Thursday, September 29 - November 10, 6:30 p.m
Space-based observations of the Earth are revolutionizing our understanding of this life-sustaining planet.What tangible benefits have we derived from satellite observations, and what can we expect them to deliver in the future?
Leading scientists from NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center reveal the latest findings about Earth. They also discuss their own cutting-edge research questions that are on the horizon.
SEP 29
Water for Life on Earth
How the global water cycle changes as climate changes.
Peter Hildebrand, chief, Hydrospheric
and Biospheric Laboratory.
Floods, Droughts, and Water
Resources Monitoring and modeling terrestrial hydrology
from space. Christa Peters-Lidard,
physical scientist, Hydrological Sciences Branch.
OCT 6
Where’s the Missing Carbon?
New Questions in Ecology The history of life’s
impact on the Earth; mysteries about how biological
processes control current increases in greenhouse gases.
James Collatz, biological scientist,
Biospheric Sciences Branch.
OCT 20
Fire, Disturbance, and Man
Using satellite data to track changes in the world’s
forests, the most productive ecosystems on Earth. Jeff
Masek, Biospheric Sciences Branch.
City Lights, Spy Satellites, and
Urban Sprawl
Can the Earth keep up with human demands? Marc
Imhoff, Biospheric Sciences Branch.
OCT 27
Understanding Hurricanes: Nature’s Supercharged
Heat Engines
The 2004 and 2005 hurricane seasons and their place
in a larger weather and climate context. Marshall
Shepherd, research meteorologist, Global Precipitation
Measurement Mission.
Observing the Living Oceans from
Space
The Earth teems with life, supported to a large extent
by tiny ocean plants called phytoplankton. Gene
Feldman, oceanographer and SeaWiFS project
manager.
NOV 3
Controlling Invasive Species in the U.S.
New technologies that predict such species’ habitats
and where they might invade. Jeff Morisette,
Terrestrial Information Systems Branch.
Space-Based Ornithology: On the
Wings of Migration and Biophysics
Shedding light on bird migration and avian biodiversity,
one of the most compelling and challenging problems
of modern biology. James Smith, senior
scientist, Hydrospheric and Biospheric Sciences Laboratory.
NOV 10
Who Left the Freezer Door Open?
Satellite data have documented ice shelves disintegrating,
permafrost melting, and other large-scale environmental
changes. What’s happening and what’s next?
Robert Bindschadler, chief scientist,
Hydrospheric and Biospheric Sciences Laboratory.
The View from Space
The latest space-based images show us Earth’s
astonishing beauty, complexity, natural hazards, and
atmospheric phenomena. Michael King,
senior project scientist, Earth Observing System.
6 sessions
No class Oct. 13.
Tickets: Gen. Admission $124, RAP Members $78, Senior Members $70