Illustration by

Steven Simpson

E-mail is the most basic tool of the Internet. For many, sending personal or professional correspondence over the wire has become a necessity. But e-mail is not limited to sending letters just to individuals. Among the various auxiliary services available by e-mail are mailing lists. Some mailing lists are one-way and provide news and announcements; others serve as discussion groups where you can reply to messages and have your response spread to everyone else on the list.

Sky & Telescope provides several mailing lists of our own. These long-running services have origins in our telephone recorded message, Skyline (617-497-4168).

Our Sky Weekly e-newsletter highlights the latest discoveries from the world's ground- and space-based observatories. Sign up here.

What follows are dozens of e-mail lists you can subscribe to that offer a variety of services and discussion topics. If you'd like to recommend an addition to this list, or if you discover a problem with any current entry, please let us know by sending e-mail to info@SkyandTelescope.com.

AAVSO — Discussion of matters related to variable star observing.
See their mailing list page for information on how to sign up.

Apogee CCD — Share opinions, problems, and solutions using Apogee CCD cameras.
See their Web page for information.

Astro AZ — Astronomy and observing in Arizona.
To subscribe:
E-mail az-observing-request@saguaroastro.org, put "subscribe" in body of subject line.
To unsubscribe:
E-mail az-observing-request@saguaroastro.org, put "unsubscribe" in body of subject line.

AstroCCD — Amateur Digital Astronomy (in Italian).

To subscribe:

    E-mail

astroccd-subscribe@egroups.com.
To unsubscribe:

    E-mail

astroccd-unsubscribe@egroups.com.
ASTRO_ESPANA — Astronomy and astrocomputing (Spanish).

To subscribe:

    • E-mail

listserv@listserv.rediris.es

    • , put "subscribe ASTRO_ESPANA firstname lastname" in body of message.

To unsubscribe:

    put "signoff ASTRO_ESPANA firstname lastname" in body of message.

Astroitalia — Amateur Astronomy (in Italian, moderated).

    • See

Web page

    for information.

Astrolist — General astronomy (in Danish).

    • See

Web page

    for information.

AstroMart — Classified ads for amateurs.

    • See

Web page

    for information.


Astronomer — Discussion group intended for amateur astronomers from all age groups.

    • See

Web page

    for information.

ASTRONOMI — Amateur astronomy (Turkish).

To subscribe:

    • E-mail

listproc@metu.edu.tr

    • , put "subscribe astronomi firstname lastname" in body of message.

To unsubscribe:

    put "unsubscribe astronomi" in body of message.

Astronomia — Amateur astronomy (Spanish).

To subscribe:

    • E-mail

servidor@correo.dis.ulpgc.es

    • , put "subscribe astronomia" in body of message.

To unsubscribe:

    put "unsubscribe astronomia" in body of message.

Astronomy & Space — General astronomy news

To subscribe:

    • E-mail

astronews@geocities.com

    , put "join" in the subject line of message.

ASTRO-PORT — Observing, CCDs, & general amateur astronomy, in Portuguese (some English).

To subscribe:

    • E-mail

astro@nautilus.fis.uc.pt

    • , put "subscribe" in body of message.

To unsubscribe:

    put "unsubscribe" in body of message.

Astrophotography — Discussion of film-based astronomical imaging

To subscribe:

    • E-mail

majordomo@seds.org

    • , put "subscribe astro-photo" in body of message.

To unsubscribe:

    put "unsubscribe astro-photo" in body of message.

ASTROCS — Discussion of Slovak and Czech astronomers
(Slovak and Czech languages preferably).

To subscribe:

    • E-mail

listserv@astro.sk

    • , put "subscribe ASTROCS firstname lastname" in body of message.

To unsubscribe:

    put "unsubscribe ASTROCS" in body of message.

Astronomical Data Center Electronic News — Published four times a year to keep the astronomical community informed about established, new, and planned data services at NASA's Astronomical Data Center.

To subscribe:

    • E-mail

majordomo@adc.gsfc.nasa.gov

    , put "subscribe adc-subscribers" in body of message.

Astronomy Club Officers — Share ideas, resourses, and experiences in managing an amateur astronomy club.

To subscribe:

    • E-mail

astro-officers-subscribe@eGroups.com

    • .

To unsubscribe:

    • E-mail

astro-officers-unsubscribe@eGroups.com

    .

