Physics Portal
http://www.nature.com/physics/
The journal Nature's Web site, Physics Portal, is an online resource providing physicists easy access to timely, relevant research. After the free registration users can view current and past articles, arranged by subject and including everything from astro to quantum physics. The site also contains news articles, meeting and job information, a links page, and more, making it a must-stop for any researcher or educator in the field. [JAB]
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GEBCO Names of Undersea Features [.pdf, Excel]
http://www.ngdc.noaa.gov/mgg/gebco/underseafeatures.html
The Web site for GEBCO (last reviewed in the December 14, 2001 Scout Report), the most comprehensive Bathymetric Chart of the world from UNESCO and the International Hydrographic Organization (IHO), now includes a gazetteer of undersea feature names. The downloadable Excel spreadsheet gives names and geographic data on undersea canyons, troughs, seamounts, banks, rises, channels, and fracture zones. The .pdf file gives the guidelines used in assigning undersea feature names, definitions of terms, and contact information for members of the GEBCO Sub-Committee on Undersea Feature Names and the Working Group on Maritime and Undersea Features of the United Nations Group of Experts on Geographical Names (UNGEGN). The 38-page text is in English and French. [HCS]
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CERN Document Server Posters
http://weblib.cern.ch/Home/Multimedia/Posters/
Posters for various exhibitions and workshops at CERN, the Swiss-based European Laboratory for Particle Physics, are now available within the Multimedia collection of the CERN Document Server. At this site, over 220 posters can be searched (keyword, title or date) or browsed by title. The posters cover CERN projects such as the L3 detector and the End-cap Muon system and exhibitions like Crystals of China and Collaborating through the Cold War. They display labeled diagrams of equipment, specifications, and historical facts. Because the online CERN Document Server is set to provide thorough information about documents in its database, users can find the top ten keywords for each poster, get detailed file format information (.pdf, .gif, .ps), extract figures and receive documents by email. The printable color posters provide an interesting look into the history of CERN research and outreach and make nice office decorations for science geeks such as this editor. [HCS]
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New Publication Explores Challenges to Thermophysical Researchers [.pdf]
http://www.nist.gov/public_affairs/update/upd011113.htm#Chemistry
In June 2000, the Fourteenth Symposium on Thermophysical Properties was held to review the progress of thermophysics over the last 100 years and to look forward to the next century of research and development in thermophysics. The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) provides a special publication online covering the event, including overviews of topical issues by professionals in the field and several brief, invited essays on issues raised in the forum by panelists, audience participants, and other experts in thermophysics. The topics addressed in the 113 page .pdf document include molecular modeling, nuclear waste cleanup, power plants, process and chemical manufacturing, data evaluation, and simulations and sensitivity analysis. [HCS]
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Two Datasets from Antarctica
Ice Thickness and Surface Elevation, Southeastern Ross Embayment,West Antarctica
http://nsidc.org/data/nsidc-0099.html
A Databank of Antarctic Surface Temperature and Pressure Data
http://cdiac.esd.ornl.gov/epubs/ndp/ndp032/ndp032.html
The National Snow and Ice Data Center (NSIDC) has released online ice thickness and surface elevation data for the Ross ice sheet of Western Antarctica. This data is a result of the Corridor aerogeophysics of the Southeastern Ross Transect Zone (CASERTZ) experiments of the 1990s. According to NSDIC, "the CASERTZ geophysical surveys were aimed at understanding geological controls on ice streams of the West Antarctic Ice Sheet, ultimately to help assess the potential for ice sheet collapse." Tables listing season/flight, date, latitude and longitude, and thickness (m) are displayed in ASCII text format and are also downloadable via FTP. Antarctic monthly mean sea surface temperature and pressure data are accessible online from CDIAC, the Carbon Dioxide Information Analysis Center of Oak Ridge, TN. Compiled by the Climatic Research Unit of the University of East Anglia, UK, this data is an update of temperature. and pressure data collected between 1957-1990 from 29 stations over Antarctica. CDIAC's Web page of this climatic research project displays a map of sampling localities and a table of contents, guiding readers to figure and table lists, the abstract, the introduction, data sources, error checking techniques, data revisions, file descriptions, and references. The data tables are presented in ASCII format and can be downloaded via FTP (instructions given). [HCS]
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Hydride Information Center
http://hydpark.ca.sandia.gov/
