| Planet_Quest A NASA and JPL site in search of another Earth |
| Planet_Quest__Missions_-_Terrestrial_Planet_Finder Will study all aspects of planets outside the solar system from their formation and development to the presence and features of those planets orbiting the nearest stars. |
| Probing__Lensing_Anomalies_NETwork Worldwide Network of Astronomers Searching for Extra-Solar Planets |
| Scientific_consideration_about_Extrasolar_Planets A brief history of the search for extrasolar planets, the findings and the future implications. |
| Space Orbits of planets in binary star systems. Java orbit animations and diagrams of stable retrograde planetary orbits not documented anywhere else. |
| STellar_Astrophysics_&_Research_on_Exoplanets STARE uses precise time-series photometry to search for extrasolar giant planets transiting their parent stars. |
| Terrestrial_Planet_Finder Explains NASA's plan to use sensitive telescopes to find planets outside of the solar-system. Includes charts and drawings. |
| Transit_search The purpose of transitsearch.org is to coordinate and direct a cooperative observational effort which will allow experienced amateur astronomers and small college observatories to discover transiting |
| Transits_of_Extrasolar_Planets The TEP network is a group of collaborators searching for Transits of Extrasolar Planets. |
| Umbral_Missions_Blocking_Radiating_Astronomical_Sources_(project) The UMBRAS goal is direct observation of planets around other stars. |
| University_of_St__Andrews_-_Planet_Search Describes several projects aiming to detect extra-solar planets. |
| The_VLT_UV-Visual_Echelle_Spectrograph The VLT UV-Visual Echelle Spectrograph |
| Vulcain_Camera_Project NASA Ames Research Centre photometric survey in search of extrasolar planets. |
| Vulcan_South South Pole based observatory to detect transits of extrasolar planets. |
| A_Planet_from_the_Early_Universe Astronomers have found the oldest and most distant planet known in the universe. (July 12, 2003) |
| Albanian_Wetland_Ecosystems_Project Project geared towards recording the nation's wetlands to create a database for use in conservation and wise use of the Albanian wetlands. Provides information, reports, and maps. |
| America\'s_Wetland__Campaign_to_Save_Coastal_Louisiana Information about one of the largest and most productive expanses of coastal wetlands in North America, now disappearing rapidly, and efforts to protect and restore it. |
| Army_Corps_of_Engineers_-_Wetlands_Research_Program Research program designed to advance the state of the art of wetlands science, engineering, and technology. |
| Army_Corps_of_Engineers_Sacramento_District_Regulatory_Home_Page Information related to wetlands, especially U.S. federal regulation of wetlands. |
| Bolsa_Chica_Wetlands_Restoration_Project Information about this wetland area and its restoration. In Orange County, California. |
| British_Columbia_Wetlands_Society Mission is to promote the conservation of British Columbia's wetland ecosystems through education, research and stewardship. |
| The_California_Resources_Agency_Wetlands_Web Comprehensive information about wetlands and their management in California and elsewhere. Content designed for the general public, the educational community, and government agencies. |
| Camosun_Bog_Restoration_Group Working in Pacific Spirit Regional Park in Vancouver to restore an ancient and sensitive habitat. |
| Citizens_for_a_Green_North_Tonawanda Wetland preservation and environmental education. |
| Classification_of_Wetlands_and_Deepwater_Habitats_of_the_United_States_Manual Report by wetland ecologists (Cowardin et al.) for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 1979. |
| The_Coalition_for_Wetland_Protection Coalition of non-governmental organizations and scientific institutions focused on supporting and protecting the wetland areas of Poland. News, technical and issues information, and images of Polish w |
| Compensating_for_Wetland_Losses_Under_the_Clean_Water_Act___(2001),_Table_of_Contents Technical report by a committee of the National Academy of Sciences (2001). Covers wetlands restoration, mitigation, and related topics. |
| The_Digital_Field_Trip_to_The_Wetlands Learn about wetland ecology, including types, organisms, food webs, bog formation and conservation with Digital Frog International's award-winning educational CD-ROM. |
| Dr__Julian_Thompson_-_Wetland_Research_Unit Wetlands research (primarily in Africa and Asia) and courses offered at University College, London. Includes publications. |
