Powerpoints Flashcards
Geostationary Satellites (GOES)
Stationary with respect to a fixed point on Earth’s surface (revolves at the same rate as Earth)
Farm from earth (~36,000 km away) => coarse spatial resolution, but good temporal sampling
Polar Orbiting Satellites
Orbit the earth from pole to pole
Closer to the Earth (~900km) => better spatial resolution, poorer temporal sampling
Study Surface Station Model Diagram
in powerpoints 1
90% of earth’s atmosphere (by mass) is below ________
16km (10 miles)
Weather
Specific state of the atmosphere at a given time/place
Climate
Accumulation or average of weather conditions over a long period of time
What is the atmosphere?
A fluid
A thin layer surrounding the Earth
Mainly a mixture of invisible gas with some solid and liquid particles, that stays in place due to the force of gravity
Major permanent gases of the atmosphere
Nitrogen N2 - 78%
Oxygen - O2 - 20%
Argon - Ar - 0.9%
Source of Nitrogen
Bacterial dentrification during decay of biological matter
Sink of Nitrogen
N-fixation by lightning, fires, or bacteria
Sources of Oxygen
Photosynthesis
Photolysis
Sink of Oxygen
Oxidation
Decomposition
Respiration
Hydrogen/Helium:
Earth’s first ATM ( probably)
light => easily escape Earth’s gravity
Water in the Atmosphere
Greenhouse gas
Variable concentration
Invisible
Carbon Dioxide
Greenhouse gases: “Trap” energy in lower atmosphere
Anthropogenic: caused by human activity
CO2 increases with plant decay during winter
CO2 decreases with plant growth during summer
Aerosols
Particles suspended in the air (dust, soot, salt)
Provide “nucleus” for cloud droplet formation (cloud condensation, nuclei, or CCN)
Can shade surface
Earth’s early atmosphere:
H2, He
Volcanic outgassing and the origins of our oceans:
CO2, H2O, and some N2
Life and the origin of our present atmosphere:
Drawdown of CO2, increase in O2
How old is the Universe:
~10 - 20 Ga (billions of years) 13 in specific
How do we know? - expansion, and the hubble constant
Earth’s First ATM
Earth forms via acretion (stuff clumps together)
Whatever happened to be hanging around at the time (H2)
Atmosphere rapidly lost to space; ripped off planet by bombardment
Earth’s second ATM
Volcanism and Heavy Bombardment (4.5-3.8 ga)
Earth’s third ATM
3.8 - 3.5 ga
LIFE!
Cyanobacteria
Photosynthesis
Red Beds
Form in more oxygen-rich environments (1-2% ATM)
Start around 2 Ga