Participation FAQ's NASA GLOBE Cloud
1). How can I participate and submit cloud observations?
2). What is the GLOBE Clouds Protocol?
Answer: The GLOBE program calls protocols the steps designed by scientists for students and the general public to collect environmental observations that can later be used by researchers in their investigations. The cloud protocol provides the steps used to determine type, cover, and opacity of clouds including contrail.
3). What does it mean to be trained in the GLOBE Clouds Protocol?
Answer: Training is available for educators and for science enthusiasts to understand the steps selected for the collection of data. For GLOBE educators, the training allows you to submit cloud observations with some added observations of the atmosphere. It also allows you to have student accounts. For enthusiasts, the training allows you to alter your profile on GLOBE Observer and gives you more confidence in your measurements. See question 1, ‘How can I participate and submit cloud observations?’ to learn more about the different training available.
4). I am ready to start taking cloud observations. When should I take the observations?
Answer: Observations +/- 15 minutes of a satellite overpass allow for optimal comparison with satellite data. If you miss a satellite overpass time, you are still able to submit your observations. Find out the satellite overpass times for your area. Additional suggestions for observations frequency include daily within one hour of solar noon and in support of the ozone and aerosol measurements, both enhancing comparison ability with complimentary protocol data. If you cannot make daily observations it is okay, but daily observations with the satellite directly over your area are optimal.
5). What happens to my cloud observations once I submit them to NASA?
Answer: A team at NASA Langley Research Center in Hampton, VA receives and compares your observations with data from satellites. The results are sent back to you in a personalized email from NASA with your satellite match table. Learn how to read and interpret your satellite match table as well as ways you can compare your data to satellite observations. The data is also archived and made available through GLOBE.
6). I am a teacher and want to incorporate cloud observations with my students. How should I do it?
Answer: The GLOBE Clouds team has prepared one-week pacing guides that step teachers through how to implement cloud observations into the classroom. The pacing guides are aligned to Next Generation Science Standards and provide background information, activities, and implementation suggestions. The pacing guides also include assessment options and guiding questions for each day. Two pacing guides are available related to clouds: Cloud Types featuring NASA GLOBE CLOUD GAZE (grades 3-8) and Clouds and Energy Budget (grades 6-12). These and other pacing guides related to air quality, trees, mosquito habitats, and urban heat island are available on the NASA Langley Research Center’s GLOBE partner page.
7). I am an educator without a classroom, but still interact with students and the general public. How can I do cloud observations?
Answer:
Pacing Guides: The GLOBE Clouds team has prepared one-week pacing guides that step educators through how to implement cloud observations with hands-on activities and discussion questions per day. Two pacing guides are available related to clouds: Cloud Types featuring NASA GLOBE CLOUD GAZE (grades 3-8) and Clouds and Energy Budget (grades 6-12). These and other pacing guides related to air quality, trees, mosquito habitats, and urban heat island are available on the NASA Langley Research Center’s GLOBE partner page.
Clouds Toolkit: Clouds related activities, library resources, and troubleshooting tips are available on the GLOBE Observer website. Resources also include printable and promotional materials, as well as answers to common questions about clouds.
Guides: A special Girl Scout Guide is available that guides leaders through how to use the GLOBE Observer app through the Think Like a Citizen Scientist Journey. Find activities and implementation ideas for each protocol available on the app.
8). I am an enthusiast and would like to make cloud observations. How can I submit observations if I’m not a student nor an educator?
Answer: Use the GLOBE Program’s GLOBE Observer app to make cloud observations and receive NASA personalized emails that compare your observations to satellite data. Identify cloud cover and cloud types on sky photographs taken by others just like you by visiting NASA GLOBE CLOUD GAZE program on the Zooniverse online platform.
9). What is a satellite overpass? Where can I learn more about satellite overpass times?
Answer: The team at NASA Langley Research Center in Hampton, VA compares your observations with satellite data over your area at about +/- 15 minutes from your observation time. A satellite overpass is the time when a satellite is right over your area. Find out when a satellite used for the comparison will be over your area.
10). What if I cannot make observations during a satellite overpass, can I still make cloud observations and submit them to NASA?
Answer: Yes!! All data that you take is valuable for The GLOBE Program and the NASA Partnership.
11). What is a satellite match email?
Answer: The team at NASA Langley Research Center in Hampton, VA compares your observations with satellite data over your area at about +/- 15 minutes from your observation time. The team then sends a personalized email to you for each satellite match. Learn how to read the satellite match table.
12). How can I stop receiving satellite match emails?
Answer: If you would like to stop receiving satellite match emails
- Registered GLOBE observers : go to globe.gov and sign in to your account. Click on your name/picture on the top right of the page and go to “My Account.” Look for “GLOBE Opt-In” on the right-hand side. Uncheck “Receive NASA Satellite Images.”.
- GLOBE Observer observers from the GLOBE Observer app click on your email at the top of the app. Select ‘Yes’ or ‘No’ under ‘Receive NASA Satellite Images’ to change your email notification settings at any time.
13). How do I read the satellite match table? How can I tell if my observations are correct?
Answer: Find tips and tricks on how to read and interpret your satellite match table. We encourage you to look and compare your observations to satellite data. Here are some suggestions on how to interpret the observations and tips on how to read the satellite images and use the information.
14). Where do I find the satellite images? How can I learn how to read them?
Answer: The team at NASA Langley Research Center has put together some tips and tricks for you to learn how to read the satellite images you receive in your satellite match table.
15). Why are my cloud observations important to NASA?
Answer: Satellites orbiting and studying the Earth give NASA and scientists around a big picture of what is going on and the role of clouds in Earth’s changing climate. Satellites only see the tops of clouds, where you can see the bottom of clouds. By putting these two vantage points together, we get a much more complete picture of clouds in the atmosphere.
16). Why is NASA interested in cloud observations? What is the Earth’s Energy Budget?
Answer: Clouds affect the overall temperature or energy balance of the Earth and play a large role in controlling the planet’s long-term climate. Accurate data on clouds is necessary to understand the impact over time. Satellites orbiting and studying the Earth give NASA and scientists around the world information on what is happening over a vast area, a big picture of what is going on. This video on how clouds cool and warm our atmosphere expands on how the Energy Budget effects our planet.
The Earth's energy budget, also known as radiation budget, describes the various kinds and amounts of energy that enter and leave the Earth system. It includes both radiative components (light and heat), that can be measured by NASA CERES instrument for example, and other components like conduction, convection, and evaporation which also transport heat from Earth's surface. On average, and over the long term, there is a balance at the top of the atmosphere. The amount of energy coming in (from the Sun) is the same as the amount going out (from reflection of sunlight and from emission of heat). This energy balance determines the climate of the Earth. Our understanding of these flows will continue to evolve as scientists obtain longer and longer records using new and better instruments. .
