GENERAL RESOURCES -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.
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.
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.
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.
Welcome to the Planets (NASA)
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.
Mercury
From The Nine Planets multimedia tour of the solar system.
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.
Western Washington University Planetarium
Provides
stargazing information on the planetarium located at Western Washington
University, Bellingham, Washington state. Features a schedule of
planetarium events, planet and moon positions, fundamental astronomy
concepts, American Indian starlore, information about astronomical
events and amateur astronomy clubs in the Pacific Northwest and British
Columbia, and more.
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.
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.
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
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).
Saturn: Moons: Titan