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Analyzing Solar Energy Graphs: MY NASA DATA

Presented by: Alissa Keil

September 12, 2011

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MY NASA DATA

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Know your Earth video

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d2kH_z720IA

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Overview

• Web based lessons (90 minutes)• Problem solving• Use real NASA data • Set to the National Education

Standards

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My NASA Data Project

National Standards:• Math: Data Analysis and Probability• Science Content: D Earth and Space Science• Technology: Abilities for a Technological WorldAP Environmental Science Topics: • Atmospheric circulation• Solar electricity• Solar energy• Solar intensity and latitude

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Possible ways to use lessons

• Analyzing graphs• Solar energy, electricity and electromagnetic

spectrum• Science research classes as data analysis lesson• Identifying geographical locations and climate

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Has any one ever used the MYNASA DATA lessons in their

classroom?

√ Yes X No

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• 15 Earth Observing Satellites

• Information on:• Atmosphere• Biosphere• Cryosphere• Oceans• Land Surface

Data Collection

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Terra• Collect information on

Earth’s changing climate.• AQUA• Collecting information on

water in the Earth system• Studies the fluxes of

radiation from the Sun and From the Earth that combine to constitute the Earth’s radiation balance.

CERES• Sensor- Cloud and

Earth’s Radiant Energy System

• Measure the total thermal radiation budget

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Seasonal Changes in Energy

http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/Features/WorldOfChange/decadaltemp.php

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Let’s pause for questions

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My NASA Data

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Featured LessonSolar Cell Availability from Around the Country

Purpose:To determine areas of thecountry which are most likely to produce solar energy by analyzing differences in incoming solar radiation graphs.

Introduce as a rock star tour.

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What do we need to know?• Basic understanding of Solar Cells• Be able to convert latitude and longitude

into a city-state location• Understand solar radiation

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Solar Cells

On a bright, sunny day, the sun's rays give off approximately 1,000 watts of energy per square meter of the planet's surface.

-Photovoltaic solar pane array-Most are made of Silicon ( semiconductor)

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Parameter being used•Monthly Surface All-Sky Short Wave Downward Flux data is used to generate the resultant plots.

•This data is gathered using the CERES instrument on the Terra and Aqua satellites

Aqua Terra

Earth’s energy Budget

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Materials•Computer lab

•Classroom with only a few computers

•Classroom with only 1 computer connected to a video projector

•The MY NASA DATA web site has tips on classroom management for the use of the lessons

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Let’s pause for questions

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Congratulations!

You have finally made it. You are now the star you always wanted to be. However, the life of a rock star requires months on the road. Luckily you have plenty of money and a very nice 40’ long motor home whose electricity is powered by solar panels. Life will change, and being successful means you can’t always live at home. Your manager requires you to do the following things…

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• For stability, you will live part of every year in Sheridan, Wyoming.

• Since your performances take you to various parts of the country throughout the year, you must live in at least one other place, but you may only live in a maximum of 4 places throughout the year.

• Every place you live must have an average monthly sunlight of 100 watts/m2 in order to run your needed electrical power for your home.

• You must live in the United States; however, you may travel outside of the country to get to your destination.

Constraints

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Determine the following:• Where will you live each month of the year?

• How does the monthly average solar radiation compare to Sheridan?

• Find one place you might like to live during a particular season, but are unable to do so due to low solar radiation levels.

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Procedures

1. Using My NASA Data Live Access Server (LAS)Found under Data access on the MY NASA Data

home pageSelect the LAS advanced ( for high school

students)

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Let’s pause for questions

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My NASA Data

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My NASA Data

Website:

http://mynasadata.larc.nasa.gov/

Lesson Steps

Lesson Steps Continued

Lesson Steps Continued

Lesson Steps Continued

Lesson Steps Continued

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REPEAT PROCEDURE FOR DATA SET 2

• Atmosphere• Atmosphere radiation• Surface• Monthly Surface All-Sky SW

Downward Flux

Lesson Steps Continued

Lesson Steps Continued

Lesson Steps Continued

Lesson Steps Continued

Sample Graph

Sheridan, WY

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Let’s pause for questions

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Let’s try it out, rock stars…Determine the following:• Where will you live each month of the year?• How does the monthly average solar radiation compare to Sheridan?• Find one place you might like to live during a particular season, but are unable to do so due to low solar radiation levels.Remember your constraints:

• Must live part of year in Sheridan, WY• Live one other place during the year; maximum of 4 places• Must have average sunlight of 100 watts/m2 • You must live in the US

NASAExplorerSchoolsShare your results!

MonthCity/State lived Average solar

radiationPlaces you couldn’t live

January

February

March

April

May

June

July

August

Plot types found in Example 2

Overlay Plot

Plot types found in Example 2

Difference Plot

Possible Locations

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Real World: Monitoring Earth's Energy Budget with CERES

http://www.youtube.com/user/MyNASAData#p/a/f/0/D_Qmue54W14

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NASA Explorer Schools

Website- Virtual Campushttp://explorerschools.nasa.gov

Additional professional development

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Have you heard of the NASA Explorer SchoolProject?

√ Yes X No

Have you registered to be a participant?√ Yes X No

http://neon.intronetworks.com

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Thank you for joining us!

Thank you to the sponsor of tonight's Web Seminar:

This web seminar contains information about programs, products, and services offered by third parties, as well as links to third-party websites. The presence of a listing or such information does not constitute an endorsement by NSTA of a

particular company or organization, or its programs, products, or services.

http://learningcenter.nsta.org

National Science Teachers AssociationDr. Francis Q. Eberle, Executive Director

Zipporah Miller, Associate Executive Director Conferences and Programs

Al Byers, Assistant Executive Director e-Learning

LIVE INTERACTIVE LEARNING @ YOUR DESKTOP

NSTA Web SeminarsPaul Tingler, Director

Jeff Layman, Technical Coordinator

• September 13, 2011ACS:The Science of Solar Power for Middle and

High School Students

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Life on Mars

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