The National Aeronautics and Space Administration engages in space exploration to discover new ways to improve and sustain life here on Earth. NASA personnel monitor the weather, the health of our atmosphere, the world's oceans and conditions in outer space.

In order to accomplish these tasks, the organization relies on a giant repertoire of technology and equipment. A large portion of NASA's information is available to the public. To see equipment in action or try your hand at playing astronomer and scientist, check out the following sites:

• Liftoff
  Check out the locations of spacecraft stations and what research is being done there. It also contains great links to other NASA sites.
  
  
• Solar System Simulator
  Want to see Saturn or Mars up close without boarding a spaceship? This site creates images of planets and satellites based on the time of year that the viewer wishes to see them.
  
  
• NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory
  NASA's jet propulsion home page contains great visuals of firing thrusters as well as links to the organization's technology, the universe and the solar system.
  
  
  
  
  
• A Space Library: Spacecraft Models
  NASA junkies can inspect models of the Cassini and Galileo Orbiters, as well as their attachment parts from different angles and views.
  
  
• Black Hole
  Learn about and view a cosmic jet that has located itself right outside of a black hole. Link to additional photos and illustrations.
  
  
• Galileo Project
  See photographs of Jupiter and her moons taken by the spacecraft Galileo. Check out surface volcanoes, updates on Galileo's present work and instructions on how to gaze at Jupiter from your own backyard.
  
  
• Human Space Flight - Realtime Data
  Find out where and when you can catch a glimpse of spacecrafts in action without a telescope. This site is a superb starting point for backyard stargazers.

   --- J.H.