What is Earth and Space Science? 1955 eruption of Kilauea on the island of Hawaii June 15, 1993 large waterspout on Lake Okeechobee, Florida
Definition From your textbook: Earth science is the name for the group of sciences that deals with Earth and its neighbors in space.
The Sciences Geology – Units 1-4 Oceanography – Unit 5 Meteorology – Unit 6 Astronomy – Unit 7
Geology Definition: Geo=Earth ology=study of The study of the Earth Two kinds of Geology Physical Historical Physical Geology deals with the materials that make up Earth, and the processes that shape it Historical Geology tries to create a timeline of the changes (biological and physical) that have taken place on Earth Mammoth Cave Trilobite Mauna Loa
Oceanography Oceanographers study the composition and movements of seawater, coastal processes, seafloor topography, and marine life It integrates all of the major sciences Chemistry of the water Geology of the seafloor Physics of the interactions with the atmosphere Biology of its organisms
Meteorology Definition: The study of the atmosphere and the processes that produce weather and climate Weather is mostly caused by the Sun and the rotation of the Earth We are going to discuss: The structure and temperature of the atmosphere Water in the atmosphere Air pressure and wind Air masses, fronts, and severe weather (tornadoes, hurricanes, thunderstorms, winter storms) Climate Inside Hurricane Katrina
Astronomy Definition: The study of the universe Studying objects in our own solar system and the universe helps us better understand Earth We will discuss: The history of astronomy The solar system Properties of stars, stellar evolution, and the universe Horse Head Nebula Nicolaus Copernicus First astronomer to come up with heliocentric vision of the universe – sun at the center, not Earth
Video: “Why Earth Science”
Careers in Earth Science
Answer the following questions on your own piece of paper. 1. What are you looking forward to discussing the most? Why? 2. What are you looking forward to the least? Why? 3. Did any of the careers we discussed interest you? If so, which one, and why? If not, explain?