2-11: Satellite Observations of the Earth/Atmosphere/Ocean/Biosphere
Importance of this Unit to the Course
A brief overview of the locations and capabilities
of and different type of measurements made by satellites will provide an understanding of
different images and datasets on the ocean, land, clouds, atmosphere, and ice that have been
given in previous units.
Objectives
- To understand the general characteristics of earth-orbiting
satellites and their measurement characteristics.
- To be able to describe the measurements made by environmental
satellites and how these basic measurements can be used to assess and
monitor the state of the earth's environment.
Preparation for Discussion
(You must complete this section before class.)
- Read the
summary information.
(Print text for offline
review; images only.)
- Take the
Quiz
- Review additional reading material (this material is not covered in the
quiz, but offers more ideas for online discussion)
Discussion (online / face-to-face)
(See your portfolio for due dates and times)
A major component of the course is participation in the online dialog.
The following types of comments are required:
- Social Comments
- Knowledge-building Comments
- Ethical Comments
The following may be used as discussion starters for the online dialog:
- Unit Problem to Ponder:
Why do all TV satellite dishes in the US point south? If you lived in
China, Ecuador, or South Africa, which way would they point?
- Unit exam questions
from previous years
- Unit discussions from previous years, available from
the current online
discussion
Additional Reading
