In this lesson, you will compare real-time Earth and Mars measurements for temperature, wind speed, humidity and atmospheric pressure by accessing Internet-data resources from NASA.

Introduction

Whereas climate refers to the general, long-term atmospheric conditions at a particular location, WEATHER refers to the dynamic and quickly changing atmospheric conditions.  Typically, these conditions are characterized in terms of pressure, temperature, wind speed, and (conversion chart).  Recent computer models and surface observations by NASA missions have provided scientists with enough information to describe and predict weather conditions accurately on Mars.  Additional resources are available.

Real-Time Weather Data for Your Town

Activity 1: 

Meteorologists often report the temperature, wind speed and barometric pressure. Make predictions about the current weather data in your area.

1) What is the current temperature? _________________

2) What is the current wind speed and direction? _________________

3) What is the current barometric pressure? _________________

4) How is the barometric pressure changing? _________________

Activity 2:

The Internet is filled with scientific data about cities close to where you live.  Use the WWW and find out what the current temperature, wind speed, wind direction, and barometric pressure is in your area right now.  Try the National Weather Service, The Weather Channel or Intellicast WWW sites first. You might even like to try Internet Weather-Cams. 

1) What is the current temperature? _________________

2) What is the current wind speed and direction? _________________

3) What is the current barometric pressure? _________________

4) How is the barometric pressure changing? _________________

5) How does this current map (example map) relate to the observations you recorded above?
 
 
 
 

6) How well do the Internet data agree with your predictions of what you see outside?
 
 
 
 

7) What would you expect the weather to be if the temperature was 85 degrees F, the wind 10 mph from the West, and the barometric pressure is 30.15 inches and rising?
 
 
 
 

8) How would you characterize a cloudy, cold, winter day using weather data?
 
 
 
 

Real-Time Weather Data from Mars

Activity 3:

Similar measurements are being calculated for the planet Mars right now  (Example Map).  Determine the variables by looking at the maps below.

REAL-TIME Mars Data (from Mars Today at NASA Ames)

Analyzing Data from the Surface of Mars

Activity 4: 

NASA has sent several probes to study the weather on Mars and has made the data collected by these probes accessable through the Internet. You can access three of these data bases at through the NASA CERES site at Montana State University as 
( [1] [2] [3] ). Divide into research teams, select one of three possible locations, and complete a report for your location that describes:

• the planetary location (latitude and longitude).
• the surface (resource).
• how the climate will change over the next 100 days (QT resource).

• How does Mars atmosphere compare to those of other planets?
• What differences do you see in NASA's Mars movies compared to TheWeatherChannel'sEarthMovies??
• What new Martian weather data is available from NASA Goddard's Global Views from Space?
• Contribute Weather Observations to the Martian Sun-Times.