Astronomer — Discussion group for all manner of astronomical software.

    • See

Web page

    for information.

ATM — Amateur telescope making.

To subscribe:

    • E-mail

majordomo@shore.net

    • , put "subscribe atm" in body of message.

To unsubscribe:

    put "unsubscribe atm" in body of message.


AUDE — Electronic Detectors Users Association; French-language discussion of general astronomy, mainly CCD observing.

    • See

Web page

    for information.

Big Dob — Building and using large-aperature telescopes.

To subscribe:

    • E-mail

listserver@ucsd.edu

    • , put "subscribe YOUR E-MAIL ADDRESS bigdob-l"

 

    • in body of message.

To unsubscribe:

    put "unsubscribe YOUR E-MAIL ADDRESS bigdob-l" in body of message.

Big Glass Pushers — Group dedicated to making large amateur telescope mirrors.

To subscribe:

    • E-mail Dan Bakken at

dan@runway.net

    for information

Boletim Supernovas — General astronomy news (in Portuguese).

To subscribe:

    • E-mail

Supernovas-subscribe@listbot.com

    • .

To unsubscribe:

    • E-mail

Supernovas-unsubscribe@listbot.com

    .

CCD — Discussion of homemade CCD cameras.

To subscribe:

    • E-mail

listserv@listserv.wwa.com

    • , put "subscribe" in the message subject line.

To unsubscribe:

    put "unsubscribe" in the subject line.

CCD-astrometry-photometry — Discussions on CCD astrometry and photometry.

    • See

Web page

    for information.

Celestron User Group — Discussion of Celestron telescopes and accessories.

To subscribe:

    • E-mail

celestronuser-request@lists.best.com

    • , put "subscribe" in the body of the message.

To unsubscribe:

    put "unsubscribe" in the body of the message.

Coelum Weekly News Bulletin — Astronomy and space news, celestial events (in Italian).

To subscribe:

    • E-mail

davide@coelum.com

    • , put "subscribe" in body of message.

To unsubscribe:

    put "unsubscribe" in body of message.

Comets — For observers and anyone else interested in comets. This includes visual, photographic, and CCD observing, as well as astrometric, orbital, photometric, hunting or historical aspects.

    • See

Web page

    for information.

Dark-Sky — Discussion of light-pollution issues.

    • See

Web page

    for information.

Digital Astro — digital camera astrophotography.

    • See

Web page

    for information

Digital Planets — Discussion of the techniques of imaging the planets, Moon, and Sun with cooled CCD cameras.

    • See

Web page

    for information

Dynascope — E-mail discussion of the Criterion Dynascope Group, a nonprofit affiliation of enthusiasts devoted to remembering, restoring, and recommissioning these classic Newtonian telescopes.

To subscribe:

    • E-mail

dynascope-subscribe@egroups.com

    .

Eclipse — Facilitating responsible communication among eclipse enthusiasts worldwide.

    • See

Web page

    for information.

80f5 — For owners and users of 80-mm f/5 rich-field refractors.

To subscribe:

    • E-mail

80f5-subscribe@onelist.com

    • .

To unsubscribe:

    • E-mail

80f5-unsubscribe@onelist.com

    .


Fremont Peak — Discussion and announcements related to astronomy activities at Fremont Peak State Park in San Juan Bautista, California.

To subscribe:

    • E-mail

fpoa-request@whiteoaks.com

    • , put "subscribe" in the body of the message

 

    • For single message version (no digest), put "subsingle" in body of message.

To unsubscribe:

    put "unsubscribe" in the body of the message.

Galileo Mailing List — Status reports for the Galileo spacecraft.

To subscribe:

    • E-mail

majordomo@sender.jpl.nasa.gov

    • , put "subscribe galileo YOUR E-MAIL ADDRESS" in body of message.

To unsubscribe:

    put "unsubscribe galileo YOUR E-MAIL ADDRESS" in body of message.

HiSIS Users — English-language discussion of HiSIS CCD cameras and MiPS-family software.

To subscribe:

    • E-mail

hisis-users-subscribe@egroups.com

    .

Hubble Space Telescope — Press releases and information from the Space Telescope Science Institute.

