Excellent New Climate Change Resources

In response to the climate change conference currently taking place in Paris, some great new resources have appeared. Check out this slick interactive graph (www.bloomberg.com), and then watch the very good video segment below, which aired on PBS Newshour this evening (12/2/15). Here's another - featured on the NY Times site: Short Answers to Hard Questions About Climate Change.

BEST EVER Scale Model of the Solar System - hands down!

Are New Orleans’ post-Katrina flood defenses strong enough?

This 8.5 minute video from PBS Newshour explains the current situation in New Orleans. Experts examine the new man-made defenses, and look at the causes and impacts of delta erosion as well. - Lots of interesting Earth Science here.

Video of a Microburst near Tucson, AZ

To hear/see a TV meteorologist explain what causes a microburst CLICK HERE (Facebook). To learn more about what causes the air to get cold, CLICK HERE.

Very Cool Weather Video!

Its called "The Chase" - by Mike Olbinski (Thanks to Rick Dees for passing this on to me.)

Astronomy Interactives/Animations from U. of Nebraska

Here is an incredible collection of astronomy resources for you to examine (play with) in your spare time this summer. This motherlode of animations and interactives is provided by the University of Nebraska - Lincoln. One of my favorites is their Planetary Orbit Simulator, which demonstrates Keppler's first and second laws of planetary motion. Be sure to play with the settings!

Also, here's another fun site that shows the current location of the planets. CLICK HERE to take a look. You can change the settings in the windows beneath the image. The site is developed and maintained by Chris Peat of Heavens-Above.

Go "Retro" - Retrograde Animation

Diagram courtesy of San Jose Astronomical Association

Retrograde motion is a tough one to explain to students without some sort of visual aid. This animation by the University of Nebraska is a very helpful tool. CLICK HERE to watch it.

To learn more about retrograde motion, including the Ptolemaic model and the Copernican model, CLICK HERE (courtesy of LaSalle University).