John Dobson  Mr. Dobson is the founder of the "Sidewalk Astronomers Organization". Mr. Dobson has had a profound affect on the world of amateur astronomy world wide. Mr. Dobson has pursued a lifelong interest in Astronomy & Cosmology. He graduated from the University of California-Berkley in 1943, with degrees in chemistry and mathematics His mission in life is to make astronomy accessible to the general public. If you are new to astronomy you will soon learn about the Dobsonian telescope. Mr. Dobson continues to travel the world and holds telescope building classes across the globe.
Timothy Ferris  Dr. Timothy Ferris is a world renowned author of many books, articles, and essays, and a pioneering thinker in the field of Cosmology. He produced the Voyager phonograph record launched on board the twin Voyager Spacecraft. Dr. Ferris is currently serving on NASA's Near-Earth Object Steering Group. Web site contents includes links to his books, and films, transcripts of interviews, and images from his personal Rocky Hill Observatory.
Stephen W. Hawking  Dr. Stephen Hawking is the Lucasian Professor of Mathematics at Cambridge, and  is said to be one of the greatest minds since Einstein. He is articulate, engaging and has the unusual ability to express mysterious Cosmology & Physics theories to not only scientists but the general public as well. He was diagnosed with Lou Gehrig's disease in 1963 while a student at Cambridge, as a result of this he uses a wheelchair and speaks through a computer and voice synthesizer. He has written a number of best-selling books on Physics and Cosmology that are educational and yet entertaining for everyone. His web site provides insight into his theories and research, and includes online versions of his lectures and colloquiums, and a glossary. * Important note from Dr. Hawking and his publisher :  "The Theory of Everything: The Origin and Fate of the Universe" has been published. Professor Hawking would like to make it clear that he has not endorsed this book. The text was written by him many years ago, however the material has already been published in books such as 'A Brief History of Time'. A complaint was made to the Federal Trade Commission in the US in the hope that they would prevent the publication. We would urge you not to purchase this book in the belief that Professor Hawking was involved in its creation.
David H. Levy  David Levy is a popular amateur astronomer and author from Canada. He is known for his discovery of over 21 comets including Comet Shoemaker-Levy 9 which he discovered in 1993 with Eugene & Carolyn Shoemaker. He is the author of 29 popular astronomy books and hosts a popular radio program "Lets talk Stars", which is available on the Internet. Mr. Levy is the science editor for Parade Magazine, and he writes the monthly column "Star Trails" in Sky & Telescope magazine. His web site provides numerous links to the Jarnac Comet Survey and many related web sites.
Sir Patrick Moore  Sir Patrick Moore is legendary for his popular long running BBC program "The Sky at Night", as well as an author who has written over 60 popular astronomy books. He was educated at Cambridge University. His research which concentrated on studies of the Moon, was instrumental in developing Lunar missions with NASA, and the Russian Space program in 1959 through the early 1960's. He obtained knighthood in 2001. He is still broadcasting his show monthly in England on the BBC Network at the age of 80.
Carl Sagan  1934-1996  Dr. Carl Sagan was a gifted, world renowned astronomer, author, lecturer, scholar, and educator. He is perhaps one of the world's greatest scientists in that he brought Astronomy to the general public. Through his work he offered a wonderful and engaging insight in to the the world of science and the nature of the Universe around us. He wrote dozens of best selling books, countless articles and publications. His show "Cosmos", which debuted on September 28, 1980 on PBS, stirred the imaginations of people the world over. Dr. Sagan was awarded a Pulitzer Prize in 1978 for his book "The Dragons of Eden", and the Oersted Medal in 1990 from the American Association of Physics Teachers. Asteroid 2709 Sagan is named after him. The landing site of the unmanned Mars Pathfinder spacecraft was renamed the Carl Sagan Memorial Station in honor of Dr. Sagan. Dr. Sagan was the David Duncan Professor of Astronomy and Space Sciences and director of the Laboratory for Planetary Studies at Cornell University. He was a leading advisor to NASA's Mariner, Viking, Voyager and Galileo expeditions to other planets. Dr. Sagan was a distinguished visiting scientist at NASA's JPL. He was also a leader in environmental causes. Dr. Sagan received numerous prestigious honors from NASA, and 22 honorary degrees from several universities and colleges.  Dr. Sagan was a leading pioneer in the fields of exobiology and extraterrestrial biology. He was one of the co-founders of the Planetary Society as well as the first President of the Planetary Society. Dr. Sagan's legacy is sure to live on in future generations as a result of his remarkable  contributions to science and humankind.
