Volunteering in Astronomy

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Astronomy

If the Internet has as many astronomy resources as there are stars in the sky, then think of the Astronomy Web Guide as your map to the best and brightest. Whether you're looking for planetary data, celestial gifts or fellow star seekers, we'll help you navigate the heavenly sphere of astronomy-related sites and tools on the Web.

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History of Astronomy

Astronomy is one of the oldest, most popular branches of science. Unlike practitioners of medicine ... read more »

Astronomy Pictures

Images from outer space are among the most popular scientific artifacts today, capturing the ... read more »

Buying Telescopes, Binoculars and Cameras

Buying telescopes, binoculars, cameras and other accessories is a big investment, ... read more »

Finding Constellations, Planets and Objects in the Night Sky

Wouldn't it be great if you could actually find something other than the Big Dipper? The Web is ... read more »

Astronomy Clubs and Associations

The mantra of believers in extraterrestrial life rings true about astronomy buffs the world over: ... read more »

Astronomy News

Developments in astronomy happen at the speed of light. While scientists scramble to make sense of ... read more »

Volunteering in Astronomy

In 1995, the comet Hale-Bopp was concurrently discovered by two men: Alan Hale, a Ph.D.-holding astronomer, and Thomas Bopp, a factory manager who did not even own a telescope. This section is for both Bopps and aspiring Hales. Get information on volunteering in astronomy with the sites below.

Insights for Volunteering in Astronomy

Museums, observatories, libraries and schools are always looking for enthusiastic, curious volunteers. Their Web sites will often have volunteer information.

The biggest way to contribute to the field, of course, is to pursue a career in astronomy. This doesn't necessarily mean becoming an astronaut or peering through a telescope all day. Browse NASA's job page to get an idea of what's out there.

If you're a college student considering majoring in astronomy, you'd better have a good head for numbers. In academic terms, astronomy has become synonymous with astrophysics, and pro astronomers spend more time with big math equations than big telescopes.

Top Sites for Volunteering in Astronomy

Galaxy Zoo enables Internet volunteers to help scientists classify a million galaxies. Just sign up, do a few practice galaxies in the tutorial and you're on your way. It's an easy, fun way to contribute to actual astronomy research and see parts of the universe nobody has ever seen before.

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The Planetary Society was cofounded by astro-heavyweight Carl Sagan, and offers members the chance to directly contribute (mostly financially) to space technology, exploration and government policy. If you're willing to part with your money to help build solar sails and petition Congress for NASA funding, this is the place to do it.

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Google Lunar X Prize was announced by the X Prize Foundation in September 2007. The goal: be the first to put a robot on the surface of the moon that can roam 500 meters and broadcast video, images and data back to Earth. The grand prize: $30 million.

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International Dark-Sky Association is dedicated to decreasing light pollution worldwide. More than 10,000 members support dark-sky legislation, public dialogue and coordinate "Lights Out" (turning off nonessential lighting) events. Members get a newsletter and voting privileges in electing board members.

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