1 00:00:00,000 --> 00:00:18,200 Hi, I'm Tony Perkins, weatherman for ABC's Good Morning America. 2 00:00:18,200 --> 00:00:22,480 Every day I try very hard to give you an accurate, up-to-date forecast. 3 00:00:22,480 --> 00:00:25,440 But weather forecasting is not always easy. 4 00:00:25,440 --> 00:00:29,980 That's why I rely on math, science and technology to determine what the weather will be like 5 00:00:30,460 --> 00:00:33,340 around the nation and in your neighborhood. 6 00:00:33,340 --> 00:00:39,260 So tune into the NASA Y-Files, learn about meteorology and watch the Treehouse Detectives 7 00:00:39,260 --> 00:00:44,260 as they solve the mystery of the case of the phenomenal weather. 8 00:00:59,980 --> 00:01:06,300 On the Y-Files Club, we yearn to learn and want to see everything that we can be. 9 00:01:06,300 --> 00:01:14,620 So come join us on our journey, don't you touch that dial, and welcome to the NASA Y-Files. 10 00:01:19,260 --> 00:01:24,860 In the case of the phenomenal weather, join the Treehouse Detectives as they answer the 11 00:01:24,860 --> 00:01:26,380 following questions. 12 00:01:26,380 --> 00:01:29,420 How do clouds form? 13 00:01:29,420 --> 00:01:32,780 What are the three main types of clouds? 14 00:01:32,780 --> 00:01:34,780 What is air pressure? 15 00:01:34,780 --> 00:01:43,660 And remember, when you see this NASA Y-Files logo, it's a sign that the answer is near. 16 00:01:43,660 --> 00:01:46,620 Okay, done. 17 00:01:46,620 --> 00:01:47,620 What are you building? 18 00:01:47,620 --> 00:01:51,980 Oh, I'm building a roller coaster, so we'll all be prepared for the physics fair. 19 00:01:51,980 --> 00:01:55,060 That's right, the physics fair at Busch Gardens Williamsburg. 20 00:01:55,060 --> 00:01:58,540 Can you believe we get to spend the entire day riding roller coasters and figuring out 21 00:01:58,700 --> 00:02:00,700 the physics behind it? 22 00:02:00,700 --> 00:02:02,700 Here, use this tool. 23 00:02:02,700 --> 00:02:03,700 Thanks. 24 00:02:03,700 --> 00:02:06,460 I just happen to have my encyclopedia with me. 25 00:02:06,460 --> 00:02:08,460 Is he joking? 26 00:02:08,460 --> 00:02:10,780 I don't think so. 27 00:02:10,780 --> 00:02:16,620 Did you know that on the Apollo's chariot, it drops 210 feet on the first hill, and it 28 00:02:16,620 --> 00:02:22,380 reaches top speeds of 73 miles per hour, and you experience 26 seconds of weightlessness. 29 00:02:22,380 --> 00:02:27,540 Wow, that's 26 seconds of feeling like a NASA astronaut. 30 00:02:27,540 --> 00:02:28,540 Are you okay? 31 00:02:28,540 --> 00:02:32,940 Yeah, I just can't wait to go to the physics fair next week. 32 00:02:32,940 --> 00:02:35,260 We're not getting rained out this time, you're wet. 33 00:02:35,260 --> 00:02:37,100 From the Weather Channel, I'm Lisa Moser. 34 00:02:37,100 --> 00:02:42,220 The forecast calls for lots of sunshine, warm temperatures, and no rain, so get out there 35 00:02:42,220 --> 00:02:44,020 and enjoy the nice weather. 36 00:02:44,020 --> 00:02:49,620 However, down south, there is some activity in the tropics, a tropical wave located several 37 00:02:49,620 --> 00:02:54,500 hundred miles off the coast of Africa is moving northwest currently. 38 00:02:54,500 --> 00:03:00,460 This mass of thunderstorms is very unorganized, so further development is not likely at this 39 00:03:00,460 --> 00:03:01,460 time. 40 00:03:01,460 --> 00:03:05,580 Our weather team will closely monitor the progress of this system. 41 00:03:05,580 --> 00:03:08,220 At least she didn't say rain. 42 00:03:08,220 --> 00:03:11,500 I think we need to try and figure out the long-range forecast. 43 00:03:11,500 --> 00:03:14,420 We might get to go to Florida if we win the environmental contest. 44 00:03:14,420 --> 00:03:17,540 But that tropical depression might head to Florida. 45 00:03:17,540 --> 00:03:19,460 Have you heard yet for the winners? 46 00:03:19,460 --> 00:03:21,880 Not yet, but they'll be announcing it soon. 47 00:03:21,880 --> 00:03:22,880 This is looking better. 48 00:03:23,520 --> 00:03:25,920 What are the chances of it raining next week? 49 00:03:25,920 --> 00:03:26,920 Weather isn't always predictable. 50 00:03:26,920 --> 00:03:30,160 There are so many different things that could change a forecast. 51 00:03:30,160 --> 00:03:31,920 I think we need to play it safe. 52 00:03:31,920 --> 00:03:32,920 Let's organize what we know. 53 00:03:32,920 --> 00:03:34,920 Let's go to the problem board. 54 00:03:37,920 --> 00:03:38,920 What do we know? 55 00:03:38,920 --> 00:03:39,920 We know the problem. 56 00:03:39,920 --> 00:03:43,920 A tropical wave is now located hundreds of miles off the coast of Africa. 57 00:03:43,920 --> 00:03:45,680 I heard that on our weather report. 58 00:03:45,680 --> 00:03:48,920 And we also know that the tropical wave is not a threat to us. 59 00:03:48,920 --> 00:03:49,920 I'll look outside. 60 00:03:49,960 --> 00:03:50,960 No clouds in the sky. 61 00:03:50,960 --> 00:03:52,960 That's a good sign. 62 00:03:52,960 --> 00:03:55,960 Sometimes there are a lot of clouds, but it doesn't rain. 63 00:03:55,960 --> 00:03:56,960 That's true. 64 00:03:56,960 --> 00:03:58,960 I never thought of that. 65 00:03:58,960 --> 00:04:00,960 Maybe we need to know more about clouds. 66 00:04:00,960 --> 00:04:02,960 I'm looking at the NASA Langley website. 67 00:04:02,960 --> 00:04:04,960 There's a program listed called School. 68 00:04:04,960 --> 00:04:06,960 My school participates in that program. 69 00:04:06,960 --> 00:04:07,960 And it's really cool. 70 00:04:07,960 --> 00:04:10,960 We make weather observations and describe the types of clouds. 71 00:04:10,960 --> 00:04:12,960 Well, what are we sitting around for? 72 00:04:12,960 --> 00:04:15,960 Let's print off a get-up-and-go sheet from the NASA Wildflowers website. 73 00:04:16,000 --> 00:04:18,000 We're supposed to meet Dr. Lynn Chambers. 74 00:04:18,000 --> 00:04:20,000 There she is. 75 00:04:20,000 --> 00:04:21,000 Hello, Dr. Chambers. 76 00:04:21,000 --> 00:04:22,000 Treehouse detectives? 