Effect of the Sun's Energy on the Ocean and Atmosphere

Verify your Answers

You should discuss the answers to the questions on ERBE data and what you have learned so far with your team members, and then begin the research tasks. Understanding the data related to this project will help you when analyzing satellite measurements and defending your theory based on your results. Below are answers to the questions on data:

1. Satellites with scanning and non-scanning instruments made measurements of energy flux (watts/meter2) coming from sun and reflected from earth.
2. The measurements were of the incoming solar radiation (solar flux) at the top of the atmosphere (TOA), the reflected flux and the energy radiated from earth (terrestrial longwave energy) TOA.
3. The units of measurement are watts/meter2.
4. The ERBE datasets were collected in 1984, 1986, and 1987. The set we are using is the one collected in 1987.
5. The data was collected over both regional and global scales.
6. The strength of the data is that it has extensive geographic coverage because it was gathered by satellite. The weakness lies in the fact that the flux was not directly measured but inferred from the emission of the surfaces the instrumentation passed over. Sometimes errors can arise due to miscalibration of new or different instruments because some instruments might be more sensitive than others. These can be easily corrected when detected.

Research Tasks

Perform the following tasks in order. Have your teacher check your results after completing task 5. Then proceed to certification with your team members. A brief summary of the tasks:

1. Collect Data and Produce an Image: use the ERBE Data Visualizer to graphically view satellite data, extract a data set, and bring it back for analysis.
2. Make Calculations and Organize Data: plug-in the extracted data in the "Absorbed" and "Emitted" columns of the worksheet provided to calculate the net flux values, annual totals, and monthly averages, and plot the data on a graph.
3. Analyze your Graph: study and analyze your graph with the help of a series of guiding questions, finally theorizing what might cause your graph to look the way it does.
4. Diagram Earth's Radiation Balance: plug-in the values of "Average Energy Flux Absorbed" and "Average Energy Flux Emitted" obtained from task 2 to see for yourself if the earth is in radiative balance.
5. Draw Conclusions and Answer Questions: the final task -- submit your findings to your teacher, and proceed to certification.

Begin by clicking on Task 1 - "Collect Data & Produce an Image" on the right side of the diagram below.