Images Of The Day

Looking for a great picture ? Plenty of picture websites to choose from: visit our selections ! from the vastness of space, zoom down to earth, and into the microscopic world.

Astronomy Picture of the Day "Discover the cosmos! Each day a different image or photograph of our fascinating universe is featured, along with a brief explanation written by a professional astronomer." http://antwrp.gsfc.nasa.gov/apod/astropix.html

Earth Image of the Day Welcome to the Image Section of the MODIS Web, where you can view the very latest in MODIS imagery as well as search an image collection that has been growing ever since MODIS first started acquiring data in February of 2000. The MODIS Image of the Day section highlights a new MODIS image every day.  http://modis.gsfc.nasa.gov/gallery/index.php   After a week, Images of the Day become part of the Image Gallery, which is powered by NASA's Visible Earth image archive. http://visibleearth.nasa.gov/ The Image Gallery opens in a new browser window, where you can preview and search over 4500 archived MODIS images.

Small World: Photomicrography Photomicrography images seen through microscopes. Sponsored by Nikon, they showcase  hundreds of images since competition started in 1977. "By taking pictures at such extreme magnifications, photomicrographers can show everyday objects from a new perspective. . . Or they can create images that could never be seen by the human eye." Each image includes a description of the subject, the magnification, and other details. Search by subject, location, image gallery or by year.

National Geographic Photo of the Day: All those great National Geographic images - browse the 'Photo of the Day' images by Animals, Adventure & Exploration, History, Landscapes, Nature & Weather, People & Culture, Science & Space, Travel, Underwater, Best of Photo of the Day, and an archive by date. http://photography.nationalgeographic.com/photography/photo-of-the-day/?source=NavPhoPOD

Pictures of the Day: New York and Elsewhere: from The New York Times. "Lens is the photography blog of The New York Times, presenting the finest and most interesting visual and multimedia reporting — photographs, videos and slide shows. A showcase for Times photographers, it also seeks to highlight the best work of other newspapers, magazines and news and picture agencies; in print, in books, in galleries, in museums and on the Web". http://lens.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/11/26/pictures-of-the-day-new-york-and-elsewhere/

BBC News: Today in Pictures - Striking photojournalism images from around the world, also links to the Week in photos from around the world

Statistics at your fingertips

Every now and then you need a statistic on something, and there are some very helpful sites chock full of great statistical information. Check out these sites:

"FedStats, which has been available to the public since 1997, provides access to the full range of official statistical information produced by the Federal Government without having to know in advance which Federal agency produces which particular statistic. With convenient searching and linking capablilties to more than 100 agencies that provide data and trend information on such topics as economic and population trends, crime, education, health care, aviation safety, energy use, farm production and more, FedStats is your one location for access to the full breadth of Federal statistical information. "

U.S. Census Bureau: The Statistical Abstract of the United States "The Statistical Abstract of the United States, published since 1878, is the authoritative and comprehensive summary of statistics on the social, political, and economic organization of the United States. Use the Abstract as a convenient volume for statistical reference, and as a guide to sources of more information both in print and on the Web. Sources of data include the Census Bureau, Bureau of Labor Statistics, Bureau of Economic Analysis, and many other Federal agencies and private organizations."

Centers for Disease Control: National Vital Statistics System

"The National Vital Statistics System is the oldest and most successful example of inter-governmental data sharing in Public Health and the shared relationships, standards, and procedures form the mechanism by which NCHS collects and disseminates the Nation's official vital statistics."

CIA: World Factbook:  "provides information on the history, people, government, economy, geography, communications, transportation, military, and transnational issues for 266 world entities. Our Reference tab includes: maps of the major world regions, as well as Flags of the World, a Physical Map of the World, a Political Map of the World, and a Standard Time Zones of the World map."