| LII.org (Home) | About LII IPL.org Suggest a Site Subscribe to New This Week Contact |
|
|
 |
|||
|
|||
|
|||
|
|
|||
Planets
 Websites presented in alphabetical order "10th Planet" Discovered 
 Article about the July 2005 discovery of "a new planet in the outer solar system. ... The planet, which hasn't been officially named yet ... [is located] more or less in the Kuiper Belt, a dark realm beyond Neptune where thousands of small icy bodies orbit the sun." Includes photos, an artist's concept of the planet, and audio of the story. From the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2005/29jul_planetx.htm Topics: Astronomy, Photograph Collections Last updated Oct 9, 2005 The Case of the Pilfered Planet: Did the British Steal Neptune?
This 2004 article explores the "story of mathematical sleuthing and telescopic detection of the planet that [French mathematician Urbain Jean Joseph] Le Verrier named Neptune ... [and] the controversy set off when, soon after ... the discovery, it emerged that a young and little-known English mathematician, John Couch Adams, had independently tackled the same problem and deduced much the same position -- before Le Verrier had." Includes a related sidebar. From Scientific American. http://www.scientificamerican.com/article.cfm?id=the-case-of-the-pilfered Topics: Astronomy Last updated Sep 4, 2009 Chasing Venus: Observing the Transits of Venus, 1631-2004
This exhibit provides background information and history of transits of Venus, the astronomical events where "the planet Venus passes directly between Earth and the Sun, appearing as a small black dot on the Sun's disk." Features details about seven past transits of Venus (1631, 1639, 1761, 1769, 1874, 1882, 2004), and the upcoming transit in 2012. Includes links to related sites. From the Smithsonian Institution Libraries. http://www.sil.si.edu/exhibitions/chasing-venus/ Topics: Astronomy Last updated May 31, 2005 Deep Space Network (DSN)
The NASA DSN "is an international network of antennas that supports interplanetary spacecraft missions and radio and radar astronomy observations for the exploration of the solar system and the universe." Its site features descriptions of its science and technology, and illustrated history for this project that celebrated its 50th anniversary in February 2008 by beaming the Beatles song "Across the Universe." From the NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology. http://deepspace.jpl.nasa.gov/dsn/ Topics: Astronomy Last updated Feb 13, 2008 ESA Science & Technology: Venus Express
Background and updates about this 2005-2006 European Space Agency (ESA) mission to Venus "to study the atmosphere, the plasma environment, and the surface of Venus in great detail." In addition to fact sheets and status reports, the site features images and video clips, a 3-D model of the Venus Express spacecraft, and a glossary. From the European Space Agency. http://sci.esa.int/science-e/www/area/index.cfm?fareaid=64 Topics: Astronomy Last updated Apr 11, 2006 Exoplanets.org
This project looks for and documents planets orbiting nearby stars. To date, over 200 of these exoplanets have been discovered. The site features a catalog of exoplanets, a description of how exoplanets are discovered, a virtual tour of the Automated Planet Finder Telescope, a bibliography of research publications, and related material. From the University of California, Berkeley, and Carnegie Institution. http://exoplanets.org Topics: Astronomy Last updated Apr 30, 2007 exploreMarsnow.org
This site presents an interactive, three-dimensional model of a possible base station and habitat for the first humans on Mars. It includes the base exterior, the layout, work and living spaces, greenhouse, Mars car, robot rovers, and, and other details. There is also a section of Mars facts. From Nexterra, a nonprofit group composed of "design professionals and educators" interested in space exploration. http://www.exploremarsnow.org/ Topics: Astronomy, Geography, History Last updated Jan 7, 2004 Exploring Planets in the Classroom: Hands-on Activities
This site presents more than 25 science activities with "classroom-ready pages for both teachers and students for exploring Earth, the planets, geology, and space sciences." Related annotated links are also included. http://www.spacegrant.hawaii.edu/class_acts/ Topics: Astronomy, K-12 Education Last updated Jun 29, 2007 Exploring the Planets
This online exhibit from 2002 "highlights the history and achievements of planetary explorations, both Earth-based and by spacecraft." It features information about tools of exploration and about the planets, asteroids, and comets in our solar system. Information for planets includes atmosphere, moons, magnetic fields, images, and more. From the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum. http://www.nasm.si.edu/research/ceps/etp/etp.htm Topics: Astronomy, Geography Last updated Jun 7, 2005 The Extrasolar Planets Encyclopaedia
