CGHS Library

Trees: A Visual Guide

Beautifully illustrated and designed, this gorgeous reference book explores the world of trees from every perspective—from the world's great forests to the lifespan of a single leaf. Arresting color photographs of a wide variety of trees and close-ups of many of their remarkable features provide an enormous amount of information in a highly accessible format. The volume illustrates how trees grow and function, looks at their astounding diversity and adaptations, documents the key role they play in ecosystems, and explores the multitude of uses to which we put trees—from timber and pharmaceuticals to shade and shelter. A highly absorbing read cover to cover or dipped into at random, Trees: A Visual Guide delves into many specific topics: the details of flowers, bark, and roots; profiles of favorite trees; how animals and insects interact with trees; trees in urban landscapes; the role trees play in our changing climate; deforestation and reforestation; and much more. (from University of California Press)

Visual Elements Periodic Table

Attractive and functional, this is the best online periodic table I've seen. As you scroll over each element, it shows some details, and if you click on the element, it provides a thorough and interesting collection of links examining the element in even more detail. Produced by the Royal Society of Chemistry, it has to be good.

Wolfram Alpha

If you are into math or science at ALL, you need to be familiar with WolframAlpha. More than a search engine, WolframAlpha calculates the answers to math or science questions, creates plots, converts units, efficiently accesses scientific data and statitistics, and lots more. It took me awhile to get used to it because it is different than a regular search engine, but it is very, very useful.

WolframAlpha also has some unexpected breadth. I enjoyed floating around in the Wolfram Demonstrations Project. I doubt I'll ever get my mind around all that WolframAlpha offers, but I plan to enjoy trying. (MHouse)

Mathematica » The #1 tool for creating Demonstrations and anything technical. Wolfram|Alpha » Explore anything with the first computational knowledge engine. MathWorld » The web's most extensive mathematics resource. Course Assistant Apps » An app for every course— right in the palm of your hand. Wolfram Blog » Read our views on math, science, and technology. Computable Document Format » The format that makes Demonstrations (and any information) easy to share and interact with. STEM Initiative » Programs & resources for educators, schools & students. Computerbasedmath.org » Join the initiative for modernizing math education.

Quantum Kitty

Time

The concept of time has always blown my mind, and I think you will discover that thinking about it too much can drive you crazy. The BBC does a nice job of explaining potentially mind melting ideas at the following web site.

NASA Images

Total Eclipse Tonight

A total eclipse of the Moon occurs during the early morning hours of December 21, 2010 (for observers in western North America and Hawaii, the eclipse actually begins on the evening of December 20). The entire event is visible from North America, Greenland and Iceland. Western Europe will see the beginning stages of the eclipse before moonset while western Asia will get the later stages after moonrise. During a total lunar eclipse, the Moon's disk can take on a dramatically colorful appearance from bright orange to blood red and more rarely dark brown to very dark gray.

One of the great things about lunar eclipses is that they are completely safe to view with the naked eye. No special filters are required to protect your eyes like those used for solar eclipses. You don't even need a telescope to watch the eclipse although a good pair of binoculars will help.

An eclipse of the Moon can only take place at Full Moon, and only if the Moon passes through some portion of Earth's shadow. The shadow is actually composed of two cone-shaped parts, one nested inside the other. The outer shadow or penumbra is a zone where Earth blocks some (but not all) of the Sun's rays. In contrast, the inner shadow or umbra is a region where Earth blocks all direct sunlight from reaching the Moon.

When only part of the Moon passes through the umbra, a partial eclipse is seen. If the entire Moon passes through the umbral shadow, then a total eclipse of the Moon occurs. It is also possible to have an eclipse where the Moon passes through only the penumbra. Each of these eclipses has a unique and distinct appearance (see Visual Appearance of Lunar Eclipses). For more information on how, what, why, where and when of lunar eclipses, see the special web page Lunar Eclipses for Beginners. (Taken from MrEclipse.com.) 

Kansas Wildflowers and Grasses

Year of the Solar System

Periodic Table of Science Bloggers