Space Astronomy

1st High Energy Astrophysics Observatory ( HEAO 1. GSFC. NASA )
The first of NASA's three High Energy Astronomy Observatories, HEAO 1 was launched aboard an Atlas Centaur rocket on 12 August 1977 and operated until 9 January 1979. During that time, it scanned the X-ray sky almost three times over 0.2 keV - 10 MeV, provided nearly constant monitoring of X-ray sources near the ecliptic poles, as well as more detailed studies of a number of objects through pointed observations.
Active Magnetospheric Particle Tracer Explorers ( AMPTE )
Advanced Camera for Surveys ( ACS )
The Advanced Camera for Surveys (ACS) will be installed in the Hubble Space Telescope (HST) during a Space Shuttle mission scheduled in 2000. ACS will increase the discovery efficiency of the HST by a factor of ten. ACS will consist of three electronic cameras and a complement of filters and dispersers that detect light from the ultraviolet at 1200 angstroms to the near infrared at 10,000 angstroms.
Advanced Satellite for Cosmology and Astrophysics ( ASCA, ex-Astro-D )
ASCA (formerly named Astro-D) is Japan's fourth cosmic X-ray astronomy mission, and the second for which the United States is providing part of the scientific payload. The satellite was successfully launched February 20, 1993.
Array of Low Energy X-ray Imaging Sensors ( ALEXIS )
ALEXIS' X-ray telescopes feature curved mirrors whose multilayer coatings reflect and focus low-energy X-rays or extreme ultraviolet light the way optical telescopes focus visible light. The satellite and payloads were funded by the Department of Energy and built by Los Alamos National Laboratory in collaboration with Sandia National Laboratory and the University of California-Space Sciences Lab. The Launch was provided by the Air Force Space Test Program on a Pegasus Booster on April 25, 1993. The mission is entirely controlled from a small groundstation at LANL.
ASTRO Observatory ( ASTRO-1 and ASTRO-2 )
The ASTRO Observatory had three primary instruments: the Ultraviolet Imaging Telescope (UIT), the Hopkins Ultraviolet Telescope (HUT) and the Wisconsin Ultraviolet Photo-Polarimeter Experiment (WUPPE). The first Astro flight was on December 2-11, 1990. The X-ray experiment Broad Band X-Ray Telescope (BBXRT) was also part of the Astro-1 flight. The second flight was on March 2-18, 1995.
Astro Space Center ( ASC )
The Astro Space Center as a branch of Lebedev Institute of Physics has a number of commitments for space experiments in the areas of upper atmospheric, solar, and astronomical research aboard Radioastron , Kvant and other space projects. Division scientists are involved in major research thrusts that include interferometric observations, studies of the solar atmosphere by using spectrographic techniques, and studies of astronomical ranging from the ultraviolet through cosmic rays. The division maintains facilities to design, construct, assemble, and calibrate space experiments.
AstroExpo.com ( Space Industry Virtual Exhibit Hall )
Online databases of Space qualified hardware, software, services, companies, and news.
AstronNewsNetwork.com
Astronomy, educational, industry, robotic exploration, human space flight.
Bepi-Colombo
A planned ESA cornerstone mission to Mercury.
BeppoSAX Mission ( SAX )
The X-ray astronomy satellite BeppoSAX (Satellite per Astronomia X, "Beppo" in honor of Giuseppe Occhialini) is a project of the Italian Space Agency (ASI) with participation of the Netherlands Agency for Aerospace Programs (NIVR).
In the framework of past and future X-ray missions BeppoSAX stands out for its wide spectral coverage, ranging from 0.1 to over 200 keV. The sensitivity of the scientific payload allows the detailed study over the entire energy band of sources as weak as about 1/20 of 3C273. This opens new perspectives in the study of broad band X-ray spectra and variability of cosmic sources. [also in Italian]
Berkeley - Space Sciences Laboratory
HEAD The High Energy Astrophysics Division of the American Astronomical Society. SPRG The Space Physics Research Group. SERENDIP The Search for Extraterrestrial Radio Emissions from Nearby Developed Intelligent Populations. HOU The Hands-On Universe Program. COBE The Cosmic Background Explorer. EAG The Experimental Astrophysics Group. ISI The Infrared Spatial Interferometer Group. CEA The Center for Extreme Ultraviolet Astrophysics. ORFEUS The Orbiting Retrievable Far and Extreme Ultraviolet Spectrometers and The Berkeley Spectrometer.
Bonn University - Institute for Astrophysics and Space Research ( IAEF )
[in German]
Broad Band X-ray Telescope ( BBXRT. GSFC. NASA )
The Broad Band X-ray Telescope (BBXRT) was flown on the space shuttle Columbia (STS-35) on 1990 December 2-December 11, as part of the ASTRO-1 payload. The flight of BBXRT marked the first opportunity for performing X-ray observations over a broad energy range (0.3-12 keV) with a moderate energy resolution (typically 90 eV and 150 eV at 1 and 6 keV, respectively).
Calibrating Hubble Space Telescope
The proceedings from the HST Calibration Workshop held at the Space Telescope Science Institute November 15-17, 1993. These proceedings include discussions on the calibration of each instrument, including the Fine Guidance Sensors. There is also a general section that includes papers on the Optical Telescope Assembly, the HST Calibration Database and information on the calibration of other space observatories namely, the IUE and the Hopkins Ultraviolet Telescope. Check the table of contents for a full listing. For the user's convenience this book is available both by individual paper and by hefty chunks of postscript for each section: WFPC, FOC, FOS, GHRS and General. The latter method is most useful for those of you who want to collect the whole book. The main text of the book is 442 pages.
CASS - High Energy Astrophysics
Cassini-Huygens Mission to Saturn & Titan ( Cassini )
Saturn and Titan will be the destination for the Cassini mission, a project under joint development by NASA, the European Space Agency and the Italian Space Agency. The U.S. portion of the mission is managed for NASA by the Jet Propulsion Laboratory.
Center for Extreme Ultraviolet Astrophysics ( CEA / EUVE )
The Center for Extreme Ultraviolet Astrophysics (CEA) opened in September, 1990. CEA represents the culmination of twenty years of research and student training in the field of EUV astronomy brought to focus by the launch of NASA's research mission, the University of California at Berkeley Extreme Ultraviolet Explorer (EUVE), on June 7, 1992.
Center for Space Studies - Universidad de Chile ( CEE )
The Center for Space Studies (CEE) of the Universidad de Chile offers ground support services to space missions since 1959. National leader in the development of applications related to space technology, the CEE offer solutions in territorial management and studies of electromagnetic compatibilities.
The Center for Space Studies offers its support to space missions that require coverage in this region of the world. Other related services are the hosting of automatic control stations and satellite gateways, as well as the implementation of laboratories, sensors and equipment for scientific research. In addition to the Satellite Tracking Station, the CEE has offices in the city of Santiago and facilities at Easter Island, for services related to the space activity.
Centre for Research in Earth and Space Technology ( CRESTech )
Chandra X-ray Observatory ( AXAF )
The Chandra X-ray Observatory is the U.S. follow-on to the Einstein Observatory. Chandra was formerly known as AXAF, the Advanced X-ray Astrophysics Facility, but renamed by NASA in December, 1998. The Chandra spacecraft carries a high resolution mirror, two imaging detectors, and two sets of transmission gratings.
CLEMENTINE images
The CLEMENTINE Spacecraft, was launched on 25 January 1994, and performed in 71 days the first multi-spectral systematic mapping of the moon. Clementine produced 1,800,000 images that represents approximately a volume of 55 Go of data. These data are distributed by the PDS on 90 CD-ROMS, and are also available on line (stored on 55 Go drives) thanks to this server provided by CNES.
Cluster II, ESA's spacefleet to the magnetosphere
The Cluster II mission of the European Space Agency is a four-spacecraft mission to carry out three-dimensional measurements in the Earth's magnetosphere, covering both large- and small-scale phenomena in the sunward and tail regions.
Color Stereo Photos of Mars from the 2004 Rovers ( marscolorstereo )
These are colorized versions of the black/white stereo photographs that the NASA/JPL Mars Exploration Rovers sent back in 2004. Both anaglyphs and side-by-side (geowall) photos are available. These were colorized and used in a 3d exhibit at the Adler Planetarium & Astronomy Museum in Chicago.
