Effect of the Sun's Energy on the Ocean and Atmosphere
Understanding the Data
The Earth Radiation Budget Experiment (ERBE) has been designed
to study the energy exchange between the Sun, Earth, and space.
Three satellites have been created to collect geographic and temporal
sampling data and produce monthly averages of longwave and shortwave
radiation parameters on the Earth at regional to global scales. Each
satellite, viewing Earth from horizon to horizon, carries both a
scanner and a non-scanner instrument
package. Helping scientists for over ten years, the ERBE instrument was
first launched aboard the Earth Radiation Budget Satellite (ERBS) in
October 1984 on the Space Shuttle Challenger.
The primary goals of ERBE for a year were to average the daily and
monthly energy budget on a global and regional (data every 160 miles)
scale, along with recognizing any variations (anomalies). This data
was recorded using the unit watts per meter squared, the unit of energy
flux. Another goal was to detect the seasonal movement of energy from
the tropics to the poles.
As a result of this continuing experiment, scientists all over the
world can better understand gases in the atmosphere such as clouds,
areosols, and "greenhouse" gases, and how they affect Earth's weather
and climate. With the help of this understanding and the data being
collected, we can more accurately predict the future conditions of Earth
using computer models. This is important to know in the present
time because if we see any harmful and irreversable consequences in the
simulated future, we can modify present conditions in the environment that
are responsible for those harmful outcomes. On a higher level we can also
better understand the climate of other planets.
Based on your reading up to now, answer the following questions about
the data and how it was acquired:
- How were the measurements made?
- What parameters are being measured?
- What are the units of measurement?
- During what time period was the data collected?
- Over what spatial scale was the data collected?
- What are the strengths and weaknesses of this data?
Write down your answers and then proceed to "Research Tasks"
to verify them. Now that you have an understanding of the
science and data for the project, you are ready to begin the working
on the tasks that will enable you to complete the project mission.