Information on research into planets outside our solar system is covered in this site maintained by Jean Schneider of the Paris Observatory. Includes a bibliography, and links to related resources. Also available in French and Spanish. http://www.obspm.fr/planets Topics: Astronomy, Ready Reference & Quick Facts, Ready Reference & Quick Facts Last updated Dec 18, 2005 Field Trip to Mars
Features a "self-guided excursion to view various sites located on or near the central plateau of Washington [state] that correlate to features found on the moon and mars." The trip covers floodplains, waterfalls, volcanoes, basalt lava, lakes, lakebeds, coulees, canyons, earthquakes, sand dunes, and dust devils. Includes a glossary, quizzes, related resources (some broken links), and the opportunity to contact Cosmos the Research Robot with questions. From Kid's Cosmos. http://www.kidscosmos.org/field-trip-to-mars.html Topics: Astronomy Last updated Dec 2, 2004 Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature
"This gazetteer contains detailed information about all names of topographic and albedo features on planets and satellites (and some planetary ring and ring-gap systems) that the International Astronomical Union (IAU) has named and approved from its founding in 1919 through the present time." From the U.S. Geological Survey. http://planetarynames.wr.usgs.gov/ Topics: Astronomy, Dictionaries, Geography, Ready Reference & Quick Facts Last updated May 22, 2005 Geology of Mars
"Here you can learn about the six geological processes that are either currently operating on Mars or have operated during Martian history. These include the aeolian, cratering, hydro, landslides, tectonic, and volcanic processes." Features essays accompanied by images of the surface of Mars. http://www.lukew.com/marsgeo/ Topics: Astronomy Last updated Sep 2, 2003 The Kepler Mission
Scheduled for a Discovery launch, "the Kepler Mission will use a unique spaceborne telescope," or photometer, "specifically designed to search for Earth-like planets around stars beyond our solar system." This official NASA site is laden with scientific language and hard to navigate, and it could use a fashion makeover, but the information is comprehensive and authoritative. Also available in Spanish. http://www.kepler.arc.nasa.gov/ Topics: Astronomy, Geography, Photograph Collections Last updated Sep 4, 2002 Lunar and Planetary Science
Compilation of National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) materials on individual planets, the moon, asteroids, and comets. Find links to fact sheets, current and past missions, images and data, and other relevant publications. Also includes links to related websites. From NASA. http://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/planetary/ Topics: Astronomy Last updated Sep 19, 2007 Mars
This profile of Mars features facts, news, and photos. Includes information about missions, Canada's role in Mars exploration, the use of Canadian Arctic areas for space research, and an annotated timeline of Mars missions from the Soviet probes in the early 1960s to the present. Provides links to related stories and resources. From the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC). http://www.cbc.ca/news/background/space/mars_index.html Topics: Astronomy, Geography, History, Photograph Collections: Regional Last updated Feb 9, 2005 Mars 2001 Odyssey: Thermal Emission Imaging System (THEMIS)
Provides the goals of this space mission (very generally, geological research), its progress, photographs of instruments, and visible light and infrared images of the surface of Mars taken by cameras aboard the spacecraft. http://themis.asu.edu/ Topics: Astronomy, Geography, History Last updated Jan 7, 2004 Mars Exploration Rover Mission
Home page for the "twin robot geologists," Spirit and Opportunity, and their mission to Mars to research the "history of water on the planet." Provides information about the mission and describes the science and technology involved. Offers pages designed for the press, educators, children, and students. Includes photos, news, and multimedia features. From NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory. http://marsrovers.jpl.nasa.gov/home/ Topics: Astronomy, Geography, History, Photograph Collections Last updated Jan 7, 2004 Mars Global Surveyor Thermal Emission Spectrometer
This site features information about the thermal emission spectrometer (TES), an instrument used to "measure the thermal infrared energy (heat) emitted from Mars. This technique, called thermal emission spectroscopy, can tell us much about the geology and atmosphere of Mars." Provides background on the TES, data from the spectrometer (aboard the Mars Global Surveyor spacecraft), and a searchable database of spectral data on over 150 minerals. From the Planetary Exploration Laboratory at Arizona State University. http://tes.asu.edu/ Topics: Astronomy, Geography Last updated Feb 11, 2004 Mars Global Surveyor: Mars Orbiter Camera (MOC) Image Gallery
Over 100,000 photographs of Mars, taken by three cameras "that provide daily global weather monitoring, context images to determine where the narrow angle views were actually acquired, and regional coverage to monitor variable surface features such as polar frost and wind streaks." http://www.msss.com/moc_gallery/ Topics: Astronomy, Photograph Collections Last updated Aug 27, 2003 Mars Moves in for Some Quality Visual Time
