The Best Tools To Keep Track Of Space In 2014. Don't Blink!
An asteroid hit the earth on Jan. 2nd 2014 and not many saw it before it occurred. In fact, most of the time people all around the world miss the beautiful things happening up above us. It’s easy to miss these spectacular events because many of us are not informed about space as much as we should be. How many times do you see a post on Facebook about a meteor shower, only to find out that it happened days before you saw the post? Instead of relying on Facebook, check out these awesome ways that you can be more informed about the universe that surrounds us!
SpaceWeather.Com
SpaceWeather.com is a great way to stay up to date on solar flares, auroras, meteor showers and any other kind of space activity. This website is super user friendly and simple to understand. This site is updated on a regular basis and always has the latest content uploaded. On the left panel you’ll notice that they give you real time data of Solar Wind conditions and X-Ray Solar Flares along with the position of the sun, the Sunspot conditions, Magnetic Field, and much more. This site is just oozing with information about what’s going on above us.
Even cooler? They also have an option on the site to sign up for the latest text alerts in your area. These alerts let you know when something cool is happening in the sky. For the Backyard Astronomy Alerts it’ll cost you $6.95/month.
NASA App for Smartphones and Other Devices
The NASA Application is another awesome way to keep track of space. This App is very easy to use and it has a lot of great tools to use. When you first open your NASA App, you’ll notice the menu with 9 different icons. You can look at missions, view images in the gallery, watch videos, view tweets, check out the tv and radio section, read news articles, check out NASA centers, view featured posts on the newest space activity, and check out current programs. You can also search topics of your choosing to catch up on certain stories. This is definitely a great way to keep track using your mobile devices.
You can get this app on Google Play
Google Sky Map for Smartphones and Other Devices
Google Sky Map is a truly amazing App for your smartphones and other devices! Using Google Sky Map, you can use it to locate different stars, constellations, and planets in real time based on your location. You can search for certain constellations, stars, or planets in space and Google Sky Map will lead you right to it so you will always know where it is. It is the most accurate App and it does more than just letting you know what the sky already looks like. Using the Time Travel feature, you can view what the sky looked like in the past on any date, or you can see what the sky will look like in the future. This App is a must have for space lovers around the globe!
Spot the Station Alerts by NASA
NASA, of course, is one of the best ways to really keep in touch with the sky. You can sign up for Text and E-Mail alerts that will let you know hours before the Space Station will be over your head so you can be prepared to have your eyes on the sky. You can choose between getting both morning and night alerts, or just one of them. To receive E-Mail alerts, just type in your E-Mail address on the signup page. If you would like to receive Text alerts instead, you have to follow the format given where it shows the phone carriers E-Mail format. Just replace your phone number before the @ sign. Best thing about this one? It’s free and accurate!
So Why Should We Care About Space Weather?
Just like we have weather here on Earth that affects us, we also have weather in space that can affect our satellites, communications, navigation, power systems, our planet, and can also create beautiful auroras in the sky. Paying attention and having knowledge of what goes on around us is very important and the more involved we are in staying up to date on what’s going on in space, the less we’ll miss. Even scientists sometimes miss things, so it’s important that more of us take a moment to look up at that big beautiful sky and really stay informed about what’s occurring above. You never know what you might miss if you blink!
Article By Ashley Simmons
Sources used:
spaceweather.com - Space Weather
play.google.com - NASA Mobile App
play.google.com - Sky Map
spotthestation.nasa.gov - Spot The Station