This site, posted by the US Department of Energy's Sandia National Laboratories, " provides access to a comprehensive set of databases on metal-hydrogen systems, their properties, applications, literature sources, and profiles of organizations involved in metal-hydrogen development." Metal hydrides are important because they are commonly used in batteries and as hydrogen fuel storage cells for autos and power generation (a fossil fuel alternative). The technical part of the database has hydride material listings (searchable by material, author, year); hydride properties (searchable by name, formula, pressure and temperature); and references (searchable by reference number, author, keyword). Another section of the database deals with applications (storage, processing, electrochemical). Scientists interested in using the Hydride Information Center database will also like the conference announcements and contact lists. [HCS]
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Inventing Modern America, from the Microwave to the Mouse
http://web.mit.edu/invent/www/ima/
Invention Dimension
http://web.mit.edu/afs/athena.mit.edu/org/i/invent/
Excerpts and supplements from Lemelson-MIT Program's 2001 book Inventing Modern America, from the Microwave to the Mouse are housed in this colorful, fun Web site. The book celebrates the best of American ingenuity and inventiveness, profiling inventors of everyday objects such as kevlar (inventor Stephanie Kwolek) and the electronic telephone switchboard (inventor Erna Schneider). The book's Web site gives facts about some of these inventors, furnishes color .pdf pages from the book, has invention-related games such as "Which Came First?" (e.g. neon or fluorescent lights?), discusses the Lemelson-MIT Program, and gives links to other sites on innovation. One of these links is to its companion site, Invention Dimension, which has refurbished and added content since we last reviewed it in the January 12, 1996 Scout Report. The Invention Dimension has an exciting "Inventor of the Week" section and searchable archive along with an Inventor's Handbook dealing with intellectual property, patents, business plans, etc. If you ever wondered who invented the chocolate chip cookie or wanted to learn more about Frank Zamboni, father of the ice-resurfacer seen at your local skating rink, this resource is for you! [HCS]
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ChemLab
http://www.dartmouth.edu/~chemlab/
Dartmouth College's introductory chemistry course program has a Web site that is worth a look by students and professors of chemistry at other institutions. Visitors to the site can ignore the exam and grading sections and head straight to the Java applets. With these nine, nifty mini-tutorials students can create a custom periodic table, play fill-in-the-blank periodic table puzzles, run virtual labs on anions and cations, construct a visible spectrum, practice least-squares regressions, and much more. Visitors to the site will also find the "Chemistry and Background" portions of the online laboratory manuals (filed under Chem 3/5 and Chem 6) useful and also should review the section on how and why to keep a chemistry lab notebook. [HCS]
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New Activities from Windows to the Universe:
Magnetometer
http://www.windows.ucar.edu/tour/link=/teacher_resources/magnetometer_edu.html
Magnetometer Extensions Activity
http://www.windows.ucar.edu/tour/link=/teacher_resources/extension_edu.html
Terrabagga Activity Using a Magnetometer
http://www.windows.ucar.edu/tour/link=/teacher_resources/terrabagga_edu.html
Three Clouds Activity
http://www.windows.ucar.edu/tour/link=/teacher_resources/3clouds_edu.html
The University of Michigan's educational site called Windows to the Universe (reviewed in the January 6, 1999 Scout Report for Science and Engineering) has added many new lessons to their content. Highlights of these include two activities centered around magnetism and cloud formation. Clicking on the links to the Student Activity Sheet and reading the Notes to the Teacher are essential for getting the most out of the activities. To undertake the magnetism lessons, first follow the instructions to make the homemade magnetometer. Then, you can do neat activities modeling real-world uses of a magnetometer instrument, such as exploring Earth's magnetic reversals. You can explore how magnetic fields of the planets are measured by creating your own planet, with magnetic poles out of a paper bag and a few other simple items ("Terrabagga"). Once you've had enough of the magnets, put your head in the clouds with the Three Clouds activity. This set of three lessons uses items such as a jugs and jars, a plastic bag, an aquarium thermometer, and an overhead projector to explore how clouds form and the relationship between the hydrosphere and human activity. [HCS]
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Create a Graph
http://nces.ed.gov/nceskids/graphing/
Part of the National Center for Education Statistics' Classroom feature, Create a Graph is a simple, visual program in which kids can create a custom bar, area, line or pie graph. Clicking on the chart type from the menu leads to a brief overview about that type of graph, what sorts of data it is useful for, and links to the data entry page. On the data entry page, kids can enter up to 15 data values, type titles, select graph size and colors (12 to choose from), designate .png or .jpeg file type, and create a printer-ready graph. This is an excellent tool for homework assignments and educational play. [HCS]
