MOSAiC Monday - September 7, 2020

RTW logo Note to Educators: Bring MOSAiC into your virtual classroom with Reach the World 

We're thrilled to announce that we will be partnering again this fall with our friends at Reach the World and Exploring by the Seat of Your Pants to help you connect your students virtually to MOSAiC team members and crew! Kicking things off in honor of 'BackyardBio Month' will be MOSAiC atmospheric scientist Dr. Jessie Creamean, who will enlighten us on who lives in the Arctic's 'backyard' and how this relates to her interest in atmospheric aerosols. Keep an eye out for Jessie's article and live video call in a couple of weeks, TBD!

Learn more about Reach the World

Go to the Reach the World MOSAiC expedition homepage

Learn more about Exploring by the Seat of Your Pants and sign up for Jessie's live classroom video call (TBD) 
 



Climate Science on Ice

 

Scientists collecting an ice core
 

Last week, MOSAiC scientists were able to take their first ice core samples from the new floe. Ice cores are just one way that scientists try to better understand the Arctic environment and climate system--researchers are also sampling the Arctic atmosphere using weather balloons and drones and the Arctic Ocean using remotely operated vehicles (ROVs) and underwater sensors. Spending a year in the Arctic will allow scientists to better understand how the Arctic weather changes seasonally with changes in sunlight and temperature. But scientists are really interested in understanding the long term weather patterns averaged over 30 years or more--this is what we call climate, and the Arctic climate story is a compelling one. The Arctic is warming twice as fast as the global average, and in upcoming MOSAiC Mondays, we'll explore more about why this might be. 

 

National Snow & Ice Data Center: Arctic Weather and Climate

 

Photo credit: Lianna Nixon, CIRES/CU Boulder



Experience MOSAiC in 360 Degrees

 


 

Helicopter on Ice

What is it like to be standing on sea ice in the Arctic? How do researchers get to and from their research sites? Watch as a helicopter lands on the ice in this 360-degree video taken by MOSAiC scientist Chris Cox during his time on the Polarstern. Click and drag for the full VR experience!

 

Check out other MOSAiC VR experiences 

Browse all MOSAiC media



15-minute clock icon Quick Bite: What is Climate?

To answer this question, it is helpful to contrast climate with weather. Have your students observe this map showing climate zones around the globe. Then, let them play around with this interactive map of today's weather all around the world. Ask them to share what they notice about these two maps. How do they compare or contrast? Based on what you noticed, how would you define climate and differentiate it from weather? 

Global climate zones map

Global weather map for today

Video: The Climate is Changing, but How's the Weather?
 

NGSS icon - ESS NGSS SEP - Analyzing Data NGSS CCC - Patterns
 



15-minute clock icon​ Quick Bite: Climate in the Arctic

Why is the Arctic so much colder than the equator? What is the role of sunlight in the Arctic climate system?

Have your students look at two different figures that both illustrate important components of the Arctic climate system. As a class, discuss what each of the figures is showing and how these figures relate to the two questions above.

Arctic climate system figures

Learn more about Arctic weather and climate

NGSS - ESS NGSS - PS NGSS - Analyzing Data NGSS SEP - Constructing Explanations NGSS CCC - Cause & Effect NGSS CCC - Systems
 



#askmosaic#askmosaic: Light and Dark

This question was sent by Charlotte from Saratoga Springs High School: I live in area with light pollution. Since you are pretty remote, how is the night sky? Is it a lot different from what you experienced in your hometown?

 

Arctic stars

"The polar night seems like a long time ago. We are currently in full daylight, but this will switch over very quickly to polar night in the coming month. It happens over just a few days this far north. But of course there will still be some light until the sun descends even lower below the horizon.

I am from southern New England and even though I am don’t live near a city there is a lot of light pollution and the sky is not very dark compared to say some remote areas in northern New Hampshire. During Leg 2 when we were in the middle of the polar night there was plenty of light pollution near the ship, but if you were able to get a few kilometers away from the ship the sky was quite amazing. The background was as black as I have ever seen and stars were bright and crisp. It made them seem so much closer. When the moon was out it stood out as well. It appeared as though I could see a lot more detail than I could see back at home.

If you can’t make it to the high Arctic, try making a trip to a remote area to view the night sky. It is well worth it."

 

-Bob Campbell, University of Rhode Island, MOSAiC Team Eco; Bob is currently on board the Polarstern for leg 5.

 

Photo: MOSAiC researchers stand next to the Meteorological Sled during the polar night of leg 2; Photo credit: Dr. Michael Gallagher, michael.r.gallagher@noaa.gov

 

Curious about the Arctic and MOSAiC expedition? Here are three ways you can send us your #askmosaic questions:

1. Submit them

2. Email them: mosaic@colorado.edu with subject line "#askmosaic"

3. Tag us on social media: #askmosaic
 



10-minute clock icon MOSAiC Weekly Tracking

Plot the Polarstern

Each week we will provide you with the latitude and longitude coordinates of the Polarstern so that you can track its journey across the Arctic.