Comet Shoemaker-Levy 9 Collision with Jupiter (ESO)
Comet Shoemaker-Levy 9 Collision with Jupiter (NASA-GSFC)
Comet Shoemaker-Levy 9 Collision with Jupiter (NASA-JPL)
Comet Shoemaker-Levy 9 Collision with Jupiter (SEDS-LPL, Ariz.)
Comet Shoemaker-Levy 9 Encounters Jupiter - Latest HST Images (STScI)
Comisión Nacional de Actividades Espaciales ( CONAE, Argentina )
Information on the Centro Regional de Datos Satelitales (CREDAS) and on Argentina's National Space Plan
Compton/GRO News - GRONEWS
Compton/GRO Observatory Science Support Center/Guest Observer ( Facility )
Query the Library Database; Archive Data Selector; Archive Data Selector Demonstrator; Trouble Report Generator; Access the GRONEWS Bulletin Board
Constellation-X
The Constellation X-ray Mission (formerly HTXS) is a Next Generation X-ray Observatory dedicated to observations at high spectral resolution, providing as much as a factor of 100 increase in sensitivity over currently planned high resolution X-ray spectroscopy missions.
COnvection ROtation and planetary Transits - Asteroseismology and Search for Exoplanets ( COROT )
A space mission of the French Space Agency (CNES), with a launch planned in 2006. COROT stands for COnvection ROtation and planetary Transits.
COsmic Background Explorer ( COBE )
Danish Space Research Institute ( DSRI, Denmark )
Deep Space Network - Goldstone Deep Space Station ( DSN )
The NASA Deep Space Network - or DSN - is an international network of antennas that supports interplanetary spacecraft missions and radio and radar astronomy observations for the exploration of the solar system and the universe. The network also supports some Earth-orbiting missions, including emergency support of the Shuttle Space Transportation System.
Earth and Space Foundation ( ex-2111 Foundation for Exploration )
The Earth and Space Foundation is an international charity that funds scientific exploration that both helps us to understand the Earth's environment and explore the frontier of space.
Educational Space Simulations Project ( ESSP )
The Educational Space Simulations Project is a web site where teachers and students can retrieve information about coordinating and conducting their own space simulation. Activity guides, launch and landing scripts, software, and much more is available for free download.
Einstein Observatory ( HEAO-2 )
The second of NASA's three High Energy Astrophysical Observatories, HEAO 2, renamed Einstein after launch, was the first fully imaging X-ray telescope put into space. The few arcsecond angular resolution, the field-of-view of tens of arcminutes, and a sensitivity several 100 times greater than any mission before it provided, for the first time, the capability to image extended objects, diffuse emission, and to detect faint sources. It was also the first X-ray NASA mission to have a Guest Observer program. Overall, it was a key mission in X-ray astronomy and its scientific outcome completely changed the view of the X-ray sky.
ESA - VILlafranca Satellite Tracking Station, SPAin ( VILSPA )
ESA's X-ray Observatory ( EXOSAT at GSFC - NASA )
The European Space Agency's X-ray Observatory, EXOSAT, was operational from May 1983 to April 1986. During that time, EXOSAT made 1780 observations of a wide variety of objects, including active galactic nuclei, stellar coronae, cataclysmic variables, white dwarfs, X-ray binaries, clusters of galaxies, and supernova remnants.
ESO / ST-ECF Data Archive
European Southern Observatory / Space Telescope - European Coordinating Facility
ESRIN - European Space Agency ( ESRIN )
ESRIN is one of the four establishements of the European Space Agency. ESRIN's main activities are centered on the acquisition, archiving and dissemination of data from Earth Observation missions in particular ERS-1 for which it is responsible for operating the ground infrastructure needed. ESRIN's main function is as the Agency's data handling and dissemination centre, being at the forefront of technologically advanced information systems.
European Space Operations Centre ( ESA/ESOC )
ESOC is the satellite control centre of the European Space Agency (ESA). It is responsible for the operations of all satellites and related ground stations and communications network.
European X-ray Observatory Satellite ( EXOSat at ESTEC, ESA )
The Exosat satellite was operational from May 1983 until April 1986 and in that time made 1780 observations in the X-ray band of most classes of astronomical object. The payload consisted of three instruments that produced spectra, images and light curves in various energy bands.
EUSO - Extreme Universe Space Observatory ( EUSO )
The "Extreme Universe Space Observatory - EUSO" is the first Space mission devoted to the investigation of cosmic rays and neutrinos of extreme energy (E > 5 x 10e19 eV), using the Earth's atmosphere as a giant detector, the detection being performed by looking at the streak of fluorescence light produced when such a particle interacts with the Earth's atmosphere.
EUSO is a mission of the European Space Agency ESA, and it is currently under "Phase A" study with a goal for a three year mission starting in 2009. EUSO will be accommodated, as an external payload of the Columbus module, on the ISS International Space Station.
Exploration of Neighboring Planetary Systems ( ExNPS )
NASA's plan for the Exploration of Neighboring Planetary Systems (ExNPS) consists of a long term program of continuous scientific discovery and technological development leading ultimately to the detection and characterization of Earth-like planets around nearby stars.
Far Ultraviolet Spectroscopic Explorer ( FUSE )
The Far Ultraviolet Spectroscopic Explorer was launched on June 24, 1999; this satellite astronomy project is based at The Johns Hopkins University. [also in French]
The following resources are similar (same sort-key, different text):
Far Ultraviolet Spectroscopic Explorer ( FUSE French site )
Site of the French team contributing to Far Ultraviolet Spectroscopic Explorer (FUSE).
FUSE est un satellite observatoire de la NASA dédié à la spectroscopie haute résolution dans le domaine ultraviolet. Ce programme est realisé en coopération avec l'Agence Spatiale Canadienne et le Centre National d'Etudes Spatiales (CNES). [in French]
Fast Auroral SnapshoT explorer ( FAST )
The NASA Fast Auroral SnapshoT explorer (FAST) satellite is designed to investigate the plasma physics of the auroral phenomena which occur around both poles of the earth.
Federation of Galaxy Explorers ( FOGE )
The Federation of Galaxy Explorers is incorporated in the state of Maryland as a 501(c)3 non profit organization. The organization seeks to inspire and educate kids in space related science and engineering. The FOGE established a pilot program in conjunction with Rock Creek International School in Washington, DC, and Prince William County school district in Virginia. Our first training program for parent volunteers was supported by the NASA Globe program and was held in July 2002.
French Centre of Space Studies of Radiations ( CESR )
The Centre d'Etude Spatiale des Rayonnements is a CNRS unit (Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique), associated with the University Paul Sabatier of Toulouse and selected by CNES (Agence francaise de l'espace); it is the laboratory of space astrophysics for the large Southwest area in France. Its missions include: Research in Astrophysics; Instrumental developments ; Teaching and diffusion of science.
Full-sky Astrometric Mapping Explorer ( FAME )
FAME is an astrometric satellite designed to determine with unprecedented accuracy the positions, distances, and motions of 40 million stars within our galactic neighborhood. It is a collaborative effort between the U.S. Naval Observatory (USNO) and several other institutions. FAME will measure stellar positions to less than 50 microarcseconds. It is a NASA MIDEX mission scheduled for launch in 2004.
GALaxy Evolution EXplorer ( GALEX )
A Space Ultraviolet imaging and spectroscopic mission that will map the global history and probe the causes of star formation over the redshift range 0 < z < 2.
Gamma-ray Large Area Space Telescope ( GLAST )
The GLAST Mission is under study for flight in the first decade of the next century. GLAST is a next generation high-energy gamma-ray observatory designed for making observations of celestial gamma-ray sources in the energy band extending from 10 MeV to more than 100 GeV.
German Interferometer for Multi-channel Photometry and Astrometry ( DIVA )
The Deutsches Interferometer fuer Vielkanalphotometrie und Astrometrie (DIVA) is a small astronomy satellite, planned for launch in 2004. It is aimed to measure positions, proper motions and parallaxes, brightness and color of at least 30 million stars.
This amount and the high precision is unreached so far by any predecessor mission. In a sense it is a pathfinder mission for the technology of upcoming cornerstone missions in the ESA Horizon 2000+ and the NASA Origins programmes like GAIA, DARWIN, LISA, SIM etc.
