Science Common Sense

1827 - What are the methods used to collect meteorological data through surface observation, upper-air observation, satellite, and radar remote sensing?

Imagine you want to know the weather outside. Here are the ways people collect information about the weather:

Surface Observation: 1. Weather stations: These are places with instruments to measure temperature, humidity, wind speed, and other things. 2. Rain gauges: These measure how much rain falls. 3. Thermometers: These measure the temperature. 4. Anemometers: These measure wind speed and direction. 5. Weather observers: Some people watch the weather and report what they see.

Upper-Air Observation: 1. Weather balloons (Radiosondes): These are balloons that fly high and measure temperature, humidity, and wind. 2. Aircraft reports: Pilots report the weather while they fly. 3. Dropsondes: Small parachutes that fall to the ground, measuring the weather as they go.

Satellite Remote Sensing: 1. Weather satellites: These are special machines in space that can see the Earth and take pictures of the weather. 2. Infrared sensors: These measure heat coming from the Earth. 3. Visible and ultraviolet sensors: These take pictures of the Earth and its weather.

Radar Remote Sensing: 1. Doppler radar: This sends out waves and listens for the waves that bounce back from rain or other weather. 2. Phased arrays: These are special machines that use many small antennas to gather information about the weather. 3. Radar satellites: Some satellites use radar to study the weather.

These are the ways people collect information about the weather to know what's happening and what might happen next.