77 00:04:22,000 --> 00:04:24,000 I've been expecting you. 78 00:04:24,000 --> 00:04:25,000 Thanks for seeing us. 79 00:04:25,000 --> 00:04:28,000 Well, we wanted to learn more about clouds and what they mean. 80 00:04:28,000 --> 00:04:30,000 Do you know how a cloud is formed? 81 00:04:30,000 --> 00:04:31,000 Not really. 82 00:04:31,000 --> 00:04:34,000 I always thought it was when the sun sucks up a lot of water. 83 00:04:34,000 --> 00:04:36,000 Then the clouds are formed. 84 00:04:36,000 --> 00:04:37,000 Good guess. 85 00:04:37,000 --> 00:04:40,000 But maybe I can explain it to you a little better if I make a cloud for you. 86 00:04:40,000 --> 00:04:42,000 You can make a cloud? 87 00:04:42,040 --> 00:04:44,040 Do we get to go up in an airplane? 88 00:04:44,040 --> 00:04:45,040 No. 89 00:04:45,040 --> 00:04:46,040 We can do it right here. 90 00:04:46,040 --> 00:04:48,040 First, we'll fill this jar with water. 91 00:04:48,040 --> 00:04:50,040 We need about 2 centimeters of water. 92 00:04:50,040 --> 00:04:54,040 Did you know that 2.5 centimeters is equal to 1 inch? 93 00:04:54,040 --> 00:04:58,040 Then we place some ice cubes in this metal tray and place it on top of the jar. 94 00:04:58,040 --> 00:05:03,040 The air inside the jar will cool and the water vapor in the air will condense. 95 00:05:03,040 --> 00:05:05,040 What does condensed mean? 96 00:05:05,040 --> 00:05:07,040 Have you ever been outside on a really cold day? 97 00:05:07,040 --> 00:05:08,040 No. 98 00:05:08,080 --> 00:05:10,080 What happens when you breathe? 99 00:05:10,080 --> 00:05:12,080 My breath looks like smoke. 100 00:05:12,080 --> 00:05:13,080 That's condensation. 101 00:05:13,080 --> 00:05:16,080 Your breath contains water vapor just like the air does. 102 00:05:16,080 --> 00:05:17,080 Oh, that reminds me. 103 00:05:17,080 --> 00:05:19,080 We forgot to add particles. 104 00:05:19,080 --> 00:05:20,080 Do you see a cloud yet? 105 00:05:20,080 --> 00:05:22,080 I see water drops forming. 106 00:05:22,080 --> 00:05:25,080 The water condensation on the jar is not a cloud. 107 00:05:25,080 --> 00:05:28,080 We need to add something for the water to condense on. 108 00:05:28,080 --> 00:05:29,080 Any ideas? 109 00:05:29,080 --> 00:05:32,080 Um, how about some dust from my room? 110 00:05:32,080 --> 00:05:34,080 Or how about chalk dust? 111 00:05:34,120 --> 00:05:36,120 How about some dust from my room? 112 00:05:36,120 --> 00:05:38,120 Or how about chalk dust? 113 00:05:38,120 --> 00:05:39,120 It might work. 114 00:05:39,120 --> 00:05:41,120 We could use a number of things. 115 00:05:41,120 --> 00:05:47,120 In the real world, it would be sea salt, dust, volcanic aerosols, or man-made pollution. 116 00:05:47,120 --> 00:05:50,120 Since we don't have any of those here, I'm going to use a match. 117 00:05:50,120 --> 00:05:52,120 This is the part where you need an adult. 118 00:05:52,120 --> 00:05:54,120 So what will happen? 119 00:05:54,120 --> 00:05:56,120 Let's give it a try. 120 00:06:04,120 --> 00:06:06,120 I can see a cloud forming. 121 00:06:06,120 --> 00:06:09,120 How do we know that's just not the smoke from the match? 122 00:06:09,120 --> 00:06:14,120 We can shut off the condensation and make the cloud disappear by simply taking the ice away. 123 00:06:14,120 --> 00:06:15,120 Do you want to try it? 124 00:06:15,120 --> 00:06:16,120 Sure. 125 00:06:20,120 --> 00:06:21,120 It vanished. 126 00:06:21,120 --> 00:06:23,120 The cloud we made looked very wispy. 127 00:06:23,120 --> 00:06:26,120 But in the sky, we see all different kinds of clouds. 128 00:06:26,120 --> 00:06:27,120 Are there different types? 129 00:06:27,120 --> 00:06:29,120 Yes, there are three main cloud types. 130 00:06:29,120 --> 00:06:32,120 Cirrus, cumulus, and stratus. 131 00:06:32,160 --> 00:06:36,160 Cirrus clouds are high clouds that form above 6,000 meters. 132 00:06:36,160 --> 00:06:39,160 What are those round, puffy clouds that look like cotton candy? 133 00:06:39,160 --> 00:06:41,160 Those are cumulus clouds. 134 00:06:41,160 --> 00:06:43,160 They're found at different heights. 135 00:06:43,160 --> 00:06:45,160 They're often seen on dry, sunny days. 136 00:06:45,160 --> 00:06:47,160 What do you call those little clouds that cover the sky? 137 00:06:47,160 --> 00:06:49,160 Those are stratus clouds. 138 00:06:49,160 --> 00:06:52,160 Their base is usually found at low levels below 500 meters, 139 00:06:52,160 --> 00:06:54,160 and they form a layer or sheet across the sky. 140 00:06:54,160 --> 00:06:57,160 Do different types of clouds indicate different types of weather? 141 00:06:57,160 --> 00:06:59,160 Some clouds do indicate different types of weather. 142 00:06:59,200 --> 00:07:01,200 Some clouds do indicate different types of weather. 143 00:07:01,200 --> 00:07:04,200 One of our treehouse detectives' class belongs to your cloud club? 144 00:07:04,200 --> 00:07:08,200 Yeah, it's called School for Students' Cloud Observations Online. 145 00:07:08,200 --> 00:07:12,200 We have 1,000 schools around the world where students observe clouds. 146 00:07:12,200 --> 00:07:14,200 They send their data to a NASA computer, 147 00:07:14,200 --> 00:07:19,200 and their observations are compared to those from Sirius instruments flown on satellites. 148 00:07:19,200 --> 00:07:22,200 So kids actually help NASA? 149 00:07:22,200 --> 00:07:25,200 Yes, we use the students' data to help us identify clouds 150 00:07:25,200 --> 00:07:27,200 that the satellite has trouble seeing. 151 00:07:27,240 --> 00:07:29,240 That is way too cool. 152 00:07:29,240 --> 00:07:31,240 Just think, kids are actually helping NASA. 153 00:07:31,240 --> 00:07:33,240 Thanks, Dr. Chambers. 154 00:07:35,240 --> 00:07:38,240 Wow, we learned a lot from Dr. Chambers. 155 00:07:38,240 --> 00:07:40,240 I wrote this for my trip. 156 00:07:40,240 --> 00:07:43,240 Don't forget to add water vapor and condensation. 157 00:07:43,240 --> 00:07:46,240 I know that's a clue, because it's how rain is made. 158 00:07:46,240 --> 00:07:48,240 Hi, where's Dr. D? Is he here today? 159 00:07:48,240 --> 00:07:50,240 We haven't seen him yet. 160 00:07:50,240 --> 00:07:52,240 Hi guys, I'm here. 161 00:07:52,240 --> 00:07:54,240 You have that look like you're working on something. 