This set of three videos illustrates how math is used in satellite data analysis. The videos feature NASA senior climate scientist Claire Parkinson. Parkinson explains how the Arctic and Antarctic sea ice covers are measured from satellite data and... (View More) how math is used to determine trends in the data. In the first video, she leads viewers from satellite data collection through obtaining a time series of monthly average sea ice extents for November 1978 – December 2012, for the Arctic and Antarctic. In the second video, she begins with the time series from the first video, removes the seasonal cycle by calculating yearly averages, and proceeds to calculate the slopes of the lines to get trends in the data, revealing decreasing sea ice coverage in the Arctic and increasing sea ice coverage in the Antarctic. In the third video, she uses a more advanced technique to remove the seasonal cycle and shows that the trends are close to the same, whichever method is used. She emphasizes the power of math and that the techniques shown for satellite sea ice data can also be applied to a wide range of data sets. (View Less)

This short video (2:01) uses an engaging approach to emphasize the importance of tracking and studying precipitation. The video cast explains how the Global Precipitation Measurement (GPM) mission will use a constellation of satellites to achieve... (View More) global coverage, thereby providing scientists with accurate precipitation data from around the world. In addition to the video, the site contains supplemental text which provides background information on the GPM mission. (View Less)

This short video (02:48) profiles Steve Nesbitt, a scientist affiliated with NASA's Global Precipitation Measurement (GPM) mission. Following a brief description of his career pathway, Nesbitt provides both an overview of the GPM mission as well as... (View More) insights into his work in validating and analyzing the GPM satellite data. (View Less)

This short video (4:06) provides an overview of the Global Precipitation Measurement (GPM) mission. This mission will set a new standard for precipitation measurements from space by joining forces with countries around the world, to provide... (View More) precipitation data from nine different satellites, creating the GPM Constellation. NASA has partnered with the Japan Aerospace and Exploration Agency (JAXA), space agencies in France and India, and the operators of meteorological satellites in Europe and the United States to make this multi-nation mission possible. (View Less)

This short video (4:44) helps audiences understand and appreciate the importance of measuring precipitation globally. The role of the Global Precipitation Measurement (GPM) mission to better understand, model and predict where and when too much... (View More) rainfall will occur (resulting in floods and landslides) and where too little rain will fall (resulting in droughts) is examined. (View Less)