Protocol Training

Aerosols
A. What are
aerosols?
Overview and Learning Objectives
B. Why collect
aerosol data?
Overview:
C. How your
measurements This module:
can help!
Describes how to measure aerosol optical thickness (AOT) using one
D. How to of two instrument options (GLOBE Sun Photometer or Calitoo)
collect your
data.

E. How to
Learning Objectives:
report your After completing this module, you will be able to:
data to
GLOBE. • Describe what aerosols are and what AOT measurements mean
F. Understand • List reasons why it is important to collect measurements of AOT
the data.
• Identify appropriate conditions and locations to take AOT
G. Quiz measurements
yourself!

H. Further
resources.
A. What are With every breath, you inhale millions of solid and liquid particles called
aerosols?
aerosols. Despite their small size, aerosols have a significant impact on
B. Why collect climate and health. They may also affect visibility. On days when there
aerosol data?
are lower amounts of aerosols, distant details are easily visible. During a
C. How your pollution event, the skies are hazy, and visibility is reduced.
measurements
can help!

D. How to
collect your
data.

E. How to
report your
data to
GLOBE.

F. Understand
the data.

G. Quiz
yourself!

H. Further
resources.
A. What are
aerosols?
What are Aerosols?
B. Why collect
aerosol data? • Aerosols are mixtures of liquid or
C. How your
solid particles suspended in a gas,
measurements for example, air.
can help!
• These particles range in size from a
D. How to fraction of a micrometer (µm, or one
collect your
data. millionth of a meter) to a few
hundred micrometers.
E. How to
report your • They are formed by natural
data to
GLOBE. processes or as a result of human
activity.
F. Understand
the data. • Smoke, bacteria, salt, pollen, dust,
G. Quiz various pollutants, ice, and tiny
yourself! droplets of water are all aerosols.
H. Further • They have mixed effects on the
resources.
energy balance of the atmosphere.
A. What are
aerosols?
Meet Aero-SOL
B. Why collect
aerosol data?

C. How your
measurements
can help!

D. How to
collect your
data.

E. How to
report your
data to
GLOBE.

F. Understand
the data.

G. Quiz
yourself!

H. Further
This video, produced by the French Space Agency CNES,
resources. explains the role of aerosols in Earth’s climate and how
scientists make measurements of aerosols from orbiting
satellites. Climate Mission: Secrets of Aerosols and Clouds
A. What are
aerosols? There Are Many Ways to Measure Aerosols
B. Why collect
aerosol data?
And Many Names for Aerosol Data
There are many methods available to determine how much aerosol is
C. How your
measurements present during an observation. Different measurement types use
can help! different terminology for aerosols, some of which you may see in other
D. How to places. Below is a short summary of some common terms.
collect your
data. Term Explanation
E. How to
report your
Aerosol A mixture of solid and liquid particles
data to suspended in air
GLOBE.
Aerosol optical The measurement terminology used by
F. Understand
the data. depth/thickness (AOT) GLOBE, explained further in this eTraining
G. Quiz Particulate matter or A term most commonly used for particles
yourself!
PM collected from air, often in order to study their
H. Further chemical composition
resources.
Parts per million (ppm) Expression of concentration, or amount of
substance X in a fixed amount of total sample
A. What are
aerosols?
Aerosols: Particles in the Sky
B. Why collect
aerosol data?
Aerosols come from many different sources. Some are anthropogenic, or
human-caused, and some are natural. Various sources emit different sized
C. How your
measurements
particles which can alter the effects those aerosols have on planet Earth.
can help!

D. How to
collect your
data.

E. How to
report your
data to
GLOBE.

F. Understand
the data.

G. Quiz
yourself!

H. Further
resources.
A. What are
aerosols?
A Closer Look at Particles
B. Why collect
aerosol data? The size of a particle gives
C. How your scientists clues about its origin
measurements and composition. Larger
can help!
particles tend to form when salt,
D. How to sand, or ash is blown into the
collect your
data. air by strong winds. Dust,
pollen, and mold all form
E. How to
report your medium-sized aerosols, while
data to the smallest particles come
GLOBE.
from combustion processes or
F. Understand chemical reactions.
the data.

