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GLOBEThe Global Learning and Observation to

Benefit the Environment

Atmosphere Protocols

August 4-8, 2014

Atmospheric Protocols Introduction

Citizen ScientistsSite SelectionRegistrationContact Information:

Todd TothTodd.toth@nasa.gov

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