Location:

International

Description:
NASA's Genesis Mission currently sponsors Project SUN as part of its outreach effort to instill knowledge in students about the natural links between the Earth and Sun. It is also carried out in partnership with the Astronomy and Physics Department and the College of Extended Learning, California State University, Northridge (CSUN). Project SUN is a component of the CSUN International Science Network (ISN).

Through Project SUN, secondary students all over the world are contributing to the long term, time resolved, monitoring of both visible and UV radiation on the Earth's surface. Data is usually transmitted to NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) via the Internet. Participating schools purchase their own equipment, total cost about $600, not including the cost of a computer supplied by the school to use for the data logger. Schools agree to supply NASA JPL at least two days of data per week for a full school year. The equipment can be used the other three days for individual research projects such as investigation of the efficiency of different items of solar energy equipment, use of UV skin blockers, effects of enhanced UV radiation on plants, etc. It is hoped each school will integrate Project SUN as a continuing program, using the concept of a school research team, just as the school has established athletic teams.

The components of Project SUN are: (1) low cost, scientifically accurate instrumentation; (2) computer interfacing coupled with old computers such as the Apple IIE, Apple IIC, Macintosh and old IBM compatibles used as dedicated data loggers; (3) appropriate software and curriculum; and (4) a detailed operating strategy and a system of inservice teacher training. Part of this training is via the CSUN course Physics 595s, Solar Flux Detection, which is taught over the Internet by Dr. Gilbert Yanow.

Very careful, annual re-calibration of the commercial instruments and a continuing program of instrumentation quality control done in cooperation with the manufacturers, maintains the accuracy of the data.

URL:
http://sunshine.jpl.nasa.gov

Organization:
National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL)
California State University, Northridge (CSUN)

Cost:
Free

Contact:
Gilbert Yanow, NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Mail Stop 264-370, 4800 Oak Grove Dr., Pasadena, CA 91109; Phone (818) 354-8060, Fax (818) 393-1392; Email: gilbert.yanow@jpl.nasa.gov

Education Level:
Grades 9-12

Subject:
Energy
UV Radiation

Program type:
Research Program
Student Enrichment
Teacher Training (In-service)

Date Added to teachearth.com:
5/1/00