| Duke_University_Wetland_Center The goal of the Duke University Wetland Center is to provide sound scientific knowledge that will lead to sustainable wetland functions and values for the nation and the world. |
| Electronic_Wetlands_Herbarium On-line field guide to U.S. wetlands plants. |
| Everglades_Library Internet resource library of information on the Florida Everglades and its restoration. |
| Flynn_Bogs_System A study of a bog system in Leon County Texas, describing the various habitats found, and the wildlife that inhabit them. |
| Friends_of_Bushy_Park_Wetlands Organization assists Parks Victoria rangers in the passive development of this wetland and sanctuary for 90 bird species in Glen Waverley, Australia. Includes information on wetlands and their biology |
| Ginninderra_Wetlands_Care_Group Wetlands management organization in Canberra ACT Australia. Site includes local and general wetlands information. |
| King_County_Wetland_Topics Information about wetlands, wetland plants and wildlife, development and mitigation rules, and educational programs from King County Department of Natural Resources, Washington State. |
| Kushiro_International_Wetland_Centre Archived newsletters and other information regarding wetlands matters in Japan's Kushiro region and other parts of the country, as well as international wetlands topics. |
| Lake_Koshkonong_Wetland_Association Promotes Lake Koshkonong and the Rock River in southern Wisconsin including the life of natural plants, fish, birds, and other forms of wildlife in the basin. |
| Louisiana_Coast_Web_Site contains information and links relating to coastal restoration projects in Louisiana. Site funded by the Coastal Wetlands Planning, Protection and Restoration Act (CWPPRA). |
| Mike_Walter\'s_Wetlands_Page Annotated links to wetlands-related sites, especially those with an Indiana focus. |
Make MOST stand for "My Own Space Telescope".
All Canadians - from students to amateur astronomers - are invited to submit science
proposals for the MOST mission through
this link, which contains information on MOST capabilities, a target selection tool, and an on-line proposal submission form. Start thinking of the science you might be able to do with Canada's space telescope. The MOST Science Team may choose your idea and work with you to analyse the data.
MOST RECENT NEWS
August 27th, 2008
MOST and NASA collaborate
The Canadian Space Agency (CSA), NASA and the MOST
Science Team have announced an agreement that will give
U.S. researchers access to observing time with Canada’s
MOST space telescope.
MOST science target selection has been done exclusively
by the MOST Science Team, with the support of CSA, and
they have collaborated with members of the Canadian and
international astronomical communities on some MOST
observations. With this MOST NASA Guest Observer
Program, up to 2 months of the science observation time
during February 2009 through January 2010 will be made
available to American astronomers. The submitted
proposals will be evaluated and ranked by the MOST
Science Team and three NASA-appointed scientists. They
will seek out the best science proposals exploiting the
unique capabilities of MOST. The final selection based
on this ranking will be made by NASA’s Science Directorate.
NASA will provide research funding to the Principal
Investigators of the successful proposals.
The high scientific value of the MOST satellite, since
starting operations in 2003, has been well demonstrated
and recognized widely throughout the international
community. This new program illustrates the enduring
collaboration between the Canadian and American space
agencies, and opens up new scientific opportunities for
the MOST mission to benefit an even broader research
community.
August 27th, 2008
THE SKY’S NOT THE LIMIT FOR CANADIANS -
Amateur astronomers win time on the MOST space telescope
Two Canadian amateur stargazers will trade in their backyard
telescopes for one above their backyards... 820 kilometres
above their backyards. Last year, the MOST team created an
opportunity to make MOST mean "My Own Space Telescope".
Amateur astronomers and students across Canada were invited
to submit proposals for science to be done from orbit. The
MOST Science Team has just selected the first two winners:
David Gamey, from Toronto, who inspires his Scout packs to
look to the stars, and Gordon Sarty, from Saskatoon, whose
day job is to peer into the human brain.
Read the
full story.