162 00:07:54,280 --> 00:07:57,280 We're concerned about missing our physics fair because of the storm. 163 00:07:57,280 --> 00:08:00,280 We don't want to miss riding those roller coasters. 164 00:08:00,280 --> 00:08:03,280 Can you give us some clues on how to understand the weather? 165 00:08:03,280 --> 00:08:06,280 Sure. Something you definitely need to understand is energy. 166 00:08:06,280 --> 00:08:10,280 There's an electric motor that provides the energy to raise a roller coaster car 167 00:08:10,280 --> 00:08:13,280 to the top of the first hill, and then gravity takes over. 168 00:08:13,280 --> 00:08:16,280 What energy source makes the weather happen? 169 00:08:16,280 --> 00:08:18,280 Do you mean what makes the winds blow? 170 00:08:18,280 --> 00:08:23,280 Or what raises the rain into the clouds, just like the roller coaster was lifted? 171 00:08:23,320 --> 00:08:24,320 Exactly. 172 00:08:24,320 --> 00:08:25,320 I don't know. 173 00:08:25,320 --> 00:08:29,320 I think you do. It's the same energy source that makes the plants grow. 174 00:08:29,320 --> 00:08:31,320 Oh, the sun. I knew that. 175 00:08:31,320 --> 00:08:34,320 When the sun heats the earth, some areas become hotter than others. 176 00:08:34,320 --> 00:08:37,320 It's this uneven heating that produces the winds. 177 00:08:37,320 --> 00:08:39,320 Wind? It can make wind? 178 00:08:39,320 --> 00:08:43,320 Air always moves from a region of higher pressure to a region of lower pressure. 179 00:08:43,320 --> 00:08:47,320 Wait, Dr. D, we haven't learned about pressure yet. What's that? 180 00:08:47,320 --> 00:08:49,320 I guess I better slow down a little bit. 181 00:08:49,320 --> 00:08:52,320 Air is made up of molecules like oxygen and nitrogen. 182 00:08:52,360 --> 00:08:56,360 They're constantly in motion, traveling in straight lines until they bounce off of something. 183 00:08:56,360 --> 00:08:59,360 So you mean right now we're being bombarded with molecules? 184 00:08:59,360 --> 00:09:00,360 That's right. 185 00:09:03,360 --> 00:09:06,360 Molecules bounce off of something, and they apply a force to that object. 186 00:09:06,360 --> 00:09:09,360 This force creates what we call air pressure. 187 00:09:09,360 --> 00:09:10,360 Let me show you an example. 188 00:09:10,360 --> 00:09:13,360 These hemispheres have molecules bouncing off the outside. 189 00:09:13,360 --> 00:09:15,360 I've taken most of the air out of the middle, 190 00:09:15,360 --> 00:09:17,360 so there are very few molecules on the inside pushing out. 191 00:09:17,360 --> 00:09:19,360 Here, try to pull it apart. 192 00:09:19,400 --> 00:09:22,400 Wow, this is really hard. 193 00:09:22,400 --> 00:09:25,400 That force you talked about is very real. 194 00:09:25,400 --> 00:09:28,400 Now, if I let the air back into the middle, 195 00:09:28,400 --> 00:09:31,400 we'll have molecules both pushing out and pushing in. 196 00:09:31,400 --> 00:09:34,400 The pressure on the outside is the same as the pressure on the inside. 197 00:09:34,400 --> 00:09:36,400 It shouldn't be a problem. 198 00:09:36,400 --> 00:09:38,400 It's much easier now. 199 00:09:38,400 --> 00:09:40,400 Let's try something else. 200 00:09:40,400 --> 00:09:42,400 Put on your goggles and safety glasses. 201 00:09:42,440 --> 00:09:45,440 I'm going to heat the air inside this can. 202 00:09:45,440 --> 00:09:47,440 There's a little bit of water in it. 203 00:09:47,440 --> 00:09:51,440 I'm going to turn the can upside down into the pan of water, 204 00:09:51,440 --> 00:09:54,440 and the pressure in the can is going to drop very, very quickly, 205 00:09:54,440 --> 00:09:58,440 and the higher pressure air on the outside is going to crush the can. 206 00:10:01,440 --> 00:10:03,440 Watch this. 207 00:10:04,440 --> 00:10:06,440 That's amazing! 208 00:10:08,440 --> 00:10:10,440 Now, when I blow up this thing, 209 00:10:10,480 --> 00:10:12,480 now, when I blow up this balloon, 210 00:10:12,480 --> 00:10:14,480 I'll be increasing the density of the air inside. 211 00:10:14,480 --> 00:10:17,480 That means the molecules will be more tightly packed. 212 00:10:17,480 --> 00:10:19,480 This makes the pressure on the inside 213 00:10:19,480 --> 00:10:21,480 greater than the pressure on the outside. 214 00:10:28,480 --> 00:10:30,480 I knew that was going to happen. 215 00:10:30,480 --> 00:10:32,480 So that's what you meant when you said 216 00:10:32,480 --> 00:10:35,480 the air went from a region of higher pressure, like the balloon, 217 00:10:35,480 --> 00:10:37,480 to a region of lower pressure, like this room. 218 00:10:37,480 --> 00:10:39,480 Very good. 219 00:10:39,520 --> 00:10:41,520 Now, suppose you're at the beach in the summer. 220 00:10:41,520 --> 00:10:43,520 The sand is hot, and it warms the air above it. 221 00:10:43,520 --> 00:10:45,520 The warmer air has a lower pressure than cooler air, 222 00:10:45,520 --> 00:10:47,520 because it's less dense. 223 00:10:47,520 --> 00:10:49,520 Now, the air above the ocean is cooler, 224 00:10:49,520 --> 00:10:52,520 therefore it has a higher pressure than air above the sand. 225 00:10:52,520 --> 00:10:54,520 What happens? 226 00:10:54,520 --> 00:10:56,520 Well, I would think, just like the balloon, 227 00:10:56,520 --> 00:10:58,520 that the wind would blow from the higher pressure air 228 00:10:58,520 --> 00:11:00,520 across the ocean toward the lower pressure air on the beach. 229 00:11:00,520 --> 00:11:02,520 Very good. That's what's called a sea breeze. 230 00:11:02,520 --> 00:11:04,520 Here's an update from the Weather Channel. 231 00:11:04,520 --> 00:11:06,520 Hey, look, there's an update from the Weather Channel. 232 00:11:06,520 --> 00:11:08,520 ...that we reported earlier has slightly strengthened 233 00:11:08,560 --> 00:11:10,560 and become more organized, 234 00:11:10,560 --> 00:11:12,560 with maximum sustained wind now at 30 mph. 235 00:11:12,560 --> 00:11:14,560 This system has been upgraded 236 00:11:14,560 --> 00:11:16,560 to a tropical depression. 