Resources

Weather and Viewing Conditions

Clear Sky Chart – www.cleardarksky.com Graphically shows cloud cover, transparency, seeing, darkness, wind, humidity and temperature data for specific observing sites across North America. Ability to save “favorites”.

Below are the Clear Sky Chart and Light Pollution Map provided by the MCCC Observatory located NW of Philadelphia. 

What's Up in the Night Sky This Month - by NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory

March 2026: A total lunar eclipse blood moon takes centre stage, Venus and Saturn cozy up for a conjunction, and we celebrate the vernal equinox. 

Light Pollution Map of Our Area

Map from – https://www.lightpollutionmap.info/s/34n8J1cr4ku3cdIDpC5wrg

Light Pollution in Our Area

Current Phases of the Moon

December
January
February
March
April
May
June
July
August
September
October
November
December
Previous slide
Next slide

Interactive Map of our Moon

Click on the Image below for an Interactive Lunar Map.

from –  quick map.lroc.im-ldi.com

 The Sun in real Time

Data from the Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO); Courtesy of NASA/SDO and the AIA, EVE, and HMI science teams – Click on the images below to see a larger view of the sun surface.

https://sdo.gsfc.nasa.gov/data/

Narrow Band View
Sun Spots in Visible Light
Flatten Intensigram View

Additional Weather, Sky Maps and Viewing Conditions Sites

Intellicast – www.intellicast.com Detailed weather data, tailored to your zip code. Useful radar summary shows speed and direction and height of storms

NOAA – http://www.noaa.gov Detailed weather data, tailored to your zip code. Hourly forecasts, maps, live looping radar maps

Time and Date –Night Sky for Philadelphia, USA Interactive Sky map for Philadelphia. 

Miscellanea

http://science.nasa.gov/science-news/  NASA Science News

https://www.astroleague.org  Astronomy League

http://www.astronomycast.com/ Weekly astronomy podcast Southern Illinois University

http://www.worldwidetelescope.org/

Books to Get Started on Astronomy

Turn Left At Orion: Hundreds of Night Sky Objects to See in a Home Telescope – and How to Find Them – by Guy Consolmagno and Dan M. Davis

“[…]This unique guidebook to the night sky shows you how to observe a host of celestial wonders. Its distinct format of object-by-object spreads illustrates how deep-sky objects and planets actually look through a small telescope, while its large pages and spiral binding allow for use outside. Along with updated star names and astronomical information, this new edition provides links to a dedicated webpage with up-to-date tables and images, and an improved planets chapter. The many Dobsonian-friendly images and small telescope views have been revised to account for changes in modern telescope technology, such as larger field of view eyepieces.[…]” Book description from Amazon.com

NightWatch: A Practical Guide to Viewing the Universe –by Terence Dickinson and Ken Hewitt-White

“[…]Stargazing enthusiasts of all levels of experience will discover much of value in an enduring reference conceived by one of the most respected names in amateur astronomy[…]” Book description from Amazon.com 

Sky & Telescope’s Pocket Sky Atlas – by Roger W. Sinnott

“[…] a wonderfully detailed atlas so handy to take on trips and use at the telescope, thanks to its user-friendly size, convenient spiral-bound design, and easy-to-read labels. The charts show both constellation boundaries and stick figures to help you find your way[…]” Book description from Amazon.com