April 2011 Update to the 2010 Surface Temperature Field Campaign
The 2010 GLOBE Surface Temperature Field Campaign was a great success again. During the month-long intensive observation period, 45 schools took 1,121 oberservations. The lowest temperature recorded by students was -27.2 C in Gimnazium No 1. The high temperature was 49.8 C at Brazil High School in Trinadad and Tobago. The deepest snow was 522 mm measured by Kilingi-Nomme Gymnasium in Estonia. Read more about the results of the 2010 Surface Temperature Field Campaign on the SATELLITES webpage.
What? The 2010 GLOBE Surface Temperature Field Campaign.
For the 5th consecutive year, GLOBE partner Dr. Kevin Czajkowski and researchers at the University of Toledo, Ohio, will host the annual Surface Temperature Field Campaign, focusing on the impacts of snow on the Earth’s temperature. Dr. Kevin Czajkowski and his research team would like to engage as many GLOBE students as possible to take Surface Temperature observations.
Why? Snow cover is an important factor impacting Earth's weather and climate system. Snow reflects sunlight back to space and it insulates the atmosphere from the ground. Less snow leads to a positive feedback in the climate system: more sunlight is absorbed by the surface, which can lead to warmer temperatures.
Northern Hemisphere snow extent has decreased significantly, at a rate of about 4% per decade. For more information the NOAA Ice - Snow Cover page.
Who? GLOBE teachers who have been trained in the surface temperature protocol and who have an infrared, non-contact, thermometer* are encouraged to participate.*
When? 29 November 2010 to 22 December 2010. The field campaign is held annually from the end of November through December with the assumption that some schools will be able to observe surface temperature with snow on the ground while other schools will not have snow on the ground. Students will have the opportunity to compare the temperatures observed for locations with snow and locations without snow.
Where? Dr. Czajkowski would like you to take surface temperature observations from two sites around your school, one in a large homogeneous grassy field (as large as possible), and the other in a nearby parking lot. The reason to do this is to compare the difference in the way that grass and paved surfaces change the sun's energy into heat or evapotranspiration.
* Regarding your thermometer: If you use an ordinary thermometer, false temperature readings might be obtained giving incorrect results. This is most often due to thermal radiation reflected from the object being measured that has its source elsewhere, like a hot wall nearby or even the person holding the thermometer. Infrared thermometers make possible a temperature measurement without contact by way of determining an object’s emitted infrared radiation. All infrared thermometers (non-contact) contain a targeting light to ensure temperature measurement from a distance without contact with the object to be measured.
Infrared thermometers (IRTs, pictured above) are used in the auto repair, heating and air conditioning and food preparation industries. If you do not have one, you may be able to borrow one from someone working in these areas. We are now using the Fluke 63 IRT. You may still use your Raytek ST20 IRT if you have one. Fluke bought out Raytek and changed the name of the sensor to Fluke 63. You may use other IRTs too. If you do, you will need to specify the type of instrument that you are using.
If you have any questions, please contact Dr. Kevin Czajkowski at kczajko@utnet.utoledo.edu.
See the SATELLITES website form more information, including the 2010 blog and blogs from past years.