EDUCATION: URBANMAAP

Aerosols Study (Sunphotometer IOP)

1. Planning and Training

You may wish to use the Sunphotometer IOP Checklist to schedule your activities.

The teacher should select on-line project background materials to assign as readings. (See the aerosol references in the Library and Classroom.)

Students will use the hand-held sunphotometer to measure local air quality by measuring the intensity of sunlight transmitted through the atmosphere. The time period to take these measurements is called an Intensive Observation Period (IOP).

First, learn why aerosols are important and how we use sunphotometers to measure them by reading the Background Material.

Next, get acquainted with how the sunphotometer works and how to use one:

1. Sunphotometer basics
2. Setting the alignment
3. Making measurements
4. Recording data

Test your aerosols sunphotometer knowledge by taking the Training Quiz.

For further study, you can learn how the data from a sunphotometer is used to calculate the atmosphere's optical depth via Langley Regression

Suggested Student Training Agenda
Be sure to conduct during the daytime so students can practice taking measurements.

• Review the project goals and web site
• Discuss the project background assignments
• Review instrument design and operation materials
• What does the sunphotometer measure?
• How do sunphotometer measurements tell us about aerosols?
• Review procedures for "Taking Sunphotometer Measurements"
• Have students go outside to a sunny location to practice taking measurements
• Print the sunphotometer aerosols data collection form and have students enter the data
• Review student measurements
• Repeat data collection and entry process a second time
• Give students the sunphotometer measurement quiz so they can assess their knowledge

2. Data Collection During the IOP

During the Intensive Observation Period, make aerosol measurements according to the Collection Guidelines.

At the end of each day, record your measurements in the Excel spreadsheet you created.

3. Suggested Research Projects

Please see the complete Research Projects listing.

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