Astronomy Resources
A curated collection of the best external resources for amateur astronomers and astrophotographers — from complete beginners to advanced imagers. Recommended and used by BAS members.
🌌 News & Current Events
Stay up to date with the latest discoveries, missions, and night sky highlights.
Sky & Telescope
The gold standard in amateur astronomy news, observing guides, and equipment reviews.NASA Astronomy Picture of the Day (APOD)
A stunning astronomy image every day with expert explanation. A daily must-visit.The Planetary Society
Science, space exploration advocacy, and mission updates from one of the world’s leading space organizations.Space.com
Accessible breaking news on space exploration, astronomy, and science.CBC Science
Canadian science and space news with a local perspective.
🚀 Space Agencies & Official Sources
Direct from the source — official mission data, imagery, and educational resources.
NASA
The world’s leading space agency. Explore missions, image libraries, live streams, and educational tools.ESA — European Space Agency
Europe’s gateway to space, with mission updates and James Webb telescope news.CSA — Canadian Space Agency
Canada’s own space agency covering Canadian astronauts, satellites, and STEM programs.NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory
Home of Mars rovers, deep space missions, and cutting-edge planetary science.James Webb Space Telescope
Official site for JWST news, images, and discoveries.
🔭 Beginner Resources
New to astronomy? These are the best places to start your journey under the stars.
Stellarium Web
A free, browser-based planetarium. See exactly what’s in the sky tonight from your location. No download needed.NASA Eyes on the Solar System
An immersive 3D simulation of our solar system and NASA missions.Royal Astronomical Society of Canada (RASC)
Canada’s national astronomy organization. Excellent beginner guides, local chapters, and the annual Observer’s Handbook.Light Pollution Map
Find the darkest skies near you. Essential for planning observing sessions in Grey-Bruce and beyond.DarkSky International
Dedicated to protecting dark skies worldwide. Find certified dark sky preserves near you.
🌙 Observing & Sky Planning
Essential tools for planning your observing sessions and tracking conditions.
Clear Outside ⭐ BAS Member Favourite
Detailed cloud cover, seeing, transparency, and wind forecasts tailored for astronomers.Clear Dark Sky
The classic Canadian astronomer’s weather forecast. Quick visual overview for hundreds of locations.Astrospheric
An excellent Canadian-made astronomy weather app with detailed forecasts and seeing predictions.Heavens-Above
Track the ISS, satellites, and iridium flares. Know exactly when to look up.In-The-Sky.org
A comprehensive online planetarium with monthly sky guides and planet positions.
The definitive annual guide for Canadian astronomers covering moon phases to deep sky objects.
📷 Astrophotography — Capture & Imaging Software
Tools used by BAS members for capturing the night sky.
ZWO ASIAIR ⭐ BAS Member Pick
All-in-one wireless imaging hub for controlling your mount, camera, focuser, and guiding from your phone or tablet. Ideal for remote imaging sessions.NINA — Nighttime Imaging ‘N’ Astronomy ⭐ BAS Member Pick
Free, powerful, and highly automated imaging sequencer for Windows. The choice of serious astrophotographers.PHD2 Guiding ⭐ BAS Member Pick
Free, industry-standard autoguiding software. Works with virtually all guide cameras and mounts.
🖥️ Astrophotography — Processing Software
Software used by BAS members to process and enhance their astrophotography images.
PixInsight ⭐ BAS Member Pick
The industry-leading astrophotography processing platform. Powerful and purpose-built for astronomical imaging.
Free capture and processing suite from ZWO. Includes ASILive for real-time stacking.Affinity Photo ⭐ BAS Member Pick
Powerful, affordable alternative to Photoshop with excellent astrophotography workflow support.Adobe Photoshop ⭐ BAS Member Pick
The industry standard for image editing, widely used for final astrophotography processing.IMPPG — Image Post Processor ⭐ BAS Member Pick
Free tool specializing in lunar and planetary image processing. Excellent sharpening and deconvolution tools.AutoStakkert! ⭐ BAS Member Pick
Free, widely used for stacking planetary, lunar, and solar images. Fast and highly accurate.Siril
Free and open-source astronomical image processing. A capable free alternative to PixInsight for deep sky images.DeepSkyStacker
Free stacking software for DSLR deep sky images. A great starting point for beginners.
🛒 BAS Recommended Equipment Suppliers
Trusted suppliers recommended by BAS members for telescopes, cameras, mounts, and accessories.
Astronomy Plus ⭐ BAS Recommended
Canada’s largest selection of telescopes, cameras, mounts, and accessories since 1988. Excellent customer service, same-day shipping, and astronomers on staff who actually use the equipment.Khan Scope Centre ⭐ BAS Recommended
Toronto-based astronomy retailer with a wide range of telescopes, eyepieces, and accessories. Knowledgeable staff and competitive pricing.DeepSkyDad ⭐ BAS Recommended
Specialist maker of affordable, high-quality flat panels, autofocusers, DC hubs, and accessories for astrophotography automation. Made by an astrophotographer for astrophotographers.
🔬 Citizen Science
Contribute real data to scientific research from your own backyard.
Globe at Night
Measure light pollution in your neighbourhood and contribute to a worldwide database. Easy and fun for all ages.AAVSO — Variable Star Observers
Observe and report on variable stars. Your observations contribute to real scientific research.Galaxy Zoo — Zooniverse
Help classify galaxies from real telescope data. No experience required — just curiosity.International Meteor Organization
Report meteor sightings and contribute to global meteor shower monitoring.North American Meteor Network
Track and report fireballs and meteor events across North America.
🍁 Local & Canadian Resources
Astronomy closer to home — Canadian organizations, events, and dark sky sites.
Canada’s national astronomy community with 29 local centres, publications, and events nationwide.Starfest Ontario
Ontario’s premier annual star party, held in Ayton — right in BAS country! A must-attend event each summer.
Find designated dark sky areas in Ontario for your best observing nights.The Weather Network — Astronomy
Canadian weather forecasts with astronomy-specific sky conditions.AstroBin
The world’s best astrophotography image sharing platform. Share your work, get feedback, and get inspired.