| Space Calendar (JPL) ~ To be kept informed about the latest happenings in space, this is a primary source of reference. Compiled and maintained by Ron Baalke of NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory, the focus is on observation and education, rather than assigning any meaning to these events. A number involve asteroids and comets, reflecting current interest in these bodies. |
| Space.Com ~
The online home of Space Holdings, publishers of Starry Night™ astronomy
software. With a multimedia focus, this site features all the latest
developments from the world of astronomy. At the time of writing
there is a special emphasis on the Leonid meteor shower, set to peak on
November 19 this year. |
| Space Facts ~
This site is administered by a couple of enthusiasts living in separate continents across the pond from one another. It all began with a single fact back in May 2012 and since then has expanded almost exponentially. To my mind it strikes a delicate balance, between technical authenticity and something most people would like to read. Enjoy the experience, as I did… |
| Spacehack ~ Spacehack is a directory of the ways you can get involved in space exploration for yourself. Some of these are only for engineers or software developers, but with others like the great worldwide star count, mapping the surface of Mars and soon the search for new planets, you can definitely help out from your desk or backyard. |
| SpaceRip ~ These guys have their own website, but their YouTube channel is better as it showcases their end product. If you are drawn to space and astronomy videos that use footage and photography from the world’s most advanced satellites and telescopes, or enjoy it when that is interpreted with artistic flair and great technique, you’ll simply love the content here. |
| Space Wallpaper ~ Short of a glorious representation of your own birthchart, great astrological pictures for your desktop background are hard to find. It’s tempting to save random NASA imagery instead and use that, but going to this website and choosing from their specially purposed photographs is better, with a more stunning result in the end… |
| Space Weather ~
The solar wind is a stream of charged particles released from the upper atmosphere of the Sun. Fluctuations in its speed, strength, direction and magnetic field impact on our environment. Described as space weather, these phenomena are significant. Radio and satellite communications, global positioning systems and even our climate are all affected… |
| SpaceWeather.com ~
A detailed and proficient astronomy site that is both well presented
and easily accessible. Look no further for the latest news regarding
the Sun-Earth environment, including such gems as the current speed of
the solar wind, condition of the sunspot cycle and what to look for in
the night sky at the moment. |
| StarDate
Online ~ Another great site for all matters astronomical, this time
provided by the public education and outreach arm of the University of
Texas McDonald Observatory. The site provides a useful astronomical diary,
together with some comprehensive and easily accessible information on
the planets and the stars… |
| Starry
Messenger ~ This site is the first phase of the electronic history
of astronomy, as developed in the UK for the University of Cambridge,
under the auspices of the Department of History and Philosophy of Science.
It pulls few punches when explaining how many key figures in astronomical
history, were also keen astrologers too. |
| Stars ~ Think you know about stars? Jim Kaler is Professor Emeritus of Astronomy at the University of Illinois and one way or another since 1997, he has maintained this website as a fitting illustration of his knowledge and enthusiasm for all things celestial. The depth and scope of the information he provides is often staggering… |
| Stellar Classification ~ Stars can be categorised according to their spectral characteristics. The spectral class of a star describes the ionization of its photosphere and gives an objective measure of its temperature. What this means is that the colour of the star pinpoints how cool or hot it is, on a scale that runs from dark brown to blue and less than 700 K to over 33,000 K… |
| Stellar Evolution ~ I know Wikipedia can be inaccurate. And like many sites nowadays it is always asking for donations. But as a source of updated, astronomical information that is still comprehensible to the layman, I rarely encounter its equal. Here is an article that discusses the life cycle of a star: from star formation and protostars through stellar remnants and black holes. |
| Strangest Alien Planets ~ An exoplanet is an extrasolar planet, or one that orbits a star other than our Sun. The first confirmed discovery was in 1992 and although details are quite sketchy, this number has since risen to 4,016 as of July 11, 2019. Here is a selection of some of the most notable exos confirmed so far, each with an artist’s impression to help fire your imagination. |
| Sun.org ~ This site is curiously subtitled ‘Your Online Museum of the Universe’, if you were to contrast a youthful Internet with the ancient cosmos. Still, it is a worthwhile bookmark and is entirely free of charge, although you can also buy a meteorite, if you’re tempted. I am linking to an article on the burgeoning number of exoplanets. Namely: how should these be categorised? |
| Sunspots
in History ~ Sunspot activity follows an eleven year cycle. Many believe that major events can be correlated with the maxima and minima of these solar phenomena. Here you can enter your own birthday and find out whether this date coincided with important solar activity too. You’ll need Java enabled in your browser though. |
| Supermoon ~ As we approach the closest full moon to the Earth in a lifetime, the mainstream media is strangely silent, after resurrecting this concept for a number of years. I have recommended Timeanddate.com before, but admire their eagerness to promote some semblance of reality. Also Richard Nolle must be annoyed, he has no monopoly on a term he coined decades ago… |
