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Transcript of Atmospheric Protocols Introduction Citizen Scientists Site Selection Registration Contact...
GLOBEThe Global Learning and Observation to
Benefit the Environment
Atmosphere Protocols
August 4-8, 2014
Atmospheric Protocols Introduction
Citizen ScientistsSite SelectionRegistrationContact Information:
Todd [email protected]
301-286-2774
Cloud ProtocolsPurpose:
To observe the type and cover of clouds including contrails
Overview:Students observe which of ten types of clouds and how many of three type of contrails are visible and how much of the sky is covered by clouds (other than contrails) and how much is covered by contrails.
PlanningTime:
10 minutes
Level:All
Frequency:Daily within an hour of local solar noon.
PlanningMaterials and Tools:
Atmospheric Investigation Data Sheet or Cloud Data Sheet
GLOBE Cloud Chart
Observing Cloud Type
Finding Solar Noon
Solar noon: the time of day when the sun is directly overhead at the equator
August 4, 2014: 11:08:33August 5, 2014: 11:08:27August 6, 2014: 11:08:21
Solar Noon Calculator: *You only need your geographic location (coordinates)
to print a solar noon chart for the entire year.
The Troposphere
Weather occurs in the lowest layer of the atmosphere, the troposphere (approx. 7 miles thick or 11 km).
Varies in thickness.
Temperature changes at an average rate of 3.5 °F per 1,000 ft or 6°C per km.
Troposphere contains 80% of the total mass of Earth’s atmosphere.
What can clouds tell us?The type of weather
conditions you are experiencing or may be experiencing.
May indicate a trend in the weather.
Often provide the first signal of “bad” weather.
Clouds and Climate
Contain water in the form of water vapor, water droplets, ice crystals.
At any given time our Earth is covered by 50% clouds.
Clouds reflect some of the sunlight away from Earth keeping our Earth cooler.
Without clouds, scientists predict our Earth would be 20° C warmer.
Clouds and Contrails ResourcesNASA eClips: http://www.nasa.gov/audience/foreducators/nasaeclips/index.html
Cloud InspectionA-TrainContrailsWhat is a Cloud?
Cloud Observations
CIRRO or high clouds
ALTO or middle clouds
CUMULUS or white puffy clouds
STRATUS or layered clouds
NIMBUS or clouds from which precipitation is falling
High Clouds
Cirrus: these look like delicate white feathers
Cirrocumulus: thin white layers with a texture giving them the look of patches of cotton or ripples (without shadows).
Cirrostratus: thin, almost transparent, whitish layer made up of crystals. May totally or partially cover the sky and create a “halo” appearance around the sun or moon.
Middle Clouds
Altostratus: form a bluish or grayish veil that totally or partially cover the sky. Sun can be seen through them with no “halo” effect.
Altocumulus: look like waves of the sea with white and gray coloring and shadows.
Low Clouds
Stratus: gray and lie very close to Earth’s surface. Usually look like a sheet layer.
Stratocumulus: gray or whitish color. Bases tend to be more round than flat. Tops also tend to be mostly flat.
Nimbostratus: very dark and gray-colored layer that blots out the light from the sun. Associated with massive and continuous rainfall.
Low Clouds (continued)
Cumulus: have a flat base and a dense, mound-shaped top that resembles a cauliflower. Sun hitting them causes them to be brilliant white and base tends to be darker gray. Generally do not produce precipitation.
Cumulonimbus: very large, heavy, and dense clouds. Generally flat, dark surface with large tops like massive mountains or anvil. Associated with lightning, thunder and sometimes hail.
ContrailsShort-lived Contrail: disappear shortly after they are
formed. Fade as the distance between them and the airplane increases.
Persistent Contrails: remain long after the airplane that made them has left the area. No wider than your index finger held at arm’s length.
Persistent, Spreading Contrails: Only type that can be seen from a satellite. Wider than your index finger at arm’s length. Wider contrails should be reported in metadata with the equivalent number of fingers in the description.