237 00:11:16,560 --> 00:11:18,560 It is currently located 238 00:11:18,560 --> 00:11:20,560 at 15 degrees north 239 00:11:20,560 --> 00:11:22,560 and 40 degrees west, 240 00:11:22,560 --> 00:11:24,560 and it is moving northwest 241 00:11:24,560 --> 00:11:26,560 at 20 mph. 242 00:11:26,560 --> 00:11:28,560 Here's a globe. 243 00:11:28,560 --> 00:11:30,560 Look, here are the Antilles Islands. 244 00:11:30,560 --> 00:11:32,560 I think we should start tracking the storm. 245 00:11:32,560 --> 00:11:34,560 Don't you? 246 00:11:34,560 --> 00:11:36,560 Oh, I don't think so. It's far away. 247 00:11:36,600 --> 00:11:38,600 Yes, we do. 248 00:11:38,600 --> 00:11:40,600 The storm has turned into a tropical depression. 249 00:11:40,600 --> 00:11:42,600 I don't want to miss the physics fair 250 00:11:42,600 --> 00:11:44,600 or our trip to Florida. 251 00:11:44,600 --> 00:11:46,600 Okay, where do we go from here? 252 00:11:46,600 --> 00:11:48,600 Why don't you visit my friend, Dr. Lyons? 253 00:11:48,600 --> 00:11:50,600 He's a meteorologist at the Weather Channel. 254 00:11:50,600 --> 00:11:52,600 Dr. Lyons, I've seen him on TV before. 255 00:11:52,600 --> 00:11:54,600 He's a hurricane expert. 256 00:11:54,600 --> 00:11:56,600 We interrupt this broadcast 257 00:11:56,600 --> 00:11:58,600 to bring you this breaking news. 258 00:11:58,600 --> 00:12:00,600 We go now to the EPA Beach Cleanup Awards 259 00:12:00,600 --> 00:12:02,600 and our reporter, I Am Listening. 260 00:12:02,600 --> 00:12:04,600 Ted, we're about to hear 261 00:12:04,640 --> 00:12:06,640 the winners of the Beach Cleanup Contest. 262 00:12:06,640 --> 00:12:08,640 Let's listen in. 263 00:12:12,640 --> 00:12:14,640 Um, we'll be back 264 00:12:14,640 --> 00:12:16,640 with the announcement right after this. 265 00:12:16,640 --> 00:12:18,640 So what's up? 266 00:12:18,640 --> 00:12:20,640 Will the tropical depression become a hurricane? 267 00:12:20,640 --> 00:12:22,640 Will the clouds help the detectives 268 00:12:22,640 --> 00:12:24,640 predict next week's weather? 269 00:12:24,640 --> 00:12:26,640 Is water vapor and condensation a clue? 270 00:12:26,640 --> 00:12:28,640 Stay tuned for the next episode 271 00:12:28,640 --> 00:12:30,640 of The Case of the Phenomenal Weather. 272 00:12:34,640 --> 00:12:36,640 It's getting stormy in a treehouse. 273 00:12:36,640 --> 00:12:38,640 Stick around 274 00:12:38,640 --> 00:12:40,640 and help the treehouse detectives 275 00:12:40,640 --> 00:12:42,640 answer the following questions. 276 00:12:42,640 --> 00:12:44,640 Where is the eye 277 00:12:44,640 --> 00:12:46,640 of the hurricane located? 278 00:12:46,640 --> 00:12:48,640 What is the Coriolis effect? 279 00:12:48,640 --> 00:12:50,640 How does LIDAR 280 00:12:50,640 --> 00:12:52,640 tell the amount of water vapor 281 00:12:52,640 --> 00:12:54,640 in the air? 282 00:12:54,640 --> 00:12:56,640 Ladies and gentlemen, 283 00:12:56,640 --> 00:12:58,640 we've just received word 284 00:12:58,640 --> 00:13:00,640 that the award is about to be, 285 00:13:00,640 --> 00:13:02,640 um, awarded. 286 00:13:02,680 --> 00:13:04,680 We're sending you back live 287 00:13:04,680 --> 00:13:06,680 to the EPA Beach Cleanup Awards. 288 00:13:06,680 --> 00:13:08,680 And now, 289 00:13:08,680 --> 00:13:10,680 the award 290 00:13:10,680 --> 00:13:12,680 for 291 00:13:12,680 --> 00:13:14,680 the Best Beach Cleanup 292 00:13:14,680 --> 00:13:16,680 with 293 00:13:16,680 --> 00:13:18,680 a record 294 00:13:18,680 --> 00:13:20,680 16 tons 295 00:13:20,680 --> 00:13:22,680 of trash. 296 00:13:22,680 --> 00:13:24,680 The 297 00:13:24,680 --> 00:13:26,680 Treehouse 298 00:13:26,680 --> 00:13:28,680 Detectives. 299 00:13:28,680 --> 00:13:30,680 There you have it, Ted. 300 00:13:30,720 --> 00:13:32,720 There you have it, Ted. 301 00:13:32,720 --> 00:13:34,720 Our own treehouse detectives 302 00:13:34,720 --> 00:13:36,720 are going to SeaWorld. 303 00:13:36,720 --> 00:13:38,720 Great job, kids. 304 00:13:38,720 --> 00:13:40,720 I can't believe we won. 305 00:13:40,720 --> 00:13:42,720 And get to go to SeaWorld in sunny Florida. 306 00:13:42,720 --> 00:13:44,720 Now I'm really worried 307 00:13:44,720 --> 00:13:46,720 about the tropical depression. 308 00:13:46,720 --> 00:13:48,720 My grandparents live in Florida and they get a lot of hurricanes. 309 00:13:48,720 --> 00:13:50,720 That's not good. 310 00:13:50,720 --> 00:13:52,720 I don't want to miss out on the physics fair 311 00:13:52,720 --> 00:13:54,720 or the SeaWorld trip. 312 00:13:54,720 --> 00:13:56,720 We better do a lot more research on weather. 313 00:13:56,720 --> 00:13:58,720 Yeah, especially hurricanes. 314 00:13:58,760 --> 00:14:00,760 Over the past six hours, 315 00:14:00,760 --> 00:14:02,760 the tropical depression has become 316 00:14:02,760 --> 00:14:04,760 considerably better organized 317 00:14:04,760 --> 00:14:06,760 and has strengthened into a tropical storm, 318 00:14:06,760 --> 00:14:08,760 Ichabod. 319 00:14:08,760 --> 00:14:10,760 The center of the storm is located near 320 00:14:10,760 --> 00:14:12,760 a latitude of 13.3 north 321 00:14:12,760 --> 00:14:14,760 and a longitude of 322 00:14:14,760 --> 00:14:16,760 38.5 west. 323 00:14:16,760 --> 00:14:18,760 Now Ichabod is moving toward the northwest 324 00:14:18,760 --> 00:14:20,760 at 20 miles per hour. 325 00:14:20,760 --> 00:14:22,760 It has maximum sustained wind 326 00:14:22,760 --> 00:14:24,760 at 45 miles per hour. 327 00:14:24,760 --> 00:14:26,760 Now some strengthening is expected 328 00:14:26,800 --> 00:14:28,800 for the next 24 hours 329 00:14:28,800 --> 00:14:30,800 and Ichabod could become a hurricane 330 00:14:30,800 --> 00:14:32,800 in a day or two. 331 00:14:32,800 --> 00:14:34,800 We will continue to closely watch this storm 332 00:14:34,800 --> 00:14:36,800 from the Weather Channel. 333 00:14:36,800 --> 00:14:38,800 I'm meteorologist Lisa Moser. 334 00:14:38,800 --> 00:14:40,800 What? Did she say hurricane? 335 00:14:40,800 --> 00:14:42,800 We're over here. 336 00:14:42,800 --> 00:14:44,800 We had better start plotting the track 337 00:14:44,800 --> 00:14:46,800 of tropical storm Ichabod. 338 00:14:46,800 --> 00:14:48,800 This is getting serious. 