Resources from the Ground Up

Star maps, such as this one of the Northern Hemisphere, will help you identify stars.
iStockphoto.com/Jan Tyler

To learn more about amateur astronomy, including clubs and up-to-date information on the night sky check out the following:

The Amateur Astronomy page of NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory, http://Education.JPL.NASA.gov/amateurastronomy/index.html, 818-354-4321
NASA Solar System Exploration, SolarSystem.NASA.gov/
For a national network of astronomy clubs: Night Sky Network, NightSky.JPL.NASA.gov/index.cfm
For Tours of the Night Sky tapes or CDs: www.CelestialProducts.com/Products/TNS.asp , 800-235-3783
StarGarden Foundation, www.StarGardenFoundation.org/
Okie-Tex Star Party, www.Okie-Tex.com , 405-691-2544
NASA After-School Astronomy Club Network for schools, families and communities, www.AfterSchoolAstronomy.org/
For observing clubs and more: The Astronomical League, www.AstroLeague.org /, 816-333-7759
For Tours of the Night Sky and more: Astronomical Society of the Pacific (ASP), www.AstroSociety.org/ , 415-337-1100
Many resources, programs and Hubble images: HubbleSite.org/ , 410-338-4444
Free monthly sky map: www.SkyMaps.com/
Satellite tracking: www.Heavens-Above.com
Astronomy magazine: www.Astronomy.com/ , 800-533-6644
Sky & Telescope magazine: www.SkyAndTelescope.com/, 800-253-0245
For the Backyard Astronomy Guide by Terence Dickinson and Alan Dyer: www.BackyardAstronomy.com/ , published in 2002 by Firefly Books, Buffalo, New York, www.FireflyBooks.ca, 800-387-5085
Make your own simple reflecting telescopes: www.SFSidewalkAstronomers.org
Telescope reviews: CloudyNights.com/