2007 EARTH SCIENCE VIDEOTAPES |
| |
Tape Title | Record ID | Date Produced | TRT: |
Synopsis |
| NASA AND NOAA RELEASE 2007 ANTARCTIC OZONE HOLE DATA | G07-058 | 10/22/07 | 10:25 | The ozone layer acts to protect life on Earth by blocking harmful ultraviolet rays from the sun. The "ozone hole" is a severe depletion of the ozone layer high above Antarctica and is primarily caused by human-produced compounds that release chlorine and bromine gases in the stratosphere. NASA has been monitoring the status of the ozone layer through satellite observations since the 1970s, beginning with the TOMS sensors on the Nimbus satellites and now with the Ozone Monitoring Instrument (OMI) on NASA's Aura satellite. Data collected by these instruments have been instrumental in shaping public policy and international perspectives on the ozone layer.
|
TAPE CONTENTS: |
| ITEM (1): Daily Progression of Antarctic Ozone Hole in 2007 - NASA and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) scientists report that the 2007 ozone hole was about average for the large depletions that have been observed during the mid-1990s to the present. The 2007 ozone hole was deeper with a smaller area than the record ozone depletion seen in 2006, but this year the ozone hole had greater depth and covers more area than the 2002 ozone hole. This animation shows the progression of the 2007 Antarctic ozone hole.
Courtesy: NASA
|
| ITEM (2): Antarctic Ozone Hole: Annual Maximum Thinning (1979-2007) - Each fall the Antarctic ozone hole opens up in mid August and peaks around late September or early October. This animation shows the annual maximum thinning of ozone during this period of peak activity during 1979-2007.
Courtesy: NASA
|
| ITEM (3): Chemistry Animations: Ozone Formation and Destruction - Intense ultraviolet radiation in the upper atmosphere produces ozone. The radiation breaks typical oxygen molecules into free oxygen atoms. Ozone is created when a free oxygen atom joins with an oxygen molecule to form a molecule of ozone. Chemical reactions involving such familiar compounds as chlorine, bromine, nitrogen, and hydrogen can destroy ozone. These animations illustrate the chemistry behind formation and destruction of ozone.
Courtesy: NASA
|
| ITEM (4): Aura: NASA's Tool for Measuring the Ozone Layer - In addition to ground, aircraft and balloon measurements, NASA monitors stratospheric ozone with state-of-the-art satellite technology. Launched in 2004, the Aura satellite uses four instruments to examine the atmosphere, most notably the Ozone Monitoring Instrument. Aura Ozone Monitoring Instrument is part of NASA's Earth Observing instrument.
Courtesy: NASA
|
| ITEM (5): New Perspectives on the Ozone Hole - Using NASA's data visualization technology, we can examine the Antarctic ozone hole from a variety of perspectives. The following visualizations show a couple of unique views of the ozone hole event.
Courtesy: NASA
|
| ITEM (6): Interview with Paul Newman - Interview clips with Paul Newman, atmospheric scientist at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center. Dr. Newman explains why this year's findings are significant.
Courtesy: NASA
|
Earth Science Gallery