d with two great oceans; one visible, the other invisible; one underfoot, the other overhead; one entirely envelopes it, the other covers about two thirds of its surface.” – Matthew Maury, Oceanographer, 1855
Physical oceanography is the study of the evolving patterns of ocean circulation, fluid motion, and other characteristics like temperature, salinity and chemical composition. Researchers study the ocean at scales from centimeters to thousands of kilometers, which helps us understand microturbulence to global circulation. Scientists use a combination of theory, observation, and computer simulations, and take into account dynamics of global climate and human use of coastal regions.
In fact, the thickness of the Earth’s atmosphere, compared with the size of the Earth, is in about the same ratio as the thickness of a coat of shellac on a schoolroom globe is to the diameter of the globe. That’s the air that nurtures us and almost all other life on Earth… Now that atmosphere, so thin and fragile, is under assault by our technology. - Carl Sagan
Atmospheric science encompasses a wide range of disciplines, including clouds, climate change, satellite remote sensing, radar meteorology. Researchers do everything from tracking ozone recovery and quantifying pollutants such as aerosols, ozone, and carbon monoxide, to developing state-of-the-art atmospheric models. This work incorporates direct observation and instrument use, lab study, and computer modeling teams – as well collaboration between these teams, to improve understandings of our atmospheric conditions.
U.S. NATIONAL SCIENCE STANDARDS
Meet the Science Standard
(Florida Next Generation Science Standard, that is, for middle and high school grades)
The scientific theory of the evolution of Earth states that changes in our planet are driven by the flow of energy and the cycling of matter through dynamic interactions among the atmosphere, hydrosphere, cryosphere, geosphere, and biosphere, and the resources used to sustain human civilization on Earth.
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