How did the Moon form? The most favored theory - a cataclysmic impact on our planet - that has dominated scientific thinking for over a quarter of a century has always had its critics. But the final piece of the puzzle may just be in place. This radio broadcast considers new research that could offer the complete picture into the events that led to the creation of our moon. Analysis of moon rocks ... Full description.

From our home planet to distant neutron stars, this narrated videotape presents recent scientific visualizations of observation and simulation data. We begin with a dramatic journey over SC99 host city Portland and its surroundings. Later explorations accompany the X-33 aerospace plane on its first test flight, witness Mississippi River flooding, and follow global life over 22 months. New views of ... Full description.

These galleries provide links to images and pictures related to space exploration, astronomy, Earth, and the search for extraterrestrial life. Full description.

This article commemorates the twenty-fifth anniversary of the landing of NASA's Viking I lander on the surface of Mars. The mission history and achievements of this lander and its successor, Viking II, are described in a brief account. Links to related topics are included. Full description.

The Denver Museum of Nature & Science is the Rocky Mountain region?s leading resource for informal science education, and has a variety of exhibitions, programs, and activities to help Museum visitors experience the natural wonders of Colorado, Earth, and the universe. Exhibits include Gems and Minerals, Hall of Life, Space Odyssey, Prehistoric Journey, and various wildlife exhibits. There are ... Full description.

This module teaches students about the soils on Mars, compared with soils here on Earth. In these labs, students investigate the heat absorption and transfer properties of various soils to make an inference about Martian soil. This module provides follow-up questions and extension activities for teachers. Full description.

This article describes the results of an experiment in which high school graduates were enrolled in two summer science courses with extremely high goals. Rationale for this study was partly to evaluate the reasons for student attrition in physical sciences and partly to test the idea that setting high expectations results in better outcomes. In one instance, some of the students who attended a field ... Full description.

This book of 19 essays, written by Earth scientists, provides insight into the dynamic processes that shape the Earth. The essays are supported by case studies describing a range of research projects (including Looking for Life in Antarctica-and Mars, Mapping Mt. Rainer, and Mapping Hot Springs on the Deep Ocean Floor) and profiles of historically significant Earth scientists (Including Inge Lehmann, ... Full description.

The ability to see Earth from space has forever changed our view of the planet. We are now able to look at the Earth as a whole, and observe how its atmosphere, oceans, land masses, and life interact as global systems. Earths atmosphere, hydrosphere, geosphere, and biosphere are dynamic, changing on timescales of days, minutes, or even seconds. Monitoring the Earth in near real time allows us to get ... Full description.

The ability to see Earth from space has forever changed our view of the planet. We are now able to look at the Earth as a whole, and observe how its atmosphere, oceans, land masses, and life interact as global systems. Earths atmosphere, hydrosphere, geosphere, and biosphere are dynamic, changing on timescales of days, minutes, or even seconds. Monitoring the Earth in near real time allows us to get ... Full description.