National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Credits - NOAA
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration (NOAA) conducts research and gathers data about the global
oceans, atmosphere, space, and sun, and applies this knowledge to science and
service relevant to all Americans. NOAA warns of dangerous weather, charts the
seas and skies, guides the use and protection of ocean and coastal resources,
and conducts research to improve understanding and stewardship of the
environment.
A Commerce Department agency created in
1970, NOAA provides these services through five major organizations: the
National Weather Service; the National Ocean Service; the National Marine
Fisheries Service; the National Environmental Satellite, Data and Information
Service; and NOAA Research; and numerous special program units. In addition,
the NOAA Corps, the nation's seventh uniformed service and a commissioned
officer corps of men and women, supports NOAA research and operational
activities, operates NOAA ships and aircraft, and serves in scientific and
administrative posts.
The National Weather
Service is the primary source of weather data, forecasts, and warnings for the
United States. Television weathercasters and private meteorology companies
prepare their forecasts using this information. The NWS is the sole U.S.
official voice for issuing warnings during life threatening weather situations.
The National
Environmental Satellite, Data, and Information Service manages the U.S. civil
operational remote-sensing satellite systems, as well as global databases for
meteorology, oceanography, solid-earth geophysics, and solar-terrestrial
sciences.
NOAA's National
Marine Fisheries Service is responsible for the stewardship of the nation's
living marine resources and their habitat.
The National Ocean
Service works to balance present use of coastal and ocean resources with
the need to protect, preserve, and restore these priceless realms for future
generations.
NOAA's research,
conducted through the Office of Oceanic and Atmospheric Research (OAR), is the
driving force behind NOAA environmental products and services that protect life
and property and promote sustainable economic growth.
The Office of Marine
and Aviation Operations, an office made up of officers of the NOAA Corps, manages,
operates, and maintains the NOAA fleet of ships and aircraft, which since
NOAA's beginning, have collected much of its oceanographic, atmospheric,
hydrographic, fisheries and coastal data. These flexible, multipurpose
platforms support a wide range of activities related to weather forecasting and
prediction, public safety, navigation and trade, natural resource management
and environmental protection.