About Windows on Earth
Funded by the National Science Foundation (NSF), Windows on Earth is an innovative museum exhibit and web site. It helps people explore Earth from above, as if they were on the International Space Station.
It was conceived and developed by TERC, an educational non-profit, and the Association of Space Explorers, to support public engagement and learning about Earth. It uses a robust Earth visualization engine, comprehensive digital Earth imagery derived from satellites, and photographs taken by astronauts. It also includes animations to help people understand some of Earth’s fundamental processes.
Several museums have Windows on Earth: National Air and Space Museum, St. Louis Science Center, Boston Museum of Science, Montshire Museum of Science, Connecticut Science Center and the Kenai Alaska Challenger Learning Center.
This web site provides access to many of the same visualizations used in the museums enabling the public to experience Earth as if seen from orbit, from their own computers.
Private astronaut Richard Garriott used a version of Windows on Earth on the International Space Station, as a window-side aide, to help him identify and photograph selected targets on Earth. He wanted to photograph some of the same locations his father, astronaut Owen Garriott, took 35 years ago from Skylab. The web site now includes all of Richard’s photos, as well as some side-by-side comparisons with several of Owen’s photos.
Because Windows on Earth presents such a realistic simulation of the Earth as seen from space, new possibilities for its use are being explored. Ongoing work includes adapting it for use as an orbital tool by astronauts and extending its education and public outreach impact.
Partners
TERC — an educational non-profit, based in Cambridge, MA, that specializes in innovative approaches to science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) education. Its Center for Earth and Space Science Education (CESSE) focuses on revolutionary approaches to Earth and space science education that feature Earth as a dynamic, globally-integrated system, and taps into the power of the space-age perspective and powerful visualization tools.
Association of Space Explorers — an international nonprofit professional and educational organization of over 300 individuals from 32 nations who have flown in space. Founded in 1985, ASE's mission is to provide a forum for professional dialogue among individuals who have flown in space, support space science and exploration for the benefit of all, promote education in science and engineering, foster greater environmental awareness, and encourage international cooperation in the human exploration of space.
NSF — Windows on Earth was funded by NSF Informal Science Education, grant #DRL-0515528. All opinions, findings, conclusions and recommendations expressed herein are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the view of the National Science Foundation.
Other Funders and Partners
- Geofusion developed the Earth visualization engine
- WorldSat provided the global imagery
- Challenger Learning Centers provided educational outreach
- NASA JSC manages the Earth observation program
Contacts
- TERC
- 2067 Massachusetts Avenue
- Cambridge, MA 02140
- e-mail: winearthinfo@terc.edu
