Water Transparency

Observe and report which types of clouds are visible, how much of the sky is covered by clouds, and the opacity of clouds. Also report sky and surface conditions. Each observation is matched to satellite data of clouds taken about the same time and location. Cloud observations can be taken at any time! This Protocol is designed to be flexible and fit into your schedule, classifying, observing, and reporting cloud observations when it works for you. If you observe while a satellite is overhead, you can then receive an email from NASA comparing your observations to satellite data.

NASA Support Page for GLOBE Clouds and Satellite Comparison
Your cloud observations help NASA to better understand the different types of clouds and the effects they have on our Earth’s climate. NASA matches cloud observations to corresponding satellite data. Satellites only see the top of the clouds while you see the bottom. By putting these two vantage points together we get a much more complete picture of clouds in the atmosphere.

Find Satellite Overpass Times by accessing the NASA Cloud Satellite Portal.

Hydrosphere protocols introduction document.

Students will construct a transparency tube to measure water transparency.

Students will construct a secchi disk to measure water transparency.

Instructions are provided on how to select, describe and map a hydrosphere study site.

Students will first measure water transparency at their undisturbed study site using a transparency tube or Secchi disk.

Introduction document to the Hydrosphere Investigation Area Learning Activities.

Students will make a 3-dimensional model of a catchment basin to understand how water moves through the basin and explore how water is affected when there are changes in the basin.

Students will model the changes in soil water storage over a year.

In the classroom, students practice using the instruments or kits for protocols, exploring the range of measurements and sources of variation and error.

Students will investigate how they use their senses for observation and why we use instruments to collect data.

Students become acquainted with their Hydrosphere Study Site.