The Nine Planets Review

Technical Information

Title: The Nine Planets

Developer: William A. Arnett

Date Reviewed: August 18, 1996

ObjectType: Collections of links focused on a special subject or theme

Identifier (URL): http://seds.lpl.arizona.edu/nineplanets/nineplanets/nin eplanets.html

Language: English

Contact: Bill Arnett

Keywords:

• Space Exploration
• Astronomy

Review

Content: A well-arranged set of information about the Solar System for the curious layman with little or no technical expertise. As such, it makes a very suitable introduction to planetary astronomy and space exploration for middle and high school students. Arnett has created a rich web of planetary links that mixes legend and fact (though clearly distinguished) in an intriguing blend. The site includes graphics (usually official NASA photos), sound files, movies, a link to the current Science article on the Martian meteorite findings, which most of the sites here reviewed now include as well. The most notable characteristics of the site are the well-written, informative essays about the various objects of the solar system and the imaginative and rich set of links. The developer thoughtfully includes a comprehensive list of links to other planetary sites.

Authority: Bill Arnett's authority is unknown as of this writing, nor is any given in the website itself.

Organization: Practical thought has clearly gone into the organization of this page. The author includes an "Express Tour" to get you started. The main organization is by planet and satellite, but you can use the links at the right of the name of the current page to make an orderly traversal of the solar system, a thoughtful touch that more webmasters might heed.

Currency: The developer thoughtfully places the date last updated on each page and they demonstrate that the pages are being regularly revised.

Searchability: The site is well-organized, but has no search engine.

Graphic Design: The design is straightforward and rather pedestrian, but he commits no obvious or egregious errors.

Innovative Use of the Medium: Though academic credentials are not thrust forward, Bill Arnett is at least a gifted amateur, who understands the medium of hypertext as an art form in itself, something more established authors and publishers often fail to recognize in composing for the Web.

Resources:

Text files, graphics collections, sound files, video clips, and animations.

References:

Welcome to the Planets
Planets and the Solar System