G. Quiz
yourself! Particles are sometimes labeled
in terms of diameter. PM10 and
H. Further
resources. PM2.5 are particles that are
smaller than 10 and 2.5 µm
across, respectively.
A. What are
aerosols?
Aerosols Come In Different Sizes
B. Why collect The size of a particle defines how it will interact with different colors of
aerosol data?
light. Every particle type has a characteristic combination of light
C. How your interactions that scientists use as “fingerprints” to identify aerosols of
measurements
can help! various sizes and compositions.
D. How to
collect your
data.

E. How to
report your
data to
GLOBE. Aerosols come from
F. Understand many sources. Sea salt,
the data. dust, and volcanic ash
G. Quiz (shown right) tend to
yourself! form larger particles,
H. Further while soot and particles
resources. formed from chemical
reactions are usually
much smaller.
A. What are
aerosols? Aerosols From Different Sources Have Different Sizes
B. Why collect This map shows the diversity in particle size as well as the amounts of
aerosol data? aerosols across the world as seen from space. Yellow areas have lots
C. How your of dust or sand, while red areas are indicative of pollution or smoke.
measurements
can help!

D. How to
collect your
data.

E. How to
report your
data to
GLOBE.

F. Understand
the data.

G. Quiz
yourself!

H. Further
resources.
A. What are
aerosols? Aerosols Impact Air Quality Across the Globe
B. Why Aerosols can form in one part of the world and travel many miles to affect the air
collect quality in distant regions. Regular measurements help scientists make better
aerosol data?
predictions about the effects these global travelers will have on our health and the
C. How your health of our environment. This map of Earth shows many types of aerosols emitted
measurements across the globe and how what may seem like very local air quality problems can, in
can help!
fact, travel across the world to have large impacts on far-away places.
D. How to
collect your
data.

E. How to
report your
data to
GLOBE.

F. Understand
the data.

G. Quiz
yourself!

H. Further
resources.

Click here for an animated version of this map showing global aerosols from 2005-2007
A. What are
aerosols?
Aerosols Can Affect Climate Directly
B. Why
collect
aerosol data?
By increasing or decreasing the
amount of sunlight that reaches
C. How your
measurements
the Earth’s surface, aerosols can
can help! have direct heating or cooling
D. How to
effects on climate. Some
collect your aerosols (top), like light-colored
data.
sulfates from volcanoes or
E. How to human activities, reflect light
report your
data to
away from the surface and have
GLOBE. a cooling effect. Others (below)
F. Understand
can settle onto previously bright
the data. areas and cause warming, like
G. Quiz
black carbon on snow leading to
yourself! increasing melting.
H. Further
resources. See here for more information on
how dark-colored aerosols can
influence snow melt.
A. What are
aerosols? Aerosols Influence Earth’s Climate Through Clouds
B. Why
collect
aerosol data?

C. How your
measurements
can help!

D. How to
collect your
data.

E. How to
report your
data to
GLOBE.

F. Understand
the data.

G. Quiz
yourself!

H. Further
resources.
A. What are
aerosols? Aerosols Influence Many Things On Earth,
B. Why
collect
But We Still Have Lots of Questions
aerosol data?
• How do aerosol concentrations vary with seasons?
C. How your
measurements
• How are aerosols related to weather and climate?
can help! • How does smoke from large fires affect sky color and clarity?
D. How to • How long do volcanic emissions stay in the atmosphere, and where
collect your
data.
do they go?
• How do industrial facilities and agricultural activities affect aerosols?
E. How to
report your
data to
GLOBE. Scientists around the world collect data to answer these and many
other questions about aerosols and their effects on our global
F. Understand
the data. environment.
G. Quiz
yourself!

H. Further
resources.
A. What are
aerosols?
GLOBE Measurements Help Scientists:
B. Why collect
aerosol data?

C. How your • validate satellite observations.

measurements
can help!
• observe local pollution events in
places where there are no other
D. How to instruments.
collect your
data. • explore remote locations where
E. How to report data is rare.
your data to
GLOBE.

