n educational site for novice astronomers of any age, Windows to the Universe shines a spotlight on all Earth and space sciences, exploring and explaining everything from geology and climate change to celestial events in the farthest reaches of the universe.
With illustrated articles, multimedia games and extensive image galleries, this site offers an in-depth study of the Earth, our solar system and—literally—everything else. New articles and resources are being added all the time—the latest additions include an overview of ozone, images of Saturn's moons and an explanation of astronomical units and measurements.
In case this all sounds too dry, visitors looking to play instead of study can try out the games on this site, like "Make Your Own Alien" or "Junk in Space." Check out the Windows to the Universe listing of space movies and related TV shows, too—it runs alphabetically from The Abyss to the 1966 film Zontar, the Thing from Venus. This film and TV listing comes complete with cast lists, plot descriptions and links, where available, to a movie or show's official site. Also, in its art section, the Web page provides a gallery of images of famous scientists and links to poems about mythology and space.
Windows to the Universe divides its archive of articles into three levels of complexity: Some can be read and understood by younger visitors, while others are more in-depth. It is also laced with fascinating links to museums and other science sites. With a gorgeous design and a top-notch search engine, it is a joy to visit as well as an education.
— A.M. Dellamonica
Site of the Week—June 28, 2004
edicated to the dean of science fiction writers, Wegrokit is a storehouse of information on Robert A. Heinlein. Visually quiet, with a journalistic tone and matter-of-fact writing style, this Web page is a great introduction of this author's life and writing career.
The backbone of the site is its listing of all Heinlein's published works, which comes with reviews, notes on various editions and a gallery of book cover scans. There is also an FAQ, of course, one that opens with a biography and then moves on to tackling subjects like the differences between Heinlein's juvenile and adult fiction, the three early stories the author dubbed "stinkeroos" and the various periods of his career. The FAQ also thoughtfully provides a listing of Heinlein discussion topics sure to start spirited—even heated—online conversations.
Additional contents of the Wegrokit information archive include sound files (including audio clips of Heinlein interviews), information on the Heinlein memorial blood drives and a range of feature articles—some serious, some less so. One essay, for example, compares Starship Troopers with Joe Haldeman's Forever War and Orson Scott Card's Ender's Game, while another is a filk tribute to Heinlein and a third is about the thematic use of polyamory in the work of Heinlein and Aldous Huxley.
One of the most delicious tidbits on the site is a transcript from NASA's Apollo 15 mission, detailing a moment when the crew quotes the blind poet Rhysling from the story "The Green Hills of Earth," reflecting on their fondness for the story and the accuracy of Heinlein's imaginative vision. This brief discussion is a powerful reminder of the links between space exploration and science fiction, between the works of writers and the people they inspire.
Wegrokit's links point outward to a host of other excellent resources on Heinlein—tributes, humor pieces, other essays, discussion forums and foreign-language pages. Though with diligent reading a fan might consume every scrap of Heinlein information this site has to offer, this thoughtful index of links will open up a nearly inexhaustible supply of data on this remarkable and often controversial author.
— A.M. Dellamonica
Site of the Week—June 21, 2004
he Texas Bigfoot Research Center is quick to point out that Sasquatch sightings have never been confined—as some may expect—to the Pacific Northwest. Rather, reports of this elusive (or is it nonexistent?) creature span the North American continent. And wherever he may be lurking, it falls to cryptozoology organizations from Arizona to Virginia to track Bigfoot's
various appearances.
This site, created by Texas-based Bigfoot trackers, is one of the best of a nationwide network, offering extensive links to Sasquatch-watching clubs in other states, cryptozoology events listings, a map of the Texas Bigfoot range, a history of the creature's appearances in the state, book recommendations and reviews and even an online store. The Web page also features a detailed online form for visitors wishing to report a sighting, as well as links to any and all media articles about Sasquatch encounters in Texas and elsewhere.
Perhaps the most entertaining section of this page—for believers and skeptics alike—is its FAQ, which among other things defines Bigfoot, discusses his physiology and behavior, explains why nobody has ever found Sasquatch roadkill, analyzes evidence of the creature's existence and discusses well-known Bigfoot sightings while discussing whether they are hoaxes.
Whether a Web surfer genuinely wants to believe or simply wishes for a tour of the world of those who do, the Texas Bigfoot Research Center is a comprehensive guide to one of North America's most enduring and widespread mysteries.
— A.M. Dellamonica
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