AstroBetter Wiki
This is the companion wiki to the AstroBetter Blog. You can register (see right sidebar) to edit or comment on wiki pages. Please, share your expertise with us! If you have questions or do not know where to add your content, please email us at admin at astrobetter.com
Computing
Mac Setup
- Setup Guide for Mac Astronomers
- Mac Apps - Top apps for boosting astronomy productivity
- Mac Care and Maintenance - Advice for keeping your Mac operating well.
- iPhone and iPad Apps - related blog posts
- Setup User Accounts - For those who integrate into a larger network (beyond just ssh and such)
- Scisoft - quick way to install many data reduction packages
- Running Windows on OS X
- Computing - Other useful computing resources.
Tips and Tricks (by application)
- Computing - compilation of tutorials and activities for teaching/learning
- IDL - Installation Tips and Common IDL problems
- Python - see also related blog posts
- Setting up Python for Astronomy. There are several ways to do this.
- PyRAF
- IDL vs. Python pros and cons
- Python Switchers Guide (i.e. Python translations of IDL and IRAF commands)
- AIPS/CASA - radio/sub-mm interferometric data reduction
- LaTeX - related blog posts
- Mounting remote directories (SSHFS)
- OS X - general tips
- PGPLOT
- DAOphot
- MATLAB - packages and tools for astronomy
- Starburst 99 (spectrophotometric simulation of star-forming galaxies)
- Making PDF/A documents
Astronomical Methods
Observing
- Observing - info for various telescopes and instruments
- How to observe - general advice for the new observer
Analysis
- Data Reduction
- Making Images - IDL, SuperMongo, etc.
- Analysis Tools - blog posts
- Data Modeling
- Statistical Tools
- Simulations
Resources
- Astronomical Databases - Individually maintained web pages that provide data and/or catalogs.
- Astrophysics Source Code Library (ASCL) - Astro research source codes
Career
- Getting Started Guide - Guide for those just getting started in Astronomy.
- A Guide to the Space Life - A guide for people interested in the space industry (space, policy, conferences, societies), compiled by Therese Jones
- Mentee Advice - How to make the most of mentoring relationships (e.g., with research advisors, professors, peers, and colleagues).
- Astropolitics and Your Career - A slideshow from Jay Strader detailing how politics plays a role in an astronomical career.
- Resources on the 'Hidden Curriculum' - Lots of things are never directly taught but we expect you to know them. Here are some topics undergrads need to learn with resources for teaching.
Job Search
- Rumor Mill (postdoc positions, faculty & staff positions)
- Job Hunting Resources
- Navigating the Faculty Job Search - almost a complete guide
- Interview Advice
- Negotiation Resources
- Academic Salaries
Faculty/Staff
Postdoc
Graduate School
- Graduate School - visiting, choosing, tips for success once you're there, and fellowships
- Workshops - Workshops on data reduction or other specialized topics
- Graduate Research Funding Resources
- Graduate Application Resources - General and Financial resources for underrepresented students
- Master's and Bridge Programs - Programs offering terminal Master's and/or bridge to Ph.D. programs
- PhD Programs - graduate programs with which you may not be familiar
Undergraduate
- Summer Internships - listing of REUs and summer internships.
- Undergraduate Astronomy Programs
- How to Land a Post-Baccalaureate Research Experience - tips for finding a position during a gap year and making the most of the experience (by Leah Fulmer, Marina Dunn, Alex Gagliano)
- Undegrad Research - Guide to Getting Started
High School
Non-Academic
Professional Development
- Online Courses — Recommended list of online courses
- CSWA Career Resources
Tricks of the Trade
-
Airline Guide - frequent flying is part of the job
Teaching
- Course Notes and Activities
- Astro 101 Resources
- Textbook Reviews
Institutional Information
- Astronomy Degree Programs — list of institutions that offer astronomy related degrees
- Astronomical Institutions — summary of department sizes, resources, etc.
- Grad Student Representation — details of grad student involvement in Astro PhD programs
- Parental Leave Policies — parental leave policies at different institutions.
- Summer Internships — listing of REUs and summer internships.
- REU Information - information about undergraduate research opportunities
- Undergraduate Astronomy Programs — Page not yet updated with comments from blog post.
- Diversity Programs — programs that are designed to increase diversity in Physics and Astronomy.
- Accessibility of Astronomical Institutions — Including but not limited to disability access
- Live and Archived Astronomy Seminars — List of institutions with both live streaming of astronomy talks and archived videos
Technical Communication
Reading, Writing, Reviewing
- AAS YouTube Series - A series of videos about what to expect when publishing in the AAS journals
- Astro-ph Tools
- Writing - Resources for writing papers and proposals.
- Refereeing and Peer Review - Thoughts on writing referee reports.
- Acknowledgements - How to acknowledge (in paper, talks) the various institutions that support your research.
- Books for Professional Astronomers
Telescope and Grant Proposals
- Telescope and Grant Proposal Deadline Calendar
- Oversubscription Rates - compilation of the statistics for various programs
Talks and Posters
-
Presentation Skills - Tips for giving talks and posters.
Project and Team Management
- Lab Notebooks - Ideas for best practices for keeping useful lab notebooks.
- Team Management - Advice for mentoring students and running a group
- Codes of Conduct - Statements on collaboration polices
- Joining an international research group - article from Nature about things to keep in mind when joining a research group abroad.
Hiring
- Diversity - Links to articles relevant to fostering diversity in physics and astronomy.
- Advice for Graduate Student involvement in faculty searches
- Resources for running a better search
Networking
- Astronomy Education Research - a list of people involved in astronomy education research
AAS Meetings
Social Media Resources
- Conference Hashtags and Tweet Archives
- Astronomers on Twitter
- Astronomy Organizations and Groups on Facebook
- Blogs by Astronomers
Conference Hosting
Equity & Inclusion
- Diversity - Links to articles relevant to fostering diversity in physics and astronomy.
- Mental Health - Links to articles about academia and mental health
- Accessibility - Links to articles about improving disability access in physics and astronomy