F. Understand
the data.

G. Quiz
yourself!

H. Further
resources.
A. What are
aerosols?
Scientists Quantify Aerosols Using
B. Why collect Measurements of Aerosol Optical Thickness
aerosol data?
Aerosol Optical Thickness (AOT, also called aerosol optical depth) is a
C. How your
measurements measure of how much of the Sun’s light is prevented from reaching the
can help! Earth’s surface due to scattering and absorption by aerosols.
D. How to
collect your
data.

E. How to report
your data to
GLOBE.

F. Understand
the data.

G. Quiz
yourself!

H. Further
resources.
This map (and more like it) shows measurements of aerosol optical thickness as seen from
space. Clear skies usually have low AOT values (0.1 or lower) while regions with AOT values
greater than 0.3 are often experiencing an aerosol event such as a wildfire, a dust storm, or a
pollution event. Note that AOT values greater than 1, while not shown here, are possible.
A. What are
aerosols?
What is Aerosol Optical Thickness?
B. Why collect Aerosol optical thickness is a comparison of the amount of light from the
aerosol data?
Sun that could reach the Earth’s surface if no aerosols were in the way and
C. How your the amount of sunlight actually measured from your atmospheric study site.
measurements
can help!

D. How to
collect your
data.

E. How to report
your data to
GLOBE.

F. Understand
the data.

G. Quiz
yourself!

H. Further
resources.
A. What are
aerosols?
We Measure AOT from the Ground
B. Why collect Sun photometers like those shown
aerosol data?
on the right measure AOT from the
C. How your ground looking upwards, towards
measurements
can help! the Sun. These instruments
measure AOT at several
D. How to
collect your wavelengths to learn about the size
data. distribution and sources of the
E. How to report aerosols. The larger the optical
your data to thickness, the less light reaches
GLOBE.
Earth’s surface. The more aerosols
F. Understand in the atmosphere, the greater the
the data.
AOT value will be.
G. Quiz
yourself!

H. Further
More aerosol ↔ Higher AOT
resources.
↕ ↕
Less light at the surface
A. What are
aerosols?
Before You Begin the Aerosols Protocol
B. Why collect
aerosol data?

C. How your
Before you begin taking Aerosol observations, you will
measurements
can help!
need to have already identified your Atmosphere Study
Site. In order to submit aerosol measurements, you
D. How to
collect your must also collect Clouds and Barometric Pressure
data.
observations. Please review these protocols first.
E. How to
report your
data to
GLOBE.

F. Understand
the data.

G. Quiz
yourself!

H. Further
resources.
A. What are
aerosols?
How to Collect: Overview
B. Why collect
aerosol data?
• Where? At your Atmosphere Site (see Documenting Your
C. How your
measurements Atmosphere Study Site)
can help!
• When? Mid-morning, or any time you have an unobstructed view of
D. How to the Sun (meaning no clouds between you and the Sun!)
collect your
data. • How? Using GLOBE Sun photometer or a Calitoo
E. How to
– Shade or Microtops instruments are not covered in this training
report your • Other observations:
data to
GLOBE. – Clouds (required for all aerosol measurements)
F. Understand – Barometric Pressure (required if using a GLOBE Sun photometer)
the data.
– Sky Color & Visibility (optional)
G. Quiz
yourself!
– Current Air Temperature (optional)
– Relative Humidity (optional)
H. Further
resources.
A. What are
aerosols?
What You Will Need
B. Why collect
aerosol data? Required: Optional:
C. How your • GLOBE Sun photometer OR a • Barometer**
measurements
can help!
Calitoo • Hygrometer or sling
• Watch, smart device, GPS, or psychrometer
D. How to
collect your other instrument that reports • Thermometer for air
data. time to the second (recorded as temperature
E. How to HH:MM:SS) • Field guides for barometric
report your
data to
• Aerosols Data Sheet pressure, relative humidity
GLOBE. • GLOBE Cloud Chart (digital hygrometer or sling
F. Understand • Field guides for cloud cover and psychrometer), and air
the data.
cloud type temperature
G. Quiz • Pen or pencil
yourself!
• Clipboards ** Pressure may also be obtained
H. Further from local weather station, but we
resources.
do not recommend using the built-
in sensor on the Calitoo.
A. What are
aerosols? Be Sure to Record Everything About Your
B. Why collect Study Site to Make Your Data Count!
aerosol data?

