Day 1 Spring 2024 Workshop

While we wait for more friends to join…

What cloud personality do you have? �(Descriptions by Jade Rael from Santa Fe Indian School)

A. Cumulus�Easygoing; happy most of the time; loves sunny days; likes to go on walks or hike.

Welcome Educators!

B. Stratus�Peaceful; loves the cool weather; wide range of interests.

C. Cirrus�Delicate; quiet and thoughtful; always cold and needs a blanket; loves colors.

Workshop Timeline

Monday 3/4: Clouds

Monday 3/11: Air Temperature, Solar Eclipse

Monday 3/18: Surface Temperature

Monday 3/25: Research Opportunities

Wednesday 4/10: Completing Research Poster

NOTE: The link for the fifth session is different!

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Zoom Platform Reminders

• Please mute your mic during the session.
• Feel free to enter questions and comments in the chat.
• Live captioning is available.

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Questions: Chat / Discussion Forum

• Feel free to enter your questions in the chat, and our team will do our best to answer them.
• If we can’t answer all of your questions, we will answer them on the GLOBE Clouds Discussion Forum.

Day 1 Agenda

• Intro to GLOBE
• Atmosphere
• Why does NASA study clouds?
• How to Observe Clouds, Cloud Types, Sky Color, Cloud Cover
• GLOBE Observer
• Types of thermometers
• Q&A

Resources

• Please access the Spring 2024 GLOBE RESOURCES in the chat!

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• We will also provide you with access to these slides after the session.

Today’s Speakers

Marilé Colón Robles

Project Scientist

NASA Langley/ADNET

Rosalba Giarratano

Outreach Coordinator

NASA Langley/ADNET

Introduction to GLOBE

Global Learning and Observations to Benefit the Environment

Vision:

• A worldwide community of students, teachers, scientists, and citizens working together to better understand, sustain, and improve Earth's environment at local, regional, and global scales.

Mission:

• To increase awareness of individuals throughout the world about the global environment, contribute to increased scientific understanding of the Earth, and support improved student achievement in science and mathematics.

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Former NASA Administrator, Charles Bolden, discussing GLOBE

The GLOBE Program

Global Learning and Observations to Benefit the Environment (GLOBE)

• Since 1995
• 127 countries
• 38,484 schools

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Sponsored by:

Supported by:

Implemented by:

https://www.globe.gov

Introduction to Atmosphere

Air’s Composition

The Earth's atmosphere is an extremely thin sheet of air extending from the surface of the Earth to the edge of space. The Earth is a sphere with a roughly 8000 mile diameter; the thickness of the atmosphere is about 60 miles.

Air is composed of approximately 78% nitrogen, 21% oxygen, and small amounts of other gases.

The Atmosphere’s Structure: Exosphere and Ionosphere

The Atmosphere’s Structure: Thermosphere-Troposphere

Thermosphere: Aurora and some other satellites occur in this layer.

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Mesosphere: Meteors burn up in this layer.

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Stratosphere: The ozone layer, which absorbs and scatters the solar ultraviolet radiation, is in this layer.

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Troposphere: Almost all weather is in this region.

What is the difference between weather and climate?

In most places, weather can change from minute-to-minute, hour-to-hour, day-to-day, and season-to-season. Climate, however, is the average of weather over time and space. An easy way to remember the difference is that climate is what you expect, like a very hot summer, and weather is what you get, like a hot day with pop-up thunderstorms.

Local Solar Noon

To ensure comparability of measurements worldwide, it’s best to take your atmospheric measurements at your local solar noon. This time is usually not 12 pm on your local clock. You can look up the real time for local solar noon, or calculate it by finding the average time between the published sunrise and sunset for your area. You will report your time as UTC, or Coordinated Universal Time. This is calculated automatically for you when you input your data to GLOBE. Note: if it is not possible to take your measurements at local solar noon, it is OK to take them at another time.

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GLOBE Atmosphere Protocols

• Aerosols
• Air Temperature
• Barometric Pressure
• Clouds
• Precipitation
• Relative Humidity
• Surface Ozone
• Surface Temperature
• Water Vapor
• Wind

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Optimal Atmosphere Study Site

An open grass-covered area is optimal. However,

it’s best to collect data at a site that is less than perfect than to not collect data at all!

