Vocabulary
Geographic Information System (GIS) An information system that links data to a
particular location.
geostationary orbit A type of orbit that allows a satellite to stay in above one location
on Earth’s surface.
polar orbit satellite OrbitthatmovesoverEarth’snorthandsouthpolesasEarthrotates
underneath.
Points to Consider
- Imagine that you are tracking a hurricane across the Atlantic Ocean. What informa-
tion would you need to follow its path? What satellite images might be most useful?
Research and explain how the National Weather Service tracks and monitors hurri-
canes. - If you had to do a report on the natural resources for a particular state, what type of
map would help you find the most information? - What are some ways that people use Global Positioning Systems? What problems are
easier to solve using GPS?
Image Sources
(1) NASA. http://svs.gsfc.nasa.gov/vis/a000000/a001400/a001402/index.html
Topographical map. Public Domain.(2) http://www.state.gov/g/oes/rls/fs/2006/71631.htm. Public Domain.(3) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Topographic_map_example.png,. Public
Domain.(4) http://www.rma.usda.gov/data/GIS/maps/2008/. GNU Free Documentation.(5) NOAA. http://www.ngdc.noaa.gov/geomag/faqgeom.shtml. Public Domain.(6) http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/a/ab/
WorldMapLongLat-eq-circles-tropics-non.png. GNU-FDL.(7) http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/1/1a/Brosen_
windrose.svg/600px-Brosen_windrose.svg.png. GNU Free Documentation.(8) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Bathymetry.jpg. Public Domain.