339 00:14:48,800 --> 00:14:50,800 Let's look at the map. 340 00:14:50,800 --> 00:14:52,800 Remember, latitude lines run from east to west 341 00:14:52,800 --> 00:14:54,800 and are divided at the equator into north and south. 342 00:14:54,840 --> 00:14:56,840 13.4 degrees north. 343 00:14:56,840 --> 00:14:58,840 That's above the equator. 344 00:14:58,840 --> 00:15:00,840 And longitude lines run from north to south 345 00:15:00,840 --> 00:15:02,840 and are divided by the promeridian into east and west. 346 00:15:02,840 --> 00:15:04,840 38.5 degrees 347 00:15:04,840 --> 00:15:06,840 west 348 00:15:06,840 --> 00:15:08,840 is... 349 00:15:08,840 --> 00:15:10,840 right there. 350 00:15:10,840 --> 00:15:12,840 The storm is located where the two lines intersect. 351 00:15:12,840 --> 00:15:14,840 But Sea World is located in Orlando, Florida. 352 00:15:14,840 --> 00:15:16,840 Do you really think we need to worry about that? 353 00:15:16,840 --> 00:15:18,840 Yes, I do, but I've got to go. 354 00:15:18,840 --> 00:15:20,840 Later. 355 00:15:20,840 --> 00:15:22,840 The variables in our problem are changing 356 00:15:22,880 --> 00:15:24,880 and it could become a hurricane. 357 00:15:24,880 --> 00:15:26,880 One variable that's changing is the storm's wind speeds. 358 00:15:26,880 --> 00:15:28,880 I wonder what makes the wind speeds change. 359 00:15:28,880 --> 00:15:30,880 It can be the sun 360 00:15:30,880 --> 00:15:32,880 because storms have a lot of clouds 361 00:15:32,880 --> 00:15:34,880 and rain. 362 00:15:34,880 --> 00:15:36,880 I don't know. 363 00:15:36,880 --> 00:15:38,880 Remember what Dr. D said about air pressure 364 00:15:38,880 --> 00:15:40,880 and how wind is created? 365 00:15:40,880 --> 00:15:42,880 I think we need to learn more about hurricanes. 366 00:15:42,880 --> 00:15:44,880 We saw in the weather update 367 00:15:44,880 --> 00:15:46,880 that the storm in the Atlantic Ocean 368 00:15:46,880 --> 00:15:48,880 is now tropical depression. 369 00:15:48,880 --> 00:15:50,880 We're afraid that it's going to affect 370 00:15:50,920 --> 00:15:52,920 the Atlantic Ocean and the Tampa, 371 00:15:52,920 --> 00:15:54,920 so we need to know how does a storm grow 372 00:15:54,920 --> 00:15:56,920 and become a hurricane? 373 00:15:56,920 --> 00:15:58,920 First you need to know a little bit about 374 00:15:58,920 --> 00:16:00,920 pressure systems and how they form on Earth. 375 00:16:00,920 --> 00:16:02,920 We learned about air pressure from Dr. D. 376 00:16:02,920 --> 00:16:04,920 Is this the same thing? 377 00:16:04,920 --> 00:16:06,920 There are two types of air pressure systems, 378 00:16:06,920 --> 00:16:08,920 high and low. 379 00:16:08,920 --> 00:16:10,920 The uneven distribution of the Earth's surface 380 00:16:10,920 --> 00:16:12,920 causes them to form. 381 00:16:12,920 --> 00:16:14,920 So you mean that's why it's hotter at the equator 382 00:16:14,920 --> 00:16:16,920 than at the north and south poles? 383 00:16:16,920 --> 00:16:18,920 Exactly. 384 00:16:18,960 --> 00:16:20,960 These local temperature variations 385 00:16:20,960 --> 00:16:22,960 cause air to rise in some areas 386 00:16:22,960 --> 00:16:24,960 and to sink in other areas. 387 00:16:24,960 --> 00:16:26,960 This rising and sinking motion 388 00:16:26,960 --> 00:16:28,960 causes high and low pressure areas in the atmosphere. 389 00:16:28,960 --> 00:16:30,960 What do high and low pressure systems 390 00:16:30,960 --> 00:16:32,960 have to do with the tropical storm? 391 00:16:32,960 --> 00:16:34,960 We have regions in the tropics 392 00:16:34,960 --> 00:16:36,960 that are warmer and cooler than other regions. 393 00:16:36,960 --> 00:16:38,960 Low pressure forms in the warm regions 394 00:16:38,960 --> 00:16:40,960 and once they form they move from east to west. 395 00:16:40,960 --> 00:16:42,960 I remember we learned 396 00:16:42,960 --> 00:16:44,960 in the case of the mysterious red light 397 00:16:44,960 --> 00:16:46,960 that winds in the tropics are called trade winds. 398 00:16:47,000 --> 00:16:49,000 Trade winds? 399 00:16:49,000 --> 00:16:51,000 These winds move from the east to the west. 400 00:16:51,000 --> 00:16:53,000 Is that why they move in a westerly direction? 401 00:16:53,000 --> 00:16:55,000 Yes, and as low pressure areas 402 00:16:55,000 --> 00:16:57,000 move over the warm tropical oceans 403 00:16:57,000 --> 00:16:59,000 they gather heat and moisture from the ocean 404 00:16:59,000 --> 00:17:01,000 and cause thunderstorms. 405 00:17:01,000 --> 00:17:03,000 The rain and the thunderstorms 406 00:17:03,000 --> 00:17:05,000 warms the atmospheric air column 407 00:17:05,000 --> 00:17:07,000 that causes the surface pressure to lower 408 00:17:07,000 --> 00:17:09,000 thus strengthening the low pressure area. 409 00:17:09,000 --> 00:17:11,000 So as the warm air rises 410 00:17:11,000 --> 00:17:13,000 the pressure in the system gets cooler? 411 00:17:13,000 --> 00:17:15,000 Something like that. 412 00:17:15,040 --> 00:17:17,040 We take away air from the low pressure areas 413 00:17:17,040 --> 00:17:19,040 and deposit them in the high pressure areas 414 00:17:19,040 --> 00:17:21,040 and we end up with 415 00:17:21,040 --> 00:17:23,040 very small but intense low pressure areas 416 00:17:23,040 --> 00:17:25,040 and very weak but large 417 00:17:25,040 --> 00:17:27,040 high pressure areas. 418 00:17:27,040 --> 00:17:29,040 And what's the third way? 419 00:17:29,040 --> 00:17:31,040 That happens when a hurricane forms an eye. 420 00:17:31,040 --> 00:17:33,040 An eye? I know he doesn't mean a real eye. 421 00:17:33,040 --> 00:17:35,040 No. 422 00:17:35,040 --> 00:17:37,040 No, it's the 423 00:17:37,040 --> 00:17:39,040 center of the hurricane 424 00:17:39,040 --> 00:17:41,040 where there is no cloud. 425 00:17:41,040 --> 00:17:43,040 Air is sinking near the center of the hurricane 426 00:17:43,080 --> 00:17:45,080 and it warms up dramatically. 427 00:17:45,080 --> 00:17:47,080 That warming causes the hurricane to intensify 428 00:17:47,080 --> 00:17:49,080 rather dramatically. 429 00:17:49,080 --> 00:17:51,080 Dr. V told us that wind is formed 430 00:17:51,080 --> 00:17:53,080 when air moves from an area of high pressure 431 00:17:53,080 --> 00:17:55,080 to an area of low pressure. 