Download the map to plot coordinates

Download a larger map of the Arctic for a bigger picture view of the expedition area

Location of the Polarstern
 Date  Latitude  Longitude
 September 16, 2019  69.68 N  18.99 E
 September 23, 2019  72.31 N  26.93 E
 September 30, 2019  85.12 N  138.05 E
 October 4, 2019**  85.08 N  134.43 E
 October 7, 2019  85.10 N  133.82 E
 October 14, 2019  84.85 N  135.03 E
 October 21, 2019  84.97 N  132.73 E
 October 28, 2019  85.47 N  127.07 E
 November 4, 2019  85.88 N  121.70 E
 November 11, 2019  85.82 N  116.00 E
 November 18, 2019  86.05 N  122.43 E
 November 25, 2019  85.85 N  121.35 E
 December 2, 2019  85.97 N  112.95 E
 December 9, 2019  86.25 N  121.40 E
 December 16, 2019  86.62 N  118.12 E
 December 23, 2019  86.63 N  113.20 E
 December 30, 2019  86.58 N  117.13 E
 January 6, 2020  87.10 N  115.10 E
 January 13, 2020  87.35 N  106.63 E
 January 20, 2020  87.42 N  97.77 E
 January 27, 2020  87.43 N  95.82 E
 February 3, 2020  87.42 N  93.65 E
 February 10, 2020  87.78 N  91.52 E
 February 17, 2020  88.07 N  78.52 E
 February 24, 2020  88.58 N  52.87 E
 March 2, 2020  88.17 N  31.02 E
 March 9, 2020  87.93 N  24.20 E
 March 16, 2020  86.87 N  12.70 E
 March 23, 2020  86.20 N  15.78 E
 March 30, 2020  85.37 N  13.27 E
 April 6, 2020  84.52 N  14.38 E
 April 13, 2020  84.28 N  14.97 E
 April 20, 2020  84.52 N  14.57 E
 April 27, 2020  83.93 N  15.65 E
 May 4, 2020  83.92 N  18.03 E
 May 11, 2020  83.47 N  13.08 E
 May 18+, 2020  83.32 N  8.68 E
 May 25+, 2020  82.43 N  8.28 E
 June 1+, 2020  81.33 N  9.93 E
 June 8+, 2020  78.10 N  12.73 E
 June 15+, 2020  82.20 N  8.18 E
 June 22, 2020  81.95 N  9.27 E
 June 29, 2020  82.03 N  9.88 E
 July 6, 2020  81.67 N  5.22 E
 July 13, 2020  81.40 N  0.28 E
 July 20, 2020  80.78 N  0.42 W
 July 27, 2020  79.55 N  2.37 W
 August 3, 2020  78.60 N  4.37 W
 August 10, 2020  79.90 N  5.52 W
 August 17+, 2020  88.28 N  34.63 W
 August 24, 2020  87.77 N  105.67 E
 August 31, 2020  88.30 N  114.23 E
 September 7, 2020  88.68 N  111.57 E

 **Day when MOSAiC reached the ice floe that the Polarstern will become frozen in and drift with for the next year.
+ Indicates when the Polarstern traveled under its own engine power (no drifting)

Log MOSAiC Data 

What happens in the Arctic as the seasons change? Find out firsthand with real-time Arctic data, provided for you here each week. 

Keep track of Arctic conditions over the course of the expedition:

**Note to students: If you are trying to access these documents in Google Drive and are unable to, it is likely because your school has blocked access. Try using a personal account to access them, or contact your teacher.

