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A LOM of the Earth by Dr. Mike Bailey of the San Diego SuperComputer Center. |
In order to understand how our lives are being effected by both natural variation and human activity, our goal this year is to begin to explore our planet from both a global and local perspective The emphasis of this class is on how remote sensing, computer visualization and computer modeling enable earth scientists to understand our complex and changing planet.
Just as the microscope created a revolution in biology and the telescope created a revolution in astronomy, satellites have created a revolution in Earth and Space sciences. They have become our "eyes" in the sky giving us a new perspective, Earth as a unified system. We have started to monitor the vital signs of a dynamic planet undergoing change due to natural variation, natural cycles and increasingly due to human activity. Computer visualization and computational modeling have helped us to "make sense" out of the enormous amount of numeric data transmitted by satellites. These tools have revealed the importance of understanding the interactions between Earth's major subsystems and have uncovered global problems that were unrecognized 20 years ago . They challenge us to become citizens of the planet and seek global solutions that will require unprecedented planetary cooperation and a new respect for planet Earth.
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A Chromadepth image of the Himalaya Mountains also created by Dr. Bailey (SDSC). |
UNIT 1:
VISUALIZING EARTH: GAINING A GLOBAL PERSPECTIVE
UNIT 2:
AN EARTH SYSTEM SCIENCE APPROACH:EARTH'S INTERACTING SYSTEMS