An explanation of the perihelic opposition of Mars and Earth, particularly significant in August 2003 as "Mars will not make another neighborly visit this close until 2287." From NASA's Mars Exploration Program. http://mars.jpl.nasa.gov/spotlight/marsClose01.html Topics: Astronomy Last updated Aug 27, 2003 Mars Pathfinder
All about NASA's successful mission to place a vehicle and instruments on the surface of Mars on July 4, 1997. Information on the 310-million-mile flight includes scientific instruments, images of the Red Planet, a FAQ, timeline, educational programs. From the Jet Propulsion Laboratory at the California Institute of Technology. http://marsprogram.jpl.nasa.gov/MPF/ Topics: Astronomy, Technology Last updated May 4, 2004 Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter (MRO)
Research reports, photographs, and 3-D images resulting from NASA's 2005 mission to Mars. Covers the mission, science, technology, and people involved. From the Jet Propulsion Laboratory at the California Institute of Technology. http://marsprogram.jpl.nasa.gov/mro/ Topics: Astronomy, Geography, History Last updated Dec 15, 2008 Measuring the Solar System: The Story of the Transits of Venus
Companion to an exhibit coinciding with the 2004 transit of Venus, when Venus passes between the sun and Earth. "The 18th century transits of Venus allowed a proper geometrical determination of this unit [astronomical unit, distance of the sun from Earth] to be made for the first time." Provides material about the development and implementation of the theory to derive the astronomical unit. Also includes an animation of the transit. From the Armagh Observatory. http://www.arm.ac.uk/venustransit/exhibit/ Topics: Astronomy Last updated Nov 1, 2007 Messenger: Mercury Surface, Space Environment, Geochemistry, and Ranging
Information about the "NASA Discovery mission to conduct this orbital study of the innermost planet." Messenger launched in August 2004. It should be "in position to enter Mercury orbit in March 2011." The site provides a FAQ, an overview of the mission, status reports, facts about the planet Mercury, information for students and teachers, related links, and more. From John Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory (JHU/APL). http://messenger.jhuapl.edu Topics: Astronomy, Geography, Technology Last updated Apr 27, 2005 The Meteoritical Society: International Society for Meteoritics and Planetary Science
This nonprofit scholarly organization promotes "the study of extraterrestrial materials and their history." The organization's Web site features articles by organization members (on topics such as meteorites and interplanetary dust), issues of the society's bulletin ("a compilation of announcements of newly described and classified meteorites"), and other publications and resources on meteorites and planetary science. Searchable. http://www.meteoriticalsociety.org Topics: Astronomy Last updated May 31, 2005 NASA's Mars Exploration Program
All things Mars for students, teachers, journalists, and anyone else with an interest in the Red Planet. Learn about Mars missions, including science goals and enabling technologies. Includes images, videos, and the history of Mars in pop culture. Searchable. From NASA. http://mars.jpl.nasa.gov/ Topics: Astronomy, Geography, History Last updated Jan 7, 2004 National Space Science Data Center
Access to a wide variety of data from NASA space flight missions for astrophysics, space and solar physics, and lunar and earth sciences. The Photo Gallery has pictures of planets, stars, and spacecraft and the Image Catalog those of planets and comets. The General Public Page leads to a chronology of lunar and planetary exploration and fact sheets on each planet. The Space Science Education Page has lessons, online activities, and resources for educators. Searchable. http://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/ Topics: Astronomy, Photograph Collections, Technology Last updated Aug 19, 2002 New Horizons: NASA's Pluto-Kuiper Belt Mission
The NASA New Horizons mission, scheduled to be launched in early 2006 and to reach Pluto in 2015, "is the first mission to the last planet -- the initial reconnaissance of Pluto-Charon and the Kuiper Belt." Find a mission overview, a FAQ, and facts about mission spacecraft and science. The section "P-K Bits" includes amusing facts. From the John Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory (JHU/APL). http://pluto.jhuapl.edu Topics: Astronomy Last updated Jan 18, 2006 The Nine Planets: A Multimedia Tour of the Solar System
This site, "intended for a general audience with little technical background," gives "an overview of the history, mythology, and current scientific knowledge of each of the planets and moons in our solar system. Each page has text and images, some have sounds and movies, most provide references to additional related information." Created and maintained by an astronomy buff. http://www.nineplanets.org/ Topics: Astronomy Last updated Mar 21, 2004 Planet Quest
