Introduction to Modern Astronomy Telecourse
Internet Projects

The internet has become a powerful resource for locating information. In addition to being an international network of thousands of computers, it is also a storehouse of information on virtually any subject imaginable. It is just as valuable a resource as the library, and available anywhere that you have a computer connected to the internet. It is essential that all college-educated people become proficient in its use, in the same way that library skills are important for all college students to develop. Both represent essential tools for finding information in the changing world you live and work in.
 
The part of the internet that we will use in this course is called the World Wide Web (the web or WWW, for short). It is a collection of homepages from all over the world. Anyone with access to the internet can post pages to the WWW, so it is important to check and evaluate your sources as you use the web. In addition to a lot of very useful, up-to-date information, there is a fair amount of trash and garbage on the web.

To access the web, locate any computer that is connected to the internet. If you have a computer at home with a modem, you can gain access to the internet by subscribing to an internet service provider for a fee of between $10 and $20 a month. WSU students have access to Shocknet2, an internet service provider available through the university. 

If you do not have a computer at home or do not wish to subscribe to an internet service provider, you can still gain access to the internet through the public computer terminals on campus. Many departments operate computer labs for their students which provide internet access. Check with your department to see if they have one you can use.

A general computer lab for all WSU students is operated by the computing center in room 120 of Jabara Hall. The normal hours for this lab are 7 am -- midnight Monday through Thursday, 7 am -- 6 pm on Friday, 10 am -- 8 pm on Saturday, and 1 pm -- 8 pm on Sunday. There are several computers in this lab which provide internet access, although some computers in the lab do not provide internet access and none of the computers in the lab next door provide internet access. Ablah Library also provides many computers near the reference desk and in the 24-hour study room which provide internet access.

Once you find a computer that provides internet access, you must identify the program on it that puts you on the World Wide Web. The two most common applications for this purpose are Netscape and Internet Explorer. Most computers on campus use Netscape. Other internet service providers may supply other programs for the web, but these two are generally recommended and can be downloaded freely from the web. See me if you would like more information on how to install another program on your computer.

Once you find the internet program on the computer, click twice with the mouse on the picture of that program. That will start the program and connect you to the web. On some home computers, you may have to first dial the local internet service provider. Once you've started the internet program, enter the address for Astronomy Courses (http://www.wichita.edu/astronomy) into the address section of the program and press enter.

Generally speaking any text in blue or any picture outlined in blue represents a link to another page on the web. Simply click on it and it will send you to the page. For example, to view the syllabus for this course, simply click with the mouse once on the word syllabus under the heading for Solar System Astronomy.

Like any library, finding the information you want can be a real challenge. Fortunately, a number of organizations provide cataloging services for the web that work much like the computerized catalogue of a regular library. Several of these services are listed on the Astronomy Internet Addresses page under the heading "Web Search and Catalogues."  The Astronomy Internet Addresses page also lists a number of astronomy-related pages that I have found useful or interesting.

If you are new to the internet, I would encourage you to begin exploring the web before the project assignments are given. It may feel a bit strange or awkward at first and require some practice before you can navigate on the web to find things you want. Do not be intimidated by the computer or the web. Short of physical violence, it is hard to damage a computer. If you get lost or confused, just start over and try something else. If you need help or encouragement, just ask me. I think you will discover that the internet is an intriguing and valuable resource, for which you will find many applications in many areas of your life.