Go to the NASA Earth Observations website (http://neo.sci gsfc.nasa.gov) and look at the current map of Earth's albedo (click on "albedo" in the menu for "energy" or "land" if it didn't come up). Compare this map with those of 2,4,6,8 and 10 months ago. Which parts of Earth have the lowest and highest albedos? In which parts do the albedos seem to change the most with the time of the year? Would you expect ice, snow, oceans, clouds, forests, and deserts to add or subtract in each case from the total Earth albedo? Which parts of Earth are not showing up on this map?

NASA Earth Observations (NEO) is an incredible resource for accessing various types of data about our planet. You can explore maps and data regarding Earth's albedo, which is a measure of how much sunlight Earth's surface reflects back into space. Start by visiting the NASA Earth Observations website. Once there, navigate to the menu either under 'energy' or 'land' and select 'albedo'. This will show you a detailed map of Earth's albedo for the current month. It's an interactive platform allowing you to explore different time periods and specific datasets. Saving the current map or noting down essential information enables you to compare it with past data, helping you understand changes over time.

Albedo values can fluctuate due to seasonal variations. When you compare the albedo maps from 2, 4, 6, 8, and 10 months ago, you will notice changes in various regions. This variability is often influenced by seasonal shifts. For instance, snow and ice cover increases during winter in certain hemispheres, leading to higher albedo values. Conversely, during summer, melting reduces ice cover, and the albedo decreases. Tracking these variations helps to understand how different regions contribute to Earth's overall energy balance. Regular comparisons highlight patterns that are essential for studying climate and environmental changes.

Various natural features contribute differently to albedo:

• Ice and Snow: These surfaces have high albedo, reflecting a significant percentage of sunlight.
• Oceans: Oceans commonly have low albedo, absorbing more sunlight.
• Clouds: Cloud cover can increase local albedo by reflecting sunlight back into space.
• Forests: Forests generally have a lower albedo due to their dark, dense canopy that absorbs sunlight.
• Deserts: Deserts, with their light-colored sands, can have a relatively high albedo compared to forests but lower than ice or snow.

Analyzing how these contributors affect different regions provides insights into global energy dynamics and climate patterns.

To fully understand Earth's albedo changes, historical data analysis is crucial. By using the data from NASA Earth Observations, you can compare albedo maps from various months to notice trends and anomalies. This type of analysis helps identify longer-term changes beyond seasonal fluctuations. You might observe, for example, a decreasing trend in ice-covered regions due to global warming over several years. Such assessments are essential for predicting future climatic conditions and evaluating the effectiveness of environmental policies. Comparing current data with historical records can highlight shifts in albedo patterns and their potential impact on global climate systems.

Different types of surfaces across the Earth contribute to the planet’s overall albedo in unique ways. Some areas reflected in albedo maps include:

• Polar Ice Caps: These areas have one of the highest albedo values due to their reflective white surfaces.
• Forested Areas: Dense forests usually show lower albedo because they absorb more sunlight.
• Deserts: Characterized by sandy landscapes, deserts have moderately high albedo compared to forests.
• Oceans: They generally exhibit low albedo due to their dark color and deep waters, absorbing more sunlight.

Comparing these types of surfaces on the albedo map can offer insights into how different regions and their characteristics influence Earth's overall energy reflection and absorption. Identifying which parts of the Earth show up prominently or are missing on albedo maps may underscore areas with insufficient data or those frequently obscured by cloud cover.