GPS Basics
http://gps.faa.gov/gpsbasics/
The Federal Aviation Administration maintains the graphically impressive Global Positioning System (GPS) Basics Web site. From the history of the global positioning system and how it works to governmental policy that controls its use, this site does a good job of explaining all facets of what GPS is about without being overly technical. Interested visitors can explore some of the other links that cover satellite navigation topics as well, such as GPS programs; a library of documents, fact sheets, press releases, and news; frequently asked questions; links; and more. Anyone interested in mapping, navigation, or similar subjects will enjoy exploring the interesting information provided on this well designed site. [JAB]
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Welcome to Planet Earth
http://space.rice.edu/~streutke/hotlist.html
The Welcome to Planet Earth Web Site is a project of NASA and Rice University's Department of Space Physics and Astronomy. Offered is a collection of links from around the web on topics such as current and severe weather, climate, pollution, general resources, and movies of such things as an ocean fly-by and of ocean water vapor and topography. Other links describe the projects that Rice University is involved in including other Web educational resources. The highlight of the site has to be the impressive graphics of various worldwide physical processes gathered into one collection from primarily governmental sources for public education and enjoyment. [JAB]
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Northern Alaska Environmental Center
http://northern.org/artman/publish/
The Northern Alaska Environmental Center works to "promote conservation of the environment in Interior and Arctic Alaska through advocacy, education, and sustainable resource stewardship." The well designed site describes through text and breathtaking photography the natural wonders and issues that threaten the Alaskan wilderness, including the arctic region, the boreal forest, and the Denali wilderness area. Issues highlighted on the site cover the economics of mining in the area, air and water quality, recycling, and up-to-date political activity that is affecting the region. Anyone interested in learning about one of the most unique natural areas of the United States, as well as what’s being done to protect it, will certainly be interested in exploring this site. [JAB]
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Inside Chiquibul: Photographing Central America’s Longest Cave
http://www.nationalgeographic.com/chiquibul/intro.html
From National Geographic.com comes the Inside Chiquibul: Photographing Central America’s Longest Cave Web site. Well known is the exquisite photography that accompanies National Geographic publications, and this site provides similar products free to online visitors, along with special features that only can be produced on a Web site. The main map page shows a perspective map of the cave, along with indicators where either a regular picture is available or where an iPEX 360 degree image was produced. The various subject matter includes the cave entrances, repelling in the cave, stalactites and stalagmites, other rock formations, and more. The descriptions and visuals presented on the site make it a must visit. [JAB]
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Selected Papers of Great American Physicists
http://www.aip.org/history/gap/
The Center for History of Physics presents the Selected Papers of Great American Physicists Web site. Seven physicists are featured: Benjamin Franklin, Joseph Henry, Albert Michelson, Henry Rowland, Josiah Gibbs, Robert Millikan, and Arthur Compton. Each page contains a biography and various documents produced by the scientist, a letter commenting on experiments and observations on electricity in Ben Franklin’s case. Although several of the individuals featured are fairly unknown to the lay person, the works highlighted are relatively short and well displayed, which make them very interesting and worth investigating. [JAB]
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Geyser Cinema [QuickTime]
http://www.gigagraphica.com/geyser/index.html
If you’re interested in geology, geysers, Yellowstone National Park, or similar subjects, you’ll really enjoy the Geyser Cinema Web site. Provided by Gigagraphica, the 100-plus movies of course include Old Faithful, but also many other not so well known geysers such as Artesia, Daisy, Purple Pools, and White Dome (with more being added continuously). Each page contains a description, a photograph, a movie, and information on who the movie is from. If you’re inspired to capture one of your own movies of these gaseous geysers, the site allows anyone to contribute a movie of their own by simply contacting the maintainers of the site. [JAB]
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Crown of Africa: Unlocking the Secrets of Mt. Kilimanjaro [Flash]
http://www.altrec.com/features/crownofafrica/
Altrec.com, the outdoor equipment provider, maintains the Crown of Africa: Unlocking the Secrets of Mt. Kilimanjaro Web site. The program lets users discover the mountains' climate zones (which include the lower and upper montane forest, the heath and moorland, the alpine desert, and the summit), the history of and current routes of mountain trekkers, and a description of the mountains' geology. Although it's most likely been created to sell mountaineering gear, the site does provide some intriguing visuals of the peak and interesting information about its natural state. [JAB]
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Alfred-Wegener-Institute: Click and Learn
http://www.awi-bremerhaven.de/ClickLearn/newFAQ/index-e.html
The Alfred-Wegener-Institute, Germany's Institute for Polar and Marine Research, offers the Click and Learn frequently asked questions Web site. Visitors will find answers to questions submitted to the institute by universities, publishers, the media, and schools. Questions and their respective answers are organized by subject and include the Arctic and Antarctic, climate, whales, ice, ships and stations, and more. The ice section, for example, has questions such as how do icebergs form, how old can they be, what temperature does chilblain set in, and what is a B-15 iceberg. Each question is answered by various scientists from the institute, making them varied and interesting for anyone captivated by the earth’s poles. [JAB]
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