How many stars ... -- Sky Guide

Hours (RA): 00 . 01 . 02 . 03 . 04 . 05 . 06 . 07 . 08 . 09 . 10
11 . 12 . 13 . 14 . 15 . 16 . 17 . 18 . 19 . 20 . 21 . 22 . 23

News (Aug 2009): I have replaced my old table layout with a Google Map view of the sky for each constellation's objects. If you want to see the data in table format, choose "table" links from the list of constellations.
I will link up new hours as I get the chance, and get the data verified and commented properly. Over 3,000 objects are in the database right now.
Here's a Google Sky file which will automatically update as new content is added:

Hour 00:

• Pisces [tables]
• Pegasus [tables]
• Cassiopeia [tables]
• Phoenix [tables]
• Octans [tables]
• Sculptor [tables]
• Cetus [tables]
• Tucana [tables]
• Cepheus [tables]
• Andromeda [tables]
• Hydrus [tables]

Plan:
This will be a detailed guide to the sky. Objects covered:

• All bright stars down to magnitude 6.00V.
• Multiple stars with a primary component brighter than magnitude 8.
• Variable stars with a maximum brighter than magnitude 9, range at least 0.25 magnitudes.
• Fainter stars of special interest.
• Deep sky objects down to magnitude 13.
• Fainter deep sky objects of special interest.

This is meant for an intermediate audience. Beginners need a site where the basic terms are explained to them, and the advanced users are probably already tapped into various databases.

• Icons to highlight interesting points about each object
• Sortable listings of object types
• Thumbnail images of all deep-sky objects.
• Quick links to searches and archives
• Built-in indexes of important sites

Instead of just another pile of numbers, I am trying to build a space where you can quickly find items of interest. Have a look around.

• Explanations of the basic astronomical objects
• Ancient star names and stories about "pictures in the sky" with no scientific value

The Future...

Note: this is one man's pet project. I have no funding, and don't get to spend as much time on this as I would like to. I'm still correlating data sources and getting the basic tools in place. But optimally I'd like to have astronomy news linked to objects, as it happens. I'd like to have supporting memberships (to help fund this huge effort), and trusted editors who can help add new content. I would also like to build a network of observers with telescopes who can help keep a steady stream of new images rolling in.

CREDITS & references

Original contents are Copyright 2005-6 by scott virtes
Images and data from outside sources are copyright by their respective teams and institutions.
See credits for more info.