SUMMARY

One of the primary instruments on NASA's Aqua spacecraft is the Atmospheric Infrared Sounder (AIRS), which is providing a detailed three-dimensional view of the atmosphere. This new view is helping scientists to better understand the climate system and is proving of great value also in several practical applications, including weather forecasting.

GOALS

Discuss NASA's Aqua Spacecraft and one of the tools on it, which is providing scientists with increasingly accurate and relevant data to help them improve climate models, weather forecast, and help understand the climate change going on today. Information about changes and movement in carbon dioxide, water vapor, and other greenhouse gases in the atmosphere can help scientists studying climate change. Scientists can also pinpoint the source of carbon dioxide spikes, providing key information for monitoring climate change.

ACTIVITY DESCRIPTION AND TEACHING MATERIALS

WATCH >> Aqua AIRS: Visions of Weather and Climate

TEACHING NOTES / CONTEXT FOR USE

This video can be used as a visual aid in or out of the classroom for formal or informal education.

ASSESSMENT

Assessment is at the discretion of the educator for how this video is applied.

REFERENCES AND RESOURCES

NASA: http://www.nasa.gov/multimedia/videogallery/index.html?media_id=131589261