GLOBE News
Engage in Active Science with NASA – Use GLOBE’s Enhanced Cloud Protocol!
Starting 01 March 2017, NASA and The GLOBE Program invite participants to submit ground cloud observations following an updated and enhanced Cloud Protocol. A team from NASA Langley Research Center will compare observations with data from satellites/instruments for comparison/validation purposes and also return the matched data to the participant, encouraging engagement in authentic science experiences through NASA missions.
Clouds are powerful agents of global change. They affect the overall temperature or energy balance of the Earth and play a large role in controlling the planet's long-term climate. In order to understand the impact of clouds over time, we need accurate data on clouds. NASA has a number of satellites orbiting the Earth and collecting data about clouds and the Earth’s energy. While these satellites give us a big picture of what’s going on, they sometimes have trouble with the details.
Now your help is needed in collecting data so that the different types of clouds and the effects they have on our Earth’s climate can be better understood. Plus, we need data from your vantage point – right here on Earth. 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.
You are an important part of the puzzle, providing a new perspective of the clouds that our NASA satellites do not have, looking up. We are excited for you to start collecting data through this updated cloud protocol featuring NASA satellite comparison! Learn more about the updated observation protocol and reporting features.
type: globe-newsNews origin: GLOBE Implementation Office