C. How your
measurements
can help!

D. How to
collect your
data.

E. How to
report your
data to
GLOBE.

F. Understand
the data.

G. Quiz
yourself!

H. Further Without this critical information about your atmosphere study site, you
resources.
won’t be able to enter your data into GLOBE. You also won’t be able to
calculate accurate AOT values or compare them against future
measurements. Experimental context is vital for scientific discovery!
A. What are
aerosols?
Complete the Entire Protocol for the
B. Why collect Most Investigation Opportunities
aerosol data?

C. How your
measurements
can help!

D. How to
collect your
data.

E. How to
report your
data to
GLOBE.

F. Understand
the data.

G. Quiz
yourself!

H. Further
resources.
A. What are
aerosols?
Instrument Options
B. Why collect
aerosol data?

C. How your
measurements
can help!

D. How to
collect your
data.

E. How to
report your
data to
GLOBE. GLOBE Calitoo Photometer
Sun Photometer
F. Understand
the data. Reads voltage at 2 wavelengths Reads AOT at 3 wavelengths
G. Quiz --- “blue” at 465 nm
yourself!
“green” at 505nm “green” at 540 nm
H. Further
resources. “red” at 625 nm “red” at 619 nm
Click HERE for instructions on Click HERE for instructions on
using the GLOBE Sun Photometer using the Calitoo
A. What are
aerosols? Using a GLOBE Sun Photometer (1)
B. Why collect
This instrument records voltage. The GLOBE
aerosol data? website calculates AOT values. Your GLOBE Sun
photometer will collect the following data:
C. How your
measurements • Voltage at red and green wavelengths
can help!
• Voltages with sensors shielded from the Sun
D. How to (the “dark voltages”)
collect your
data. • Instrument temperature before and after you
E. How to
begin your measurements.
report your
You must also collect the following information:
data to
GLOBE. • Date and time
F. Understand • Instrument serial number
the data.
• Barometric pressure at your site
G. Quiz
yourself! • Cloud cover and cloud type
H. Further You may collect:
resources.
• Current air temperature
• Sky color and visibility
A. What are
aerosols?
Using a GLOBE Sun Photometer (2)
B. Why collect
aerosol data? 1) Turn on the instrument.
C. How your 2) Turn the measurement dial to temperature “T” and record the initial
measurements temperature.
can help!
3) Turn the dial to green or “grn.”
D. How to
collect your 4) Point the top of the photometer at the Sun. Align the light dot
data. coming through the top tab of the photometer with the target dot on
E. How to the bottom tab.
report your
data to 5) Cover the light sensors completely and record the maximum
GLOBE. voltage for the “dark voltage.”
F. Understand 6) Uncover the sensors and record the maximum voltage.
the data.
7) Turn the measurement dial to red.
G. Quiz
yourself!
8) Repeat steps 5 and 6 for the red voltage.
9) Repeat steps 2-8 at least three times.
H. Further
resources. 10) Turn the measurement dial to temperature “T” and record the end
temperature.
A. What are
aerosols?
Using a GLOBE Sun Photometer (3)
Aligning with the Sun
B. Why collect
aerosol data?

C. How your
measurements
can help!

D. How to
collect your
data.

E. How to
report your
data to
GLOBE.

F. Understand
the data.

G. Quiz
yourself!

H. Further
resources.
A. What are
aerosols? Using a Calitoo (1)
B. Why collect This instrument records AOT. Your Calitoo will collect
aerosol data?
the following data:
C. How your • AOT at red, green, and blue wavelengths
measurements
can help! • GPS location and elevation
D. How to You must also collect the following information:
collect your
data. • Date and time
E. How to • Instrument serial number
report your
data to • Barometric pressure at your site*
GLOBE.
• Cloud cover and cloud type
F. Understand
the data.
You may collect:

