The S'COOL Timeline
In the initial phases of a large climate study, atmospheric scientists
concentrate on a few seasonal months: January, April, July, and October.
The S'COOL Project was developed following a similar approach. Now in the
operational phase, we invite
you to participate in the S'COOL Project as it fits in your curriculum.
May 4, 2002: Aqua launch!
CERES instruments 4 and 5 are due to launch on the 2nd EOS satellite, Aqua (formerly known as EOS-PM).
This satellite will pass over at roughly 1:30 pm local time,
providing another scheduling option for our participants.
December 18, 1999: Terra Launch!
The 2nd and 3rd CERES instruments were launched on the Terra spacecraft on December 18, 1999. Terra (formerly known as EOS-AM) is a polar-orbiting spacecraft which will provide global coverage of the Earth. Now in 2000, we will have CERES measurements of all participating S'COOL sites. Terra will pass over daily at roughly 10:30 am local time.
Operational - April 1998 and beyond
Beginning in April 1998, in conjunction with intensive validation efforts of the CERES data, we started the operational phase of the S'COOL project, providing data from school students that CERES scientists use to check their results. Additional CERES instruments will be launched over the next several years. We now accept S'COOL data on an on-going basis (each teacher scheduling their participation as it fits their curriculum) while also announcing occasional Intensive Observing Periods (IOPs) to gather more student observations when they are needed for the new instruments.
Phase 5 - January 1998
In January 1998 the CERES instrument was in orbit but not routinely providing data. This test verified the switch from NOAA/AVHRR to the CERES/TRMM instrument and spacecraft combination. It was actually held the week of Feb. 9-13, 1998. Due to the precession of the TRMM orbit, there were no daytime overpasses in the latter half of January 1998. We have a list of Satellite Images that you can view on-line. There were 62 schools in 21 states and 5 countries signed up for this phase.
Nov. 27, 1997: TRMM Launch!
The first CERES instrument on the Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission (TRMM) finally was launched on Thanksgiving Day, 1997 from the Tanegashima launch site in Japan. Some links to information about the launch and the satellite.
Phase 4 - October 1997
About 30 schools (half in the US; half in Europe) participated in this phase of testing, which was held October 20-24, 1997. See a map of the participants. Satellite images from this phase are also available, to compare with the observations from the student participants on the ground. You can see a table of the school systems in different countries showing what level of students are participating so far.
Phase 3 - July 1997
Plans for an international test over the summer foundered due to delays in making contacts in the Southern Hemisphere; but development of the S'COOL project continued.
Phase 2 - April 1997
A national test of the S'COOL project was held in April 1997. Ten (10) schools in 10 states around the country signed up; nine actually returned observations during the week of April 28 - May 2nd (see map). See a summary of their observations on a sample database report. Participating classes ranged from 3rd graders through high school, and one small school with 1st-12th graders studying together. As a result of its participation, the latter school won a small grant from a local weather station.
Phase 1 - January 1997
The first test of the S'COOL Project was held in January 1997 with one local middle school. The test is reported here and may give you a quick idea what is involved. A later test of the project over large distances was done with a 6th grade class in Montana. Their results also pointed out some interesting features of this project.
S'COOL
What to Observe
Report Form
Glossary