Our knowledge of the universe is changing so fast that even a book or a software program published two years ago already is outdated on key aspects.
Fortunately, the World Wide Web offers access to the most up-to-date information in the field.
astro.uchicago.edu/adler is the well-designed homepage of the Adler Planetarium and Astronomy Museum. The frequently updated site provides basic information about the Planetarium, such as operating times, directions and information on the latest Sky Show. Of equal interest are the other tidbits that are found here. For example, did you know that the Dearborn Telescope, which was once the largest in the world and that has enthralled countless visitors, is temporarily off display? It’s getting a face lift, as is the Planetarium as a whole. This site also includes links to other Chicagoland points of interest for lovers of astronomy. (star) (star) (star)
ourworld.compuserve.com/homepages/johnp(underscore)dwyer is the Web page of the Northwest Suburban Astronomers, a local group of amateur and professional stargazers. The group meets regularly and is a good source for help on selecting a telescope and mastering the art of astrophotography. (star) (star) 1/2
www.kalmbach.com/astro is the Web site of Astronomy Magazine and is the best place to visit for late-breaking news. Here you’ll find the latest pictures from space probes or telescopes, as well as a roundup of the most fascinating stories. Moreover, there are scholarly — but readable — articles on topics of interest. A recent visit to this wondrous site brought stunning infrared shots of Saturn, an article about the discovery of the most distant object in the known universe, and a treatise on the bizarre orbit of Pluto. (star) (star) (star) (star)
jeffco.k12.co.us/jeffco/astro.html is a fine set of links to a variety of astronomical sites. For example, there’s a link to NASA’s Space Calendar, which revealed among lists of upcoming solar events such as eclipses and asteroid approaches, that Thursday is the 15th anniversary of the flight of the first American woman in space (Sally Ride). The site also provides a link to The Nine Planets, a fascinating compendium of information about our solar system that itself links to various sites such as NASA and the Jet Propulsion Laboratory. If your child has a science project, or if you’re just interested in broadening your knowledge of the current state of the universe, this is a great spot to begin. (star) (star) (star) 1/2
