http://liftoff.msfc.nasa.gov/Academy/SPACE/SolarSystem/Meteors/ImpactHazard.html

Name:                            NASA Exploration – Meteor Impact Hazard
Curriculum Concepts:    Meteoroid impact
Level of Information:     Beginner to intermediate

This simple NASA website presents a brief examination of meteor impact hazards. It begins by discussing what kinds of things can be damaged, both on Earth and in orbit. This is followed by a discussion on the number and size of meteoroids that either burn up in the atmosphere or land on Earth. 2 charts are then presented which show how often Earth experiences impacts of different strengths and from different meteor sizes. The site ends with a calculator allowing users to determine the kind of impact that will be created depending on inputted values for a meteor’s diameter, density, velocity, and angle from horizon.

This is a very simple and plain website. Other than the 2 informative charts, there are no other images that help enhance the discussion of concepts. Distinct sections are barely discernable as all the concepts are presented to users one after the other. There’s no navigation menu on the page, but that’s a non-issue. What remains is very good information that examines the concepts mainly qualitatively. There are a few links to other resources devoted to space and astronomy. This is a very good site for both teachers and all students to use.

http://dept.physics.upenn.edu/nineplanets/meteorites.html

Name:                            University of Pennsylvania - Meteors, Meteorites, and Impacts
Curriculum Concepts:    Meteoroid impact
Level of Information:     Beginner to intermediate

This nice and simple one-page website provides very good examinations of meteorites, types of meteorites, and meteorite impacts. The first section defines what a meteor is. The second section defines what a meteorite is and examines different types of meteorites, complete with nice photographs. All subsequent sections describe how small meteorites disintegrate in the atmosphere, how larger meteorites can succeed in reaching the ground, and the consequences of an impact. Particularly interesting is a table that predicts impact consequences depending on meteorite size. The site ends with plenty of links to other resources meteorites and meteorite impacts.

This is a very simple and plain website. There are a number of colour photographs that keep this site from being overly plain. Distinct sections are barely discernable as all the concepts are presented to users one after the other. There’s no navigation menu on the page, but that’s a non-issue. All explanations are easy to understand and use simple vocabulary. There’s mention of many real-life events related to meteorite impacts. Important terms and concepts are hyperlinked to other sources for further elaboration. This is a very good site for both teachers and all students to use.