Examining Earth's interior from space

Examining Earth's interior from space

By Della McMahon

​Satellites

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Studying Earth's interior is extremely difficult. Scientists collect data through the use of satellites and make inferences on the data they do collect.

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Multiple Choice

What is an inference?

• a guess

• a conclusion reached on the basis of evidence and reasoning

• a theory

• a scientific law

​Satilite Designs

• ​A GPS satellite uses solar panels to power itself.

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• Satellites use antennas to pick up information and send back location information to and from Earth.

​GPS Satelite

Draw

On the satelite, highlight the antenna red and a solar panel yellow.

​Geostationary Operational Environmental satellite

• ​This satellite, GOES-16, is used to collect data for weather forecasting and storm tracking through software and sensors in the extending probe.

• It is powered by solar energy absorbed through its solar panels. The sun sensors allow the satellite to position itself efficiently.

• The magnetometer allows it to determine cloud cover.

• ​Swarm satellites collect data on the electrical conductivity inside Earth's core.

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• Electrical conductivity is generated by the rotation of the liquid outer core as Earth spins.

• SWARM measures electrical currents with its magnetometer.

​SWARM satellite

​Conductivity is highest in locations with

• high temperatures

• high salinity

• high water content.

​​SWARM satellite

​In the mid Atlantic, the high temperatures provide constantly hot rocks. There is planety of deep water. The salt content of the water is high.

Open Ended

Why is the Mid-Atlantic Ridge an ideal place for SWARM to collect electrical conductivity data?

Multiple Choice

What will your satellite need as a power supply?

• antenna

• magnetometer

• satellite

• solar panel

Multiple Choice

How will your satellite recieve information from Earth?

• magnetometer

• antenna

• solar panel

• satellite

Open Ended

What are some pros and cons of having a probe or instrument extended far from the satellite?

Open Ended

How will a probe that lets you collect data on conductivity help you infer temperatures?

​A: Collecting data on electrical conductivity will help determine temperature because conductivity is best where rocks are hottest. Therefore, the areas that show up on my satellite as the most conductive should help me infer temperatures.

​Q: How will a probe that lets you collect data on conductivity help you infer temperatures?

Engineering Challenge Project: Design a satellite that records data about Earth's interior .