian Meteorological Centre. It is now sponsored by the Northern Virginia Astronomical Club, the Edmonton Centre and the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada. The managers of the chart run three computer weather simulations every twelve hours. The output looks just like satellite pictures, but the dates are from the future. To see them, click on the 'cloud', 'tran' or 'seeing' blocks above.
The Clear Sky Chart was developed by the Canadian Meteorological Centre. It is now sponsored by the Northern Virginia Astronomical Club, the Edmonton Centre and the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada. The managers of the chart run three computer weather simulations every twelve hours. The output looks just like satellite pictures, but the dates are from the future. To see them, click on the 'cloud', 'tran' or 'seeing' blocks above.
AstroViewer sky map
http://ws.astroviewer.net/skymap?type=png&size=500&colorset=0&lang=en&lon=-80.09&lat=42.13&city=Erie%2C+PA&timezone=EST&deco=16399&id=4d6174
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AstroViewer provides a current view of the sky near the Oil Region Astronomy Learning Center site. COULD NOT EMBED CODE!! |
MidnightKite Moon Calendar
The Moon Calendar shows the phases of the Moon for the current month. You can select other months and years using the dropdown menus on the calendar. COULD NOT EMBED CODE!
<div><div id="446707869900846597" align="left" style="width: 100%; overflow-y: hidden;" class="wcustomhtml"><script type="text/javascript" src="http://www.midnightkite.com/mooncalendar.js"></script> </div>
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Mars, Jupiter, and Saturn
Planets are fascinating to observe. Mars has surface features and polar ice caps. Jupiter’s cloud bands and four large moons are easily visible in small telescopes. In addition to Saturn’s fabulous ring system, it also has moons. These links give information on each of these planets.
trek.nasa.gov/mars
The map of Mars surface features is deceptively simple until you add layers from the control at the lower right of the display.
shallowsky.com/jupiter
This map of Jupiter shows the positions of its four “Galilean” moons: Io, Europa, Ganymede, and Callisto (remember them with this little mnemonic: “I Eat Good Cookies”). It also shows the moons’ shadows on Jupiter’s cloud tops, and the position of the Great Red Spot. The orientation may be selected for several types of optics.
skyandtelescope.org/wp-content/plugins/observing-tools/saturn_moons/saturn.html
Saturn’s bright moons are shown in this interactive map. The orientation may be selected for several types of optics.
Weather
aviationweather.gov/radar
aviationweather.gov/satellite
aviationweather.gov/progchart/sfc
aviationweather.gov/metar
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and the National Weather Service provide a range of sophisticated weather information to the aviation community. This information is also very useful for astronomers. Choose from weather radar, satellite images, prognostic charts, and METARs for local airports.
www.windy.com
Windy.com produces animated weather maps showing flow patterns and a variety of weather-related features.
www.lightningmaps.org/#m=oss;t=3;s=0;o=0;b=;ts=0;y=41.3309;x=-79.5115;z=10;d=8;dl=2;dc=0;
Lightning is a hazard that astronomers definitely need to be aware of! LightningMaps.org produces near real-time maps of lightning activity. The map link here is for the region near ORAS.
aviationweather.gov/satellite
aviationweather.gov/progchart/sfc
aviationweather.gov/metar
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and the National Weather Service provide a range of sophisticated weather information to the aviation community. This information is also very useful for astronomers. Choose from weather radar, satellite images, prognostic charts, and METARs for local airports.
www.windy.com
Windy.com produces animated weather maps showing flow patterns and a variety of weather-related features.
www.lightningmaps.org/#m=oss;t=3;s=0;o=0;b=;ts=0;y=41.3309;x=-79.5115;z=10;d=8;dl=2;dc=0;
Lightning is a hazard that astronomers definitely need to be aware of! LightningMaps.org produces near real-time maps of lightning activity. The map link here is for the region near ORAS.
Light pollution
www.lightpollutionmap.info
Looking for dark sky locations? Use this interactive light pollution map to find areas that are least affected by outdoor lighting.
Equipment use
astronomy.com/observing/equipment-use
Astronomy magazine has a great set of tutorials about setting up and operating observing equipment.