Skywarden is an observation system maintained by the Astronomical Association Ursa. The system is an excellent source of information for those making news about current events in the sky.
How to ask for image publication permissions
The system contains email addresses related to observations, but the information isn't public. Instead, you can use the form below for sending a private email to the person who has made the observation you are interested in. A typical use case for the form is a request for an interview or asking permission to use a certain image in publications. The observers themselves have all the copyrights to the materials they've provided in the observation system. Contacting the the observers directly is also the only way for getting access to the original, non-scaled images. Each observation's www-page address contains the number of the observation in the end. By using that number, you can direct your message to the right receiver.
How to refer to Skywarden as a source of information?
The recommended source reference is either "Ursa's Skywarden" or "Skywarden observation service maintained by Ursa Astronomical Association".
May we use the observation maps?
We are sorry but we can't give permission to use observation maps, since the background map's IPR's are owned by Google. Map visualization can however be done by using an external map layer and extracting data to it by using open Skywarden data APIs (please contact administration for support). The map-icons are freely usable for any purpose, although Skywarden should be still mentioned as source of data.
How do I link into a set of observatios?
If you want to add a link to your web article, the best way is to use the search results. You can just copy the URL in the browser's address bar and use it as a permanent link in your news article.
How do I get the best information about what's happening in the sky right now?
The best way is to make searches in the observation list or tai images and stories view or on the map. The news window in the front page may not always follow the latest development fast enough, since it is maintained by a voluntary group of administrators.
Skywarden as an observation system
The design and implementation of the system is based on work done by several voluntary active observers within the Ursa community. Many of them are working in the areas of research, IT, or earth sciences. Since the implementation on 2011 to 2017, the system has been developed by both Mediasignal Communications and Sasken Finland Oy. The latest system versions are developed by data architect Emma Bruus.
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Site development by the Skywarden team and E. Bruus.
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