You never know what you might see if you just look up (Photo by xamad) This weekend, you might be attending a Fourth of July party, and you'll probably be craning your neck upwards to watch fireworks displays. As you gaze, though, cast your eyes a little further upward for a glimpse of the biggest and brightest parties of them all. You won't find paparazzi or a red carpet at these parties, just dark skies filled with dazzling stars of the celestial kind. A quintessential part of the amateur astronomer scene worldwide, star parties are held in public squares, at campgrounds, on mountaintops, and even on the Grand Canyon's North Rim. Open to the public, these nighttime gatherings and weekend campouts are an excellent way to become acquainted with astronomy and the wonders of the night sky. 2009 is the International Year of Astronomy, ensuring that telescopes will be set up on sidewalks, at observatories, or in parks near you. If you can't make it to the party, just step outside into the night, or plan a star party of your own. Suggested Sites... "Sky & Telescope" Event Calendar - find a star party near you. Space.com’s Star Party Survival Guide - tips for happy stargazing. Astronomy Calendar of Celestial Events – 2009 - see what's up tonight -- literally. Night Sky Network - NASA's guide to clubs, events, and starry happenings. The Galileoscope: An IYA2009 Cornerstone Project - get started with an inexpensive telescope.

Directory categories: Star Parties, Astronomy Clubs, Astronomy Beginners' Guides, International Year of Astronomy (IYA2009), Astrophotography

Archived under: Astronomy, Celebrations, Events, Exploration, Holidays, Night, Outdoors, Planets, Science, Space, Stars, Summer

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(photo by Sebastian Kruk) While some will turn to the art of astrology to divine what the new year holds, one thing is for sure if you are a stargazer: 2006 will offer some fantastic celestial viewing opportunities. Backyard astronomers around the world will have the great fortune of being able to observe a brilliant Saturn in January, springtime Lyrids and Aquarids meteor showers without the moon, an active Leonid meteor shower in fall, and Mercury transiting the sun in early November. For eclipse lovers, March will bring a total eclipse of the sun visible across Brazil, North Africa, and central Asia. And with today's technologies, including sky chart software and automatic email and phone alerts, keeping on top of the daily astronomical forecast is as easy as keeping abreast of your astrological one. Suggested Sites... A Sneak Peek at 2006 - Sky & Telescope's guide to the eclipses, meteor showers, and occultations of 2006. The Sky This Month - Astronomy Magazine's monthly pick of choice events to observe in the night sky. NASA Eclipse Home Page - mark your calendars for this year's penumbral lunar, total solar, partial lunar, and annular solar eclipses. IMO Meteor Shower Calendar 2006 - coordinates, charts, and tips for catching the busiest meteor showers of each season. SkyCalls - sign up to receive a call from the folks at Science@NASA, letting you know what's up.

Directory categories: Astronomical Calendars, Moon Phases, Eclipses, Comets and Meteors

Archived under: Astrology, Astronomy, Science, Stars

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(photo by Matthew T. Russell) You won't find paparazzi or a red carpet at these parties, just dark skies filled with dazzling stars of the celestial kind. A quintessential part of the amateur astronomer scene worldwide, star parties are held in public squares, at campgrounds, on mountaintops, and even on the Grand Canyon's North Rim. Open to the public, these nighttime gatherings and weekend campouts are an excellent way to become acquainted with astronomy and the wonders of the night sky. Suggested Sites... Sky & Telescope Event Calendar - find a star party near you. Astronomy Day 2005 - Saturday, April 16, is the date. See what astronomy-related activities your local planetarium or observatory has in store. A Practical Guide to Astronomy - familiarize yourself with the night sky's celestial objects, near and far. Catching the Light - peruse some deep sky astronomical photographs and pick up tips and techniques for taking your own astrophotographs.

Directory categories: Star Parties, Astronomy Day, Regional Astronomy Clubs, Beginners' Guides

Archived under: Astronomy, Science, Space, Stars

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