Andart

Google Sky

WIKISKY.ORG is the answer to Google Earth, a zoomable sky map that includes not only catalogued stars but also sky surveys in visible light and infrared, as well as a photo collection and a wiki. Given time (and interest from enough amateur astronomers) this could become a tremendous resource. It is already great fun and quite beautiful.

The Sloan Digital Sky Survey data is impressive, although there are many graphical artefacts that will no doubt keep the UFOlogists confabulating. I think the IRAS data is even more impressive, showing our galaxy as a glowing band of gas filled with shockwaves, bubbles, hotspots and globs. It feels almost like an anatomy textbook. Each object also has its own wiki, with related pictures and articles.

Posted by Anders3 at April 25, 2007 11:38 AM