Browse Technology Resources

The Earth Scientist - From Satellites to Your Backyard

Primary Topic:

Technology

Subtopics:

Water Cycle, Weather and Climate, Technology, Satellites, Remote Sensing

Type:

Article

Audience:

Informal, 9 - 12, 6 - 8

Summary:

In this article from the summer 2024 edition of The Earth Scientist, learn about NASA's Global Precipitation Measurement mission and the many tools and resources it offers for understanding Earth's water cycle and weather.

Size Matters: Measuring Raindrop Sizes from Space

Size Matters: NASA Measures Raindrop Sizes From Space to Understand Storms

Primary Topic:

Water Cycle

Subtopics:

Precipitation, Water Properties, Technology, Remote Sensing

Type:

Video

Audience:

Outreach, Informal, Formal, General

Standards:

ESS2.A

Keywords:

DPR, radar, drop sizes, drop distribution

Summary:

This video explains why the size and shape of raindrops in a cloud matters to scientists, and how the Global Precipitation Measurement Mission is able to provide these measurements from space.

Examining Precipitation on a Globe of Blue

Primary Topic:

Water Cycle

Subtopics:

Precipitation, Weather, Technology, Satellites, Remote Sensing

Type:

Article

Audience:

Outreach, Formal, 9 - 12, 6 - 8, General

Standards:

ESS2.C

Keywords:

rain gauge, GPM instruments, GPM Microwave Imager, Dual-Frequency Precipitation Radar, measuring precipitation

Summary:

Read about why we need to measure precipitation from space, instead of relying solely on ground-based measurements.

Hurricanes and Hot Towers with TRMM

Primary Topic:

Weather and Climate

Subtopics:

Tropical Cyclones, Technology, Satellites, Remote Sensing, Data, Forecasting

Type:

Lesson Plan

Audience:

Formal, 6 - 8

Keywords:

hot towers, TRMM

Summary:

Students will think about their experiences with hurricanes and severe storms, then learn the basics of what causes hurricanes to form. Students will learn how hurricane prediction has progressed, and how satellites can help us understand storms.

Erosion and Landslides

Primary Topic:

Societal Applications

Subtopics:

Precipitation, Human Impact, Technology, Satellites, Landslides

Type:

Lesson Plan

Audience:

Formal, 6 - 8

Standards:

ESS3.B

Keywords:

erosion, landslide hazards, landslide risk

Summary:

Students will investigate the effect of different types of soil on how quickly a landslide occurs and how much mass is moved. They will then relate that information to TRMM/GPM data about rainfall and areas currently at risk of suffering a landslide.

Real World: Monitoring Earth's Energy Budget with CERES

Primary Topic:

Weather and Climate

Subtopics:

Weather, Human Impact, Energy Cycle, Technology, Satellites

Type:

Video

Audience:

Informal, Formal, 6 - 8

Standards:

ESS2.A, ESS2.D

Keywords:

energy budget, radiation budget, atmosphere, greenhouse effect, greenhouse gases, carbon footprint

Summary:

Learn how NASA uses a data-collecting sensor, Clouds and Earth’s Radiant Energy System, or CERES, to study clouds and make accurate measurements of energy leaving Earth.

Real World: JASON-2

Primary Topic:

Weather and Climate

Subtopics:

Climate, Human Impact, Technology, Satellites, Floods

Type:

Video

Audience:

Informal, Formal, 6 - 8

Standards:

ESS2.D, ESS3.D, ETS2.A

Keywords:

oceans, El Nino, La Nina, sea level

Summary:

Learn how the satellite, Jason 2, is able to use radar waves to determine the height of sea levels and evaluate the effects of global warming.

Sea Surface Temperature, Salinity and Density

Primary Topic:

Water Cycle

Subtopics:

Water Properties, Earth Systems, Technology, Remote Sensing, Data

Type:

Video

Audience:

Informal, Formal, General

Standards:

ESS2.C

Keywords:

sea surface temperature, salinity, density, ocean circulation

Summary:

The animations in this group show the long-term average sea surface temperature, the long term average sea surface salinity, and the the long term average sea surface density.