The GLOBE Program and GLOBE Observer
The Global Learning and Observations to Benefit the Environment (GLOBE) Program[1] is an international science and education program that provides students and the public worldwide with the opportunity to participate in data collection and the scientific process, and contribute meaningfully to our understanding of the Earth system and global environment.
GLOBE OBSERVER
BACKGROUND
“GLOBE observer”［2] is an international network of citizen scientists and scientists working together to learn more about our shared environment and changing climate. Version 1.1 (Aug.30, 2016) includes GLOBE Clouds.
WHY CLOUD?
Clouds play an important role in the Earth’s energy budget and the climate system. Depending on the cloud type, altitude, sized of droplets, they transfer energy from the Sun to different parts of the Earth system. However, scientists are not sure how climate change is effecting clouds,or how clouds effect climate change, and how these affect us planning in the future.
WHY CITIZEN SCIENCE?
Clouds are complicated when it comes to climate science, as they both warm and cool Earth. Clouds can change rapidly, scientists need frequent observations from citizens engagements. Ground measurements are critical to validate measurements taken from space through remote sensing, while there are some places in the world scientists have no ground data, so citizen scientists can have great contribution.
HOW IT WORKS?
“GLOBE Observer” is an mobile application (runs on both iOs and Android). Install the app on your mobile device, go out and photograph cloud, record sky observations(whether the sky is clear, cloudy or obscured by things like rain, snow, fog or dust.) and compare them with NASA satellite images. The distribution of clouds in the sky is important for scientists to later analyze the images. Since GLOBE Observer is part of the GLOBE program, citizen scientists are also providing data for student research, strengthening science education.
All the data captured by citizen can be viewed on The Globe Program online Visualization System. This application could be for life-long use. Impact and success of the project can be measured from: (1) Data integrity and accuracy. (2) Photo’s quality for the scientific analysis later. (3) Volume of data to assure the data accuracy as a whole. (4) Easy-access and easy-understanding data. (4) Data reusability.
In order to scale the project, citizen’s long-term engagements and engagement frequency are important. GLOBE can take advantage of the network between students, citizen and teachers to recruit more users; cooperate with other applications to engage more users; Incentives can be implemented to maintain long-time users.
Reference:
[1] “The GLOBE Program”, http://www.globe.gov/web/guest/home
[2] “NASA GLOBE OBSERVER”, http://observer.globe.gov/
