Looking at Earth from Space
Teachers Guide with Activities for Earth and Space Science

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About this Publication
The Maryland Pilot Earth Science and Technology Education Network (MAPS-NET) project was sponsored by NASA from 1992-1996 to enrich teacher preparation and classroom learning in the area of Earth system science. Teachers who participated in MAPS-NET completed a graduate-level course and developed activities that incorporate satellite imagery and encourage the hands-on study of Earth.

This publication replicates much of the material taught during the graduate-level course and developed by the teachers. Both are important elements in the series, Looking at Earth from Space, developed to provide teachers with a comprehensive approach to using satellite imagery to enhance science education. The will enable teachers (and students) to expand their knowledge of the atmosphere, common weather patterns, and remote sensing. Because the Guide is designed to expand teachers' knowledge, it is divided into topical chapters rather than by grade-level. The classroom activities are listed by suggested grade level.

NOTE: Some information contained in this teachers' guide is out-of-date, specifically the section describing NASA's Mission to Planet Earth, which is now known as the NASA Earth Science Enterprise, and the sections on the Internet, an area of rapid change since 1996, when this guide was first published. There are now numerous websites that provide access to geostationary and polar satelite imagery.

Cover

Acknowledgements

Table of Contents

Matrix, National Science Education     page 1

Looking at Earth from Space     page 2

NASA's Mission to Planet Earth     page 3

Sample Uses for Direct Readout Images and Data in Earth Science Study     page 5

Weather Systems and Satellite Imagery

Introduction to Mid-Latitude Weather Systems     page 9

geosynchronous and polar-orbiting satellite views of Earth
GOES image of wave pattern
the comma cloud

Wave Motion and the General Circulation     page 17

differential heating of Earth
Intertropical Convergence Zone
Ferrel and Hadley cells
Coriolis effect and general circulation
baroclinic stability/instability

Cyclonic Disturbances and Baroclinic Instability     page 24

polar front theory
baroclinic theory
jet streams, jet streak
divergence
upper air information and charts

Clouds     page 44

saturation pressure of an air parcel
dew point temperature, relative humidity
advection
adiabatic assumption
adiabatic cloud formation
cloud identification

Additional Common Weather Patterns     page 55

coastal storm development
Mesoscale Convective Systems
hurricanes

Satellite Images and the Internet     page 61

obtaining images and data via the internet
sources of meteorological images

Environmental Satellites     page 65

Orbits     page 105

Ground Station Set-up     page 117

Resources     page 123

Bulletin Boards
Federal Agencies and Programs
National Aeronautics and Space Administration
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Organizations
Vendors
Weather Forecast Office Locations
Internet

Classroom Activities

Using the Activities and Imagery from Environmental Satellites     page 147

Grades 4-6

Using Weather Symbols     page 151

Forecasting the Weather: Satellite Images & Weather Maps     page 161

Grades 6-8

Cloud Families     page 171

Cloud Identification     page 183

Grades 5-8

Classification of Cloud Types Through Infrared APT Imagery     page 190

Grade 8

Comparison of Visible and Infrared Imagery     page 213

Right Down the Line: Cold Fronts     page 223

To Ski or not to Ski (Imagery as a Decision-Making Tool)
page 229
 

Grade 9

Infrared and Visible Satellite Images: The Electromagnetic Spectrum     page 233

Understanding a Thunderstorm     page 242

Grades 7-12

Animation Creation (Looping Satellite Images)     page 255

Wherefore Art Thou, Romeo? (Studying Hurricanes)     page 257
 

Grades 9-12

A Cold Front Passes     page 265

Will There be a Rain Delay? (Forecasting)     page 272

Seasonal Migration of the ITCZ     page 280

Using Weather Satellite Images to Enhance a Study of the Chesapeake Bay     page 288

Glossary     page 309

Bibliography     page 327

Index     page 335