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Ask ERIC - Lesson Plans
http://ericir.syr.edu/cgi-bin/lessons.cgi/Science
Ask ERIC, or the Educational Resources Information Center, is a federally funded project within the Department of Education that hopes to "provide education information to teachers, librarians, counselors, administrators, parents, and anyone interested in education throughout the United States and the world." This portion of the site provides lesson plans in twenty-three science subjects, geared for students from K-12. All clearly and attractively presented, each lesson plan gives a suggested grade level, objectives, materials needed, and more. The site contains other worthwhile information such as a lesson plan, writing guide, mailing list, newsletter, and a link to submit your own lesson plan. [JAB]
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Special Report: 2001 Odyssey Mission to Mars
http://www.space.com/missionlaunches/missions/mars_odyssey_sr.html
Space.com offers this special look at the Odyssey Mission to Mars, the latest robotic probe circling Mars that delivered its first pictures back to Earth earlier this fall. If you can get past Space.com's flashy pop-up advertisements you'll find interesting features such as "Water or No Water," an article discussing the search for groundwater on the Red Planet. Links to infrared imagery from the mission, an animation of the canyon-riddled topography and a discussion of how the search for water is conducted and how the search for water relates to the search for life on Mars are furnished. Other highlights of this Web feature include a schematic of the Odyssey craft, an article about Dan Goldin's "faster, better, cheaper" approach to space exploration, numerous videos from their SpaceTV program, images (digital elevation models, infrared, photographic) of Mars from NASA telescopes and earlier missions such as the Viking and the Mars Global Surveyor, and of course the latest infrared images coming from the Odyssey Mission itself. [HCS]
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United States Climate Normals
http://www5.ncdc.noaa.gov/cgi-bin/climatenormals/climatenormals.pl?directive=prod_select2&prodtype=CLIM81&subrnum=
The National Climate Data Center has recently released weather data from the last thirty years, which is used by forecasters to compare day-to-day normal conditions. The daily and monthly reports are available for download in ASCII or PDF formats and include data on such things as average daily temperatures and precipitation from nearly 8,000 weather stations in the United States, Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, and the U.S. Pacific Islands. Everyone from researchers to those users interested in weather in their hometown will find the information provided valuable. [JAB]
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Two Geospatial Images from Canada:
Lake Nipigon
http://www.ccrs.nrcan.gc.ca/ccrs/imgserv/tour/42/42_onte.html
Ekati Diamond Mine
http://www.ccrs.nrcan.gc.ca/ccrs/imgserv/tour/43/43_nwte.html
These recent postings from the Canada Centre for Remote Sensing's "Images of Canada" series provide an interesting introduction to remote sensing techniques and the history of landforms, both natural and human-made. The Landsat image of Ontario's Lake Nipigon, a name meaning "deep, clear lake," is viewable in two sizes and is accompanied by text and other remote images on the structural geology, rock types, recent forest fires, and forestry research around the lake. The page on the Ekati Diamond Mine, which is located in the Northwest Territories and is North America's only operating diamond mine, also presents two sizes of satellite images and informational text. A nifty feature of the Ekati page is a section where users can compare the satellite imagery to ground images of particular features (e.g., tundra, glacial eskers, and heath) of the mine area. Other highlights include a satellite view of the excavated terraces and blast sites of this pit mine and a time series of Landsat images showing the Ekati mine site in five-year increments. The Canada CCRS was reviewed previously in the May 24, 2000 Scout Report for Science and engineering. [HCS]
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How Volcanoes Work
http://www.geology.sdsu.edu/how_volcanoes_work/
How Volcanoes Work was constructed and is maintained by Dr. Vic Camp from San Diego State University's Department of Geological Sciences. The site takes a comprehensive look into every aspect of volcanic formations and eruptions, including historical eruptions (Mt. St. Helens) and volcanism on other planets. Well written and designed, this site offers excellent illustrations, photographs, and several multimedia files such as a cross-sectional view of an eruption taking place. Anyone from geology students to lifelong learners will find this site interesting and informative. [JAB]
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HESSI is Go for Launch!
