Google Sky

By now you've probably heard the announcements about Google Sky - the new module in Google Earth. If not, the videos below will bring you up to speed.

It's certainly a step in the right direction and I applaud anything that brings astronomy and an awareness of the night sky to a wider audience. But what's presented falls short of what any decent planetarium software can provide in terms of what's above your head at any given time and date.

Where it has put a foot right is with the inclusion of Hubble images (in their correct positions in the sky. There's more information on that in this Hubble News Release.

The Google folks are smart people and every project has to start somewhere. Right now Google Sky is more of a cool photo album than a real piece of interactive software. It's fun to play with - for a few minutes. About all you can really do is click on things to see pretty images.

Maybe Google are looking for feedback on what direction to proceed with this project. If they decide to go down the planetarium route, providing charts for what's in the sky at any time as seen from any given locvation on the planet, then it will begin to match what's availabale in current software and begin to realize its potential.

You'll find Google Sky here.

This video give more information on what Google Sky is about and how you can use it to explore:

Google Sky News

International Year of Astronomy 2009 Raises Millions of Eyes to the Skies (SpaceRef)

As the International Year of Astronomy 2009 (IYA2009) reaches its six-month milestone, over a million people have already looked at the sky through a telescope for the first time.

Lecture on astronomy at MES (The Peninsula)

DOHA: Prof Arvind Paranjype, a scientific officer from an institution for astronomy in India, recently delivered a lecture at the MES Indian School.

Verona's late Ted Barker honored by Astronomy Club (Cedar Grove/Verona Observers)

The United Astronomy Club of New Jersey and the Morris Museum Astronomy Club honored the late Ted Barker at a dedicated of a new solar observatory in May.

International Year of Astronomy raises millions of eyes to the skies (New Kerala)

Berlin, July 2 : The International Year of Astronomy 2009 (IYA2009) has achieved a milestone of sorts, in the sense that over a million people have already looked at the sky through a telescope for the first time, and even more have newly engaged in astronomy in just six months this year.

BACKYARD ASTRONOMER: July Fourth ... important date in history and astronomy (The Sierra Vista Herald)

High Knoll Observatory — July Fourth is a special day for Americans, because it is when we remember and celebrate that we declared our independence from British rule in our Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776. Here is a short list of other Fourth of July non-astronomical historical events that are worth remembering:

Astronomy isn’t just for scientists (Centre Daily Times)

In December 2007, the United Nations 62nd General Assembly proclaimed 2009 the International Year of

Early Music Fest celebrates 10 years with astronomy-inspired concerts (The Capital Times)

Aspiring musicians and Renaissance enthusiasts can enjoy and practice the music of the 15th through 17th centuries for a full week at the upcoming Madison Early Music Festival (MEMF), which celebrates its 10th anniversary this month and begins Saturday, July 11.