432 00:17:55,080 --> 00:17:57,080 Do the winds of a hurricane increase as the pressure drops? 433 00:17:57,080 --> 00:17:59,080 Yes, and the winds typically increase 434 00:17:59,080 --> 00:18:01,080 as you move toward the eye or the center of the hurricane. 435 00:18:01,080 --> 00:18:03,080 In strong hurricanes 436 00:18:03,080 --> 00:18:05,080 the winds can vary rather dramatically. 437 00:18:05,080 --> 00:18:07,080 About 20 mph on the outskirts of the hurricane 438 00:18:07,080 --> 00:18:09,080 to more than 150 mph 439 00:18:09,080 --> 00:18:11,080 near the center 440 00:18:11,120 --> 00:18:13,120 of the eye wall of a hurricane. 441 00:18:13,120 --> 00:18:15,120 Is the wind the fastest in the eye? 442 00:18:15,120 --> 00:18:17,120 Actually, that's a common misconception. 443 00:18:17,120 --> 00:18:19,120 It isn't. 444 00:18:19,120 --> 00:18:21,120 The winds are strongest just outside the eye 445 00:18:21,120 --> 00:18:23,120 and decrease rather dramatically 446 00:18:23,120 --> 00:18:25,120 toward the circulation center 447 00:18:25,120 --> 00:18:27,120 where they're oftentimes light and variable. 448 00:18:27,120 --> 00:18:29,120 Sounds like a place to be in a hurricane. 449 00:18:29,120 --> 00:18:31,120 Is there a particular time of year hurricanes are more likely to form? 450 00:18:31,120 --> 00:18:33,120 That's a great question. 451 00:18:33,120 --> 00:18:35,120 And in the northern hemisphere 452 00:18:35,120 --> 00:18:37,120 it's June through November 453 00:18:37,120 --> 00:18:39,120 when the sea surface temperatures are warmest 454 00:18:39,160 --> 00:18:41,160 to hottest. 455 00:18:41,160 --> 00:18:43,160 It's ideal for hurricane formation. 456 00:18:43,160 --> 00:18:45,160 You've given us a lot to think about. 457 00:18:45,160 --> 00:18:47,160 You're welcome. I'm glad I could help. 458 00:18:47,160 --> 00:18:49,160 Be sure to watch the Weather Channel 459 00:18:49,160 --> 00:18:51,160 for all the tropical storm and hurricane advisories and updates. 460 00:18:51,160 --> 00:18:53,160 You also might want to visit the NASA 461 00:18:53,160 --> 00:18:55,160 Y-Files website's research rack 462 00:18:55,160 --> 00:18:57,160 and check out the link to the Weather Channel. 463 00:18:57,160 --> 00:18:59,160 We will. Thanks. 464 00:18:59,160 --> 00:19:01,160 Goodbye. 465 00:19:03,160 --> 00:19:05,160 Dr. D said he was going to meet us 466 00:19:05,160 --> 00:19:07,160 here at MOSI. 467 00:19:07,200 --> 00:19:09,200 Look. There he is. 468 00:19:09,200 --> 00:19:11,200 Riding a bicycle in a tightrope. 469 00:19:11,200 --> 00:19:13,200 How is he doing that? 470 00:19:13,200 --> 00:19:15,200 Hey, Dr. D. 471 00:19:15,200 --> 00:19:17,200 How do you keep from falling? 472 00:19:17,200 --> 00:19:19,200 The laws of physics make it impossible 473 00:19:19,200 --> 00:19:21,200 for me to fall. 474 00:19:21,200 --> 00:19:23,200 The huge counterweight below makes all the difference. 475 00:19:23,200 --> 00:19:25,200 Are you sure you can trust those laws 476 00:19:25,200 --> 00:19:27,200 all the time? 477 00:19:27,200 --> 00:19:29,200 Don't worry about me. 478 00:19:29,200 --> 00:19:31,200 I'll meet you in the hurricane room as soon as I get off the bicycle. 479 00:19:37,200 --> 00:19:39,200 I've never been in a hurricane before. 480 00:19:39,200 --> 00:19:41,200 Are you sure this is safe? 481 00:19:41,200 --> 00:19:43,200 Of course it's safe. 482 00:19:43,200 --> 00:19:45,200 In here, we'll feel one of the most tremendous 483 00:19:45,200 --> 00:19:47,200 forces of nature. 484 00:19:47,200 --> 00:19:49,200 It will only be a minimal hurricane, 485 00:19:49,200 --> 00:19:51,200 but at 74 miles per hour, 486 00:19:51,200 --> 00:19:53,200 it'll still be quite an experience. 487 00:19:53,200 --> 00:19:55,200 Here we go. 488 00:20:07,200 --> 00:20:09,200 Wow. 489 00:20:09,200 --> 00:20:11,200 That was really amazing. 490 00:20:11,200 --> 00:20:13,200 Are you sure that was just a minimal hurricane? 491 00:20:13,200 --> 00:20:15,200 You bet. 492 00:20:15,200 --> 00:20:17,200 Now, it's estimated that a really major hurricane 493 00:20:17,200 --> 00:20:19,200 with 148 mile-an-hour winds 494 00:20:19,200 --> 00:20:21,200 or twice what you just experienced 495 00:20:21,200 --> 00:20:23,200 can produce 250 times 496 00:20:23,200 --> 00:20:25,200 the property damage of a minimal hurricane. 497 00:20:25,200 --> 00:20:27,200 Wow. That's a lot of energy. 498 00:20:27,200 --> 00:20:29,200 Dr. Lyons told us 499 00:20:29,200 --> 00:20:31,200 the sun evaporates water 500 00:20:31,200 --> 00:20:33,200 and provides energy for the hurricane. 501 00:20:33,200 --> 00:20:35,200 Yes, and the energy is given to the hurricane 502 00:20:35,240 --> 00:20:37,240 when the evaporated water condenses into raindrops. 503 00:20:37,240 --> 00:20:39,240 It turns out 504 00:20:39,240 --> 00:20:41,240 if you condense just one liter of water, 505 00:20:41,240 --> 00:20:43,240 it will give up enough energy 506 00:20:43,240 --> 00:20:45,240 to power a 60-watt light bulb 507 00:20:45,240 --> 00:20:47,240 for 11 hours. 508 00:20:47,240 --> 00:20:49,240 But an average hurricane will condense 509 00:20:49,240 --> 00:20:51,240 20 trillion liters of water in a day. 510 00:20:51,240 --> 00:20:53,240 That's a 20 followed by 12 zeros. 511 00:20:53,240 --> 00:20:55,240 Wow. 512 00:20:55,240 --> 00:20:57,240 That's way too big a number for me to comprehend. 513 00:20:57,240 --> 00:20:59,240 That's as much energy 514 00:20:59,240 --> 00:21:01,240 as all the world's electrical generating plants 515 00:21:01,240 --> 00:21:03,240 produce in 200 days. 516 00:21:03,280 --> 00:21:05,280 Wow. Now I'm really impressed. 517 00:21:05,280 --> 00:21:07,280 Hurricanes have a lot of energy. 518 00:21:07,280 --> 00:21:09,280 Let me show you something else about hurricanes. 519 00:21:09,280 --> 00:21:11,280 It's pretty interesting. 520 00:21:11,280 --> 00:21:13,280 It turns out that hurricanes in the northern hemisphere 521 00:21:13,280 --> 00:21:15,280 all have a counterclockwise rotation. 