Posted on 25th July 2008 by Judy Breck in astronomy | general science | physics
apod, astronomy, day, learn, node, picture
Astronomy Picture of the Day (APOD) began on June 16, 1995 with the computer generated image shown here of Earth as a hypothetical neutron star. Each day since, the two astronomers who create APOD have devised a learn node: a webpage that focuses on a small subject interfaced by an image, and that links out into the Internet to related topics. Pushing, as learnodes.com does, for something called “learn nodes” is not an effort to invent something new. A learn node captures content for learning by exploiting the natural powers of the open Internet. The robust, 13-year history of APOD illustrates the validity and educational power of basing learning content in nodes.
Using the network node is the first key to the effectiveness in creating superior knowledge content in the open Internet. The second key is the creation of the nodes by people who are experts in their subject. The About page of APOD explains:
Astronomy Picture of the Day (APOD) is originated, written, coordinated, and edited since 1995 by Robert Nemiroff and Jerry Bonnell. The APOD archive contains the largest collection of annotated astronomical images on the internet.
In real life, Bob and Jerry are two professional astronomers who spend most of their time researching the universe. Bob is a professor at Michigan Technological University in Houghton, Michigan, USA, while Jerry is a scientist at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland USA.
Posted on 28th September 2007 by Judy Breck in general science | sciences
astronomy, orbit, satellite, space, sputnik
This learn node notes the fiftieth anniversary of satellites. On October 4, 1957, the Soviet Union launched a 23-inch diameter satellite. It was the first object ever launched into Earth orbit by humankind, as a post I wrote for iCommons.org describes in a birthday salute to this object named Sputnik 1.
Although the image above suggests Sputnik satellite in orbit, it is more general. It is from a Connexions tutorial � an open educational resource where you can learn how artificial satellites are the backbone of modern communications system. A lot has happened in the past 50 years as orbiting objects have diversified and become common. The open learning website How Stuff Works’ section on How Satellites Work begins:
Not so long ago, satellites were exotic, top-secret devices. They were used primarily in a military capacity, for activities such as navigation and espionage. Now they are an essential part of our daily lives. We see and recognize their use in weather reports, television transmission by DIRECTV and the DISH Network, and everyday telephone calls. In many other instances, satellites play a background role that escapes our notice.
An interesting place to move out into the online clusters of the adventures and ramifications of the Sputniks is from this Astronomy Picture of the Day salute to Traveling Companion (which is what “sputnik” means). You can even meet Laika, the first dog in space.
More learn nodes at: learnodes.com