Eugene M. Shoemaker 1928-1997 Eugene Shoemaker was a Planetary scientist and Astronomer. Dr. Shoemaker invented the Branch of Astrogeology within the U.S. Geological Survey and established the field center in Flagstaff AZ. in 1963. He retired from the USGS in 1993. Dr. Shoemakers influence in the Astronomical community was far-reaching and diverse. He is known for the discovery of Comet Shoemaker-Levy 9 in 1994 (with his wife Carolyn and David Levy) which impacted Jupiter. An event which created significant new insight into the dynamics of comets and planetary studies of Jupiter. Dr. Shoemaker felt that our studies of Geology should also be applied in Space and extended to planetary research. During his lifetime he had visions of being the first "Geologist Astronaut" and had visions of mapping the Moon, but in 1963 he was diagnosed with Addison's Disease, a condition which prevented his from entering the NASA astronaut program. Dr. Shoemaker was killed in an automobile accident on July 18, 1997 in Alice Springs, Australia while on one of his annual trips to Australia to study impact craters. In tribute to him and his lifelong work and contributions to Planetary science some of his ashes were carried to the Moon on board the Lunar Prospector spacecraft. You can read the LPL tribute to to Dr. Shoemaker here.
Edward (Ned) Wright  Dr. Wright is an Educator at UCLA in Los Angeles, CA. He is currently involved in several space missions including WISE (Wide-field Infrared Explorer), the COBE mission since 1982, and SIRTIF (Space Infrared Telescope). He presents a very comprehensive Cosmology tutorial that does use HS level Algebra and Geometry. He uses many Java Applets, and illustrations throughout the tutorial. In addition his web site contains many Cosmology related news items and articles. A Relativity tutorial, bibliography, and a JavaScript calculator of the many distances involved in Cosmology provide an excellent background in Cosmology. A captivating web site that will provide you with a thorough understanding of the concepts in modern Cosmology. Also be sure to read his Relativity tutorial.  

Cosmology Links

Berkeley Cosmology Group  Site from BCG based at the UC Berkeley departments of physics and astronomy, Lawrence Berkeley National Lab and SLAC. The web site contains many links to further reading in Cosmology. Provides a thorough Cosmology tutorial with diagrams and images. Links for students, and Educators, links to BCG Research.
The Big Bang by Chris LaRocco and Blair Rothstein  Brief article with images explaining the Big Bang Theory, includes references for further reading.
Big Bang Cosmology Primer  Web site offered by Berkeley's Center for Particle Astrophysics. A cosmology tutorial compiled by Paul Shestople. A brief discussion on the Big Bang with a glossary provided for definitions.
Cambridge Cosmology  Web site from Cambridge University. Cosmology topics includes, the Big Bang, Galaxies & Clusters, Relic Radiation, Cosmic Strings, Inflation theory, and the National (UK) supercomputer research program. Text, diagrams, images and links to related web sites & resources.
Chandra X-Ray Observatory Center The Chandra X-Ray Observatory was launched on 7/23/1999. Chandra was named in honor of Subrahmanyan Chandrasekhar. A Nobel prize winning scientist renowned for his theoretical studies of the physical processes important to the structure and evolution of stars. Chandra is the most advanced X-Ray Observatory currently in operation. It's primary mission is to study our Universe by detecting and imaging X-ray sources that are billions of light years away. Web site features a Chandra Image gallery, educational links and resources, the Chandra Mission, and an X-Ray Astronomy Tutorial to learn about X-Ray Astronomy and Chandra's technology. Site contains numerous links to related web sites for further reading and resources.
Chandra X-Ray Observatory News  Keep up with the latest reports from Chandra. Site has current status reports of Chandra's research, most recent image releases, photo gallery with downloadable images, fact sheets for the images from Chandra, Video clips of Chandra using Real Video or QuickTime. Many additional links and resources for related web sites.
COBE  Cosmic Background Explorer The COBE Spacecraft was launched on 11/18/1989. It's mission was to map the Cosmic Microwave Background from our early Universe. The COBE Spacecraft has several instruments on board DIRBE (Diffuse Infrared Background experiment) to search for the cosmic infrared background radiation, DMR (Differential Microwave Radiometer) to map the cosmic radiation sensitively, and FIRAS (Far Infrared Absolute Spectrophotometer) to compare the spectrum of the cosmic microwave background radiation with a precise blackbody . This research has led to a greater understanding of the early beginnings of our Universe.
Cosmology Tutorial NASA  NASA tutorial discusses the Big Bang Theory, Big Bang Tests, Beyond the Big Bang, and Our Universe. Also a FAQ , Theories, and Concepts. Image gallery, links to other resources and relevant web sites.
General Relativity Tutorial  Web site from the University of CA. Riverside. Web pages that serve as an informal introduction to general relativity. The site attempts to demystify general relativity and get across the key ideas without big complicated calculations. Contents encompass the basic concepts of Relativity. College level Mathematics and Physics. Site contains many definitions and math principles with links for further reading. Three levels available; short course, long course and OZ and the Wizard. The full tutorial is available from an outside resource. References to other textbooks on Relativity are provided.
GLAST NASA  The Gamma-Ray Large Area Space Telescope (GLAST) is an international and multi-agency mission planned for launch in 2006. It will study the cosmos looking at objects that emit high energy wavelengths of light. Web site contains information about their Education and Public Outreach program, the Science and technology of the GLAST mission, classroom resources in both printed and web based formats, a very appealing movie clip explaining the GLAST Mission, an Educators Guide, slide presentations, diagrams explaining the GLAST Spacecraft, and relevant links to other web sites and resources.
