Real World: ICESat-2 and Earth’s Cryosphere
Earth's cryosphere, one of Earth's six spheres, is composed of all its frozen structures including sea ice, ice caps, and permafrost. Understanding changes in the cryosphere provides scientists with valuable information about the past, present, and future of the planet. Amazingly, 99% of Earth's fresh water is held in two massive ice sheets. ICESat-2 is a satellite designed to help scientists learn more about Earth's ice and the role ice plays in climate.
Background Information
Grades 6 through 8
- NASA ICESat-2 Related Videos
- NASA Goddard Space Flight Center How to Calculate Sea Ice Changes
- NASA Science ICESat-2
Activities
Grades 6 through 8
- GLOBE Earth as a System - Water Cycle Protocol
- Institute for Global Environmental Strategies (IGES) Changes in Salinity Due to Glacier Movement
- Institute for Global Environmental Strategies (IGES) What will happen if climate variability and change cause glacier and polar ice cap melting?
- My NASA Data Cryosphere - Changes in Snow and Ice Extent
- My NASA Data Cryosphere - Lesson Plans
- My NASA Data Cryosphere - Sea and Land Ice Melt
- NASA Climate Change Online Lab
- TERC -- Earth Exploration Toolkit Is Greenland Melting?
- TERC -- Earth Exploration Toolkit Whither Arctic Sea Ice?
Mathematics
Grades 6 through 8
- NASA Space Math Glacier Retreat