We research all kinds of materials…only some of which end up in one of our courses. Many resources are too good to keep hidden, so we’ll be presenting them here every Friday. Today’s a 10-for-1 deal…enjoy!

As our world grows smaller and even more globalized, many people have looked to the stars and space to see what is else out there. (After all, it is the Final Frontier.) Here are 10 great sources and tools that can help you as an educator, student, or someone who is simply curious about the universe.
Planetariums

Google Sky (Google)
Similar to its brother, Google Earth, this tool shows us the skies above us and its galaxies.
<<link>>

Stellarium (F. Chéreau et al., via Source Forge)
Source Forge allows you to download the open source software and begin your adventure by looking at 3-D images of objects that can be seen with the naked eye, binoculars, or a telescope. (Open Source)
<<link>>

nakshART (cestum.org)
This sky chart view application gives you the chance look at the stars and planets in 3-D. No eyewear necessary!
<<link>>

Planetarium (Neave Interactive)
Set your location on the map, and blast off! Now you can use an interactive map to view the location of the sun, search by constellation or planet…or just explore.
<<link>>

Images and Videos

Zooniverse (Citizen Science Alliance)
Originally known as Galaxy Zoo, this nifty site educates others by using inquiry-based learning and asking its viewers to give their own input on what the graphics show. In short: crowd-based science. Now you can participate in a world-wide science project!
<<link>>

Cosmology and Astronomy (Khan Academy)
The Khan Academy has a collection of short videos (20-25 min each) available for your viewing pleasure. (Open License)
<<link>>

Astronomy Picture of the Day (NASA)
NASA shows us pictures of the world around us from a bird’s eye view. With a new image daily, and an archives section, NASA has really brought outer space to our homes and computer screens.
<<link>>

Other Resources

Introduction to Astronomy (Public domain text, updated by Curtis Menning)
This open book was started in 1910. Although it lacks some of the advancements that have occurred since then (like Hubble, and Einstein) it still is rather up-to-date in its explanations of the basic concepts of Astronomy. (Open License)

Exploring Black Holes: General Relativity and Astrophysics (MIT OCW)
The Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) has made one of their courses available to the general public. Taught in 2003, this site comes complete with lectures, readings, exams and even projects! (Open License)
<link>

OER Commons: NASA
With search options according to grade and subject, this NASA collection provides many open materials that can be used in the classroom or at home — with some supervision of course! (Open License)
<link>