This informative and comprehensive site tracks the search for new planets. Visitors to the site learn about the science of planetary discovery, possible habitable planets, instruments, and missions. Join the Planet Finder Club and search the New Worlds Atlas for newly discovered planets and planetary system information. Educator resources, multimedia gallery, and related project links are included. Supported by NASA and sponsored by the Jet Propulsion Laboratory at the California Institute of Technology. http://planetquest.jpl.nasa.gov/ Topics: Astronomy, Geography Last updated Feb 12, 2003 Planetary Rings Node
A website "devoted to archiving and distributing scientific data sets relevant to planetary ring systems." In addition to technical data, the site features resources on the ringed planets (Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune) and missions (such as Cassini and Voyager) involving planetary ring systems. A project of NASA Ames Research Center and the Center for Radar Astronomy at Stanford University. From the SETI Institute. http://pds-rings.seti.org/ Topics: Astronomy Last updated Feb 1, 2006 Project Galileo: Journey to Jupiter
Launched in 1985, the Galileo spacecraft began orbiting Jupiter in 1995. This site provides updates, links, and information related to the mission, which is slated to end in August, 2003. There are images of the planet, four of its moons (Io, Europa, Ganymede, and Callisto), and its rings and small satellites. Images of Earth and its moon, Venus, some asteroids, and the Shoemaker-Levy Comet taken on route are also included. There is also a brief history of previous explorations of the planet. http://www.jpl.nasa.gov/galileo/ Topics: Astronomy, Technology Last updated Oct 19, 2005 The Race to Mars
This site provides news, history, a timeline, features, photographs, graphics, and related links about missions to Mars, including Europe's Mars Express (with the Beagle 2 lander) and the United States' Spirit probe. Also provides information about Mars. From the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC). http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/in_depth/sci_tech/2003/race_for_mars/default.stm Topics: Astronomy, Geography, History Last updated Sep 8, 2009 Resolutions 5 and 6: "Definition of Planet In the Solar System" and "Pluto"
These two resolutions adopted in August 2006 at the General Assembly of the International Astronomical Union (IAU) concern the definition of what is a planet and whether Pluto is a planet. Provides definitions for planets, dwarf planets, and "Small Solar System Bodies." The IAU resolved, "Pluto is a 'dwarf planet' ... and is recognized as the prototype of a new category of Trans-Neptunian Objects." Opens directly into a PDF file. http://www.iau.org/static/resolutions/Resolution_GA26-5-6.pdf Topics: Astronomy Last updated May 3, 2008 Saturn: Moons: Titan
Basic information and numerical quick facts about Saturn's largest moon, Titan. Provides relevant links, including one to information on the Cassini spacecraft. Includes photographs and mythology. From the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). http://solarsystem.nasa.gov/planets/profile.cfm?Object=Titan Topics: Astronomy, Photograph Collections Last updated Nov 12, 2004 Scientists Lift Veil on Beagle 3
Article about the November 2004 announcement of a proposal by British scientists for putting a robotic lab on Mars in 2009. Also includes links to related articles on Mars and Mars exploration. From the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC). http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/3977967.stm Topics: Astronomy, Geography, History Last updated Nov 8, 2004 Sedna (2003 VB12)
"On 15 March 2004, astronomers from Caltech, Gemini Observatory, and Yale University announced the discovery of the coldest, most distant object known to orbit the sun." This site provides background information about Sedna, and details about the findings of the team. Includes images and related links (such as to the legend of Sedna, the Inuit goddess of the sea). From a member of the team that discovered Sedna. http://www.gps.caltech.edu/~mbrown/sedna/ Topics: Astronomy, Geography, Technology, Transportation, Water Last updated Mar 16, 2004 SETI Institute
"The mission of the SETI [Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence] Institute is to explore, understand and explain the origin, nature and prevalence of life in the universe." Describes current projects and research as well as education and public outreach programs. Searchable. http://www.seti.org/ Topics: Astronomy Last updated Aug 17, 2007 The SETI League
Web page for news and reports from "a worldwide group of amateur and professional radioastronomers, radio amateurs, microwave experimenters and digital signal processing enthusiasts, who have banded together in a systematic, scientific search of the heavens to detect evidence of intelligent, extra-terrestrial life." http://www.setileague.org/ Topics: Astronomy Last updated Aug 13, 2002 SETI@home: The Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence
