This educational brief explains the idea that nuclear fusion is thought to be the mechanism by which virtually all of the elements around us are created. Topics include the proton-proton cycle, the carbon-nitrogen-oxygen cycle, and endothermic reactions in supernova explosions. There is also a discussion of the Advanced Composition Explorer (ACE), a spacecraft intended to study the origin and evolution ... Full description.

This educational brief discusses the advances in our knowledge of Mars topography brought about by the high-resolution map produced from Mars Laser Orbiter Altimeter (MOLA) data. Individual features and regions are described along with any new insights provided by MOLA into their origins. Full description.

This science brief introduces OMNIWeb, an internet-based data retrieval and analysis interface for near-Earth solar and geomagnetic data. A summary of solar and heliospheric physics, including basic terms, is also provided. Full description.

In this module, students will learn the concept of atmospheric pressure, how it changes with height, and how it is represented on maps. It consists of a set of links to each concept. Links to additional material are embedded in the text. Full description.

In this activity, students study the concept of atmospheric pressure and its role in generating winds and influencing day to day weather conditions. The activity consists of answering a set of questions by accessing keyword links to helper resources. Full description.

This document explores the physical and chemical component of the Maryland Chesapeake Bay Water Quality Monitoring Program. Users can study how this program emphasizes water quality as a function of nutrient levels, dissolved oxygen, and water clarity. An interactive map allows the user to select a river basin and view status and trends for analyzed water quality parameters. Full description.

This site presents information about the Advanced Composition Explorer (ACE) spacecraft and its mission, science goals, history, and background. The mission summary includes a brief description of the energetic particles from the sun and from interstellar and galactic sources that are the objectives of the ACE mission. Links to additional information are also supplied. Full description.

This site allows users to study maps and read a description about the Wilkinson Microwave Anisotropy Probe (WMAP), which has made a new determination of the age of the universe and collected data on the oldest light in the universe, microwave "light" captured from 379,000 years after the Big Bang. Full description.

The NewScientist magazine archive features articles on a variety of science topics. The search engine accepts a keyword or title. Quick links to back issues are provided, and magazines can also be browsed by selecting one of ten predetermined subject categories. Full description.

This glossary of terms is associated with the Wilkinson Microwave Anisotrophy Probe (WMAP). Full description.