SECTIONS
General Astronomy
PAGES
Links to Professional Organizations
Draco
Productions
Affordable Astronomy
for
Students, Educators,
Hobbyists
This website is produced by Draco Productions.
This website offers basic astronomical resources that allow the novice to check out information on telescopes before purchasing, as well as information that is valuable to the experienced observer. There are many information pages regarding telescope buying, astronomical terminology, stargaze etiquette, an annual meteor shower calendar, a Universal Time conversion chart, and more.
Several schools have used this site as a general reference for astronomical studies. Both students and educators can find many resources on this site.
Besides the resource content for general astronomical information and the links to various astronomical organizations, this site also hosts the web pages of the Escambia Amateur Astronomers' Association, which is located in Pensacola, Florida--Home of the Blue Angels, and some of the most beautiful, sugar-white sand beaches in the world. Their astronomical photo gallery has some outstanding images. The "open book" test for Level I of their education program would make a good basic education for anyone interested in participating in amateur astronomy.
The Educational Resources and Junior
Astronomer sections offer astronomical resources as well as links to
various websites that have other educational materials to assist learning,
exploration, and recreation.
Astronomy classes offered at Pensacola Junior College and the University
of West Florida are listed here, along with a distance learning course for
those outside the Florida Panhandle area. A general interested
course (designed by Draco Productions for the beginning amateur astronomer
and offered by Pensacola Junior College Continuing Education Department)
is also listed. This course is a basic training course for anyone
who wants to know how to use and maintain astronomical equipment, and how
to observe using sky maps, star-hopping, and computer
"planetarium" programs.
The Astronomy Bulletin Board will allow you to communicate with various amateur astronomers, sell personal astronomical equipment, and keep up with astronomical events that are posted or discussed on the board. Membership is open to all. Remember that students may use the board as well...therefore, the language and content must remain appropriate for viewing by all ages.
"Ask the Astronomers" is a feature that allows you to have your basic questions answered, find help for that astronomy science fair project, or get help with questions regarding telescope use or maintenance. This feature has been used by students around the world, as well as amateur astronomers seeking help or counseling.
The free downloads are shareware and freeware programs that you can put on your computer for use, as is, or, in the case of shareware, pay a nominal fee to the author in order to upgrade to a larger, more powerful program. WinZip is included here for those who need a program to open the zipped files.