June 30th, 2008
NEW MOST RESULTS ON PROCYON RELEASED
MOST's first primary science target was the bright star Procyon,
observed in January 2004. MOST returned to Procyon the next year,
and again last year during January - February 2007. The 2007
observing run returned the best photometry MOST had collected in
its entire mission. The results have just been accepted for
publication in The Astrophysical JOurnal, in a paper entitled
"The nature of p-modes and granulation in Procyon: New MOST
photometry and new Yale convection models" with lead author and
MOST Science Team member Dr. David Guenther (St. Mary's University,
Halifax). Collaborating on this research are Yale astronomers
Frank Robinson and Pierre Demarque, who have generated numerical
hydrodynamical 3D models of the turbulence in the atmosphere of
the star Procyon for comparison with the MOST observations.
Precise photometry of Procyon by the MOST satellite has generated
debate over the nature of acoustic oscillations (p-modes) in that
well-studied star. We present new photometry of Procyon obtained
by MOST during a 38-day run in 2007 and frequency analyses of
those data. The long time coverage and very low point-to-point
scatter of the light curve yield an average noise amplitude of
about 1.5 – 2.0 parts per million in the frequency range where
p-modes are expected in Procyon. This is half the noise level
obtained from each of the previous two Procyon campaigns by MOST
in 2004 and 2005, thanks to enhanced satellite and instrument
performance.
The new data and theoretical models indicate that the dynamics of
the atmosphere of a star like Procyon are more complicated than
previously understood and different than what is seen in our Sun.
The MOST spacebased photometry was obtained at the same time as a
global multi-observatory campaign of spectroscopy to measure the
oscillations of Procyon in radial velocity. The direct comparison
of the two simultaneous data sets will almost certainly reveal
even more insights into the nature of Sun-like stars.
The new MOST paper is available on the Science page and the
data are now available in the MOST Public Data Archive (through a
link on the Science page).
June 30th, 2008
HAPPY BIRTHDAY, MOST!
MOST was launched five years ago today and the MOST Team is in a
party mood. “After five years in space, MOST is making us feel
like five-year-olds – curious, excited, and full of wonder at the
new things we see every day,” said Dr. Jaymie Matthews, MOST
Mission Scientist. “And while MOST is only five years old, it’s
actually entering middle age, in a life of exploration that was
supposed to last only twelve months.”
The size of a suitcase, with a cost of only Can $10M, MOST was
nicknamed by its creators the “Humble Space Telescope.” But its
accomplishments have been anything but modest. It was originally
intended to probe the hidden interiors of stars through their
vibrations, by a technique called asteroseismology. “We’re
literally listening to the music of the stars,” explains Matthews.
“It’s like using a space telescope as an interstellar iPod.” MOST
data have already turned up important – and sometimes controversial –
results about the nature of stars, sending many theorists back to
their computer screens to revise stellar models.
MOST turned out to be a precocious child. The team of scientists
and engineers – located from coast to coast across Canada and in
Harvard and Vienna – has extended the capabilities of this ‘little
telescope that could’ to explore exoplanets: alien worlds around
other stars. MOST has measured the properties of several of these
planets, which are invisible even to the largest telescopes. Among
the findings: A planet whose atmosphere is either so clear or so
hazy that it reflects only 4% of the light it receives from its
parent sun. “Who could have imagined a planet darker than charcoal,
whose sun is 400 times brighter in its sky than our Sun, except
possibly a science fiction writer?” asks Matthews, “Well, MOST has
turned us into real estate agents to science fiction and fantasy
writers. The exoplanetary systems we are studying will be the
settings of future novels and movies.”
PARTNERS
MOST is a suitcase-sized (65 cm x 65 cm x 30 cm, 60 kg) microsatellite designed to probe stars and extrasolar planets by measuring tiny light variations undetectable from Earth. This can be done with such a small telescope (15 cm aperture) thanks to new Canadian attitude control technology.
MOST - un microsatellite de la taille d'une mallette (65 cm x 65 cm x 30 cm, 60 kg), explorera étoiles et planètes extrasolaires en mesurant d'infimes variations de lumière indétectables depuis la Terre. L'utilisation d'un télescope de si petite taille (ouverture de 15 cm) est rendue possible grâce à la nouvelle technologie canadienne de commande d'attitude de satellites.