Download Data Logbook for Sept. 2019 - Dec. 2019

Download Data Logbook for Dec. 2019 - Mar. 2020

Download Data Logbook for Mar. 2020 - June 2020

Download Data Logbook for July 2020 - Oct. 2020

 Date  Length of day (hrs)  Air temperature (deg C) at location of Polarstern  Arctic Sea Ice Extent (million km2)
 September 16, 2019  13.25  High: 10   Low: 4.4  3.9
 September 23, 2019  12.35  High: 6     Low: -1  4.1
 September 30, 2019  9.1  -4.7  4.4
 October 4, 2019**  6.27  -13.0  4.5
 October 7, 2019  3.05  -8.2  4.6
 October 14, 2019  0  -14.7  4.8
 October 21, 2019  0  -12.8  5.4
 October 28, 2019  0  -18.3  6.8
 November 4, 2019  0  -18.9  8.0
 November 11, 2019  0  -25.5  8.7
 November 18, 2019  0  -10.7  9.3
 November 25, 2019  0  -18.4  10.0
 December 2, 2019  0  -26.6  10.4
 December 9, 2019  0  -23.1  11.2
 December 16, 2019  0  -19.2  11.8
 December 23, 2019  0  -26.9   12.2
 December 30, 2019  0  -26.4   12.6
 January 6, 2020  0  -28.0  13.0
 January 13, 2020  0  -30.7  13.1
 January 20, 2020  0  -27.1  13.6
 January 27, 2020  0  -22.5  13.8
 February 3, 2020  0  -28.8  14.1
 February 10, 2020  0  -26.2  14.5
 February 17, 2020  0  -31.9  14.4
 February 24, 2020  0  -24.0  14.6
 March 2, 2020  0  -35.5  14.8
 March 9, 2020  0  -37.9  14.7
 March 16, 2020  10.5  -27.5  14.7
 March 23, 2020  16.5  -28.7  14.4
 March 30, 2020  24  -28.6  14.0
 April 6, 2020  24  -18.2  13.7
 April 13, 2020  24  -25.8  13.6
 April 20, 2020  24  -10.2  13.3
 April 27, 2020  24  -11.7  12.8
 May 4, 2020  24  -16.2  12.8
 May 11, 2020  24  -10.4  12.4
 May 18, 2020  24  -5.1  11.7
 May 25, 2020  24  0.4  11.5
 June 1, 2020  24  0.0  11.1
 June 8+, 2020  24  -0.1  10.6
 June 15+, 2020  24  -0.4  10.1
 June 22, 2020  24  -0.4  9.6
 June 29, 2020  24  0.5  9.2
 July 6, 2020  24  0.6  8.2
 July 13, 2020  24  0.2  7.2
 July 20, 2020  24  -0.1  6.2
 July 27, 2020  24  1.9  5.8
 August 3, 2020  24  1.2  5.5
 August 10, 2020  24  0.9  5.1
 August 17, 2020  24  0.7  4.6
 August 24, 2020  24  -0.9  3.9
 August 31, 2020  24  -0.9  3.7
 September 7, 2020  24  -5.9  3.4

*Note: We expect data to fall within the following ranges: Length of day, 0-24 hours; Temperature, -40 to 14 degrees C; Sea ice extent, 3-15 million km2

**Day when MOSAiC reached the ice floe that the Polarstern will become frozen in and drift with for the next year.



Opportunities for Students and Educators

 

CIRES/NOAA Science at Home Webinar Series

Join us every Tuesday at 1:00 pm from now through December for the CIRES/NOAA Science at Home webinar series! Each webinar features a 10-15 minute presentation by a scientist about how they got into science and what they do as a scientist, followed by 10-15 minutes of live Q&A. 

Here is the line-up of September speakers:

September 15th - Dr. Michael Koontz will present on: Understanding where wildfires and insects kill trees using drones and satellites

September 22nd - Dr. Joshua “Shuka” Schwarz will present: Fires! Smoke! Airplanes! Action! How we're learning about wildfires and crop burning smoke

September 29th – PhD Candidate Mel Zhang will present on: Seismology: What it is and how I got into it

 

See the full speaker line-up on the Science at Home website

Register to receive weekly Science at Home email reminders 

 

 

MOSAiC Weekly Webinar Series

Teachers, join us every Wednesday (3:30 - 4:00 pm MT) during the month of September for short (30 minute) webinars to learn more about  MOSAiC virtual educational resources and how you can integrate them into your teaching. How can you introduce your students to the MOSAiC expedition with videos and ArcGIS Storymaps? How do you sign your students up for MOSAiC scientist classroom calls? How do students track the expedition? How can students submit questions directly to the scientists? All of these questions and more will be answered during these weekly webinars! Register for each webinar by clicking on the events below. Please contact jonathan.griffith@colorado.edu with any questions.

Events:
Week 2 (9/9, 3:30-4:00 pm MT): Experience MOSAiC in virtual reality 
Week 3 (9/16, 3:30-4:00 pm MT): Teaching with MOSAiC Media (videos, images, podcasts, and more!)
Week 4 (9/23, 3:30-4:00 pm MT): “Exploring the New and Old Arctic” curriculum (MS/HS unit)
Week 5 (9/30, 3:30-4:00 pm MT): “Arctic Feedbacks” curriculum (MS/HS unit)

 


 

NGSS iconMOSAiC Monday and the NGSS

What do those funny symbols below some engagements mean?

Good news for educators in the U.S. teaching with the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) or similar! We will now be tagging MOSAiC Monday engagements with the NGSS Disciplinary Core Idea subject(s), Science and Engineering Practice(s), and Crosscutting Concept(s) that they most closely connect to. Look for these symbols listed below each engagement: 

Disciplinary Core Idea Subjects
Science and Engineering Practices (adopted from the San Diego County Office of Education Science Resource Center)
Crosscutting Concepts (adopted from the San Diego County Office of Education Science Resource Center)

 



Is there something you'd like to see in MOSAiC Monday?  Let us know!

Send us your feedback

New to MOSAiC Monday? Check out past editions!

Browse more expedition-related educational resources, videos, and blogs

Email us! mosaic@colorado.edu


Next Week
  • Arctic amplification
  • What is the reason for the seasons?
  • Check in with the Polarstern