Ask a Scientist

Have you ever wondered what an aileron does or what a winglet is? Do you wish you knew more about the history of aviation? Have you heard the term "transonic" and wondered what it meant? Do you wonder how a rocket engine works? Are you curious about why different planes look the way they do? The field of aviation is full of confusing technical jargon, complex design tradeoffs, and a world of other mysteries. We here at Aerospaceweb.org would like to help. Each week, our staff of "rocket scientists" chooses a question or two, as asked by our visitors, to be answered on this site. Questions about aircraft, spacecraft, or any other aspect of aerospace engineering can be submitted here.

The Taxonomic Resources and Expertise Directory (TRED) is a directory of taxonomic specialists for the biota of North America (North of Mexico). This directory is developed and maintained through a partnership between the Natural Science Collections Alliance (NSCA) and the U.S.G.S. Biological Resources Division (BRD) and was developed in part to support the National Biological Information Infrastructure (NBII) and the Integrated Taxonomic Information System (ITIS).

Ever been looking for a colleague's address for a quick reference on his/her latest publication? Or wanted to send an announcement to a group of specialists to inform them about a special workshop or symposium? In many cases you will find your way, but sometimes it is hard to trace a fellow taxonomist. For users of taxonomic expertise it is nearly impossible to find a specialist. According to our most recent estimates, there are presently only about 5000 experienced taxonomists in the world. Some ETI Partners suggested that ETI should facilitate contact with other taxonomists. Others told us that for users of taxonomic expertise it is nearly impossible to find a specialist and that a continuously updated online directory was badly needed. With the World Taxonomist Database, ETI offers you an online taxonomists directory service.

Community of Science (COS) Expertise is the largest web network of its kind comprised of detailed professional information for nearly 480,000 scientists and scholars worldwide. Built in collaboration with more than 260 leading research universities, government agencies, and other R&D organizations from around the world, COS Expertise is the foundation of COS' international faculty information system. The profiles in COS Expertise include contact information, positions held, publications, patents, funding received, and a first-person narrative describing current research activities and expertise. COS Expertise profiles also include direct links to e-mail, a personal home page, an online CV, patent abstracts (and full-text where available), publication abstracts, and received funding.

Email your specific marine science question by clicking on the email envelope. You will receive a personal reply, usually within a couple of days.

Ask a Scientist is an easy way to get answers to your biology questions. Browse through the question archives, or submit a question of your own! You will receive an e-mail response to your question in about two weeks.

Do you have a question about animals? Ask the SeaWorld/Busch Gardens animal experts! .

Have a math question? Browse the archive. FAQ. Formulas. Selected answers. Elementary school. Middle school. High school. College and beyond. Search the archive. Can't find the answer? Write to Dr. Math.

Do you have a question about volcanoes, earthquakes, mountains, rocks, maps, ground water, lakes, or rivers?You can email earth science questions to: Ask-A-Geologist@usgs.gov.

Submit a physics question to Dr. Lou.