522 00:21:15,280 --> 00:21:17,280 All of them? 523 00:21:17,280 --> 00:21:19,280 That's right. It's because the hurricane 524 00:21:19,280 --> 00:21:21,280 is a low-pressure region. 525 00:21:21,280 --> 00:21:23,280 When the air in the higher-pressure region around it 526 00:21:23,280 --> 00:21:25,280 rushes in, it gets bent to the right 527 00:21:25,280 --> 00:21:27,280 because of the rotation of the Earth. 528 00:21:27,280 --> 00:21:29,280 This causes the counterclockwise rotation of the hurricane. 529 00:21:29,280 --> 00:21:31,280 I don't get it. 530 00:21:31,320 --> 00:21:33,320 Does the rotation of the Earth make any difference? 531 00:21:33,320 --> 00:21:35,320 We just happen to have a very interesting device 532 00:21:35,320 --> 00:21:37,320 here at the museum to help us understand how it works. 533 00:21:37,320 --> 00:21:39,320 Each of you sit on opposite ends of the board 534 00:21:39,320 --> 00:21:41,320 and I'll give you a spin. 535 00:21:41,320 --> 00:21:43,320 Hope you don't get too dizzy. 536 00:21:47,320 --> 00:21:49,320 Now Bianca, toss the ball over to Katherine. 537 00:21:52,320 --> 00:21:54,320 It didn't even come close. 538 00:21:54,320 --> 00:21:56,320 Try it again. 539 00:21:56,360 --> 00:21:58,360 It curved to the right after I threw it. 540 00:21:58,360 --> 00:22:00,360 The ball appeared to curve for the same reasons 541 00:22:00,360 --> 00:22:02,360 the winds are bent to the right 542 00:22:02,360 --> 00:22:04,360 when they rush in toward the center of a hurricane. 543 00:22:04,360 --> 00:22:06,360 It's called the Coriolis effect 544 00:22:06,360 --> 00:22:08,360 and it exists in any rotating system. 545 00:22:08,360 --> 00:22:10,360 I see the ball traveling in a straight line, 546 00:22:10,360 --> 00:22:12,360 but as you see it on the rotating board, 547 00:22:12,360 --> 00:22:14,360 it really is curving. 548 00:22:14,360 --> 00:22:16,360 Wow, this is so much fun. 549 00:22:16,360 --> 00:22:18,360 I could sit on this all day. 550 00:22:18,360 --> 00:22:20,360 Not me. I'm getting dizzy. 551 00:22:20,360 --> 00:22:22,360 I need to get off this thing. 552 00:22:22,360 --> 00:22:24,360 If you like conducting experiments, 553 00:22:24,400 --> 00:22:26,400 you need to check out Dr. D's lab 554 00:22:26,400 --> 00:22:28,400 on the NASA Wi-Fi's website. 555 00:22:28,400 --> 00:22:30,400 That was so amazing. 556 00:22:30,400 --> 00:22:32,400 I can't believe I was actually 557 00:22:32,400 --> 00:22:34,400 in hurricane force winds. 558 00:22:34,400 --> 00:22:36,400 Sounds like it was really a blast. 559 00:22:36,400 --> 00:22:38,400 It was a blast, a blast of wind at 74 miles per hour. 560 00:22:38,400 --> 00:22:40,400 But the good thing is it ended. 561 00:22:40,400 --> 00:22:42,400 I would never want to be in a real hurricane. 562 00:22:42,400 --> 00:22:44,400 Me either. 563 00:22:44,400 --> 00:22:46,400 I'm Lisa Moser from the Weather Channel 564 00:22:46,400 --> 00:22:48,400 with an important update on Ichabod. 565 00:22:48,400 --> 00:22:50,400 In the last 24 hours, 566 00:22:50,400 --> 00:22:52,400 the storm has strengthened 567 00:22:52,440 --> 00:22:54,440 and is now at maximum sustained wind 568 00:22:54,440 --> 00:22:56,440 of 79 miles per hour, 569 00:22:56,440 --> 00:22:58,440 making it a Category 1 hurricane. 570 00:22:58,440 --> 00:23:00,440 Based on satellite information, 571 00:23:00,440 --> 00:23:02,440 it is continuing 572 00:23:02,440 --> 00:23:04,440 in a northwest direction 573 00:23:04,440 --> 00:23:06,440 at 20 miles per hour. 574 00:23:06,440 --> 00:23:08,440 The center of the storm 575 00:23:08,440 --> 00:23:10,440 is located near a latitude 576 00:23:10,440 --> 00:23:12,440 of 15.3 north 577 00:23:12,440 --> 00:23:14,440 and a longitude of 43.9 west. 578 00:23:14,440 --> 00:23:16,440 In a few hours, 579 00:23:16,440 --> 00:23:18,440 the U.S. Air Force 580 00:23:18,440 --> 00:23:20,440 is expected to send in 581 00:23:20,480 --> 00:23:22,480 reconnaissance aircraft 582 00:23:22,480 --> 00:23:24,480 to get an update on Ichabod. 583 00:23:24,480 --> 00:23:26,480 Meanwhile, the National Hurricane Center 584 00:23:26,480 --> 00:23:28,480 has issued a hurricane watch 585 00:23:28,480 --> 00:23:30,480 for the islands of the Lesser Antilles. 586 00:23:30,480 --> 00:23:32,480 Stay tuned for updates 587 00:23:32,480 --> 00:23:34,480 as we continue to follow this storm. 588 00:23:34,480 --> 00:23:36,480 Oh no, it's now a hurricane. 589 00:23:36,480 --> 00:23:38,480 We better get busy 590 00:23:38,480 --> 00:23:40,480 and figure this problem out. 591 00:23:40,480 --> 00:23:42,480 I wonder what Category 1 means. 592 00:23:42,480 --> 00:23:44,480 Do you know what it is? 593 00:23:44,480 --> 00:23:46,480 I've got it on the map. 594 00:23:46,480 --> 00:23:48,480 It says latitude 15.3 north 595 00:23:48,520 --> 00:23:50,520 and a longitude of 43.9 west. 596 00:23:50,520 --> 00:23:52,520 I think we need to go 597 00:23:52,520 --> 00:23:54,520 to the problem board. 598 00:23:54,520 --> 00:23:56,520 We know that the Tropical Depression 599 00:23:56,520 --> 00:23:58,520 is now a hurricane. 600 00:23:58,520 --> 00:24:00,520 And we know about clouds 601 00:24:00,520 --> 00:24:02,520 and its storms are low pressure systems. 602 00:24:02,520 --> 00:24:04,520 And we know that hurricanes 603 00:24:04,520 --> 00:24:06,520 usually move from east to west 604 00:24:06,520 --> 00:24:08,520 and they get bigger with higher winds 605 00:24:08,520 --> 00:24:10,520 when they move over warm waters. 606 00:24:10,520 --> 00:24:12,520 And we know that water vapor 607 00:24:12,520 --> 00:24:14,520 feeds this storm. 608 00:24:14,520 --> 00:24:16,520 Do you think we need a hypothesis? 609 00:24:16,560 --> 00:24:18,560 With what we know, 610 00:24:18,560 --> 00:24:20,560 I think our hypothesis should be 611 00:24:20,560 --> 00:24:22,560 if the storm continues to increase in strength, 612 00:24:22,560 --> 00:24:24,560 then it will hit Florida. 613 00:24:24,560 --> 00:24:26,560 It sounds like we need to know 614 00:24:26,560 --> 00:24:28,560 if the storm is going to get any stronger. 