HR: 0830h
AN: ED51B-1183    [PDF]
TI: NASA satellite missions CALIPSO and CloudSat collaborate with the GLOBE program to involve students internationally in data collection for scientists researching climate change
AU: * Robinson, D Q
EM: dianne.robinson@hamptonu.edu
AF: Hampton University / CALIPSO Mission Outreach, 23 Tyler ST., Center for Atmospheric Sciences, Hampton, VA 23668 United States
AU: Krumm, D K
EM: dkrumm@atmos.colostate.edu
AF: Colorado State University,Foothills Campus / CloudSat Mission Outreach, Department of Atmospheric Science, Fort Collins, CO 80523-1371 United States
AU: Maggi, B H
EM: barbara.maggi@hamptonu.edu
AF: Hampton University / CALIPSO Mission Outreach, 23 Tyler ST., Center for Atmospheric Sciences, Hampton, VA 23668 United States
AB: NASA supports involvement of K-14 students and teachers in each of their missions. CALIPSO and CloudSat are two satellite-based research missions with unique education and outreach programs. These missions will be co-manifested for launch in 2004 and are included in the NASA "A-Train" satellite formation. The A-Train will consist of six missions flying in close proximity, providing combined detailed observations about the Earth's atmosphere that will allow scientists to make better predictions related to climate change. CALIPSO will use Lidar to detect size and distribution of aerosols to aid in improving our understanding of the role aerosols and clouds play in Earth's climate system. CloudSat will use radar and provide a global survey of cloud properties to aid with improving cloud models and the accuracy of weather forecasts. Each of the A-Train missions has a distinctive education and outreach program for students and teachers. Included in the CloudSat and CALIPSO outreach programs is a partnership with the GLOBE program aimed at involving students worldwide in mission observations and data collection. GLOBE is a network of over 12,000 K-14 schools, science centers, after school programs, and environmental clubs. from over 100 countries where students collect scientific data according to precise protocols and enter the data into a central database allowing both scientists and students to utilize the data. CloudSat and CALIPSO will partner with GLOBE schools worldwide to enlist student assistance with data collected by both satellites. Students will use the existing GLOBE protocols on aerosols and clouds to collect data as the satellites pass over their schools. CloudSat scientists will have students make visual observations related to cloud cover, cloud type and precipitation. This information will be compared to the CloudSat radar data to determine the accuracy of the satellite radar unit. CALIPSO will have students collect and report on aerosol measurements taken with a hand-held sun photometer. CALIPSO and CloudSat education and outreach programs support the national education standards related to climate change and the effects aerosols have on climate. Both missions will provide students with an opportunity to participate in research and data collection on a global level. The data collected by students internationally for CALIPSO and CloudSat will allow them to better understand the impacts made by humans on Earth's atmosphere and how these impacts are global in scope.
UR: http://www-calipso.larc.nasa.gov/ http://cloudsat.atmos.colostate.edu
DE: 0305 Aerosols and particles (0345, 4801)
SC: Education and Human Resources [ED]
MN: 2003 Fall Meeting