EarthSky Science Podcasts"EarthSky Science Podcasts is the Web site for EarthSky Communications, the producer of the syndicated Earth and Sky radio program that began in 1991. The site bills itself as the "Web community for a thoughtful future" and advertises that its podcasts are heard 14 million times a day. Site content is distributed via podcasts, Sky in Google Earth pop-up balloons, Mobilcast, and blogs; EarthSky also communicates via Twitter and Facebook. Fresh, attractive, and clear, the EarthSky home page presents actively updated content covering the breadth of the science field.
The main page features blogs; podcast feeds; a list of most actively viewed pages; an EarthSky Tonight teaser image; tabs for Top Stories, Daily Earth and Sky, and Clear Voices; a Spanish-language option; and more. The vertical menu on the left-hand side of the page is composed chiefly of subject topics with stories related to 11 areas such as Climate, Oceans, Photos, and even Bizarre. Visitors will also find an option to subscribe to podcasts, e-mail newsletters, and RSS feeds. The page-top horizontal menu is composed chiefly of media topics (news, blogs, podcasts, and radio shows) as well as links to the EarthSky store, information on what's going on in the sky tonight, and background information about the site. Additionally, the home page offers resources for children and teachers. The site is very easy to navigate. Every page except the News page uses a consistent color scheme, and the site is free from advertising except on the Store page. The only broken links found were on the 11 menu selections for subscriptions under EarthSky Channels. EarthSky is a useful resource for obtaining science news and exploring and learning about the different areas of science." Choice December, 2009.