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

By completing this activity, the learner in grades 5-8 will:

• access real-time weather data and maps for their school location.
• define the variables of temperature, wind speed, and atmospheric (barometric) pressure.
• describe weather using numerical values of these variables.
• utilize climate models to determine current weather conditions on Mars.
• describe Martian weather by comparing it to Earth's weather.
• access Martian surface probe data to describe Martian surface conditions.

National Mathematics Education Standards

Materials and Technology

Scientific Background

Activity 1: Make predictions about the current weather data in your area.

Activity 2: Use the WWW to find out what the current temperature,  wind speed, wind direction, and barometric pressure is in your area.

Activity 3: Determine the weather conditions on Mars' equator, North pole, and South pole by looking at various maps of Mars.

Activity 4: With the help of weather probes from Mars, research teams will complete a report that describes planetary location, atmospheric conditions, surface and climate.
 
 

Activity 1: 

Meteorologists often report the temperature, humidity, wind speed and barometric pressure.  Make predictions about the current weather data in your area. 1. What do you think is the current temperature outside? _________________

2. What do you think the current wind speed and direction is? _____________

3. What do you think the barometric pressure is right now?________________

4. How do you think the barometric pressure is changing? ________________

The Internet is filled with scientific data about cities close to where you live.   Use the WWW to find the current temperature, wind speed, wind direction, and barometric pressure in your area.  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

Similar measurements are being calculated for the planet Mars right now  (Example Map).   Fill in this chart by looking at the on-line maps linked below. 

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

Activity 4: 

NASA has sent several probes to study the weather on Mars and has made the data collected by these probes accessible through the Internet.  You can access three of these data bases at 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 atmospheric conditions.
• 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.