http://www.windows.ucar.edu/tour/link=/headline_universe/hessi_launch.html
From the news section of the Windows to the Universe Web site (originally reviewed in the January 6, 1999 Scout Report) , NASA's High Energy Solar Spectroscopic Imager (HESSI), built to help study solar flares on the sun, is scheduled to launch on January 24th after several failed attempts. Although a short article, the provided links give in-depth descriptions of the satellite, solar flares, the sun and more -- all with very nice illustrations and photographs. One of the most unique aspects of the article is the ability to choose among three varying levels of expertise, which changes the wording of the article to accommodate everyone from beginners to experts. [JAB]
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The Return of El Nino
1. "Is El Nino Back?" -- ABCNEWS.com
http://abcnews.go.com/sections/scitech/DailyNews/elnino020110.html
2. "El Nino Could Return in Months" -- BBC News
http://news.bbc.co.uk/hi/english/sci/tech/newsid_1755000/1755560.stm
3. "Is El Nino Coming Back?" -- NOAA News
http://www.noaanews.noaa.gov/stories/s849.htm
4. "Tracking El Nino" -- PBS online
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/elnino/
5. "Ocean Surface Topography from Space - El Nino/La Nina Watch" -- NASA
http://topex-www.jpl.nasa.gov/elnino/index.html
6. "Make Your Own El Nino in the Classroom" -- NASA Education
http://topex-www.jpl.nasa.gov/education/make-your-own-el-nino.html
7. "The El Nino/ Earth Science Virtual Classroom" -- ThinkQuest
http://library.thinkquest.org/3356/main/enesvc.html
8. "El Nino Loss Reduction Center" -- FEMA
http://www.fema.gov/nwz97/elnino.htm
Recent observations have suggested the return of the phenomenon El Nino, which potentially can cause severe abnormalities in weather patterns around the world, as it did in 1997-1998. An article from ABCNEWS.com (1) describes the 3,000 mile long and growing streak of warm water in the Pacific Ocean that satellites have detected and also mentions the advisory that the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has issued regarding El Nino. The BBC's article (2) similarly tells of the new data and the potential effects worldwide. A news release dated January 10, 2002 from NOAA is the third site (3) that tells of the recent activity observed. It includes links to other informative NOAA sites which explain in great depth about El Nino. The next site (4) by PBS.org, which was originally reviewed in the February 4, 1998 Scout Report , is excellently designed and written, giving visitors well described information and stunning illustrations, photographs, and animations. NASA's site, (5) El Nino/La Nina Watch, offers satellite images of temperature trends back to 1999. Each image is accompanied by descriptions of what is being observed at that point in time and the potential effects on the climate. Also by NASA (6) , the Make Your Own El Nino in the Classroom page gives a simple hands-on demonstration that any junior high or high school student would find interesting and helpful in understanding the phenomenon. The El Nino/ Earth Science Virtual Classroom (7) bills itself as an online learning resource for junior high through graduate school students. Students can read about El Nino and, most notably, communicate via a free mail server with other students and teachers for additional information. The last site, (8) by the Federal Emergency Management Agency, takes a different perspective of El Nino and provides information on preparing for its potentially disastrous effects. Information includes tips on protecting your home from floods and Real Audio files of FEMA Radio Network interviews regarding El Nino. [JAB]
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From The NSDL Scout Report for Physical Sciences, Copyright Internet Scout Project 1994-2002. http://scout.cs.wisc.edu/
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