Ginga ( ex Astro-C )
Astro-C, renamed Ginga (Japanese for 'galaxy'), was launched from the Kagoshima Space Center on 5 February 1987. The primary instrument for observations was the Large Area Counter (LAC). Ginga was the third Japanese X-ray astronomy mission, following Hakucho and Tenma. Ginga reentered the Earth's atmosphere on 1 November 1991.
Global Astrometric Interferometer for Astrophysics ( GAIA )
GAIA is a preliminary concept for a second space astrometry mission (after HIPPARCOS), recently recommended within the context of ESA's Horizon 2000 Plus long-term scientific programme. It is aimed at the broadest possible astrophysical exploitation of optical interferometry using a modest baseline length.
Gravity Probe B Relativity Mission ( Stanford )
Gravity Probe B is the relativity gyroscope experiment being developed by NASA and Stanford University to test two extraordinary, unverified predictions of Albert Einstein's general theory of relativity. The experiment will check, very precisely, tiny changes in the direction of spin of four gyroscopes contained in an Earth satellite orbiting at 400-mile altitude directly over the poles. So free are the gyroscopes from disturbance that they will provide an almost perfect space-time reference system. They will measure how space and time are warped by the presence of the Earth, and, more profoundly, how the Earth's rotation drags space-time around with it. These effects, though small for the Earth, have far-reaching implications for the nature of matter and the structure of the Universe.
Groupe Astronomie de Spa ( GAS )
Euro Space Center - La tete dans les etoiles. [in French]
GSFC's Exploration of the Universe Division ( EUD )
NASA-GSFC's Exploration of the Universe Division conducts and supports astroparticle (gamma-ray and cosmic-ray), X-ray, gravitational-wave, observational cosmology, exoplanet and stellar astrophysics research.
Heidelberg MPI for Nuclear Physics ( MPIK )
The Max-Planck-Institut für Kernphysik is located at Heidelberg, Germany. It was founded by Wolfgang Gentner as a research centre for nuclear physics in 1958. The present major research areas include nuclear and particle physics, space science, cosmic ray research and other topics. [also in German]
Helsinki University - Observatory
Herschel Science Centre ( ex-FIRST )
The `Herschel Space Observatory' - the mission formerly known as FIRST - will perform photometry and spectroscopy in the 60-670 µm range.
High Energy Astrophysics Observatories ( HEASARC. GSFC. NASA )
Comprehensive list of satellites with high energy astrophysics instrumentation. Includes images from these missions.
High Energy Astrophysics Science Archive Research Center ( HEASARC )
The purpose of the HEASARC is to support a multi-mission archive facility in high energy astrophysics for scientists all over the world. Data from space-borne instruments on spacecraft, such as ROSAT, ASCA (formerly Astro-D), GRO (Compton), BBXRT, HEAO 1, HEAO 2 (Einstein), EXOSAT, and XTE are provided, along with a knowledgeable science-user support staff and tools to analyze mutliple datasets. The HEASARC activity is a joint effort between the Laboratory for High Energy Astrophysics (LHEA)and the National Space Science Data Center (NSSDC). (there is also a Gopher )
High Energy Transient Explorer ( HETE-2 )
The High Energy Transient Explorer is a small scientific satellite designed to detect and localize gamma-ray bursts.
High Energy X-ray Timing Experiment ( HEXTE )
The High Energy X-ray Timing Experiment is one of 3 common-user instruments on board the Rossi X-ray Timing Explorer (RXTE) which was launched on 1995 December 30. The HEXTE is sensitive to X-rays from 15 to 250 keV and is able to time-tag photons in this energy range to 8 microseconds.
Hipparcos
Hipparcos space astrometry mission: Professionals, amateurs, and educators in astronomer should be interested in the (updated) Hipparcos astrometry mission www page, maintained by ESA. The monumental Hipparcos and Tycho star catalogues, with stellar positions, distances, and proper motions, double star data, and photometry (including thousands of light curves) was completed in June 1997. The 17-volume publication (including 6 ASCII CD-ROMs) can be ordered via the www page; the main catalogues can also be searched on-line, by object or sky region, with hyperlinks to the principal annexes. An "Educational Page" offers some ideas for observational projects for amateurs or for student projects, with the facility to search for the periods of variable stars interactively.
Hiraiso Solar Terrestrial Research Center/CRL ( Space Environment Information Service )
Hiraiso Solar Terrestrial Research Center/CRL, Ibaraki, Japan. Serving space environment information inculding forecasts and alerts of solar flares and geomagnetic storms. Relating observed data are also available.
Hubble Space Telescope images and press releases ( News Center )
images, movies and animations from some of the observations by the NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope (HST). They are made available by the Office of Public Outreach of the Space Telescope Science Institute. See also: TIFFs & GIFs ( Levay), ExInEd (Macs-only)
Hubble Space Telescope picture gallery
a mousable sequence of press release photographs taken by the NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope (HST).
Hubble Space Telescope ( HST )
The Hubble Space Telescope is a cooperative program of the European Space Agency (ESA) and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) to operate a long-lived space-based observatory for the benefit of the international astronomical community. To accomplish this goal and protect the spacecraft against instrument and equipment failures, NASA had always planned on regular servicing missions. Hubble has special grapple fixtures, 76 handholds, and stabilized in all three axes. HST is a 2.4-meter reflecting telescope which was deployed in low-Earth orbit (600 kilometers) by the crew of the space shuttle Discovery (STS-31) on 25 April 1990. HST's current complement of science instruments include three cameras, two spectrographs, and fine guidance sensors (primarily used for astrometric observations). Because of HST's location above the Earth's atmosphere, these science instruments can produce high resolution images of astronomical objects. Ground-based telescopes can seldom provide resolution better than 1.0 arc-seconds, except momentarily under the very best observing conditions. HST's resolution is about 10 times better, or 0.1 arc-seconds.
The following resources are similar (same sort-key, different text):
Hubble Space Telescope
The best images from the Hubble space telescope.
Imager for Magnetopause-to-Aurora Global Exploration ( IMAGE )
IMAGE is a MIDEX class mission, selected by NASA in 1996, to study the global response of the Earth's magnetosphere to changes in the solar wind.
Infra-Red Space Interferometer DARWIN ( IRSI / DARWIN )
The `InfraRed Space Interferometry Mission' DARWIN (IRSI or DARWIN) is a cornerstone mission in the ESA `Horizon 2000+' science plan.
The goals for this space mission is for the first time to detect terrestial planets in orbit around other stars than our Sun.
InfraRed Array Camera for Spitzer Space telescope ( IRAC )
The Spitzer Space Telescope (ex-Space InfraRed Telescope Facility Spitzer), contains three focal plane instruments, one of which is the Infrared Array Camera (IRAC). IRAC is a four-channel camera that provides simultaneous 5.12 x 5.12 arcmin images at 3.6, 4.5, 5.8, and 8 microns.
Infrared Space Observatory Data Centre ( IDC )
The Infrared Space Observatory (ISO) is an ESA (European Space Agency) mission with the participation of ISAS (Japan) and NASA (USA).
The ISO Data Archive is maintained at the ISO Data Centre, which is based at Villafranca, Madrid, and is part of the Astrophysics Division of the Space Science Department of ESA.
Infrared Space Observatory Science Gallery ( ISOSG )
This gallery is devoted to scientific results from ISO. Each main class of ISO Astronomy target (Solar System Object, Normal galaxies etc.) has it's own sub-gallery complete with links to full size versions of the thumbnail and background material on the observed object.
Infrared Space Observatory U.S. Support Center ( ISO )
U.S. science support center for observers using the Infrared Space Observatory (ISO), a fully approved and funded project of the European Space Agency (ESA).
Infrared Space Observatory ( ISO )
The Infrared Space Observatory (ISO) has been an ESA (European Space Agency) mission with the participation of ISAS (Japan) and NASA (USA). This WWW server is maintained at the ISO Data Centre, which is based at Villafranca, Madrid, and is part of the Astrophysics Division of the Space Science Department.
InfraRed Spectrograph on Spitzer Space Telescope ( IRS )
The Infrared Spectrograph (IRS) is one of three instruments to be flown in the Space Infrared Telescope Facility (SIRTF).
