Eyes in the Sky
Objectives
Students will understand the following:
1. One purpose of satellites is to transmit information.
2. Satellites have the ability to transmit information virtually in an instant.
3. Before satellite technology was developed, information took longer to reach the
general public.
Procedure
1. Go online and research information about satellites and how they have changed what
we know about Earth and how satellites technology has changed our lives.
2. Complete the research information worksheet.
3. Write a three-part report:
 Answer the question – “What is a satellite?”
 How satellite technology has become a part of our lives and our knowledge of
Earth.
 Select a satellite and write a report about its mission (use the NASA Science –
Earth website). Include a picture of your satellite.
4. Be prepared to present your report to the class.
Eyes in the Sky – Research Information
What is a satellite?
What was the impact of Sputnik?
There are thousands of satellites currently in orbit around the Earth. What different
types of satellites are there? Which are the most important? Why?
Discuss the impact of satellite technology on the science of meteorology. Why are
satellites so useful?
Discuss the impact of satellite technology on communication. Why are satellites so
useful?
Discuss the impact of satellite technology on navigation (GPS). Why are satellites so
useful?
Discuss the impact of satellite technology on the military (reconnaissance/spying). Why
are satellites so useful?
Information for Satellite Report
Satellite:
Teacher Notes
1. Discuss satellite and satellite technology with your students. Determine whether
they are aware that television news reports and visual images are transmitted
instantaneously by satellite—much more quickly than they could be if satellite
technology did not exist.
2. If students need background information about satellites, have them do some
preliminary research using print materials and the Internet. Their research should give
them some notion of the history of satellite technology, from Sputnik to the present.
3. Students will research a history of the use of satellites. They will explain how
satellites have changed our life.
4. Hold a postresearch discussion in which you lead students to consider that, in
present-day society, we take for granted that information from anywhere around the
globe can be available to us in an instant. Question students briefly about the
implications for society. Ask them to think of ways in which life might have been
different before satellite technology was developed. Then tell the class they are going
to conduct interviews with older friends or family members who can shed light on these
questions.
Extensions
Mapping the Past
One of the main ways that people use satellite technology is to provide aerial
photographs. Discuss with your students the importance of aerial photographs in
accurate mapping, making the point that, before satellite technology existed, only
limited aerial photos could be taken by observers flying in planes, helicopters, or hot air
balloons. Before flight was possible, aerial images and maps were mostly estimations, no
matter how carefully they were constructed. Divide your class into groups, and ask each
group to create an aerial map of an area surrounding and including your school (without,
of course, using any technology but their own imaginations). Maps should cover at least
one city block's worth of territory, and students should include a legend indicating an
approximate distance scale. Let students know that, while they should work as carefully
as possible, this is only an exercise and you expect their work to be rough. Have each
group present its map to the class, explaining any difficulties it had creating it. When all
groups have made their presentations, lead a discussion in which students compare their
maps and the experiences they had making them. If possible, acquire an actual aerial
satellite map of the area around your school, and compare it with your students' work.
Conclude with a discussion of the ways in which satellite aerial photos might be used.
Mission Control
Have your students work in small groups to plan their own missions for new satellites.
Ask each group to keep in mind the following guidelines when developing its mission:
 The budget for the mission is unlimited.
 Each group must include a detailed description of the uses of its new satellite.
 Each group must justify the importance of these uses.
In designing their missions, groups may want to consider the following questions:
 What will be the orbital pattern of the satellite?
 Will the satellite move quickly or hover over the same spot on Earth?
 Will the satellite have a classified or a public status?
When plans for missions are complete, ask each group to share its work with the class.
Lead your students in deliberating about which mission they would fund, if they had the
resources. Which project would be most beneficial for humankind, and why?
Web Links
NASA Science - Earth
In order to study the Earth as a whole system and understand how it is changing, NASA
develops and supports a large number of Earth observing missions. These missions
provide Earth science researchers the necessary data to address key questions about
global climate change.
http://science.nasa.gov/earth-science/missions/
Internet Education Resources: Selected NASA Projects
Arranged by grade level and topic, many of the online interactive student projects
available here require the use of satellite remote sensed data and imagery provided by
NASA, all of which is downloadable directly from this website. This is a must-see site
for educators interested in motivating students with hands-on problem solving
experiences. Don't forget to check out the "Exhibits" link.
http://observe.ivv.nasa.gov/observe/techpark/edu/edu.html
Mission – NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory
Select current to see list of current satellite missions.
http://www.jpl.nasa.gov/missions/
NASA's Observatorium
Experience the "wow factor" yourself at this website where you will find a galaxy of
current and archived images on a great variety of topics relating to satellite remote
sensors. Explanations of the research relating to each topical set of images is provided
and links relevant to that topic are offered. Relate what you find at this site to that
segment of Eyes in the Sky showing the President's reaction to satellite images
documenting the rapid destruction of Guatemala's rain forests. For images shown at this
site, "wow" is an understatement!
http://observe.ivv.nasa.gov/
WeatherNet: Radar and Satellite Menu
Welcome to UM Weather, the Internet's premier source of weather information since
1994. Providing access to thousands of forecasts, images, and the Net's largest
collection of weather links, UM Weather is the most comprehensive and up-to-date
source of weather data on the Web. UM Weather is brought to you by the Department
of Atmospheric, Oceanic and Space Sciences at the University of Michigan.
