An Earth System View of Earthwise

Earth and Space Science

Purpose

Students are introduced to the Earthrise phenomenon by seeing the Earth as the Apollo 8 astronauts viewed our home planet for the first time from the Moon. They will analyze a time series of mapped plots of Earth science variables that NASA monitors to better understand the Earth System. Students will document changes of a variable over time as they create a new visualization. They will share this visualization with a peer who has monitored a different Earth System variable and work collaboratively to make observations about temporal and spatial change making inferences about how these variables may be related. As a result, they develop research questions which students may use in future investigations.

This lesson can be used as a launching activity for introducing Earth Systems or the phenomenon of Earthrise.

Learning Objectives

• Analyze the sequence of plots over time for different variables for changes
• Create visualization for showcasing key areas experiencing change over time
• Collaborate with peer to showcase changes and identify opportunities for future research
• Develop research questions

NASA Phenomenon Connection

On Christmas Eve, 1968, none of the astronauts aboard Apollo 8 were prepared for the spellbinding moment when they would first see their home planet rise from behind the desolate lunar horizon. The vision of Earth provided them the first spot of color as they floated in the blackness of space, orbiting the lunar surface. "Earthrise" is the name given to a photograph of the Earth taken by William Anders during lunar orbit.