Institute for Space Astrophysics (France) ( IAS )
The Institut d'Astrophysique Spatiale (IAS) in Orsay, France, is a laboratory of French CNRS and University of Paris-Orsay. It hosts several scientific teams (Solar ans Stellar Physics, Physics of galaxies, Solar System Physics) and services (MEDOC data center for SOHO).
Interactive Stereo Visualizations of Cosmic Ray Showers ( AIRES Shower Visuals )
This has movies and animated 3d models of cosmic ray showers simulated by the AIRES package. You can see how a shower started by a gamma ray differs from one started by an iron nucleus, and so on. Software used to make the pictures are also available.
INTERBALL
INTERBALL is the solar-terrestrial programme aimed to study various plasma processes in the Earth magnetosphere by the system of spacecraft consisting of two pairs (satellite-subsatellite) above the polar aurora and in the magnetospheric tail respectively. The project INTERBALL is a part of of the Programme coordinated by the Inter-Agency Consultative Group (IACG) for Space Science consisting of representatives of ESA, NASA, RKA and Japan Institute of Space and Aeronautics Sciences. According to this Programme a system of ten core spacecraft of the listed above agencies is spatially distributed between the L1 and L2 Sun-Earth libration points to study solar-terrestrial relationship.
INTErnational Gamma-Ray Astrophysics Laboratory ( INTEGRAL )
ESA's INTErnational Gamma-Ray Astrophysics Laboratory is detecting some of the most energetic radiation that comes from space. It is the most sensitive gamma-ray observatory ever launched. INTEGRAL is an ESA mission in cooperation with Russia and the United States.
International Space Science Institute ( ISSI )
ISSI is an Institute in Switzerland at which scientists from different countries can work together. Its main task is to contribute to the achievement of a deeper understanding of the results from space-research missions, adding value to those results through multi-disciplinary research in an atmosphere of international cooperation.
International Ultraviolet Explorer ( IUE )
The International Ultraviolet Explorer (IUE) satellite was launched on the 26th of January 1978 and transferred into a geosynchronous orbit over the Atlantic Ocean. The mission ended on September 30, 1996.
Italian Institute of Space Astrophysics and Cosmic Physics ( IASF )
Institute of the Italian National Research Council (CNR) devoted to research in the fields of Space Astrophysics and Cosmic Physics. The main science and technical activities at IASF cover microwave, infrared, optical, X-ray, and gamma-ray windows of the electromagnetic spectrum. Scientific activity at IASF concerns the various fields of astrophysics, such as: high energy galactic and extragalactic astrophysics, cosmic ray physics and solar astrophysics, cosmic background studies and cosmology, planetology. IASF Headquarters are in Rome, while the three other sections are in Milan, Bologna, and Palermo.
James Webb Space Telescope ( JWST, ex-NGST )
The JWST is a critical component of NASA's Origins Program. It will be a telescope of aperture greater than 4m, radiatively cooled to 30 - 60 deg.K, permitting extremely deep exposures at near infrared wavelengths with a 10 year life. A key requirement is to break the HST cost paradigm through the use of new technology and management methods. This site is designed to serve as the starting point for finding online NGST Study documentation.
There is also a public home page at NASA, and a European site at ST-ECF.
JWST ListServs ( ex-NGST ListServs )
This URL takes you to a WWW page where you can subscribe to a number of listservs devoted to the Next Generation Space Telescope project. You may subscribe to any of them. Posting is restricted. Right now, these are used as ways to inform the community about progress in the project. The web site contains links for feedback to the project team members.
Kepler Mission ( Searching for Earth-Sized Planets )
The goal of this NASA satellite mission will be to discover and characterize earth-sized planets in the habitable zone of solar-like stars.
Large Angle and Spectrographic Coronagraph for SOHO ( LASCO/SOHO )
This instrument monitors the solar corona above the Sun's limb in a similar way as we perceive the corona during a solar eclipse. It produces images of the corona in the visible spectrum and with distance off the Sun's center ranging from 1.1 to 32 solar radii.
LECS Instrument on BeppoSAX ( SAX, ESTEC, ESA )
SAX is devoted to systematic, integrated and comprehensive studies of galactic and extragalactic X-ray sources in the energy band 0.1 - 200 keV; the observational goal to be addressed is to continue and expand upon previous spectral and timing observations of celestial sources in those areas for which the existing information is missing or inadequate and will remain uncovered in the foreseable future.
Low Energy Gamma-Ray Imager ( LEGRI )
LEGRI is a payload for the first mission of the Spanish MINISAT platform. The objective of LEGRI is to demonstrate the viability of HgI2 detectors for space astronomy, providing imaging and spectroscopical capabilities in the 10-100 keV range.
Magellan Mission to Venus
NASA's Magellan spacecraft made a dramatic conclusion to its highly successful mission at Venus when it is commanded to plunge into the planet's dense atmosphere Tuesday, October 11, 1994. During its four years in orbit around Earth's sister planet, the spacecraft has radar-mapped 98 percent of the surface and collected high-resolution gravity data of Venus. The purpose of the crash landing is to gain data on the planet's atmosphere and on the performance of the spacecraft as it descends. Up-to-date status reports will be available from this WWW page, which also offers Venus images and other highlights from the mission.
Mars Atlas ( -- online USGS maps and VO image finder )
A WWW-browsable, zoomable and scrollable atlas of USGS images of Mars, showing the locations (footprints) of thousands of high-resolution Viking Orbiter images.
Mars Express
Mars Express, so called because of the rapid and streamlined development time, represents ESA's first visit to another planet in the Solar System. Borrowing technology from the failed Mars 96 mission and from the upcoming ESA's Rosetta mission, Mars Express will help answer fundamental questions about the geology, atmosphere, surface environment, history of water and potential for life on Mars.

Mission Objectives
McDonnell Center for the Space Sciences ( MCSS )
The McDonnell Center for the Space Sciences exists to encourage scientists to work together on research problems that span or transcend traditional departmental lines. This is done through formal programs such as regular colloquia, and informally through the common bond of fellowship in the Center. Space science, broadly defined as the study of the universe and our relationship to it, is simply too vast an area to be the province of a single discipline. Understanding the formation of the solar system is equally the task of the chemist who measures isotope effects in meteorites, the astronomer who observes planetary atmospheres or interstellar dust, and the theoretical physicist who studies gravitational collapse. Faculty and students of the Center thus belong to one of the basic, traditional science departments, yet overlap strongly in their research work.
MeteorObs ( Global Forum for Meteor Observing and Meteor Science )
A Web site and email forum with nearly 600 professional and amateur subscribers world-wide, dedicated to all aspects of meteor observing and meteor astronomy.
Microlensing Planet Finder Project ( MPF, ex-GEST )
The Microlensing Planet Finder Project (MPF) is by far the most powerful proposed observatory for finding large numbers of planetary systems. It answers the following questions: How many planets are there? How are they distributed in mass and distance from their parent stars, and in distance from the Galactic Center? How many have large moons? How many have been expelled from their systems? None of these questions are fully addressed by other techniques particularly if the abundance is low. MPF will do this by observing microlensing signals from 100 million stars in the Galactic bulge for 4 observing seasons, and it will have sensitivity to planets with masses as low as 0.1 M\oplus at separations > 0.7 AU. MPF will be sensitive to analogs of all the planets in the solar system except for Mercury and Pluto and will complement the Kepler mission.
Microvariability and Oscillations of STars ( MOST )
MOST is Canada's first space science microsatellite and its first optical space telescope project, aiming for launch in late 2001. MOST is designed to measure (as its acronym implies) Microvariability & Oscillations of STars in broadband light with a precision of a few micromagnitudes over timescales from minutes to days. The resulting eigenfrequency data will be used primarily for stellar seismology, to probe the structure and ages of Sun-like stars, magnetic stars, Wolf-Rayet stars and halo subdwarfs. The subdwarfs are expected to yield age estimates which would place a meaningful lower limit on the age of the Universe. MOST should also be capable of confirming the presence of giant extrasolar planets identified in Doppler surveys.
