27 November 2006 to 22 December 2006
27 November 2006 to 22 December 2006
The International Polar Year (IPY) starts in March 2007. We would like to get a head start and have students investigate the influence of snow on surface temperature. The field campaign is being held from the end of November through December in hopes that some schools will 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. Snow cover is an important factor affecting Earth's weather and climate system. Snow reflects sunlight back to space and it insulates the atmosphere from the ground. Northern Hemisphere snow extent has decreased at a rate of about 4% per decade. (See: http://www.arctic.noaa.gov/detect/ice-snow.shtml.)
To participate in the project, we 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 evaotranspiration.
In order to participate, a teacher needs to have been GLOBE trained in the surface temperature protocol and have an infrared (non-contact) thermometer. Infrared thermometers (IRTs) are used in the auto repair, heating and cooling 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. For more information, see SATELLITES/GLOBE. |
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