G. Quiz
• Current air temperature*
yourself! • Sky color and visibility
H. Further * Do not use the Calitoo for these measurements. It
resources.
does not provide accurate measurements of its
surroundings.
A. What are
aerosols? Using a Calitoo (2)
B. Why collect
1) Turn the instrument on by pressing and holding the front button down.
aerosol data? 2) Wait until the GPS signal is found. The screen will show “>>” or “<<“ when
searching and “3D” when the location is locked.
C. How your
measurements 3) Make sure the instrument is in the measuring mode.
can help!
4) Point the top of the Calitoo directly at the Sun. Align the Sun dot on the front of
D. How to the instrument with the center of the target.
collect your 5) Keeping the Sun dot aligned, press the button on the front of the instrument. The
data.
values on the screen will fluctuate.
E. How to 6) When the values are maximized, press the button again. The screen will display
report your
data to the AOT values you just measured.
GLOBE. 7) Press the button again*. The screen will say “Recording #/999 OK?” where # is
F. Understand
the number of measurements saved on the Calitoo including this new one.
the data. 8) To store the data, hold the button down until the screen says “Recorded!”
G. Quiz
9) Repeat steps 3-8 at least twice more.
yourself!

H. Further * You will want to practice with this instrument before taking measurements. The
resources. length of time required for each button press varies slightly for different instruments.
Make sure the messages on the screen match those in the instructions and consult
the additional documentation if you encounter problems.
A. What are
aerosols?
Using a Calitoo (3)
Aligning with the Sun
B. Why collect
aerosol data?

C. How your
measurements
can help!

D. How to
collect your
data.

E. How to
report your
data to
GLOBE.

F. Understand
the data.

G. Quiz
yourself!

H. Further
resources.
A. What are
aerosols?
Common AOT Measurement Mistakes
B. Why collect The Sun photometer must be aligned correctly with the Sun to make
aerosol data?
accurate measurements. Follow the instructions for aligning your
C. How your photometer carefully, and refer to the additional, instrument specific
measurements
can help! eTraining modules if you encounter difficulties.
D. How to
collect your NO CLOUDS MAY OBSTRUCT THE LINE OF SIGHT (NO CLOUDS IN
data.
FRONT OF THE SUN) FOR YOUR MEASUREMENT! Clouds will cause
E. How to artificially high AOT values.
report your
data to
GLOBE.
Keep the instruments indoors until right before you are ready to make a
F. Understand measurement. Don’t let your Sun photometer get too cold or too hot–
the data.
large changes in temperature can cause the instruments to report
G. Quiz inaccurate measurements.
yourself!

H. Further
resources. Record your measurements both on the instrument (if applicable) and on
paper or another medium; it is easy to lose data from an instrument and
having a backup record will prevent losing entire measurements.
A. What are
aerosols? Sky Color and Visibility Observations Give
B. Why collect Your Data Context
aerosol data? Sky color is a visual indication of the quantity of aerosols in the atmosphere.
C. How your Aerosols tend to scatter all wavelengths of light, making the sky look more white. A
measurements deep blue sky suggests very few aerosols. A milky sky suggests there are lots of
can help! aerosols.
D. How to
collect your Note: Sky color can only be observed from a
data.
clear section of sky, with no clouds in view.
E. How to How to observe sky color:
report your
data to • Turn your back to the Sun
GLOBE.
• Look at the sky halfway between the horizon
F. Understand and straight up (45°)
the data.
• Pick the shade that most closely matches
G. Quiz
yourself! your sky
H. Further
• You want to match the color of the sky, not
resources. the clouds, so if it’s too cloudy you may not to
be able to observe sky color
A. What are As AOT Increases, the Amount of Light Reaching Earth’s Surface Directly
aerosols?
Decreases Rapidly, Going to Near Zero in Severe Pollution Events
B. Why collect
aerosol data?