Midcourse Space Experiment ( MSX )
The MSX observatory is a Ballistic Missile Defense Organization project which offers major benefits for both the defense and civilian sectors. It was launched on a Delta II vehicle on April 24, 1996, into a 900 km, polar, near-Sun synchronous orbit. The spacecraft featured an advanced multispectral image capability to gather data on test targets and space background phenomena.
The infrared sensors operated at 11 to 12 degrees Kelvin by employing a solid hydrogen cryostat. The IR instruments span the range 4.2 - 26 microns. The focal plane array consists of five bands and the radiometer beam-size is more than 25 times smaller than IRAS. As a result, much greater spatial resolution than anything currently available has been obtained. The cryogen phase of the mission ended on 26 February 1997. During the ten month cryogen phase of the mission over 200 Giga Bytes of data on Celestial Backgrounds were obtained.
See the MSX Celestial Backgrounds Team Home Page for additional details.
MINISAT
TheMINISAT programme aims to develop a system that will permit performance of space operations at a lower cost and within shorter delays when compared with present programmes. This programme is run by INTA under the auspices of the Spanish Interministerial Commission for Science and Technology (CICYT) and with the collaboration of the Spanish industry.
MOnitoring X-ray Experiment ( MOXE )
The MOnitoring X-ray Experiment (MOXE) is an X-ray all-sky monitor to be launched on the Russian Spectrum-X-Gamma satellite. It will monitor several hundred X-ray sources on a daily basis, and will be the first instrument to monitor the complete X-ray sky simultaneously. MOXE is built by Los Alamos Nat Lab, Goddard Space Flight Center and Space Research Institute (Moscow).
MPE Garching site for COMPTEL ( onboard Compton Gamma-Ray Observatory )
Local project documentation and utilities as well as collaboration-wide information sources are maintained by the MPE COMPTEL people for: COMPTEL Data Reduction Group work: documents, scientific results and utilities used by the data analysts, the processing team and the scientists. COMPASS software system work : technical and management documents, used and maintained by the MPE software team. the local computing environment : documents on system configuration, maintained by the MPE/RZG software team. MPE - COMPTEL People Matters: the weekly activity list individual 'home pages'
Multi-Experiment Data Operations Center for SOHO ( MEDOC )
MEDOC (Multi-Experiment Data Operations Center for SOHO) is designed to meet the needs of European SOHO Investigators who wish to work together on the data analysis and the preparation of joint observations using SOHO instruments and also European solar ground-based Observatories. This European Centre complements the SOHO facilities (Experiment Operations Facility, Experiment Analysis Facility, U.S. SOHO Archive ) located in GSFC (NASA).
Multiband Imaging Photometer for Spitzer Space Telescope ( MIPS )
The Multiband Imaging Photometer for SIRTF (MIPS) is a far-infrared photometer, one of three instruments on Spitzer, launched on 25 August of 2003.
NAS/NRC Space Studies Board
The SSB is an advisory board within the National Research Council, which is in turn the operational arm of the National Academies of Sciences and Engineering. The SSB operates a number of standing committees and task groups that perform studies in space science and policy for the federal government.
NASA Dryden Flight Research Center ( DFRC )
NASA Office of Space Sciences
NASA SCAN
WAIS index to abstracts from NASA's Selected Current Space Aeronautics (SCAN) abstract service
NASA Shuttle flights - pictures
Pretty pictures from many NASA Shuttle flights, including STS-61 in December 1993 to service the NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope (HST). The images in this directory are mirrored from the site at: ftp://sseop.jsc.nasa.gov/
NASA Space Physics Data Facility ( SPDF )
The Space Physics Data Facility (SPDF) leads in the design and implementation of unique multi-mission and multi-disciplinary data services, innovative ground data system concepts, educational programs and cross-cutting data, modeling and visualization research to strategically advance NASA's solar-terrestrial program and our understanding of the Sun-Earth system. Major SPDF efforts include the multi-mission data and orbit services developed and operating as part of the Sun-Earth Connection Active Archive project, support to the ground systems and science of missions like IMAGE, a wide range of science and technology research efforts and the Sun-Earth Connections Education Forum. The staff supporting SPDF includes scientists, information technology, education and visualization experts. The SPDF is based at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, MD U.S.A. It is a component of Goddard's Sciences & Exploration Directorate's Laboratory for Solar and Space Physics. The Facility is headed by Dr. Robert E. McGuire.
NASA Wallops Flight Facility
Established in 1945 under NASA's predecessor, the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics (NACA), Wallops Flight Facility is —one of the oldest launch sites in the world, located on the Virginia Eastern Shore.
NASA's Computational Technologies Project ( CT )
The Earth, its relationship to the Sun and Solar System, and the universe in its totality are the domain of the Computational Technologies (CT) Project. This effort employs advanced computers to further our understanding of and ability to predict the dynamically interacting physical, chemical, and biological processes that drive these systems. Goddard Space Flight Center serves as the lead center for the CT Project and collaborates with the Jet Propulsion Laboratory.
Naval Research Laboratory Space Science Division ( NRL SSD )
Division scientists are involved in major research thrusts that include ultraviolet remote sensing of the upper atmosphere, studies of the solar atmosphere by using spectrographic techniques, and studies of atronomical radiation ranging from the ultraviolet through cosmic rays. This includes the mission operations and data analysis facilities for NRL's OSSE experiment on NASA's Compton Observatory. Contains links to Backgrounds Data Center, X-ray Astronomy Branch, Gamma and Cosmic Ray Astrophysics Branch, Solar Physics Branch, Coronal Physics Section, Far-Ultraviolet Cameras Experiment, and more.
NetAstroCatalog - a mailing list for "deep sky" observers of all levels ( IAAC )
The Internet Amateur Astronomers Catalog (IAAC or 'netastrocatalog' for short) is a forum for amateur astronomers at all levels to share their observations of Deep-Sky objects.
Nonproliferation and International Security ( NIS/LANL )
The interests in astrophysics of the Astrophysics and Radiation Measurements Group (NIS-2) focus on gamma-ray bursts, x-ray binaries, accretion- and rotation-powered pulsars, neutron star dynamics, atomic processes in astrophysical sources, soft x-ray and EUV backgrounds, and EUV and soft x-ray transients such as flare stars.
An important mission of the group is to develop new types of optical, ultraviolet, x-ray and gamma-ray detectors for ground and space applications. The group has flown high-energy instruments on Pioneer Venus Orbiter, the ISEE-3 (ICE), P78-1, Vela satellites, and the Japanese satellite Ginga. The group is currently developing experiments for several scientific missions including the X-ray Multimirror Mission (XMM), High Energy Transient Explorer (HETE), MARS-96, and the MOXE all sky x-ray monitor on the Russian Spectrum X-Gamma satellite project, and is the lead institution operating the Array of Low Energy X-ray Imaging Sensors (ALEXIS) satellite and its wide field-of-view ultrasoft x-ray telescope array.
The group is actively participating in Compton Gamma Ray Observatory (CGRO) and Rossi X-ray Timing Explorer (RXTE) research through several guest investigator projects, and is also involved in establishing the growing-up Fenton Hill Observatory in the Jemez mountains, which includes an ultra-high-energy gamma-ray telescope, Milagro.
North Carolina State University - Mars Mission Research Center
Co-located at North Carolina State University in Raleigh (NCSU) and North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University in Greensboro (A&T), the Mars Mission Research Center (M2RC) is one of eight University Space Engineering Centers established by NASA in 1988. The goal of the Center is to focus on research and educational technologies necessary for planetary exploration, especially transportation to and from Mars.
NSSDC Photo Gallery
The images presented in the Photo Gallery have a number of different sources, primarily NASA missions, however. They are generally organized by object and/or phenomenon on separate pages. The source of the image as well as the processing involved in producing the image have been included whereever possible. Photo captions for some images are also available.
OAO-3 (Copernicus) Archive
The Copernicus satellite, otherwise known as the Orbiting Astronomical Observatory 3 (OAO-3), obtained high resolution far- (900-1560 Å) and near- (1650-3150 Å) ultraviolet spectra of 551 objects, primarily bright stars, from 1972 to 1981.
This is part of the Multimission Archive at STsCI (MAST).
Orbiting Telescopes
A list of all astronomical satellites, or Orbiting Astronomical Observatories launched up to now, plus scheduled future projects, with some basic data, a short description, and worldwide links to webpages and/or images of the spacecraft (if available).
