While reading through module 4 I found the measurement of sea level changes to be particularly interesting. The concept of tide gauges and instruments that allow scientists to learn about the tidal patterns of the ocean was especially interesting. Also, I had had not thought of the possibilities of satellites for the purposes of measuring sea level changes. When we can combine data from multiple locations at the same time using satellites it gives us the ability to compare the changes between bodies of water in real time. For this module I found an article that had to do with the usage of satellites for the purpose of monitoring ocean levels and similar oceanic activity. The article I selected comes from NASA which is a particularly close source being that I’m from Houston, Texas. Titled “NASA, University Study Shows Rising Seas Slowed by Increasing Water on Land”, the passage describes the usage of satellites to observe the global changes in precipitation over all land masses. One interesting fact that I learned from this article is that the 2002 launch of NASA’s twin ‘GRACE’ satellites provided the first tools to quantify land liquid water storage trends. This technology also enables the agricultural regulatory commissions of the world more accurate data to limit or increase the use of specific irrigation methods to help keep the water level at an ideal range.
The contents of this article changes my original thoughts on how the human race uses water for agricultural purposes. In essence, we have to be smarter about how our water consumption and usage has an effect on the environment. I hope to continue learning about how advancements in space orbit technology will allow us to learn more about earth’s oceanic environment.
http://www.nasa.gov/press-release/nasa-university-study-shows-rising-seas-slowed-by-increasing-water-on-land
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