Preparing Students
Observing, Describing and Identifying Clouds
Cloud WatchEstimating
Cloud Cover Activity
Estimating Cloud Cover ActivityDetermine how much of your sky will be
covered (must be in a percentage that is a multiple of 10%)
Cut the percentage from your white paperTear the white paper up and glue to the blue
paper in irregular shapes to represent cloudsGlue to white “clouds” to the blue paper
Cloud Estimates
Percentage If less than If greater or equal to
10% Clear Isolated
25% Isolated Scattered50% Scattered Broken
90% Broken Overcast
Analyzing your dataWhat are the actual percentages?How many under estimated?How many were correct?How many overestimated?What factors influenced the accuracy of the
estimates?Is estimating a talent or is it something that
can be learned?
Helping Students with Observations
Groups of 4 students, back-to-back, only observing their quadrant, compiling information and average cloud cover.
Using the index finger at arm’s length approach:Puffs, rolls, waves, etc. smaller than one finger width
generally cirrocumulusNot quite two finger, but wider than one most likely
altocumulusIsolated puffs wider than two fingers are cumulusClouds that are wider than tall are stratocumulus Cirrostratus only cloud type to produce a halo around
the sun or moon
Hurricane TrackingNASA Hurricanes and Tropical Cycl
onesNational Hurricane CenterHurricane Tracking Chart HS3 Hurricane Mission Space Place on Hurricanes Wallops Flight Facility HS3 Mission
Current Temperature ProtocolPurpose:
To measure the current temperature when an instrument shelter is not available.
Overview: Current air temperature is measured using a thermometer held in the open air but in the shade for at least
3 minutes.
Minimum/Maximum Temperature
Minimum/Maximum Thermometer with Celsius and Fahrenheit scales and analog read-out
Be sure to “clear” or “reset” the thermometer each dayConversions:
Celsius to Fahrenheit (°C × 9/5) + 32 = °F
Fahrenheit to Celsius (°F - 32) x 5/9 = °CExample: Convert 26° Celsius (a nice warm day) to Fahrenheit
First: 26° × 9/5 = 234/5 = 46.8Then: 46.8 + 32 = 78.8° F
Example: Convert 98.6° Fahrenheit (normal body temperature) to Celsius First: 98.6° - 32 = 66.6Then: 66.6 × 5/9 = 333/9 = 37° C
Six’s Thermometer
Relative Humidity ProtocolPurpose:
To measure relative humidity at an Atmosphere Study site.
Overview:Sling Psychrometer- students sling a wet and dry bulb thermometer around for 3 minutes, read the temperatures and utilize table to determine relative humidity.Digital Hygrometer- usually used in instrument shelters.
Conversion Table for Relative HumidityRead the temperature on both the wet and dry
bulbDetermine the difference in temperatures (wet
bulb depression)Find the dry bulb temperature across the top of
the table Locate the wet bulb depression along the left
sideWhere the two numbers intersect equals the
relative humidityRepeat this 3 times and get an average
Barometric Pressure Protocol
Purpose:To measure air pressure.
Overview:Students record atmospheric pressure using a barometer or altimeter.
Barometric PressureAtmospheric pressure is the weight (force) of the air
pushing on each unit of surface area on the ground.Earth’s atmospheric pressure is about 1Kg/cm²Barometric pressure readings are the same indoors
and outdoorsHelp locate fronts and changes in weatherFalling barometer =worsening weatherRising barometer=improving weatherGLOBE measurements are taken with an aneroid
barometer and reported in millibars or hectopascals
Helpful Tools and Other SitesDownload a GPS app on your smart phone
(i.e. Elev4real, Altimeter—both provide a location including elevation)
GLOBE supplies can be ordered as kits through Forestry Suppliers, Inc.
S’COOL Ground truthing for NASA’s CERES satellite
Satellite Meteorology Online learning modules for grades 7-12