C. How your
measurements
can help!

D. How to
collect your
data.

E. How to
report your
data to
GLOBE.

F. Understand
the data.

G. Quiz
yourself!

H. Further
resources.
A. What are
aerosols? Sky Color and Visibility Observations Give
B. Why collect Your Data Context
aerosol data?
Sky visibility is an indication of the quantity of
C. How your
measurements the aerosols close to the surface of the ground.
can help! The more aerosols there are, the more haze will
D. How to appear. For more information on sky color and
collect your visibility, please consult the Clouds Protocol.
data.

E. How to
report your How to observe visibility:
data to
GLOBE.
• Look at a landmark in the distance
• Try to use the same landmark every time
F. Understand
the data.

G. Quiz Tip: It can be helpful to take a picture of your

yourself! sky day-to-day to notice the difference between
H. Further visibility observations. In addition, the clearest
resources. sky for your area will be seen just after a front or
a storm moves through your area.
A. What are
aerosols?

B. Why collect
How to Observe: Sky Conditions
aerosol data?

C. How your
measurements
can help!

D. How to
collect your
data.

E. How to
report your
data to
GLOBE.

F. Understand
the data.

G. Quiz
yourself!

H. Further
resources.
Here’s a good reminder for the difference between observing sky color
and sky visibility, and where to look as you observe each.
A. What are
aerosols?
Upload Data to the Website
B. Why collect
aerosol data?
Two Options for Uploading Data:
These methods all allow users to submit
C. How your
measurements environmental data – collected at defined sites,
can help! according to protocol, and using approved
D. How to instrumentation – for entry into the official
collect your GLOBE science database.
data.

E. How to
report your 1. Download the GLOBE Data Entry mobile
data to app for iOS or Android
GLOBE.
2. Live Data Entry
F. Understand
the data.

G. Quiz Note 1: You will need a GLOBE teacher, trainer,

yourself! or scientist account order to submit GLOBE
H. Further aerosol data.
resources.
Note 2: It may take some time after you enter
your data for it to appear in the GLOBE data
visualization system.
A. What are
aerosols?
Visualize and Retrieve Data
B. Why collect
aerosol data?
GLOBE provides the ability to view and interact with data measured
across the world. Select our visualization tool to map, graph, filter and
C. How your
measurements
export data that have been measured across GLOBE protocols since
can help! 1995. These step-by-step tutorials on using the visualization system will
D. How to
assist you in finding and analyzing data:
collect your PDF version PowerPoint version
data.

E. How to
report your
data to
GLOBE.

F. Understand
the data.

G. Quiz
yourself!

H. Further
resources.
A. What are
aerosols?
Measurement Tips
B. Why collect
aerosol data? You will be able to tell when a cloud
C. How your
moves across the Sun, interrupting
measurements your measurement. There will be a
can help!
sudden, sometimes dramatic change
D. How to in your raw signal, even if the cloud
collect your
data.
is a very thin cirrus cloud that is
difficult to see with your eyes.
E. How to
report your
– When using a GLOBE Sun
data to photometer, the voltage will
GLOBE. decrease (AOT calculated on the
F. Understand
GLOBE site would go up).
the data.

G. Quiz – When using a Calitoo, the raw

yourself! signal displayed during
measurement will decrease,
H. Further
resources. which will be translated by the
instrument as a higher AOT
value once the measurement is
finalized.
A. What are
aerosols?
Graphing Your Measurements
B. Why collect
aerosol data? If you make measurements throughout
the day, you can observe how aerosol
C. How your
measurements
concentrations change.
can help!

D. How to
These measurements were made with
collect your a GLOBE Sun photometer. The green
data. and red markers correspond to the two
E. How to
measurement wavelengths available
report your on a GLOBE Sun photometer.
data to
GLOBE.

F. Understand
the data.

G. Quiz
yourself!

H. Further
resources.
A. What are
aerosols?
By Graphing Your Measurements
B. Why collect You Might Observe Major Aerosol Plumes
aerosol data?
In June of 2015, a series of wildfires in the plains of Canada sent huge
C. How your plumes of smoke east over the Midwest and East coastal regions of the
measurements
can help! United States. These fires burned for weeks, sending “rivers of smoke”
across the continent. Scientists could even see the smoke from space!
D. How to
collect your
data.