Interactive Question #1 -

What are the key factors in how clouds form?

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1. Water and Energy
2. Humidity and Air
3. Sunlight and Water
4. Water and nuclei and condensation

Interactive Question #1 -

What are the key factors in how clouds form?

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• Water and Energy
• Humidity and Air
• Sunlight and Water
• Water and nuclei and condensation

https://climatekids.nasa.gov/cloud-formation/

https://airbornescience.nasa.gov/instrument/3V-CPI

Why does NASA study clouds?

Why Does NASA Study Clouds? – NASA Earth Minute

NASA Earth Minute Video - A Cloudy Forecast

Why does NASA need cloud observations from the ground?

NASA and other space agencies have several satellites orbiting the Earth and collecting data about clouds and the Earth’s energy budget; so, why does NASA need help on the ground?

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Satellite Cloud Observations

• While satellites give us a big picture of what’s going on, they sometimes have trouble with the details.
• Certain cloud types, like thin wispy cirrus, are sometimes hard to detect by certain satellites.
• Certain conditions like clouds in a snow-filled area make it difficult for satellites to distinguish what is a cloud and what is snow.  
• Satellites can only capture a top-down view of our planet.

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Ground Cloud Observations

Ground observations complement what the satellite cannot see:

• Cloud bases
• Multiple cloud layers
• Ground cover (Is there water on the ground? Is it dry? Muddy?)
• It is snow or a cloud?

Different Points of View

Where to Observe

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A good site is a location that provides the most unobstructed view of the sky.

Look at the sky in every direction above 14°.

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How to Observe

• Look at the sky in every direction above 14°.
• This is a good observation to do with a small group (each can take a quarter of the sky) although individuals can do it also.
• The most important step is the first and easiest: observing “What is in Your Sky”
• No Observable Clouds
• Observable Clouds
• Or the view of your sky and clouds is obscured

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Observers estimating 14 degrees above the horizon by placing their hands in a “V” at about head height. The area between their hands, above them, is their observation area.

How to Observe: Data Sheet

Complete the GLOBE Cloud Data Sheet:

• Record date, time, and location.
• Observe total sky conditions, if applicable.
• On high, mid, and low levels define cloud type, cloud cover, and cloud visual opacity.
• Conclude your report with surface condition observations.

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How to Observe: 1. What is in Your Sky?

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Cloud Cover Categories

Obscured Sky

• Identify an obscuration if you cannot see the sky.
• If more than 1/4th of the sky is obscured by one of these options, record and report the reason on the data sheet.
• Note: If your sky is blocked by buildings or trees, do not record it as an obscuration, please look for a more open observation site.

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Obscured versus Overcast

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Obscuration:

when dust, haze, blowing sand, etc., blocks the sky and clouds.

Overcast:

when clouds completely cover the sky.

What is the Cloud Cover in Each Picture?

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A

B

What is the Cloud Cover in Each Picture?

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25% Cloud Cover

70% Cloud Cover

A

B

What to Observe: 2. Sky Color and Visibility

Only record sky color and visibility when total cloud cover is less than 50%

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Sky Color and Visibility

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What to Observe: 3, 4, 5 Clouds by Altitude

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GLOBE Cloud Chart

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https://www.globe.gov/documents/348614/24331082/GLOBE+Cloud+Chart

Three Main Cloud Types - Cumulus

Cumulus

Latin word for “heap” or “pile”

Student selected words: fluffy, puffy, cotton candy

Three Main Cloud Types - Stratus

Stratus

Latin word for “layer”

Student selected words: horizontal, flat/stretchy, mustache

Three Main Cloud Types - Cirrus

Cirrus

Latin word for “curl” or “fringe”

Student selected words: waves crashing, feathery, The Dab

Three Main Cloud Types - Recap

Cirrus

Stratus

Cumulus

Determining Level of Cumulus Clouds: Low Clouds

Tip: For Cumulus (puffy) clouds, use fist/thumb/pinky finger strategy to estimate cloud height.

