NASA's Next Target: Earth

Hank Green introduces SciShow Space News, discussing NASA's upcoming launch of the Orbiting Carbon Observatory-2 (OCO-2) on July 1. OCO-2 will measure carbon dioxide levels globally, helping to understand carbon sinks and sources. The video explains the impact of CO2 on climate change and the role of carbon sinks like oceans and forests. OCO-2 will orbit Earth, making millions of measurements with its high-resolution spectrometers. The video also covers the solstice, explaining Earth's axial tilt and its effects on seasons. Finally, viewers are encouraged to support SciShow and explore more content.

What is the primary goal of the OCO-2 mission?

• To track the movement of ocean currents

• To measure carbon dioxide levels in Earth's atmosphere

• To observe the Earth's magnetic field

• To measure the temperature of Earth's atmosphere

How does carbon dioxide contribute to climate change?

• By trapping the Sun's heat in the atmosphere

• By increasing the Earth's magnetic field

• By absorbing visible light

• By reflecting ultraviolet light

What is the altitude of OCO-2's polar orbit?

• 500 kilometers

• 705 kilometers

• 1000 kilometers

• 1500 kilometers

What technology does OCO-2 use to measure CO2 concentrations?

• Magnetic field detectors

• Ultraviolet sensors

• High-resolution spectrometers

• Infrared cameras

What happens during the June solstice in the Northern Hemisphere?

• The North Pole is tilted away from the Sun

• The Sun appears directly overhead at the Equator

• The North Pole reaches its maximum tilt toward the Sun

• The Sun is at its lowest point in the sky