Beginner Guides
- Martz-Kohl Observatory’s Constellation Tutorial and Reference
- Planetary Society: Astronomy for Beginners
- Observing Resources for Amateur Astronomers
Stargazing Tips
Asteroid
Astronomical
- Astronomy Picture of the Day
- Night Sky Network Home Page
- SpaceWeather.com — News and information about meteor showers, solar flares, auroras, and near-
- 30 METER TELESCOPE
- Astronomy Sayings and Quotes
Darksky
Government
- Cassini-Huygens Home
- Jet Propulsion Laboratory
- Mars Exploration Rover Mission Home
- NASA – Glenn Home
- NASA – Johnson Space Center
- NASA – Kennedy Space Center – America’s Spaceport
- NASA – Marshall Space Flight Center Home Page
- NASA – NASA Ames Research Center Home
- NASA – NASA’s Langley Research Center
Magazines
Software
- CelesTrak WWW Software Repository
- Satellite Related Software
- Planetarium Software
- Stellarium: Online Planetarium
Road Trips & Travel
Located about an hour west of the Martz-Kohl Observatory, the Yahn Planetarium at Penn State Behrend (4205 College Drive, Erie, PA 16563) features a 55-seat, 30-foot immersive dome theater. The facility hosts public multimedia astronomy shows and seasonal night sky tours on Saturdays, while serving as a major regional STEM hub for K-12 field trips and community outreach.
Located about 1 hour and 45 minutes southeast of the Martz-Kohl Observatory, Cherry Springs State Park (4639 Cherry Springs Rd, Coudersport, PA 16915) is a world-renowned Gold-Level International Dark Sky Park. It features an unobstructed 360-degree view where the Milky Way is vividly visible to the naked eye. The park provides a public area for casual stargazers and a specialized overnight field for astrophotographers.
Located about 3 hours east of the Martz-Kohl Observatory, the Kopernik Observatory & Science Center (698 Underwood Road, Vestal, NY 13850) opens to the public every Friday night for educational STEM programs and deep-sky viewing. It serves as an excellent weekend road-trip destination, particularly for its annual AstroFest autumn star party, which draws guest speakers and astronomy enthusiasts from across the region.
Road Scholar is a nonprofit educational organization focused on lifelong learning through travel. They have created a guide titled “Chasing the Cosmos: The Ultimate Guide to Astrotourism,” which explores how travelers can experience dark skies, stargazing, and astronomy-focused destinations around the world.