The Global Learning and Observation to Benefit the Environment (GLOBE) program is a worldwide hands-on, primary and secondary school-based science and education program. Sponsored by:

5 Scientific Investigations: Atmosphere Earth as a System Hydrology Land Cover/Biology Soil

Atmosphere Main area of our study 4 components: o Weather – temp., precip., humidity, clouds o Climate – average & extreme conditions o Energy Budget – land-atmosphere interactions o Atmospheric Composition – trace gases & particles in the air

Atmosphere Many measurements best taken at solar noon. o Sun’s highest point of the day o To calculate, find average between sunrise/sunset times o Example: Sunrise 6:20am (0620) Sunset 7:10pm (1910) = 2530 / 2 = 12:45pm REMEMBER: 60 min in an hour, not 100.

Atmosphere Measurements: o Temperature (current, surface, max., min.) o Cloud & Contrail Cover and Type o Aerosols & Water Vapor o Relative Humidity o Precipitation o Barometric Pressure o Ozone

Atmosphere Will begin with Cloud/Contrail data. o Uses only cloud chart and human eye. o Must first define atmosphere study site.

Earth as a System Connected System of 4 Parts: o Atmosphere - Sky o Hydrosphere - Water o Lithosphere - Earth o Biosphere – Living Matter

Earth as a System Local VMS site not appropriate for such studies. What nearby conditions prevent an accurate study of the surrounding region?

Hydrology Conditions of Earth’s streams, rivers, lakes, and coastal waters Hydrologic Cycle: o Heat from the sun evaporates water from surface o Water vapor cools in atmosphere becoming clouds o Droplets/crystals grow and then fall as precipitates o On the ground, water is absorbed by soil/plants or runs into streams/rivers

Hydrology Total annual water loss from surface must equal total annual precipitation. Why are water measurements not appropriate for VMS?

Land Cover/Biology Mapping & monitoring the 1/3 of Earth that we can live on is critical Particularly suited for study from space (satellites), covering large areas & easily revisiting them Satellite image sensors can view other wavelengths besides visible light (infrared, ultraviolet, etc.) Ground measurements should use same classification system as satellites for fair comparison

Land Cover/Biology Measurements taken in 15 km x 15 km area, with VMS in center. Why would this not be feasible? o (1 km = 3281 ft = mi)

Soil Often taken for granted, soils are an essential natural resource Made up of 4 components: o Mineral Particles (varying sizes) o Organic Materials o Water in Open Pores o Air in Open Pores

Soil 5 Soil Forming Factors: o Parent Material o Climate o Organisms o Topography o Time Will be studying soil temperature at 5 and 10 cm o (1 in = 2.54 cm)

First, we must begin with the GLOBE Atmosphere Study site selection.