Databases, Search Tools, and Other Resources

(Or, "How Do I Decide What to Observe?")

1. Basic Data on Various Types of Objects

SIMBAD Astronomical Database. Basic data, plots, bibliography on 1,500,000 stars and 1,250,000 nonstellar objects including galaxies, planetary nebulae, clusters, novae and supernovae, etc. (If you can't find it in SIMBAD, it ain't catalogued.)

NASA Extragalactic Database. Basic data, including positions, magnitudes, images, and bibliography, for all catalogued objects outside (and some inside) the Milky Way.

The (original) Messier Catalog of Nebulae and Star Clusters.

WEBDA Open Cluster Database. Basic data and bibliography on open clusters. Color-Magnitude diagrams can be found on each cluster's homepage. Search by cluster name (Messeir numbers not permitted!), by RA, distance, etc..

Catalog of Globular Cluster Parameters. The complete list of Milky Way Globulars, from Bill Harris. (Plain text)

Catalog of Galactic Supernova Remnants. From D. A. Green, Mullard Radio Astronomy Observatory, Cambridge.

2. Literature Searching

NASA Astrophysics Data System Abstract Service (ADS) The definitive search engine for the astronomy literature. Search by author, object, keywords, publication date, etc. Extremely useful for following citations both backward and forward.

3. Other Resources

Guide to Minor Body Astrometry. For positional studies of asteroids.

Extrasolar Planets Encylopedia. Exactly what it says it is.

Last updated 2006 March 24. Written and maintained by Tom Statler