Science tools on the Internet - access to information, data and models

In just a few years the Internet has become an essential element in nationa l and international science endeavors. Transfer of data, models, and relate d software across the net has skyrocketed. Interactive WorldWideWeb modules let the users do everything from simply specifying time periods for data r etrieval to plotting complex data sets, to computing model parameters and t o finding magnetic conjunctions between points in space. This paper reviews Internet sources for solar-terrestrial data and models, with special empha sis on systems that are related to, or a result of, the Solar Terrestrial E nergy Program (STEP). We also discuss on-line systems that provide specific interactive services to the research community, like data finding,, viewin g, and browsing capabilities, comparison with model parameters, etc. This h tml document provides links to a large number of WWW sites that might be of interest for STEP research. It does not attempt to be a comprehensive guid e to such sites but rather to provide access to selected typical sites for the specific capabilities discussed. Throughout the paper Universal Resourc e Locator (URL) addresses are highlighted in italics; the links to all the services mentioned are available on the WWW at http://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/s pace/STEP-links.htm/. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.