E. How to
report your
data to
GLOBE.

F. Understand
the data.

G. Quiz
yourself!

H. Further
resources.
A. What are
aerosols? By Graphing Your Measurements
B. Why collect You Might Observe Major Aerosol Plumes (1)
aerosol data?

C. How your Thousands of kilometers away at NASA Langley, GLOBE scientists

measurements
can help! measuring aerosols using a Sun photometer saw substantially increased
AOT values. They also observed that the sky was extremely hazy and milky
D. How to
collect your in color– air pollution in action!
data.

E. How to
report your
data to
GLOBE.

F. Understand
the data.

G. Quiz
yourself!

H. Further
resources.
A. What are
aerosols? By Graphing Your Measurements
B. Why collect You Might Observe Major Aerosol Plumes (2)
aerosol data?

C. How your When scientists

measurements compared their Sun
can help!
photometer AOT
D. How to measurements with
collect your
data. AOT taken from
satellites, they saw
E. How to
report your that the smoke
data to plume was in fact
GLOBE.
the cause of the
F. Understand elevated readings!
the data.

G. Quiz
yourself!

H. Further
resources.
A. What are
aerosols? Aerosols: Local Phenomena, Global Impact
B. Why collect
aerosol data?
Aerosols come from many sources, both natural and man-made, and
have an important role to play in global climate, air quality, and
C. How your
measurements
environmental health. GLOBE aerosol measurements help scientists
can help! learn more about the origins of particles in our atmosphere as well as
D. How to
determine where these global travelers go before falling back to the
collect your Earth’s surface.
data.

E. How to
report your
data to
By participating in GLOBE aerosol measurement studies, you are helping
GLOBE. to tell the stories of local atmospheric phenomena that can have global
F. Understand
impacts. You are helping scientists find answers to the question: what is
the data. up in the atmosphere?
G. Quiz
yourself!

H. Further
resources.
A. What are
aerosols?
Quiz Questions
B. Why collect
aerosol data? Challenge yourself to answer these questions and check whether you have
achieved the learning objectives of this module.
C. How your
measurements
can help! 1. What are aerosols?
D. How to 2. What processes contribute to the formation of aerosols?
collect your 3. What is aerosol optical thickness (AOT) and how does it relate to the quantity of
data.
aerosols in the atmosphere?
E. How to 4. What parameters measured in other GLOBE protocols are important to
report your
data to
consider when making aerosol measurements?
GLOBE. 5. What kinds of effects do aerosols have on global climate?
F. Understand 6. What kinds of effects do aerosols have on local atmospheric phenomena?
the data. 7. How do different aerosols affect cloud formation?
G. Quiz
yourself!

H. Further
resources.
A. What are
aerosols? GLOBE Learning Activities & Resources
B. Why collect
aerosol data?
The following activities will help you become familiar with the GLOBE Atmosphere
C. How your materials and the GLOBE data visualization platform.
measurements
can help!
• Atmosphere Learning Activities Introduction
D. How to
collect your • Observing Visibility and Sky Color
data. • Calculating Relative Air Mass
E. How to • Making a Sundial
report your • Draw Your Own Visualization
data to
GLOBE. • Learning to Use Visualizations - An Example with Elevation and Temperature

F. Understand
the data.

G. Quiz
yourself!

H. Further
resources.
A. What are
aerosols? Credits
B. Why collect Slides:
aerosol data?
Virginia (Jill) Teige, NASA Langley Research Center, USA.
C. How your
measurements
Dr. Margaret Pippin, NASA Langley Research Center, USA.
can help! Jessica Taylor, NASA Langley Research Center, USA.
D. How to
collect your Images:
data.
NASA Langley Research Center, USA, unless otherwise noted.
E. How to
report your
data to More Information:
GLOBE. The GLOBE Program
F. Understand NASA Wavelength : NASA’s Digital Library of Earth and Space Education
the data. Resources
G. Quiz
yourself! Version 6/5/2017. If you edit and modify this slides set for use for educational
H. Further
purposes, please note “modified by (and your name and date)” on this page.
resources. Thank you.