PDS Imaging Node's Planetary Image Atlas ( PDSIMG Atlas )
The Atlas is designed to be a single interface through which you can search for, display, and download full resolution data for all planetary missions. It will eventually replace individual existing browsers. Until that time, links to the individual browsers are provided from this central location. Current missions included in the Atlas are: 2001 Mars Odyssey, Mars Global Surveyor, Magellan, Clementine, Viking, Mars Pathfinder, Voyager, and Galileo.
PDS Imaging Node ( PDSIMG )
The Imaging Node of the Planetary Data System is the curator of NASA's primary digital image collections from past, present, and future planetary missions. The node provides to the NASA planetary science community the digital image archives, necessary ancillary datasets, software tools, and technical expertise necessary to fully utilize the vast collection of digital planetary imagery.
PLANCK ( ex-COBRAS/SAMBA )
Planck is the third Medium-Sized Mission (M3) of ESA's Horizon 2000 Scientific Programme. It is designed to image the anisotropies of the Cosmic Background Radiation Field over the whole sky, with unprecedented sensitivity and angular resolution. Planck will provide a major source of information relevant to several cosmological and astrophysical issues, such as testing theories of the early universe and the origin of cosmic structure.
Planck was formerly called COBRAS/SAMBA. After the mission was selected and approved, it was renamed in honor of the German scientist Max Planck (1858-1947), Nobel Prize for Physics in 1918.
PlanetScapes
Views of the Solar System presents a vivid multimedia adventure unfolding the splendor of the Sun, planets, moons, comets, asteroids, and more. Discover the latest scientific information, or study the history of space exploration, rocketry, early astronauts, space missions, spacecraft through a vast archive of photographs, scientific facts, text, graphics and videos.
POLAR Spacecraft
Exloring through the Solar Cycle. Instruments: Plasma Waves Investigation (PWI), Magnetic Fields Experiment (MFE), Toroidal Imaging Mass-Angle Spectrograph (TIMAS), Electric Fields Investigation (EFI), Thermal Ion Dynamics Experiment (TIDE), Ultraviolet Imager (UVI), Visible Imaging System (VIS), Polar Ionospheric X-Ray Imaging Experiment (PIXIE), Charge and Mass Magnetosperic Ion Composition Experiment (CAMMICE), Comprehensive Energetic-Particle Pitch-Angle Distribution - Source/Loss Cone Energetic Particle Spectrometer (CEPPAD/SEPS), Hot Plasma Analyzer (HYDRA).
Project Galileo: Bringing Jupiter to Earth
Launched in 1989, the Galileo spacecraft arrived at Jupiter on December 7, 1995, when it fired its main engine for a successful orbit capture around Jupiter. On that day, Galileo's atmospheric probe plunged into Jupiter's atmosphere and relayed information on the structure and composition of the solar system's largest planet. The spacecraft's orbiter will spend the next two years orbiting the giant planet, studying Jupiter and its moons (encountering one moon during each orbit), and returning a steady stream of images and scientific data. The first two encounters were successfully performed with Jupiter's largest moon, Ganymede, on June 27, 1996 and September 6, 1996.

There is a mirror site at: http://galileo.ivv.nasa.gov/

Restoration of HST Images and Spectra Workshop
Proceedings of a Workshop held at the Space Telescope Science Institute, Baltimore, Maryland, USA, 18-19 November 1993. Edited by Robert J. Hanisch (hanisch@stsci.edu) and Richard L. White (rlw@stsci.edu). Advanced Systems Group, Science Computing and Research Support Division, Space Telescope Science Institute, 3700 San Martin Drive, Baltimore, MD 21218
Reuven Ramaty High Energy Solar Spectroscopic Imager ( RHESSI, ex-HESSI )
RHESSI's primary mission is to explore the basic physics of particle acceleration and explosive energy release in solar flares. RHESSI is a NASA Small Explorer. RHESSI was launched on February 5, 2002.
Rice Space Institute ( RSI )
The mission of the Rice Space Institute is to"Make the Universe Smaller" by interdisciplinary research and education at all levels, charting the course for the next generation of peaceful uses of space.
ROentgen SATellite ( ROSAT at GSFC. NASA )
ROSAT, the ROentgen SATellite, is an X-ray observatory developed through a cooperative program between the Germany, the United States, and the United Kingdom. The satellite was designed and is operated by Germany, and was launched by the United States on June 1, 1990.
ROSAT Guest Observer Facility ( ROSAT )
The ROSAT Science Data Center (RSDC) is responsible for execution of the guest investigator program, including such activities as providing assistance in the preparation of proposals, the receiving, processing, and distributing ROSAT pointed data, and providing facilities for the scientific analysis of these data.
ROSAT
Roentgen Satellite (X-ray satellite) operated by the Max-Planck-Institut für Extraterrestrische Physik (MPE), Garching, Germany.
ROSETTA: ESA's Rendez-vous Mission with a Comet
ESA's Rosetta spacecraft will be the first to undertake the long-term exploration of a comet at close quarters. Rosetta was launched as flight 158 on 2 March 2004 by an Ariane-5G rocket from Kourou, French Guiana. After entering orbit around Comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko in 2014, the spacecraft will release a small lander onto the icy nucleus, then spend the next two years orbiting the comet as it heads towards the Sun. On the way to Comet Churyumov-Gerasimenko, Rosetta will receive gravity assists from Earth and Mars, and fly past main belt asteroids.
Rossi X-Ray Timing Explorer ( RXTE )
The Rossi X-ray Timing Explorer (1995-present) is designed to facilitate the study of time variability in the emission of X-ray sources with moderate spectral resolution.
RXTE Guest Observer Facility ( GFSC )
The Rossi X-ray Timing Explorer (RXTE) is a satellite that observes the fast-moving, high-energy worlds of black holes, neutron stars, X-ray pulsars and bursts of X-rays that light up the sky and then disappear forever.
Small Explorers ( SMEX )
NASA's Small Explorer (SMEX) program provides frequent flight opportunities for highly focused and relatively inexpensive science missions.
Societe Royale Belge d'Astronomie, de Meteorologie et de Physique du Globe ( SRBA )
The "Société Royale Belge d'Astronomie, de Météorologie et de Physique du Globe" was founded in Brussels in 1894. It is a non-profit organization for french speaking people interested in astronomy, meteorology, geophysics and space sciences. The Society publishes the bimonthly journal "Ciel et Terre", organizes conferences, seminars, course of lectures and visits to professional astronomical sites. One of its most famous president was the cosmologist Georges Lemaître.
Soft X-Ray Telescope onboard Yohkoh Satellite, ISAS, Japan ( description at LMSAL, USA )
Yohkoh (" Sunbeam" in Japanese) is a satellite of the Japanese Institute of Space and Astronautical Science (ISAS) dedicated to high-energy observations of the Sun, specifically of flares and other coronal disturbances
SOlar and Heliospheric Observatory ( SOHO )
The SOHO project is being carried out by the European Space Agency (ESA) and the US National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) as a cooperative effort between the two agencies in the framework of the Solar Terrestrial Science Program (STSP).
SOHO was launched on December 2, 1995. The SOHO spacecraft was built in Europe by an industry team led by Matra, and instruments were provided by European and American scientists.
Solar Data Analysis Center ( SDAC )
The SDAC at NASA Goddard Space Flight Center serves current solar ground- and spaced-based imagery, text, figures, maps, and tables of NASA eclipse bulletins, solar flare data from the Compton GRO BATSE experiment and the Yohkoh spacecraft, and science operations planning information for the SOHO Science Working Team.... and more to come.
Solar Extreme-ultraviolet Rocket Telescope and Spectrograph ( SERTS )
The Solar Extreme-ultraviolet Rocket Telescope and Spectrograph (SERTS) instrument obtains spatially resolved spectra and spectroheliograms over a wide range of extreme ultraviolet (EUV) wavelengths characteristic of temperatures between 5x10^4-3x10^7K, providing information about the Sun's corona and upper transition region. Wavelength coverage is 170-450A with spectral resolution near 10000, spatial resolution as good as 5arcsec, and relative photometric accuracy within +/- 20% over most of its range. This page contains links to information about the instrument, a solar EUV line list between 170 and 450 A from the SERTS-89 flight, and a list of SERTS-related publications. Soon to be added is information about upcoming launches. Also included are links to other WWW servers relevant to solar astronomers.
