The SABER

Instrument Aboard the

TIMED Satellite

Hampton UniversityInterdisciplinary Sciences CenterDianne Q. Robinson, Barbara H. Maggi, Aileen M. Seshun, and Sherrye Pollard March 2003

2

Principal Investigator – James M. Russell, III, Ph.D.Outreach Director – Dianne Q. Robinson, Ph.D.Assistant Outreach Director – Barbara H. MaggiEducation Coordinator – Aileen M. SeshunTeacher Advisor – Sherrye PollardTeacher Advisor – Karen Steele

Hampton University’s SABER Education & Public Outreach

3

Acronyms Defined

SABER:Sounding of the

Atmosphere UsingBroadband Emission

Radiometry

TIMED: Thermosphere

IonosphereMesophere

Energetics & Dynamics

4

TIMED MissionSun-synchronous (polar orbiting) satellite located

approximately 388 miles (625 km) above Earth. Orbit cycle is approximately 1.7 hours / 14 orbits a day.

Focus on least understood portion of the Earth’s atmospheric region (MLTI) extending from 40-110 miles (60 km to 180 km) above the Earth.

Collected data is being used to predict weather & global warming.

Mission duration anticipated to be two years.

5

SABER MissionProduce a global picture of how the MLTI region

changes over time.

Analyze & take measurements of processes governing the energetics, chemistry, dynamics, & transport of the MLTI region where the energy & chemistry are unique* from other atmospheric regions

Retrieve global day / night vertical profile measurements of atmospheric temperature, density, & pressure.

* There are fewer molecules in the MLTI, affecting how the atmosphere radiates & absorbs heat. This includes fewer aerosols.

6

SABER is one of the four instruments on board the TIMED spacecraft.

Two Points to ClarifyTIMED is the satellite which will study the variability of the Mesosphere & Lower Thermosphere/Ionosphere region (MLTI).

7

Artist’s Concept of TIMED

8

SABER as a Remote Sensor

SABER is a “passive remote sensor,” because it observes the atmosphere like a camera without a flash. (In contrast, an “active remote sensor” would be like a camera that has to illuminate its subject with a flash in order to take a picture.)

SABER will observe atmospheric infrared backscatter. (Backscatter is the scattering of light off of particles in the backward direction.)

9

Solar radiation will illuminate the atmosphere from behind the spacecraft, like a flashlight, stimulating the atmosphere to emit infrared radiation.

SABER will observe the infrared radiation using an instrument called a “multispectral radiometer.”

A moving optical instrument allows SABER to

observe a variety of altitudes in the region of study.

SABER as a Remote Sensor (continued)

10

Views of SABER Instrument

http://saber.larc.nasa.gov/

11

12

SABER Background

Built by Utah State University Space Dynamics Laboratory & is managed by NASA Langley Research Center.

Launched on December 7, 2001 from Vandenberg Air Force Base

Is a multi-channel radiometer measuring infrared energy emitted by the atmosphere over a broad altitude & spectral range.

13

Upper Atmosphere’s Radiation Budget

Types of Measurements:Energy balance between Earth’s incoming &

outgoing energy in Earth’s upper atmosphere

Infrared radiation emitted by the upper atmosphere

Strength of heat by ultraviolet radiation from the Sun (airglow)

14

Airglow from Earth’s Limb

When sunlight comes into contact with chemically active molecules, the atmosphere emits energy through photochemical processes known as airglow. Red = high airglow emission / Blue = low airglow emission. (http://oea.larc.nasa.gov/PAIS.SABER.html)

15

TIMED Watches Earth's Response to Strong Solar Storms in April 2002

Photo Credits Attributed to NASA / Hampton University(http://www.timed.jhuapl.edu/TIMED_Data/saber_data.html

March 2002)

April 10, 2002

NO (110 km)

April 18, 2002

NO (110 km)

Low values (green & blue) High values (yellow & red)

16

17

Atmospheric Structure & DynamicsSABER’s observations will:

Provide new informationabout how temperature,density, & pressure changewith altitude.

Track the movement of airbetween the poles, fromlower to upper atmosphericregions, from season to season around the globe.

Chart by R. Bradley PierceNASA LaRC

18

ParameterCO2

O3

O2 (‘)

CO2

OH(V)

NO

H2O

Wavelength (m)14.9 & 15.2

9.6

1.27

4.3

2.0 & 1.6

5.3

6.9

Key Gases in the Upper AtmosphereGases that warm & cool the MLTI region through absorption of solar

radiation & emission of infrared radiation (heat energy):

SABER measures the vertical distribution of these gases

19

Key Gases (continued)

SABER will make the first-ever measurements of the global distribution of carbon dioxide concentrations in the MLTI region.

SABER will also provide the first measurements of ozone during the day & at night in the MLTI region.

20

SABER E/PO Deliverables(Education & Public Outreach)

SABER Educational Web Site Will be developed by Hampton University & linked to

Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory TIMED web site

Will contain scientific information & teacher activities

NASA Connect (grades 5 - 8) Will work with NASA Langley to develop a program

incorporating the TIMED mission including a segment on the SABER instrument

21

SABER Teacher Training Conduct workshops on SABER instrument & TIMED

mission

SABER Conference Presentations Conduct presentations to inform the general public,

educators, & students

SABER E/PO Deliverables(continued)

22

Benefits to Educational Institutions*Association with NASA, Hampton University, Johns

Hopkins UniversityTechnology involvement in Real Time / Real Life

dissemination/explanation of actual scientific researchProfessional Development for teachersPublish lesson plans & activities on the SABER websiteBuilding of interest & enthusiasm for students to study

science, math, & technologyExposure of students to new careers in science, math, &

technology

* Schools, universities; educators, & students

23

http://www.timed.jhuapl.edu/education2/new_index.html

The TIMED Education Website

24

SABERSchematic

TIMEDTeacher’s Lesson Plan

Objectives:•Work with ratio, proportion, scale drawing, & coordinate graphing

•Locate objects on a coordinate grid

•Enlarge a picture of SABER using coordinates

25

Classroom ActivitiesMiddle School Activity - 'How SABER 'Sees' the Earth' (developed at W.E. Waters Middle School, Portsmouth, VA)

See how a hula-hoop can simulate TIMED's sun-synchronous orbit as it revolves around the Earth as Earth orbits around the sun. At the same time, learn how the instrument looks NOT at the Earth itself, but through the atmospheric limb, & how this provides several unique, first-time measurements.

High School Activity - 'Exothermic & Endothermic Chemical Reactions of Hot & Cold Materials (developed at Perquimans’ County High School, Hertford, NC)

Are you looking for a new way to teach your students about remote sensing? Our website will show you how to use a cola can to build a remote sensing tool that demonstrates the science behind the SABER instrument riding on the TIMED satellite.

26

Celebrate What You’ve Learned

Remember when I described the difference between TIMED & SABER? Who can tell us what that difference is?

SABER looks at the Earth’s ____________ _______.

Name at least one of the s for SABER.Who can mention one other interesting fact

about this instrument?