Beyond the solar system

Our own solar system of nine planets is not alone in space. Over the last five years astronomers have discovered 31 other planetary systems around other suns and this number is rising fast.

 Chasing Venus  

This exhibit provides background information and history of transits of Venus, the astronomical events where "the planet Venus passes directly between Earth and the Sun, appearing as a small black dot on the Sun's disk." Features details about seven past transits of Venus (1631, 1639, 1761, 1769, 1874, 1882, 2004), and the upcoming transit in 2012. Includes links to related sites. From the Smithsonian Institution Libraries.

Lunar Meteorites

Questions and answers about "lunar meteorites, or lunaites, [which] are meteorites from the Moon. In other words, they are rocks found on Earth that were ejected from the Moon by the impact of an asteroidal meteoroid or possibly a comet." Includes images, references to journal articles, a list of lunar meteorites, a gallery of "meteor wrongs" (rocks mistakenly identified as Meteorites), and related material.

NASA Planetary Photojournal 

Thousands of images from various U.S. space exploration programs. Features images of the nine planets, moons, asteroid, comets, and other bodies; photos of spacecraft and telescopes;  discussion of the missions that obtained the photos and images; and related material. Includes images such as the 2006 map of Jupiter developed during the Cassini-Huygens mission. From the NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL).

Science Bob

This is a great site for kids. Easy to follow, informative links to site covering Space/Planets, Animals/Nature, Earth Science/Weather, Physical Science and the Human Body.

Wikisky 

You can search for stars and constellations and even ask it to show you the stars above you now - you will have to tell it where you are. Mouse overs will give information about individual stars. Additional information and images available by double clicking on a star. It could be helpful for school projects as well as for people wanting to find out a bit more about the night sky. There are images of different kinds of galaxies, nebulas and quasars as well.