SETI analyses radio telescope data "to determine if there is intelligent life outside Earth." Users may help increase the computer power of the project by running a free screensaver program that downloads and analyzes data, and sends it back to SETI. Includes information about the project, and its contributors. From the University of California, Berkeley. http://setiathome.ssl.berkeley.edu/ Topics: Astronomy Last updated Aug 16, 2003 Sky Information
This page from Los Angeles' Griffith's Observatory includes the Sky Report , eclipses, phases of the moon, moonrise and moonset, sunrise and sunset, the sun's daily path (from Los Angeles), tide tables, astronomical zodiac, equinoxes and solstices, and planet positions through 2010. http://www.griffithobs.org/Skyinfo.html Topics: Astronomy, Geography, Holidays and Observances Individually, Water, Weather Last updated Dec 6, 2001 Solar System Exploration: Neptune
Information about the eighth planet from the sun, including an overview, facts and figures, and images. Also includes information about Neptune's moons and rings, and a children's section. From the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). http://solarsystem.nasa.gov/planets/profile.cfm?Object=Neptune&Display=Overview Topics: Astronomy Last updated Aug 24, 2004 Solar System: Saturn
Fact sheet on this planet "[whose] intricate ring system has fascinated astronomers for centuries." Features data on Saturn, articles about the planet, details about missions (such as Cassini-Huygens) to the planet, and links to related resources from NASA. From the NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) at the California Institute of Technology. http://www.jpl.nasa.gov/solar_system/planets/saturn_index.html Topics: Astronomy Last updated Feb 1, 2006 Spooky Space 'Sounds'
NASA has "in time for Halloween, ... put together a compilation of elusive 'sounds' of howling planets and whistling helium that is sure to make your skin crawl." Listen to sounds from Jupiter, Uranus, and "the strange whistle of ultra-cold liquid helium-3 that changes volume relative to the North Pole and Earth's rotation." From NASA. Note: may not work in all browsers. http://www.nasa.gov/vision/universe/features/halloween_sounds.html Topics: Astronomy, Holidays and Observances Individually Last updated Oct 30, 2008 Views of the Solar System
An informative site that includes many recent images from space with an index to these images. Each planet is given extensive coverage as is the sun, meteors, and comets. The section for earth includes terrestrial impact craters and volcanoes. There is a history of space exploration and a glossary. Additionally there are links to related resources and as tables of historical, orbital, and physical data for the sun, planets, and their satellites. http://www.solarviews.com/eng/homepage.htm Topics: Astronomy Last updated Mar 23, 2002 Voyager: The Interstellar Mission
Background about the Voyager 1 and 2 space missions (launched in 1977), which have explored Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune. Features images, a brief timeline, and material about the spacecraft, the missions, and the planets. Also includes press releases, fact sheets, and related publications. From the NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology. http://voyager.jpl.nasa.gov Topics: Astronomy Last updated Sep 11, 2006 Welcome to the Planets: Mars
Photographic slide show of Mars as seen from Earth, from spacecraft, and up close and personal from the surface in pictures taken by the Mars Pathfinder vehicle. Includes audio clips and hyperlinks to a planet glossary. From the Jet Propulsion Laboratory of the California Institute of Technology, in conjunction with NASA. http://pds.jpl.nasa.gov/planets/choices/mars1.htm Topics: Astronomy, Photograph Collections Last updated Aug 27, 2003 What Makes a Planet?
Brief introduction for the layperson about the definition of what is a planet and about the 2006 controversy about whether Pluto is a planet. This site notes "there are many things that make Pluto quite different from the [other eight] planets," so that it is "very hard to classify Pluto with the rest of the major planets." From a professor in the Department of Astronomy at Cornell University. http://www.astro.cornell.edu/~jlm/planet.html Topics: Astronomy Last updated Aug 21, 2006 Where Are They?
This article gives an overview of the results from years of Search For Extra-Terrestrial Intelligence (SETI) programs. Although aliens have yet to be found, the author says useful conclusions can still be drawn from the searches. This is a good nontechnical discussion of a popular subject. From the July 20, 2000, issue of "Scientific American". http://www.scientificamerican.com/article.cfm?id=where-are-they Topics: Astronomy Last updated Sep 22, 2009 |
|||
| Copyright © 2009, Librarians' Internet Index, LII. All rights reserved. Financial support for LII (Librarians' Internet Index) comes from the The iSchool at Drexel, College of Information Science and Technology and the IPL Consortium. LII is hosted by The iSchool at Drexel, College of Information Science and Technology. |