The Clouds and the Earth's Radiant Energy System (CERES) instrument is one of five instruments that will be flown aboard the Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission (TRMM) observatory. Data from the CERES instrument will be used to study the energy exchanged between the Sun and the Earth's atmosphere, surface and clouds, and space. This webpage describes the TRMM mission, the CERES insrument, and how ... Full description.

The study of clouds (where they occur, their characteristics, etc) plays a key role in the understanding of climate change. This site discusses how the relative thickness and altitude of various cloud types result in their either reflecting solar radiation or transmitting and trapping it, thereby warming Earth's surface. It features text, a scientific illustration, and links to other relevant topics ... Full description.

The aerial video and still photography assembled here allows users to see "before" and "after" imagery of the impacts of coastal storms. Oblique images are available for storms from Hurricane Ivan in 2004 to Hurricane Fran in 1996. Each set of images is accompanied by a brief description, and some LIDAR imagery is avaliable. Links to other related sites are also included. Full description.

This educational brief is designed to serve as a source of background information on solar radiation studies for teachers and as a reference for student investigations on this subject. Users can learn mathematical concepts and key terms associated with solar radiation as it strikes the Earth. Full description.

As part of this activity, students will read and discuss information on the greenhouse effect and list important points about global warming. Tables are provided to show the most important greenhouse gases and how much their concentrations have increased since the pre-industrial era. Full description.

Users of this resource may direct questions about global change to staff members at the U.S. Global Change Research Information Office (GCIRO). An archive of previous questions and answers is provided, along with links to other global change sites. Full description.

This project is designed around three Earth-orbiting satellites: the NASA Earth Radiation Budget Satellite (ERBS), and two NOAA satellites. ERBE has helped scientists world-wide better understand how clouds and aerosols, as well as some chemical compounds in the atmosphere ("greenhouse" gases), affect the Earth's daily and long-term weather.The data from these satellites is being used to study the ... Full description.

This site provides a brief description of the Dustbowl in the American Great Plains during the 1930s and relates its effects to what is occurring presently in the Sahel of North Africa. In this dry savannah environment, human activity coupled with prolonged drought are causing desertification. The site features text, satellite imagery, and links to other related materials. Full description.

This glossary provides an alphabetical listing of terms related to the study of atmospheric ozone. Full description.

After Antarctica, Greenland's ice cap contains the second largest mass of frozen fresh water in the world. Based on new research using NASA's airborne laser altimeter, scientists have identified pronounced thinning of Greenland's ice cap. This new research indicates enough ice loss to cause a measurable rise in sea levels. This site, produced by NASA's Scientific Visualization Studio, features text, ... Full description.