In keeping with the theme of Chapter 1, these Web links are designed to demonstrate just how exciting the discipline of geography is. These sites exemplify the many concepts presented in Introduction to Earth.
- Views of the Solar System
According to its author, Calvin J. Hamilton, "Views of the Solar System presents a vivid multimedia adventure unfolding the splendor of the Sun, planets, moons, comets, asteroids, and more. Discover the latest scientific information, or study the history of space exploration, rocketry, early astronauts, space missions, spacecraft through a vast archive of photographs, scientific facts, text, graphics, and videos. Views of the Solar System offers enhanced exploration and educational enjoyment of the solar system and beyond." He's not exaggerating!
- U.S. Naval Observatory Astronomical Applications
This site contains: sunrise, sunset, moonrise, moonset, and twilight data, complete Sun and Moon data for one day, a table of sunrise/sunset, moonrise/moonset, and twilight times for an entire year, information on phases of the Moon from 1990–2005, a table of moon illumination for an entire year, solar and lunar eclipse timetables and computers, data for major solar system bodies and bright stars, and more!
- NASA Home Page
This official NASA site is a gateway for information about current missions to space.
- Mars Pathfinder Mission Home Page
The MARS Pathfinder lander arrived on Mars on July 4, 1997, giving us the first new surface pictures of Mars since the Viking missions of the 1970s. The small rover Sojourner traveled over a tiny area of the planet's surface, sending back data on rock composition while the lander recorded meteorological data. The site has a wealth of amazing pictures of the surface of Mars as well as some of the scientific findings of the mission, which includes the conclusion that young Mars may have been like Earth, with running water and a warmer atmosphere!
- Association of American Geographers
This is the home page of the AAG, a professional organization for Geographers. This is a great page to visit if you are interested in a career in geography or attending graduate school in geography.
- Latitude–Longitude Distance Calculation
This query will determine the distance between two points on the Earth given their latitudes and longitudes.
- Examples of Map Projections and Their Uses
Mapmakers and mathematicians have devised almost limitless ways to project the image of the globe onto paper. Scientists at the U.S. Geological Survey have designed projections for their specific needs—such as the Space Oblique Mercator, which allows mapping from satellites with little or no distortion.
This document gives the key properties, characteristics, and preferred uses of many historically important projections and of those frequently used by mapmakers today.