Solar System in Pictures
Pictures of all the planets in the solar system. Picture quizzes about all the planets.
Solar TErrestrial RElations Observatory ( STEREO )
Solar ejections are the most powerful drivers of the Sun-Earth connection. STEREO will: - Provide revolutionary views of the Sun-Earth system. - Trace the flow of energy and matter from the Sun to the Earth. - Reveal the true 3D structure of coronal mass ejections and determine why they happen. - Provide unique alerts for Earth-directed solar ejections. - Two Sun-pointed observatories with identical instrument complements. - Heliocentric orbit drifting away from the Earth, one leading and one lagging. The STEREO observatories are scheduled to be launched in November 2005.
Solar UV Atlas from HRTS ( HRTS data )
Through the generosity of Dr. Pål Brekke of the University of Oslo, the High Resolution Spectrograph and Telescope (HRTS) ultraviolet solar atlas is now available on the Web. Click here for more information.
Solar-Terrestrial Physics Home Page ( STP )
Solar-Terrestrial Physics Division of the National Geophysical Data Center home page. Includes several various STP disciplines within the Center: geomagnetism, Iononosphere, Solar and Upper Atmosphere, and two satellite programs: GOES and DMSP. DMSP is a two satellite constellation of near-polar orbiting, sun-synchronous satellites monitoring meteorological, oceanographic and solar-terrestrial physics environments. NGDC maintains an archive of all data recorded on DMSP satellites as relayed to NGDC by Air Force Global Weather Central. Data from March 1992 to March 1994, are considered to be experimental. After March 1994, the system should be fully operational.
Space Astrometry at The University of Texas
Present and future results of space astrometry carried out by researchers associated with The University of Texas McDonald Observatory and the Department of Astronomy.
Space Astronomy Laboratory ( SAL/Wisconsin )
The University of Wisconsin Space Astronomy Laboratory (SAL) designs and builds experiments to do research in space-based astronomy with emphasis on the ultraviolet part of the spectrum.
Space Careers
Space Careers is a highly targeted niche site for engineers and technical professionals of the space industry and has now become the reference website for employment in this sector. Hundreds of space jobs, a resume bank of space professionals and the largest space industry directory are available on Space Careers. [partly in French]
Space Environment Center
The Space Environment Center of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration provides near real-time monitoring and forecasting of the environment between the sun and the earth. Our WWW server features Today's Solar Weather with current solar images, xray and proton plots from GOES satellites, and the latest forecast of solar-terrestrial conditions.
Space Interferometry Mission ( SIM )
SIM will be NASA's first space interferometer designed specifically for measuring the position of stars. SIM will utilize multiple telescopes placed along a 10-meter (33-foot) structure.
Space Mission Acronym List and Hyperlink Guide ( Mission Acronyms and Links )
Space Projects and Information ( Aerospaceguide.net )
The aim of the Space Project web site is to be a guide to aerospace. It caters for the general public, students, scientists and space kids.
Space Telescope - European Coordinating Facility ( ST-ECF )
The ST-ECF was established in 1984 jointly by the European Space Agency and the European Southern Observatory and is located at the ESO headquarters at Garching near Munich. The ST-ECF supports the European astromical community in exploiting the research opportunities provided by the earth-orbiting Hubble Space Telescope. The ST-ECF provides detailed technical information about the HST and its science instruments, supports European astronomers in the preparation of HST observing proposals, coordinates the development of computer software tuned to the specific data analysis needs of HST users, operates and maintains an archive of all the scientific data collected by HST, and acts as a European centre for associated meetings and workshops. In all of these duties the ST-ECF staff maintains close contacts with the Space Telescope Science Institute (STScI) in Baltimore, which is charged with the scientific operation of the HST observatory.
HST Archive at CADC.
Space Telescope Electronic Information System ( STEIS )
Space Telescope Science Institute ( STScI )
STScI is responsible for the scientific operations of the Hubble Space Telescope (HST). STScI is operated by Associated Universities for Research in Astronomy (AURA) under contract to NASA.
SPACEWARN Bulletin
The SPACEWARN Bulletin is intended to serve as an international communication mechanism for the rapid distribution of information on satellites and space probes.
Spanish National Institute of Aerospace Techniques ( INTA )
The Instituto Nacional de Tecnica Aerospacial is the National Space Agency in Spain.
Spectrum-X-Gamma Coordination facility ( SXG. University of Harvard )
Spectrum-X-Gamma (SXG) is an international high-energy astrophysics observatory which is being built under the leadership of the Russian Space Research Institute (IKI). The US SXG CF supports the US astronomical community in obtaining information about SXG, proposing for and making SXG observations, and performing archival research using the SXG archive
Spitzer Space Telescope ( ex-SIRTF )
The Spitzer Space Telescope, formerly known as Space InfraRed Telescope Facility (SIRTF) is the fourth and final element in NASA's family of "Great Observatories". It consists of a 0.85-meter telescope and three cryogenically-cooled science instruments capable of performing imaging and spectroscopy in the 3 - 180 micron wavelength range. Incorporating the latest in large-format infrared detector arrays, Spitzer offers orders-of-magnitude improvements in capability over existing programs. While Spitzer's mission lifetime requirement remains 2.5 years, recent programmatic and engineering developments have brought a 5-year cryogenic mission within reach. Spitzer represents an important scientific and technical bridge to NASA's new Origins program.
ST-ECF STINFO
HST Status Reports; European HST News
Stardust
A space mission that will fly close to a comet and, for the first time ever, bring cometary material back to Earth
Submillimeter Wave Astronomy Satellite Data Archive ( SWAS )
Data Archive from the NASA Submillimeter Wave Astronomy Satellite, a pathfinding mission for studying the chemical composition of interstellar galactic clouds to help determine the process of star formation. Launched on December 5, 1998, it has made detailed 1 degree x 1 degree maps of many giant molecular and dark cloud cores during the first 4 years of the mission. SWAS makes new data public every six months, with the final release due in September, 2004.
CfA SWAS pages.
Supernova / Acceleration Probe ( SNAP )
The Supernova / Acceleration Probe (SNAP) Mission is expected to provide an understanding of the mechanism driving the acceleration of the universe. The satellite observatory is capable of measuring up to 2,000 distant supernovae each year of the three-year mission lifetime.
Swift Gamma Ray Burst Mission
Swift is a three-telescope space observatory (gamma-ray telescope, X-ray telescope, and ultraviolet/optical telescope) for studying gamma ray bursts. Scheduled launch: October 7, 2004.
Terrestrial Planet Finder (Origins of Stars, Planets... and Life) ( TPF )
The Terrestrial Planet Finder (TPF) is a key element of NASA Origins Program. It will study all aspects of planets: from their formation and development in disks of dust and gas around newly forming stars to the presence and features of those planets orbiting the nearest stars; from the numbers at various sizes, and places to their suitability as an abode for life. By combining the high sensitivity of space telescopes with the sharply detailed pictures from an interferometer, TPF will be able to reduce the glare of parent stars by a factor of more than one hundred-thousand to see planetary systems as far away as 50 light years.
UCLA Institute of Geophysics and Planetary Physics Space Science Center
Magnetospheric physics, Solar Wind Coupling and Geomagnetic Activity, Space Simulations and Space Physics
Uhuru Satellite ( GSFC. NASA )
Uhuru was the first earth-orbiting mission dedicated entirely to celestial X-ray astronomy. It was launched on 12 December 1970 into an orbit of about 560 km apogee, 520 km perigee, 3 degrees inclination, with a period of 96 minutes. The mission ended in March 1973.
UK Students for the Exploration and Development of Space ( UKSEDS )
UKSEDS is the UK's national student space society. Take a look at our web pages for more information on our activities and how to join. The web site also contains information resources related to space in the UK and around the world.
Ultraviolet Imaging Telescope ( UIT - Archives at STScI MAST )
The Ultraviolet Imaging Telescope (UIT) was one of three ultraviolet telescopes on the ASTRO-1 mission flown on the space shuttle Columbia during 2-10 December 1990. The same three instruments were later flown on the space shuttle Endeavour from 3-17 March 1995, as part of the ASTRO-2 mission. Exposures were obtained on 70-mm photographic film in the 1200-3300 Å range using broadband filters and later digitized using a Perkin-Elmer microdensitometer. Image resolution was 3" over a 40' field of view. Overall, UIT-1 obtained 821 exposures of 66 targets, and UIT-2 obtained 758 images of 193 targets.
