Surface Ozone - Atmosphere

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.

Measure the current air temperature when an instrument shelter is not available. Current air temperature is measured using a thermometer held in the open air but in the shade for at least 3 minutes.

Instructions for making an ozone measurement station and wind direction instrument.

Students measure the relative humidity using either a digital hygrometer or a sling psychrometer.

Students learn about the timing of spring budburst, develop multiple working hypotheses about why timing differs year to year, and test hypotheses using environmental data collected by GLOBE students in Alaska to come to a conclusion about the factors that most impact timing of budburst on paper birch trees. **This activity has an option to get students analyzing data in spreadsheets.

Students construct simple thermometers to understand how and why liquid-in-glass thermometers work.

Students are introduced to the concepts of solar elevation angle and relative air mass and learn how to determine relative air mass from measurements of solar elevation angle.

Students match GLOBE temperature data with its location given what they know about the relationship between latitude and seasonal temperature variations.

Students monitor clouds and weather to begin to understand the connections between the two.

Through explorations of GLOBE atmosphere data from Croatia, students will build understanding of two climate zones. **This activity has an option to get students analyzing data in spreadsheets. The spreadsheet file (and answer key) can be found here: https://www.globe.gov/do-globe/globe-teachers-guide/atmosphere/data-exploration-learning-activities

Students construct and compare cubes of different volumes to gain insight into small concentrations such as a part per million and a part per billion.

Through explorations of GLOBE temperature data from two nearby locations in Germany, students learn how temperature varies with altitude.

Students draw a visualization and learn about all the design choices involved and how these choices affect what is communicated by the visualization.

Students practice estimating how much of the sky is covered by clouds.

Data document for the An Alaskan Spring Mystery: A GLOBE Data Exploration Learning Activity.

Solution key for the An Alaskan Spring Mystery: A GLOBE Data Exploration Learning Activity data.

Data document for the Comparing Croatia Climates: A GLOBE Data Exploration Learning Activity.

GLOBE Data Entry App

GLOBE Observer App

Cloud Protocol eTraining

Contrail Formation Tutorial

Cloud Cover Practice

Cloud Type Practice