To subscribe:

    • E-mail

listserv@stsci.edu

    • , put "subscribe pio YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS" in the body of the message

To unsubscribe:

    put "unsubscribe pio YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS" in the body of the message.

IAU Circulars — Astronomical telegrams.

To subscribe:

    • E-mail

iausubs@cfa.harvard.edu

    • request

 

    • subscription information. Or visit

Central Bureau for Astronomical Telegrams

    for information. Cost: $9.00 per month.

IMO News — Discussion and reports in meteor astronomy.

To subscribe:

    • E-mail

imo-news-request@imo.net

    and include your e-mail address.

Indiana Council on Outdoor Lighting Education (ICOLE) — Discussion of outdoor lighting reform issues.

    • See

Web page

    for information.

International Supernovae Network — Supernova news.

To subscribe:

    • Fill out form at

Web page

    .

Internet Amateur Astronomers Catalog (netastrocatalog) — Deep-sky observations shared by subscribers, observing discussions.

    • See

Web page

    for information.

KSC News — NASA/Kennedy Space Center news releases.

To subscribe:

    • E-mail

domo@news.ksc.nasa.gov

    • , put "subscribe ksc-press-release" in body of message.

To unsubscribe:

    put "unsubscribe ksc-press-release" in body of message.

Launch Alert — Notification of Vandenberg AFB missile launches and Southern California astronomy and space news.

    • See

Web page

    for information.

Lowell Electronic Astronomy Resource Newsletter (LEARN) — Lowell Observatory programs, online resources, news items, activities for students, and more.

    • See

Web page

    for information.


Magnetometry — Discussion and distribution of observations of geomagnetic phenomena.

    • See

Web page

    for information.

MakScopes — Maksutov telescope discussion group.

    • See

Web page

    for information.

Meade 4504 Telescopes — Share information, tips, and resources for using Meade 4504 (4.5" reflector) telescopes.

    • See

Web page

    for information.

Meade Advanced Product User Group — Discussion of Meade LX200 telescopes and Pictor CCD cameras.

To subscribe:

    • E-mail

mapug-request@shore.net

    • , put "subscribe" in body of message.

To unsubscribe:

    put "unsubscribe" in body of message.

Meade LX90 Telescope User Group (IMLTUG) — for owners and prospective owners of the Meade LX-90
telescope.

    • See

Web page

    for information.

Mercury — Discuss articles in Astronomical Society of the Pacific's Mercury magazine.

To subscribe:

    • E-mail

mercury-request@lists.best.com

    • , put "subscribe" in body of message.

To unsubscribe:

    put "unsubscribe" in body of message.

METEOPTIC — Atmospheric phenomena, halos, noctilucent clouds, etc.

To subscribe:

    • E-mail

listserv@listserv.funet.fi

    • , put "subscribe meteoptic YOUR NAME" in body of message.

To unsubscribe:

    put "unsubscribe meteoptic" in body of message.

Meteorite — Announcements and discussion about meteorites.

    • See

Web page

    for information.

Meteorite Sale — Wants/sales/trades of meteorites or other objects.

    • See

Web page

    for information.

Meteor Observers — Discussion on meteor observing.

    • See

Web page

    for information.

MeteorShowers — a low-volume mail list announcing upcoming meteor showers and special astronomical events with an emphasis on observations that can be done with the unaided eyes, binoculars, or small telescopes.

    • See

Web page

    for information.

Minor Planet List — Discussion about comets and asteroids.

    • See

Web page

    for information.

NASA News — NASA press releases and other information.

To subscribe:

    • E-mail

domo@hq.nasa.gov

    , put "subscribe press-release" in body of message.

New England Light Pollution Advisory Group (NELPAG) — Discussion of outdoor night-lighting issues that affect astronomers.

To subscribe:

    • E-mail

nelpag-request@harvee.billerica.ma.us

    • , say that you want to be, put on the list.

To unsubscribe:

    say that you want to be removed from the list.

North East Georgia Astronomers — List for quick communication among astronomy enthusiasts who would like to arrange dark-sky observing sessions.

    • See

Web page

    for information.


Palm Astro — Astronomy related hardware and software for the Palm and Pocket PC computers.

    • See

Web page

    for information.

Planetary Nebula — Observation and science of planetary nebulae.

    • See

Web page

    for information.

Questar User — Discussion of Questar brand telescopes.