Ulysses Mission ( ESA and NASA )
The Ulysses Mission is the first spacecraft to explore interplanetary space at high solar latitudes. Ulysses is a joint endeavor of the European Space Agency (ESA) and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) of the USA. Instruments include: Magnetometer (VHM/FGM), Solar Wind Plasma Experiment (SWOOPS), Solar Wind Ion Composition Instrument (SWICS), Unified Radio and Plasma Wave Instrument (URAP), Energetic Particle Instrument (EPAC), Low-Energy Ion and Electron Experiment (HISCALE), Cosmic Ray and Solar Particle Instrument (COSPIN), Solar X-ray and Cosmic Gamma-Ray Burst Instrument (GRB).
Umbral Missions Blocking Radiating Astronomical Sources ( UMBRAS )
UMBRAS is a technique and a class of space science missions. The UMBRAS goal is direct observation of planets around other stars.
United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs ( OOSA )
Home page of the United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs focusing on United Nations activities in outer space matters, particularly on planetary exploration and astronomy (=basic space science).
Universities Space Research Association ( USRA )
The Universities Space Research Association (USRA) is a private, nonprofit corporation organized in 1969 by the National Academy of Sciences at the request of NASA. Upon incorporation, the Association was vested in a consortium of universities. That consortium now consists of seventy-eight member universities.The Association is chartered to provide a means through which universities and other research organizations may cooperate with one another, with the government of the United States and with other organizations toward the development of knowledge associated with space science and technology. The Association is further chartered to acquire, plan, construct and operate laboratories and other facilities for research, development and education associated with space science and technology.
University of New Hampshire - Department of Physics
The Department of Physics at the University of New Hampshire has an extensive range of research including: space physics/astrophysics, nuclear physics, nonlinear dynamics and condensed matter.
University of New Hampshire - High Energy Astrophysics Group
COMPTEL Project.
USC Space Sciences Center
The Space Sciences Center, directed by Professor Darrell L. Judge, is engaged in both laboratory and space based investigations. Current deep space, sounding rocket, and space shuttle flight experiments investigate the characteristics of planetary atmospheres, the interplanetary medium, and the sun through remote sensing optical techniques. Recently in situ neutral particle detection techniques have been developed to extend the capability of our remote sensing heliospheric space experiment. The Space Sciences Center also has a vigorous program in the physics of binary star systems and in the analysis of luminosity variations in B and O type stars
Venus Revealed Images ( Images of Venus and Venus exploration craft )
A choice selection of images of Venus and Venus exploration craft from the book Venus Revealed by David Grinspoon.
Views Of The Solar System
Views of the Solar System presents a multimedia adventure unfolding the splendor of the Sun, planets, moons, comets, asteroids, and more.
The following resources are similar (same sort-key, different text):
Views Of The Solar System
Views Of The Solar System has been created as an educational tour of the solar system. It contains images and information about the Sun, planets, moons, asteroids, comets and meteoroids found within the solar system. The image processing for many of the images was done by Calvin J. Hamilton.
Visual Satellite Observers
WAVES : The Radio and Plasma Wave Investigation on the WIND Spacecraft ( waves )
WAVES radio astronomy instrument on the ISTP-Wind spacecraft.
Wide Field Infrared Explorer ( WIRE )
This is the website for NASA's Wide Field Infrared Explorer (WIRE). The primary purpose of WIRE was a four month infrared survey of the universe, focusing specifically on starburst galaxies and luminous protogalaxies.
On 29 Mar 1999, the WIRE mission has been declared a loss.
Wilkinson Microwave Anisotropy Probe ( WMAP )
The WMAP mission is designed to determine the geometry, content, and evolution of the universe via a 13 arcminute FWHM resolution full sky map of the temperature anisotropy of the cosmic microwave background radiation. The choice of orbit, sky-scanning strategy and instrument/spacecraft design were driven by the goals of uncorrelated pixel noise, minimal systematic errors, multifrequency observations, and accurate calibration. The skymap data products derived from the WMAP observations have 45 times the sensitivity and 33 time the angular resolution of the COBE DMR mission.
The following resources are similar (same sort-key, different text):
Wilkinson Microwave Anisotropy Probe ( WMAP )
NASA has selected WMAP as one of the next MIDEX missions. It will map the microwave background fluctuations over the whole sky and provide insights into the formation of galaxies and the basic parameters of cosmology.
WIND spacecraft
WIND was launched on November 1, 1994 and is the first of two NASA spacecraft in the Global Geospace Science (GGS) initiative (the second spacecraft being POLAR). WIND is also part of the International Solar Terrestrial Physics Project (ISTP), it was specially designed to make coordinated observations with the other ISTP spacecraft (Geotail, Interball, Equator-S, Cluster,...). WIND's full capacity duration was of three years, but it has been extended: WIND orbits until 2006.
The science objectives of the WIND mission are: provide complete plasma, energetic particle, and magnetic field input for magnetospheric and ionospheric studies; determine the magnetospheric output to interplanetary space in the up-stream region; investigate basic plasma processes occurring in the near-Earth solar wind; provide baseline ecliptic plane observations to be used in heliospheric latitudes from ULYSSES.
Wisconsin Ultraviolet Photo-Polarimeter Experiment ( WUPPE )
The Wisconsin Ultraviolet Photo-Polarimeter Experiment (WUPPE) was a pioneering effort to explore polarization and photometry in the ultraviolet (UV) spectrum. It was the first and most comprehensive effort to exploit the unique powers of polarimetry at wavelengths not visible on Earth. The instrument was designed and built at the University of Wisconsin Space Astronomy Laboratory in the 1980's. WUPPE flew on two NASA Space Shuttle missions: ASTRO-1 and ASTRO-2.
World Data Center A for Rockets and Satellites ( WDC-A, NSSDC )
The World Data Center system is an international confederation of data centers originally established in 1955 to support the exchange and archiving of data generated by the 1957-8 International Geophysical Year.
World Data Center-A for Rockets and Satellites is hosted by NASA's National Space Science Data Center. WDC-A R&S has responsibilities for spacecraft launch and other descriptive information capture and dissemination. WDC-A R&S serves as a conduit for requests from the international community for data from the NSSDC data archives.
X-Ray Timing Explorer ( XTE. GSFC.NASA )
The Rossi X-ray Timing Explorer is a Goddard mission which was launched on December 30th, 1995. RXTE is designed to facilitate the study of time variability in the emission of X-ray sources with moderate spectral resolution. Time scales from microseconds to months are covered in an instantaneous spectral range from 2 to 250 keV. It is designed for a required lifetime of two years, with a goal of five years.
XMM-Newton catalogue interface ( XCAT-DB )
The Xcat-db is a public interface of the XMM-Newton serendipitous source satalogue constructed by the XMM-Newton Survey Science Centre ( SSC) on behalf of ESA.
The Xcat-db has been optimized to make complex queries including constraints on correlated data patterns.
A large number of products related to the catalogue entries can be browsed and downloaded. CDS databases can also be queried in relation with selected X-Ray data.
3 other XMM-Newton catalogue interfaces are also available ( XSA, LEDAS and VizieR).
XMM-Newton Science Operations Centre ( XMM, ESA )
ESA s X-ray Multi Mirror mission XMM-Newtion is the second Cornerstone in ESA's Long Term Scientific Programme. With a large collecting area of its mirrors and the high sensitivity of its cameras, XMM-Newton is expected to increase radically our understanding of high-energy sources - clues to a mysterious past, and keys to understanding the future of the Universe.
XMM-Newton Survey Science Centre ( XMM SSC )
The XMM Survey Science Centre (SSC) has responsibilities within the XMM project in three main areas:
XMM-Newton ( ESA )
The European Space Agency's X-ray Multi-Mirror satellite is the most powerful X-ray telescope ever placed in orbit. It has an unprecedented sensitivity and the mission will help solve many cosmic mysteries, ranging from enigmatic black holes to the formation of galaxies.

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