Surface Ozone - Atmosphere
Surface Ozone
Important: This protocol has been deactivated and no new protocol measurements can be submitted to GLOBE's databases. For more information, check out the Deactivated Protocols page.
Protocol
This protocol guides you in the use of a near-infrared sun photometer to measure the amount of sunlight reaching the ground at wavelengths correlated to water vapor.
This protocol describes how to observe and report which types of clouds are visible, how much of the sky is covered by clouds, and the opacity of clouds, as well as sky and surface conditions. 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 record observations while a satellite is overhead, you may then receive an email from NASA comparing your surface-level observations to satellite observations from above.​​​​​​​
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 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.
This protocol describes how to measure the current air temperature when an instrument shelter is not available. Current air temperature can be measured using a thermometer held in the open air but in the shade for at least 3 minutes.
This protocol includes instructions for making an ozone measurement station and wind direction instrument.
This protocol guides you in measuring 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.