Astronomy education on the Internet

Today we are very fortunate to live in a time where one can find so much astronomy on the Internet. When I was younger and before there was a really a Internet, say early 1990s one would have to wait till Sky & Telescope or Astronomy magazine showed up at the local bookstore or your mailbox.

Fast forward to today. The magazines still publish paper items, however if you want to read what researchers are doing you can go on Astro-ph and read research papers before they are published. Heck they even have a twitter feed, that alone makes having a twitter account worthwhile. If the planets are more you are thing, the planetary society has a wonderful blog to keep you update on solar system matters. Again many of the researchers have a twitter feed or homepage, so you can keep up to date on what they are up to. If there is specific space mission, they most likely have a website you can follow as well.

If learning in a more academic environment is more you thing, check out iTunes and iTunesU. Just today I listened to a lecture on asteroids that was done at the University of Arizona (my favorites are in the LPL and Steward Observatory sections). Another good choice is the Astronomy Cast podcast, download an episode and learn some astronomy while working out in the gym or going for a walk in your neighborhood. Even S&T has a weekly email blast of interesting astronomy news.

So when I hear the older generations complain about how things are not as good now as the good ole days, I have to take a moment and keep calm. I for one am glad that folks don't have to wait months and months to get astronomy news. Having so much knowledge available and only needing an Internet connection (or smart phone), who would want to go back?