http://cirrus.sprl.umich.edu/wxnet/states/states.html
MapQuest Maps
At this incredible site provided by Infoseek see how far we have come in being able to
map the world with the aid of remote sensors and computer technology. At this website
you can type in your street address, or anyone else's address, and in a few moments you
will be able to zoom in on your neighborhood.
http://www.mapquest.com/maps
Remote Sensing Data and Information
We've saved the best website for last. Everything you ever wanted to know about
remote sensing is here. This site has over 100 links of examples with live and archived
images. Check out the link titled "Remote Sensing Tutorial."
http://rsd.gsfc.nasa.gov/rsd/RemoteSensing.html
Geostationary Satellite Server
Get real! This is the place to start your exploration of earth from space. View and
download real-time GOES Imagery from satellite remote sensors in geostationary orbits
above various points on Earth. Pick the satellite you want to browse and compare the
infrared, visible, and water vapor imagery in real-time. Discovery Channel's program
Eyes in the Sky will explain how images like these are acquired and how they are being
used to better understand the earth.
http://www.goes.noaa.gov/
Communications Satellites: Making the Global Village Possible
http://www.hq.nasa.gov/office/pao/History/satcomhistory.html
Early History of the First Satellites
http://www.jpl.nasa.gov/jplhistory/early/firstsatellites.php
What is a Satellite
http://www.nasa.gov/audience/forstudents/5-8/features/what-is-a-satellite-58.html
History of Weather Satellites
http://history.nasa.gov/weathsat.html
History of Satellites
http://www.nationalgeographic.com/eye/satellites.html
History of Satellite TV Systems
http://transition.fcc.gov/cgb/kidszone/history_sat_tv.html
The SSPI Satellite Timeline
The SSPI Satellite Timeline is the first interactive site on the Web to chronicle the
rich and diverse history of the commercial satellite industry. Launched in October 2007
- the 50th anniversary of Sputnik - the Timeline is a learning tool for satellite
professionals, students, the news media and the innovative companies that make up the
industry.
http://www.sspi.org/?page=Satellite_Timeline
NASA - Artificial Satellites
http://mynasa.nasa.gov/worldbook/artificial_satellites_worldbook_prt.htm
Artificial Satellites
http://www.infoplease.com/encyclopedia/science/satellite-artificial.html
Navigation Satellites
http://www.gma.org/surfing/satellites/sat_nav.html
How Does GPS Work?
http://airandspace.si.edu/gps/work.html
Global Positioning System
http://www.gps.gov/
The Global Positioning System
http://www.colorado.edu/geography/gcraft/notes/gps/gps_f.html
How Do You Make a Weather Satellite?
http://www.nasa.gov/pdf/112194main_weather_satellite_booklet.pdf
Satellite Weather Imagery Links
http://wwwghcc.msfc.nasa.gov/GOES/satlinks.html
Communication Satellite Industry
http://www.encyclopedia.com/topic/communications_satellite.aspx
Communications Satellites
http://www.gma.org/surfing/satellites/sat_com.html
Satellite Communicaton
http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/524891/satellite-communication
Interesting Facts on Satellite TV
http://ezinearticles.com/?Interesting-Facts-on-Satellite-TV&id=2220746
The Importance of Satellite Communication and ICT
http://scienceray.com/technology/information/the-importance-of-satellitecommunication-and-ict/
Satellite Communication – Fast Facts
http://instabriefs.com/wireless-communications/satellite-communication/satellitecommunication-fast-f.php
Reconnaissance Satellite
http://www.infoplease.com/encyclopedia/science/reconnaissance-satellite.html
Reconnaissance Satellite Facts
http://www.factbites.com/topics/Reconnaissance-satellite
Air and Space Magazine Satellite Articles
http://www.airspacemag.com/search/?keyword=satellites
What Are Orbital Reconnaissance Satellites?
http://www.ehow.com/info_8530953_orbital-reconnaissance-satellites.html
VOCABULARY:
satellite
An object, man-made or natural, which orbits a planet.
Context:
We have learned to launch the man-made satellites featured in Eyes in the Sky by
understanding the laws of physics explaining how natural satellites, such as the moon,
orbit the earth.
launch vehicle
A conveyance for moving a satellite from the surface of the earth into orbit around the
earth.
Context:
Controlled explosions detonated in a launch vehicle's rocket engines provide the power
for lifting satellites from launch pads into earth orbit.
remote sensor
A device placed at some distance from human experience which reacts to a physical
stimulus.
Context:
Satellite remote sensors technologically extend human sensation and experience by
responding to physical stimuli and transmitting that reaction back down to earth.
synchronous orbit
The phenomena that occurs when two bodies, such as the earth and an orbiting satellite,
have identical rotation and revolution periods. (Often referred to as "geostationary
orbit" when related to satellites synchronously orbiting the earth.)
Context:
Communications satellites must be placed in stable synchronous orbit above the earth so
that they are always above the same point on the earth with the same side of the
satellite (side with transmitting/receiving antennae) facing the earth.
wow factor
The emotional reaction looked for in evaluating the potential success of a new product
when it is first introduced to a test user.
Context:
After observing satellite photographs, the wow factor played an important role in the
government of Guatemala's actions to save their rain forests.