HOW DO YOU READ SATELLITE IMAGES NASA Images and Maps

Transcription

1 HOW DO YOU READ SATELLITE IMAGES NASA Images and Maps Author: Carol Gersmehl Overview: This lesson works with satellite images about vegetation as well as maps about land cover and population. The satellite images and maps are from NASA (National Aeronautics and Space Administration). Students will make connections between these images and maps. Essential Questions: What can NASA images and maps tell us about the earth? How can we use NASA images and maps to understand population distribution? Objectives: The student will be able to: Identify and describe the meaning of colors on NASA images about vegetation. Locate regions with particular types of vegetation, land cover, and population density. Describe connections between latitude, vegetation, and population. Student Materials: NASA Images and Maps worksheet, World Base Map NASA Images and Maps PPT Michigan Grade Level Content Expectations: 6-G1.2.4: Use observations from air photos, photographs (print and CD), films (VCR and DVD) as the basis for answering geographic questions about the human and physical characteristics of places and regions. 6-G1.2.5: Use information from modern technology such as Geographic Positioning System (GPS), Geographic Information System (GIS) and satellite remote sensing to locate information and process maps and data to analyze spatial patterns of the Western Hemisphere. 7-G1.2.3: Use observations from air photos, photographs (print and CD), films (VCR and DVD) as the basis for answering geographic questions about the human and physical characteristics of places and regions 7-G.2.5: Use information from modern technology such as Geographic Positioning System (GPS), Geographic Information System (GIS) and satellite remote sensing to locate information and process maps and data to analyze spatial patterns of the Eastern Hemisphere. National Geography Standards Standard 1: How to use maps and other geographic representations, geospatial technologies, and spatial thinking to understand and communicate information Standard 3: How to analyze the spatial organization of people, places, and environments on Earth s surface

2 Procedure: Provide each student with a World Base Map and the NASA Map Student Worksheet. Use Power Point to explain NASA maps (vegetation and land cover) and have students answer the questions on the worksheet (Slides 7-20). After each set of questions, discuss answers. References: NASA Earth Observations Animation of changing vegetation greenness

3 NASA Images and Maps Student Worksheet Directions: Answer the questions while viewing the NASA Images and Maps PowerPoint. Slide 7: a. What part of Africa had the most green leaf growth (darkest green) in December? b. What part of Africa shows little or no leaf growth (tan areas) in December? c. What parts of North America and Asia show little leaf growth (tan areas) in December? near the Tropic of Cancer or in latitudes near the North Pole) d. What parts of the world are coldest in December? near the equator or in latitudes near the North Pole Slide 9: Write two comparison sentences: (Include specific latitude and continent locations in answers.) Slide 10: e. In July, areas near the North Pole in North America and in Asia show more green in July or remain tan in July f. What part of Africa still has little or no growth (tan areas) in July? g. What part of Asia still had little or no growth (tan areas) in July? near the middle of the land mass or near the edge of the land mass Slide 14: h. What vegetation covers central Africa near the equator throughout the year (in December and July)? 2-barren desert or 4-evergreen broadleaf forest i. Which vegetation covers the most northern latitudes (near North Pole) of Asia? 5-agricultural cropland or 1-small shrubs that have leaves in July.

4 Slide 16: 1-- Shrub lands (without trees) Why are these northern shrub lands green in July? 2-- Barren, sparsely vegetated Use an atlas to find the name of the desert in this region of Africa. 3-- grasslands (without trees) Notice the small area of green in showing grasslands in July! 4 Evergreen broadleaf forest The region near this latitude line has evergreen forest all months of the year! 5 Croplands The green in this region shows crops that farmers are growing in July Slide 17: j. Which number (1, 2, 3, 4, or 5) do you think will have the most people? Slide 19: k. Why does place 1 have few people? l. Why does place 2 have few people? m. Why does place 5 have many people? What are its vegetation and land cover categories? Slide 20: 1 Is there much green leafy vegetation or many people at the place 1 location? 2 Is there much green leafy vegetation or many people at the place 2 locations? 4 Is there much green leafy vegetation at the place 4 locations in both January and July? 5 Is there much green leafy vegetation or many people at the place 5 locations? 6 Which number shows croplands with large numbers of people? 7 Which number shows a desert with few people? 8 Complete name of the latitude line that passes through northern Africa: Tropic of 9 Complete the name of the latitude line that passes through central Africa: E

5 World Base Map Latitudes near the North Pole NORTH AMERICA Tropic of Cancer ASIA Equator AFRICA