Rensselaer Astrophysical Society

Document Archives

Online Reading:

• Astronomy Facts and FAQ
• Useful Equations
• Celestial Coordinates
• Messier Objects
• Telescopes and Telescope Mounts
• Club History
• Mirror Overhaul Project

Manuals:

• Member's Manual (.pdf 1.43MB)
• Celestron 12"
• LXD55 6"
• ST-8E CCD
• CFW-8A Color Filter Wheel
• CCDOPs Users Guide
• ACE Windows Help File
• ACE User Manual Appendix A
• SBIG SGS spectrograph

Misc Downloads

• 365 Days of Skywatching 2007 (Free eBook: 23.3MB PDF) or Online version
• 4 Page Messier Object Checklist
• The true field of an eyepiece
• The Virtual Solar System Project
• CCD Image Sensor Noise Sources
• Charge-Coupled Devices in Astronomy
• Dark Skies Presentation (7.5MB PDF courtesy of NOAO)

Free Astronomy Software

• Stellarium - Virtual Planetarium software comparable to Starry Night
• World Wide Telescope - Allows easy viewing of high resolution imagery and digital sky surveys.
• Cellestia - 3D solar system/universe visualization software

Astronomy Related Links

• Astronomy Picture of the Day - Cool pictures
• Heavens-Above.com - Iridium Flare times, current comets, satellites, etc.
• Space.com - News
• Bad Astronomy - Popular astronomy blog
• Cosmos - watch Carl Sagan's legendary documentary free and legal online
• WikiSky.org - view high-resolution sky surveys and lots of imagery.