PBS
Pbs Learning Media: All Planet Sizes
This illustration from the Lunar and Planetary Laboratory shows the approximate sizes of the planets relative to each other. Note that the planets are not shown at appropriate distances from the Sun.
California Institute of Technology
Spitzer Science Center: Historias Desde Espacio: Que Hay en El Espacio?
What's in Space? Take a look at pictures of space while reading a story explaining what you see. An excellent resource for Spanish speakers. Provides authentic pictures and gives students a basic understanding of outer space.
US Department of Labor
Bureau of Labor Statistics: Physicists and Astronomers
Discover the work of physicists and astronomers. This resource includes the job outlook and salary expectations.
University of Chicago
Telescopes at Yerkes Observatory / Virtual Tour
This site describes the difference between reflective and refractive telescopes and includes a virtual tour of Yerkes Observatory which houses the largest refracting telescope in the world.
University of California
Univ. Of Cal Berkeley: The Comet's Tale
Site provides extensive information in the study of comets. Includes excellent graphics that depict what comets look like as they travel through the solar system. Also includes information on how comets may have effected the Earth's...
TED Talks
Ted: Ted Ed: Calculating the Odds of Intelligent Alien Life
This video uses the Drake Equation to calculate the odds of intelligent alien life in the universe. [7:28] Followed by a short quiz and a list of additional resources to explore.
University of Chicago
University of Chicago Library: Multiwavelength Astronomy
Get the inside story on how Astrophysics emerged as a field of study from personal stories of scientists that helped to revolutionize our view of the Universe.
Science Buddies
Science Buddies: Using the Soho to Determine the Rotation of the Sun
This project shows you how to use images from an orbiting observatory to measure how fast the Sun rotates.
Science Buddies
Science Buddies: A Puzzling Parallax
Did you know that ancient astronomers could measure the distance to other stars? They could also distinguish between stars and planets. How could they do that without modern technology of telescopes? See if you can discover the link...
Science Buddies
Science Buddies: Changing Constellations
Do you like to look up into the night sky? There are so many stars, it can be mind boggling. Some ancient people marked time by the changes in star patterns. We still use changes in constellation patterns to mark astronomical time. This...
Science Buddies
Science Buddies: Which Stars Can You Use for Navigation
A great science project from Science Buddies that examines how ancient peoples navigated without the benefit of a GPS. Find out which stars are important in navigation in the northern and southern hemispheres. The Science Buddies project...
Science Buddies
Science Buddies: Craters and Meteorites
Have you ever heard that the moon is made of cheese? Even though the craters on the surface of the moon resemble holes in Swiss cheese, we know that this common myth is not true. Find out how craters are formed and why they are different...
Science Buddies
Science Buddies: Measuring the Moon
Sometimes a full moon can be so bright, you can walk around in the dark without a flashlight. How much brighter is a full moon than the other phases of the moon? How is the brightness of the moon measured?
Science Buddies
Science Buddies: A Matter of Time
Do you wake up at the crack of dawn, or do you need an alarm clock to wake you up each morning? It may surprise you that the two are not always in synch. Nowadays, we use Standard Time to set our watches instead of Solar Time. Which...
Science Buddies
Science Buddies: The Milky Way and Beyond: Globular Clusters
Globular clusters, compact groups of about a million stars that move around together in galaxies, are among the oldest objects found in the universe. Since they are found most galaxies and since they've been around for so long, globular...
Science Buddies
Science Buddies: Sunspot Cycles
Sunspot activity has been monitored continuously since about 1700. The historical data shows that sunspot activity rises and falls in a roughly 11-year cycle. This project shows you how you can use both graphical and statistical analysis...
Science Buddies
Science Buddies: Calculating the Circumference of the Earth
In this project, you will estimate the circumference of the earth, using a method developed about 2,200 years ago, by Eratosthenes, a Greek mathematician and the librarian of the great library at Alexandria, in Egypt.
Science Buddies
Science Buddies: Similar Triangles: Using Parallax to Measure Distance
Want to stretch your imagination? One good way is to try to imagine how far it is to a distant star. How much farther away is it than the moon is from the earth? In this project, you'll learn one way of measuring the distance without...
Science Buddies
Science Buddies: Observatory Satellite Measures Motion of Coronal Mass Ejection
The sun sometimes releases huge bursts of electrified gases into space. These bursts are called coronal mass ejections (or CMEs). When CMEs are directed towards Earth they can generate auroras, the spectacular atmospheric displays also...
Science Buddies
Science Buddies: Correlation of Coronal Mass Ejections With Solar Sunspot Cycle
Scientists have known for hundreds of years that sunspot activity waxes and wanes over a cycle that lasts approximately 11 years. In the 1970's, scientists discovered that the sun periodically blasts electrified gases into space, in huge...
Science Buddies
Science Buddies: Using a Digital Camera to Measure Skyglow
This is a great project for someone that is interested in both stargazing and photography. Bright city lights and even the light of the full moon obscure the dimmest stars, which can make identifying constellations more difficult. This...
Science Buddies
Science Buddies: Catching Stardust
How do astronomers collect stardust? They design and build satellites that are launched into space to collect particles on specially designed panels. Satellites can be sent to orbit around an object of interest: a planet, moon, or comet....
Science Buddies
Science Buddies: Career Profile: Astronomer
Reach for the stars by checking into the career as an astronomer. This Science Buddies site lays out the requirements needed to become an astronomer, as well as the education and job description. Included are interviews with people who...
American Institute of Biological Sciences
Action Bioscience: Looking for Life on Mars and Beyond
Learn some of the characteristics of Mars. These characteristics lead some people to believe that life forms may be found on the fourth planet from the Sun.