Resources

Free weather API with high-resolution forecast data. The data basis for SkyGrade.

Detailed weather forecasts with dedicated astronomy charts for seeing and transparency.

Weather forecast built specifically for astronomers, with an hourly cloud-cover overview.

German-language weather service with radar, satellite imagery and detailed regional forecasts.

Astronomical forecast for seeing and transparency. A data source for the SkyGrade score.

Meteoblue seeing forecast showing atmospheric stability.

Classic astronomy weather forecast for North America with seeing, transparency and darkness.

Non-profit astronomy club at the Zeiss Grand Planetarium Berlin. Joint observing nights, astrophotography, talks and telescope lending – open to everyone aged 8 and up, with a focus on supporting newcomers.

One of the largest and most modern planetariums in Europe (30 m dome). Fulldome shows, talks and events about astronomy – and home of the Sternfreunde Berlin & Brandenburg club.

Interactive map of global light pollution based on satellite data. Determines the Bortle class for any location.

Another light pollution map focusing on Europe and Bortle classification.

Germany's first dark sky park (Dark Sky Reserve, 2014). A 1,380 km² night protection area across Brandenburg and Saxony-Anhalt – freely accessible, with designated observing sites.

Dark Sky Reserve (2014) in the Rhön Biosphere Reserve across Bavaria, Hesse and Thuringia. One of the darkest skies in central Germany.

Dark Sky Park (2019) in North Rhine-Westphalia. Offers guided stargazing and a protected night sky close to the Rhineland conurbation.

The first dark sky park in the Alps (Dark Sky Park, 2018) in the Chiemgau region. High-altitude, clear observing conditions at around 1,200 m.

Germany's newest dark sky park (Dark Sky Park, 2025). Around 12,000 ha of largely light-free heathland in Brandenburg – one of the darkest places in the country.

Initiative in the Schwäbische Alb Biosphere Reserve to protect the night sky – certification as a Dark Sky Park in progress.

Project in the Bavarian Forest Nature Park for dark nights and nature-friendly lighting – certification in progress.

Free world map. The basis of geocoding in SkyGrade via Nominatim.

Useful for finding dark observing sites away from light pollution.

Free planetarium software for planning observations. Available as a desktop and web application.

Powerful planetarium app for iOS and Android with telescope control.

Free star chart software for Windows, macOS and Linux with extensive catalogs.

Helps plan deep-sky targets and framing – with a visibility forecast for your own location.

Online tools for eyepiece selection, field-of-view calculation and target planning.

The largest platform for astrophotography images worldwide. Inspiration and reference for your own shots.

Renowned English-language astronomy magazine with observing tips and current sky events.

Powerful free software for stacking and processing astrophotos.

AI-assisted software for gradient removal and background correction in astrophotos.

Proven free stacking program for deep-sky images on Windows.

Free capture and sequencing software for astrophotography with extensive plugin support.

Compact all-in-one system by ZWO for wireless control of mount, camera and autoguiding.

High-resolution weather model from the German Weather Service for Germany and Central Europe.

European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts – one of the most accurate models worldwide.

Global weather model from the US NOAA, freely available and used worldwide.

Detailed information on sunrise and sunset, moon phases and astronomical events.

Visualization of moonrise, moonset and position for any location and date.

Simple API and website for sunrise and sunset times worldwide.

Astronomy Picture of the Day – a stunning astronomy image every day with a scientific explanation.

European Space Agency with current missions, images and science news.

The official ESA Hubble site with high-resolution images and current research.

Tutorials and tips on astrophotography – especially recommended for beginners.

Hands-on astrophotography videos focused on affordable gear and image processing.

Deep-sky astrophotography with detailed tutorials on capture and processing.

One of the best-known astrophotography channels – equipment reviews, tutorials and inspiring images.

Leading manufacturer of astro cameras, autoguiding systems and the ASIAIR controller.

Well-known maker of telescopes and mounts – especially popular with beginners and advanced users.

High-quality refractors and accessories for astrophotography.

Affordable entry-level equipment for astronomy and astrophotography.

Specialist for power management, focusers and automation solutions for the astrophotography setup.