To subscribe:

    • E-mail

majordomo@shore.net

    , put "subscribe alt-telescopes-questar" in body of message.

RASCList — Discussion among members of the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada (RASC).

To subscribe:

    • E-mail

listserver@rasc.ca

    "subscribe rasclist Your Name (Your Centre)".

RETE — Old scientific instruments.

To subscribe:

    • E-mail

majordomo@maillist.ox.ac.uk

    • , put "subscribe rete" in body of message.

To unsubscribe:

    • E-mail

majordomo@jess.oucs.ox.ac.uk

    , put "unsubscribe rete YOUR E-MAIL ADDRESS"in body of message.

SBIG User — Discussion of SBIG CCD cameras.

To subscribe:

    • E-mail

sbiguser-request@lists.best.com

    • , put "subscribe" in body of message.

To unsubscribe:

    put "unsubscribe" in body of message.

Sct-user — Users of Schmidt-Cassegrain and Makustov-Cassegrains telescopes.

    • See

Web page

    for information.

SeeSat — Visual observing of satellites.

    • See

Web page

    for information.

Shallow Sky — Lunar and planetary observation.

    • See

Web page

    for information.

SkyWatch: The Astronomical Alarm Clock — Sends its subscribers a daily e-mail on astronomical events such as satellite passes and meteor showers that can be observed from their location.

    • See

Web page

    for information.

Solar Eclipse — Discussions of solar eclipses.

To subscribe:

    • E-mail

SEML-subscribe@yahoogroups.com
To unsubscribe:

    • E-mail

SEML-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com

Solar Terrestrial Dispatch — Solar and geophysical activity alerts and summaries.

    • Free for first 30 days. See

Web page

    for information.

SolNet — Solar data requests from professional observatories and information of ongoing solar events.

    • See ALPO Solar Section

Web page

    for information.

Space Environment Center — Several lists for geomagnetic alerts and summaries.

    • See

Web page

    for descriptions and instructions.

Space Shuttle Status Reports — Launch status of upcoming Space Shuttle missions.

To subscribe:

    • E-mail

domo@news.ksc.nasa.gov

    • , put "subscribe shuttle-status" in body of message

To unsubscribe:

    put "unsubscribe shuttle-status" in body of message.


Star News - Astronomy & Space News — Astronomy and space news from an Australian perspective.

To subscribe:

    • E-mail

lists@starclass.com.au

    • , put "subscribe starnews YOURNAME" in the message body.

To unsubscribe:

    put "unsubscribe starnews YOURNAME" in the message body.

Star Talk - Amateur Astronomers' Discussion Forum — General astronomy discussion for Australians. Overseas participation is welcome.

To subscribe:

    • E-mail

lists@starclass.com.au

    • , put "subscribe startalk YOURNAME" in the message body.

To unsubscribe:

    put "unsubscribe startalk YOURNAME" in the message body.

Sundial — Discussion about sundials.

To subscribe:

    • E-mail

majordomo@rrz.uni-koeln.de

    • , put "subscribe sundial" in body of message.

To unsubscribe:

    put "unsubscribe sundial" in body of message.

TASS — Reports from The Amateur Sky Survey.

    • See

Web page

    for information.

Telescopes — Discussion of astronomical equipment, including telescopes, binoculars, eyepieces, books and star atlases, software, and more.

To subscribe:

    • E-mail

telescopes-subscribe@eGroups.com

    • .

To unsubscribe:

    • E-mail

telescopes-unsubscribe@eGroups.com

    .

Ulysses Comet Watch — Discussion of comet observing techniques. Amateurs and professionals both welcome.

    • See

Web page

    for information.

URANIA BRASIL — Astronomy and Astronautics: Education, Observation and History of Science (Portuguese).

To subscribe:

    • E-mail

urania.br-subscribe@listbot.com

    .

VIDEOASTRO — Video astrophotography discussion group.

    • See

Web page

    for information.

VSNET — Variable stars, novae, and supernovae.

    • See

Web page

    for information about the various individual lists.

VVS — Amateur astronomy (in Dutch for Flanders, Belgium).

To subscribe:

    • E-mail to:

listserv@listserv.cc.kuleuven.ac.be

    • , put "subscribe VVS FIRSTNAME LASTNAME" in body of message.

To unsubscribe:

    put "signoff VVS" in body of message.

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