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 5 Scientific Investigations:Investigations:

• Atmosphere

• Earth as a System

• Hydrology

• Land Cover/Biology

• Soil

AtmosphereAtmosphere• Main area of our study

• 4 components:oWeather – temp., precip., humidity,

cloudsoClimate – average & extreme conditionso Energy Budget – land-atmosphere

interactionsoAtmospheric Composition – trace gases

& particles in the air

AtmosphereAtmosphere• Many measurements best taken

at solar noon.o Sun’s highest point of the dayo To calculate, find average between

sunrise/sunset timeso Example: Sunrise 6:20am (0620) Sunset

7:10pm (1910)0620 + 1910 = 2530 / 2 =

12:45pmREMEMBER: 60 min in an hour, not 100.

AtmosphereAtmosphere• Measurements:

o Temperature (current, surface, max., min.)

oCloud & Contrail Cover and TypeoAerosols & Water VaporoRelative Humidityo PrecipitationoBarometric PressureoOzone

AtmosphereAtmosphere• Will begin with Cloud/Contrail data.

o Uses only cloud chart and human eye.o Must first define atmosphere study site.

Earth as a SystemEarth as a System• Connected System of 4 Parts:

oAtmosphere - SkyoHydrosphere - Watero Lithosphere - EarthoBiosphere – Living Matter

Earth as a SystemEarth as a System• Local VMS site not appropriate

for such studies.• What nearby conditions prevent

an accurate study of the surrounding region?

HydrologyHydrology• Conditions of Earth’s streams, rivers,

lakes, and coastal waters

• Hydrologic Cycle:o Heat from the sun evaporates water from

surfaceo Water vapor cools in atmosphere becoming

cloudso Droplets/crystals grow and then fall as

precipitateso On the ground, water is absorbed by soil/plants

or runs into streams/rivers

HydrologyHydrology• Total annual water loss from surface

must equal total annual precipitation.• Why are water measurements not

appropriate for VMS?

Land Cover/BiologyLand 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/BiologyLand 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 = 0.6214 mi)

SoilSoil• Often taken for granted, soils are

an essential natural resource• Made up of 4 components:

oMineral Particles (varying sizes)oOrganic MaterialsoWater in Open PoresoAir in Open Pores

SoilSoil• 5 Soil Forming Factors:

o Parent MaterialoClimateoOrganismso Topographyo Time

• Will be studying soil temperature at 5 and 10 cmo (1 in = 2.54 cm)

First, we must begin First, we must begin with the GLOBE with the GLOBE

Atmosphere Study site Atmosphere Study site selection.selection.