Ultimate Astronomy Blog
CloudyNights – the ultimate free astronomy blog about Observing, Astrophotography, Equipment, Software & Outreach
Software
- Stellarium – Free desktop/laptop planetarium software for visualizing the sky and various objects, planning observing sessions, and telescope control
- Stellarium Web – Free, but limited, version of Stellarium that runs in your web browser
- Stellarium Mobile – Free smartphone & tablet version of Stellarium that identifies or directs you to objects in the sky
Sky Maps
- SkyMaps.com – website with free monthly downloadable sky maps and lists of objects of interest that month
- Sky & Telescope Interactive Sky Chart – Interactive star chart for any given location and date
Weather Prediction
- National Weather Service Extended Forecast for West Olive – Hemlock Crossing Observatory
- NWS hourly graphical weather forecast for West Olive – Hemlock Crossing Observatory
- GOES-East satellite cloud loop – Site showing cloud current cloud cover
- MeteoBlue – Astronomy seeing chart for West Olive, Hemlock Crossing Observatory
- Astrospheric – Astronomy seeing chart for West Olive, Hemlock Crossing Observatory
- ClearDarkSky – Astronomy seeing chart for West Olive, Hemlock Crossing Observatory
Sun
- TimeAndDate.com Sunrise & Sunset Calendar – Chart showing sunrise and sunset times for Hemlock Crossing Observatory
- Latest SOHO Sun Images – Real time images of the sun
Moon
- NASA Moon Phase & Libration, 2026 – Current phase of the moon showing moonrise and set times for Hemlock Crossing Observatory
- TimeAndDate.com Moonrise, Moonset, and Phase Calendar – Chart showing moonrise and moonset times for Hemlock Crossing Observatory
Aurora
- SpaceWeather.gov – NOAA Space Weather Prediction Center – Geomagnetic activity observation and forecast
- Space Weather Enthusiasts Dashboard – Expanded site on Geomagnetic activity
- SpaceWeather.com – News and information about the Sun-Earth environment
Comets
- Comet Chasing YouTube Channel & Comet Chasing website – Videos of current and past comets
- ALPO Comets Section – International organization devoted to studying the sun, moon, planets, meteors, and comets
- NASA’s Comet page – NASA site focused on comets
Meteor Showers
- Monthly Meteor Shower Guide – Meteor shower guide for each month of the year
Satellite Prediction & Identification
- Heavens-Above.com – Satellite and International Space Station information and locations
- Stellarium Desktop/Laptop app & Stellarium Mobile – will show satellite paths
Light Pollution
- Dark Sky International – Advocates from around the world protecting the night sky
- Saugatuck-Douglas Friends of the Night Sky – local group promoting dark sky initiatives
Other West Michigan Astronomy Clubs
- Grand Rapids Amateur Astronomy Association – has an observatory in Lowell, MI
- Muskegon Astronomical Society – has an observatory by the Wastewater Treatment Plant in Moorland Township, MI
Other Astronomy Groups
- American Association of Variable Star Observers (AAVSO) – enable anyone, anywhere, to participate in scientific discovery through variable star astronomy
- American Astronomical Society (AAS) – on a mission to enhance and share humanity’s scientific understanding of the universe
- Sky & Telescope Magazine – bringing the sky and skygazers together since 1941
- Association of Lunar & Planetary Observers (ALPO) – devoted to the study of the Sun, Moon, planets, asteroids, meteors, and comets
- Astronomical League – Promoting public education in Astronomy with coordination of amateur Astronomical societies
- International Occultation Timing Association (IOTA) – gather data from timings of astronomical occultations and provide a variety of educational resources to promote and encourage observations of astronomical occultations
- NASA Night Sky Network – Nationwide coalition amateur astronomy clubs bringing the science, technology, and inspiration of NASA’s missions to the public
- SETI Institute – The search for extra-terrestrial intelligence
- The Planetary Society – NGO empowering the world’s citizens to advance space science and exploration
Space Exploration
- NASA – US National Aeronautics and Space Administration
- APOD – The NASA Astronomy Picture of the Day
- GSFC – NASA Goddard Space Flight Center
- JPL – NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory
- NASA YouTube Channel – livestreams from space and professionally produced videos
- SVS – Scientific Visualization Studio – source of great science video and images
- STScI – Space Telescope Science Institute – science operations center for the Hubble, James Webb, and Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescopes
- The Space Place – great NASA site for kids
- ESA – European Space Agency
- ESA Missions – Past and current ESA space missions