Low Clouds/Cumulus

Appear comparable in size to your fist held at arm’s length.

Determining Level of Cumulus Clouds: Mid-level Clouds

Tip: For Cumulus (puffy) clouds, use fist/thumb/pinky finger strategy to estimate cloud height.

Mid-level/altocumulus

Comparable in size to your thumb held at arm’s length.

Determining Level of Cumulus Clouds: High Clouds

Tip: For Cumulus (puffy) clouds, use fist/thumb/pinky finger strategy to estimate cloud height.

High/cirrocumulus

Comparable in size to your pinky finger held at arm’s length. 

Determining Level of Cumulus Clouds: Recap

Tip: For Cumulus (puffy) clouds, use fist/thumb/pinky finger strategy to estimate cloud height.

Low/cumulus

Comparable in size to your fist held at arm’s length.

Mid-level/altocumulus

Comparable in size to your thumb held at arm’s length.

High/cirrocumulus

Comparable in size to your pinky finger held at arm’s length. 

Determining Level of Stratus Clouds: Low Clouds

Tip: For stratus (layered) clouds,

look for clues near the Sun.

Low/stratus

Very gray and often very low to the ground. They tend to cover a lot of sky.

NEVER look directly

at the Sun!

Determining Level of Stratus Clouds: Mid-level Clouds

Tip: For stratus (layered) clouds,

look for clues near the Sun.

Mid-level/altostratus

Thinly veiled Sun or moon, and will often be a medium gray color. 

NEVER look directly

at the Sun!

Determining Level of Stratus Clouds: High Clouds

Tip: For stratus (layered) clouds,

look for clues near the Sun.

High/cirrostratus

The only cloud type which can produce a halo around the sun or moon.

NEVER look directly

at the Sun!

Determining Level of Stratus Clouds: Recap

Tip: For stratus (layered) clouds,

look for clues near the Sun.

Low/stratus

Very gray and often very low to the ground. They tend to cover a lot of sky.

Mid-level/altostratus

Thinly veiled Sun or moon, a medium gray color. 

High/cirrostratus

The only cloud type which can produce a halo around the sun or moon.

NEVER look directly

at the Sun!

Clouds that cause precipitation

Nimbostratus

Cumulonimbus

Contrails

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Clouds of ice particles formed around the small particles (aerosols) which are in aircraft exhaust

Interactive Question #2 - Contrails

What factors determine if and what type of contrail will form?

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• Humidity and temperature
• Humidity and pressure
• Altitude and temperature
• Pressure and airplane types

Interactive Question #2 - Contrails

What factors determine if and what type of contrail will form?

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• Humidity and temperature
• Humidity and pressure
• Altitude and temperature
• Pressure and airplane types

https://www.rmets.org/metmatters/contrail-clouds-and-climate-change

Opacity

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Transparent

Transparent: Thin clouds through which light passes easily, and through which you can even see blue sky.

Translucent: Medium-thickness clouds that let some sunlight through.

Opaque: Thick clouds which do not allow light to pass directly, although light can diffuse through them.

Translucent

Opaque

What to Observe: 6. Surface Conditions

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Creating a Site

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GLOBE Observer App

GLOBE Clouds: Getting Started

Types of Thermometers

Air Temperature Tips: Choosing a Thermometer

• Make sure you have a separate thermometer of some sort, whether digital or liquid-filled. Don’t rely on a weather app on your phone, as that could be pulling data from a weather station some distance away.

• GLOBE has a list of equipment suppliers for North America, but many available thermometers are acceptable. Look for one with an accuracy of +/- 0.5 ºC (and 0.5 ºC divisions for liquid filled models).

Example thermometers. Credit: GLOBE

Asking A Question in the Discussion Forum

1. Sign in to the GLOBE website.
2. Go to the Clouds Discussion Forum for this workshop.
3. Click on the session that you would like to ask a question about.

Questions?

Please post any additional questions on the GLOBE Clouds Discussion Forum

Thank You

See You Next Monday!

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