Top Astronomy Websites for Students and Teachers

What follows are a list of websites I have compiled over time that I think offer some of the best astronomy resources on the web, especially for students and teachers. I've tried to not pick overly technical ones on purposes...as they tend to get dry really....really fast. If you have any suggestions for additional ones let me know.

400 Years of the Telescope  - A website that follows the 400 year journey of the telescope, and its creators.

Amazing Space  - a website promoting the science and majestic beauty of the universe for use in the classroom. Developed by the Space Telescope Science Institute .

Arecibo Observatory  - is a well known radio telescope located in Puerto Rico. It is operated by Cornell University under cooperative agreement with the National Science Foundation.

Astronomy Cast  - Regular podcasts on astronomy and space-related topics

Astronomy Net  - Astronomy articles, forums, listings, and other resources about
Astronomy.

Astronomy Online  - Astronomy Information and resources. 

AstroWeb  - Astronomy/Astrophysics on the Internet

Astronomy Today  - An astronomy oriented blog about current astronomy and space-related news. 

Astronomy: The Stars and Planets  - a website about the most interesting stars and planets
in the universe. 

Atlas of The Universe  - a website designed to give you an idea what the Universe actually looks like. Challenges don't get any greater than this.

Bad Astronomy  - A website challenging the abuse of astronomy by governments,
society and the media.

Chandrayaan 1  - Lunar mission by Indian Space Research Organization

China National Space Administration

Chromoscope  - Ever wanted X-ray specs or super-human vision? Chromoscope lets you explore our Galaxy (the Milky Way) and the distant Universe in a range of wavelengths from X-rays to the longest radio waves.

Cosmic Evolution  - From Big Bang to Humankind, an educational website built
by Tufts University.

Extrasolar Planets Encyclopaedia  - This site is a bit on the technical side, but if you ever wanted to find out about a particular planet has been discovered or keep track of new ones being found every day, this is the place.

European Organisation for Astronomical Research in the Southern Hemisphere 

European Space Agency Website   

Galaxy Zoo  - Want to help scientists identify galaxies, and perhaps be the discoverer of some unique or bizarre off world phenomenon, look no further.

Google Maps: Many people are familiar with Google Maps for terrestrial use, but they also feature maps of the Sky, Moon, and Mars. You can find links to them here: Google Mars,Google Moon ,Google Sky

Interactive Mars Habitat  - Explore the planet Mars with realistic Mars habitats, rockets, ground cars and robots

Hands-On Universe  - High school and middle school astronomy curriculum using real observatories and telescope images

Hubble Telescope  - The official site for the telescope with a vast array of very cool pictures updated on a frequent basis.

Keck Observatory - Located on Mona Loa in Hawaii it features the world's largest optical and infrared telescopes.

Large Hadron Collidor  The Large Hadron Collider (LHC) is a gigantic scientific instrument near Geneva, where it spans the border between Switzerland and France about 100m underground. It is a particle accelerator used by physicists to study the smallest known particles.

NASA  - The premier site for US astronomy and space-related events.

Cool Cosmos , NASA's website about infrared astronomy

Mars Exploration Rover Mission 

MESSENGER - Unlocking the Secrets of Mercury 

NASA Eclipse Website  - A good place to findout more about upcoming eclipses.

PlanetQuest: Exoplanet Exploration 

National Radio Astronomy Observatory  - NRAO, is home to the Very Large Array, one of the world's premier astronomical radio observatories, consisting of 27 radio antennas in a Y-shaped configuration on the Plains of San Agustin 50 miles west of Socorro, New Mexico.

SETI Institute  - Looking for aliens? This is a good place to start your search. Highly recommend their SETI@Home  program.

Solar Folklore- Stanford Solar Center  - Website about the role the sun has played in the development of cultural mythology throughout the world.

Solar and Heliospheric Observatory  - If you ever wondered what the sun looked like up close, or what it was doing at any given time this is the place to go! Also a good place to find out how to help scientists discover new comets passing by the Sun.

Starry Messenger  - An old, but very detailed website on the history of astronomy and the center figured involved.

The World At Night  - A website dedicated to taking speculator night photos at well known places around the world.

UAF Geophysical Institute Aurora Forecast Site  - For those living in the far north, this is a good place to check and see what the Aurora Borealis are expected
to do in the near future.

Universe Today  - A daily blog of astronomy and space-related news

Windows to the Universe  - a user-friendly learning system covering the Earth and Space sciences for use by the general public.

Young Astronauts  a junior astronaut organization designed primarily for middle school students.