IPAC  Infrared Processing and Analysis Center at the California Institute of Technology is NASA's multi-mission center of expertise for long-wavelength astrophysics. The IPAC is a vital part of NASA's by providing analysis of maintaining data and archives, and access and analysis and tools. IPAC is also the home of SIRTF  (Space Infrared Telescope Facility) Science Center. This large web site contains links to several research programs such as Galax, 2MASS, Keck Interferometer, and the Palomar Testbed Interferometer. Also links to research programs, and data archives, and numerous links to relevant web sites and further information.
Meta Research  Meta Research was founded in 1991 as a non-profit research group that supports and encourages research and observations in connection with astronomical theories that are outside the mainstream of Astronomy. The Meta Research web site under the direction of Tom Van Flandern provides many topics in current research in Cosmology. The web site includes articles, publications, a message forum, quarterly publication for members, and numerous links to related information and web sites.
Relativity Group Cardiff University  This web site is provided by the Relativity Group from the Department of Physics & Astronomy at the "University of Cardiff" in Cardiff, England. The web site offers a discussion of current research in understanding the production of gravitational waves in the early Universe. Provides a thorough discourse on the following, Catching Gravitational Waves, Measuring Gravitational Waves, Astrophysical Sources of Gravitational Waves, Unveiling the Origins of the Universe, and Geometry of Large-Scale Structure. Includes a vast assortment of links including the latest research projects & instruments, GEO, LIGO, TAMA, VIRGO, and LISA. Many links to associated institutions, and resources are provided.
Relativity on the Web  Web site that promotes an appreciation and understanding of the special and general theories of relativity by providing links to online educational resources. Links to outside resources from the Internet that provide tutorials, visualization sites, and popular science web sites. Links to relevant topics are available.
RESCEU  The Research Center for the Early Universe is based at the School of Science at the University of Tokyo. This web site is in Japanese but also has an English version. Web site provides access to their research projects which include, Very Early Universe & Large Scale Structure, Theory of Galaxy Evolution, Optical to Near-Infrared Observations of Active Galactic Nuclei, Submillimeter-Wave Observation, and Direct search for Dark Matter. And interesting web site from Japan researchers. Relevant links are provided but many are in Japanese.
SIRTF  The SIRTF (Space Infrared Telescope Facility) was launched on August 25, 2003, on board a Delta-II Heavy launch vehicle. The SIRTF is the last of NASA's Great Observatories which includes the Hubble Space Telescope, The Compton Gamma Ray Observatory and the Chandra X-Ray Observatory. The SIRTF is an infrared observatory that will study our Solar System as well as the distant reaches of our Universe. Web site contains SIRTF  science and technical information about the Spacecraft and it's instruments. Mission information and research objectives with detailed diagrams and images. A news and information section with images and mission updates, and a SIRTF online gallery. Numerous links to relevant information are available throughout the site.
Stellar Evolution & Death NASA  A basic introductory tutorial on the life cycles and evolution of stars. Site includes images and diagrams, a glossary and  web site links for further reading.
SWIFT  SWIFT is a first-of-its-kind multi-wavelength observatory dedicated to the study of gamma-ray burst (GRB). SWIFT is scheduled for launch in December 2003.  SWIFT's main objective is to determine the origin of Gamma Ray Bursts, Classify Gamma Ray Burst and search for new types, determine how the blastwave evolves and interacts with the surroundings, use Gamma Ray Bursts to study the early Universe, and perform a sensitive survey of the sky in hard X-Ray Band (broadly defined as 10 keV to 600 keV, is relatively poorly explored and yet rich in promise). Web site provides information on the science and technology of SWIFT, Educational and Public Outreach information, and links to other related sources.
Theoretical Cosmology  Web site created by Prof. J. Cohn. & M White. Discussions on theoretical cosmology, topics include the Cosmic Microwave Background, Large Scale Structure, Early Universe Field Theory, Lyman alpha systems, Clusters, & Gravitational Lensing. Web site offers very thorough discussion with, text, images & diagrams, and includes many links to related web sites & resources for further study.
UCLA Cosmology FAQ's. Lots of quick information from Prof. Ned Wright
WMAP Wilkinson Microwave Anisotropy Probe  The Wilkinson Microwave Anisotropy Probe (WMAP) Spacecraft was launched on 6/30/2001. The WMAP's primary mission is to measure the temperature of the Cosmic Microwave Background of the full sky. The WMAP instruments used to perform the observations, are a Radiometer and two Gregorian Reflector Telescopes. The first data from the WMAP mission was released in February 2003. The WMAP web site provides a vast quantity of information about the WMAP mission and Cosmology with numerous web pages, text, images, and drawings. Many links to related sources for further reading and WMAP news and mission updates, a site map and search engine are provided.