615 00:24:28,560 --> 00:24:30,560 I read about Dr. Brow. 616 00:24:30,560 --> 00:24:32,560 He's with NASA Langley Research Center 617 00:24:32,560 --> 00:24:34,560 using some LiDAR to find 618 00:24:34,560 --> 00:24:36,560 how much water vapor is in a hurricane. 619 00:24:36,560 --> 00:24:38,560 That's a good idea, 620 00:24:38,560 --> 00:24:40,560 since we know that water vapor 621 00:24:40,560 --> 00:24:42,560 feeds a storm. 622 00:24:42,560 --> 00:24:44,560 Wait, I found hurricane hunters 623 00:24:44,600 --> 00:24:46,600 Let's break into small groups 624 00:24:46,600 --> 00:24:48,600 and do some investigating. 625 00:24:48,600 --> 00:24:50,600 Don't forget your get up and go sheet. 626 00:24:50,600 --> 00:24:52,600 We can write down everything and then share it. 627 00:24:52,600 --> 00:24:54,600 Hello, Dr. Brow? 628 00:24:54,600 --> 00:24:56,600 Oh, hello. 629 00:24:56,600 --> 00:24:58,600 You must be one of the treehouse detectives. 630 00:24:58,600 --> 00:25:00,600 I just spoke with Dr. D on the phone 631 00:25:00,600 --> 00:25:02,600 and he said you were coming over. 632 00:25:02,600 --> 00:25:04,600 We're trying to figure out how scientists 633 00:25:04,600 --> 00:25:06,600 can predict if a tropical storm will get bigger or smaller. 634 00:25:06,600 --> 00:25:08,600 I definitely can help you with that. 635 00:25:08,600 --> 00:25:10,600 We learned about LiDAR before, 636 00:25:10,600 --> 00:25:12,600 but we could use a review. 637 00:25:12,640 --> 00:25:14,640 Can you help us? 638 00:25:14,640 --> 00:25:16,640 Certainly. LiDAR is an acronym 639 00:25:16,640 --> 00:25:18,640 that stands for Light Detection and Ranging. 640 00:25:18,640 --> 00:25:20,640 It's a pulsating instrument 641 00:25:20,640 --> 00:25:22,640 that is used to probe the atmosphere. 642 00:25:22,640 --> 00:25:24,640 Let's take a look now at how laser light 643 00:25:24,640 --> 00:25:26,640 scatters in the atmosphere. 644 00:25:26,640 --> 00:25:28,640 You've seen a laser pointer before. 645 00:25:28,640 --> 00:25:30,640 If you would pass the beam from the pointer 646 00:25:30,640 --> 00:25:32,640 through this plume from the vaporizer, 647 00:25:32,640 --> 00:25:34,640 you'll see the scattering from the small particles 648 00:25:34,640 --> 00:25:36,640 just like a LiDAR sees in the atmosphere. 649 00:25:36,640 --> 00:25:38,640 Wow, this is neat. 650 00:25:38,640 --> 00:25:40,640 And if you would imagine 651 00:25:40,680 --> 00:25:42,680 using a pulsed laser, 652 00:25:42,680 --> 00:25:44,680 we could see where the scattering is 653 00:25:44,680 --> 00:25:46,680 and how much is there, 654 00:25:46,680 --> 00:25:48,680 much like a laser radar. 655 00:25:48,680 --> 00:25:50,680 But how do you measure water vapor with a LiDAR? 656 00:25:50,680 --> 00:25:52,680 Come on, let me show you. 657 00:25:54,680 --> 00:25:56,680 Take a look at these two laser beams. 658 00:25:56,680 --> 00:25:58,680 Now you can slide the container 659 00:25:58,680 --> 00:26:00,680 of colored water into the two beams 660 00:26:00,680 --> 00:26:02,680 and see what happens. 661 00:26:04,680 --> 00:26:06,680 The green laser light almost disappears. 662 00:26:06,680 --> 00:26:08,680 Exactly. 663 00:26:08,720 --> 00:26:10,720 By comparing the intensity 664 00:26:10,720 --> 00:26:12,720 and how much changes in the green light, 665 00:26:12,720 --> 00:26:14,720 we can calculate how much dye is in the cell. 666 00:26:14,720 --> 00:26:16,720 So you mean you can 667 00:26:16,720 --> 00:26:18,720 detect the amount of water vapor 668 00:26:18,720 --> 00:26:20,720 by comparing how two laser lights change 669 00:26:20,720 --> 00:26:22,720 when water vapor is present? 670 00:26:22,720 --> 00:26:24,720 Exactly. Let's go see a LiDAR 671 00:26:24,720 --> 00:26:26,720 that's flown around a hurricane. 672 00:26:29,720 --> 00:26:31,720 This LiDAR system is called LASE. 673 00:26:31,720 --> 00:26:33,720 LASE stands for 674 00:26:33,720 --> 00:26:35,720 LiDAR Atmospheric Sensing Experiment 675 00:26:35,720 --> 00:26:37,720 and it was designed to go 676 00:26:37,760 --> 00:26:39,760 into a very high altitude airplane. 677 00:26:39,760 --> 00:26:41,760 When LASE is flown on an airplane 678 00:26:41,760 --> 00:26:43,760 around a hurricane, we can make 679 00:26:43,760 --> 00:26:45,760 measurements of how much water vapor 680 00:26:45,760 --> 00:26:47,760 is flowing into the hurricane. 681 00:26:47,760 --> 00:26:49,760 We learned that water vapor feeds the storm. 682 00:26:49,760 --> 00:26:51,760 You're right. Water vapor is the 683 00:26:51,760 --> 00:26:53,760 primary energy source that drives the hurricane. 684 00:26:53,760 --> 00:26:55,760 Why would NASA want to fly 685 00:26:55,760 --> 00:26:57,760 around hurricanes? 686 00:26:57,760 --> 00:26:59,760 The information we gather with our experiments 687 00:26:59,760 --> 00:27:01,760 should help us to better predict hurricane behavior. 688 00:27:01,760 --> 00:27:03,760 And we hope to develop 689 00:27:03,760 --> 00:27:05,760 very small LiDAR systems 690 00:27:05,800 --> 00:27:07,800 available on unmanned aerial vehicles 691 00:27:07,800 --> 00:27:09,800 or UAVs, which are small model aircraft. 692 00:27:09,800 --> 00:27:11,800 Why would you want to put 693 00:27:11,800 --> 00:27:13,800 LiDAR on such small planes? 694 00:27:13,800 --> 00:27:15,800 Well, a UAV can fly around 695 00:27:15,800 --> 00:27:17,800 a hurricane for several days 696 00:27:17,800 --> 00:27:19,800 and get the information we need 697 00:27:19,800 --> 00:27:21,800 to help better predict what the hurricane 698 00:27:21,800 --> 00:27:23,800 will do. In the future, 699 00:27:23,800 --> 00:27:25,800 we hope to develop a LiDAR system to go 700 00:27:25,800 --> 00:27:27,800 into space to do the same thing. 701 00:27:27,800 --> 00:27:29,800 Wow. That would be really awesome. 702 00:27:29,800 --> 00:27:31,800 Thanks, Dr. Brower. You've been a big help. 703 00:27:31,840 --> 00:27:33,840 This is the plane that hurricane hunters 704 00:27:33,840 --> 00:27:35,840 use to chase storms. 705 00:27:35,840 --> 00:27:37,840 Let's check it out. 706 00:27:37,840 --> 00:27:39,840 Hi. You must be one of the treehouse detectives. 707 00:27:39,840 --> 00:27:41,840 Yes, I'm RJ. 708 00:27:41,840 --> 00:27:43,840 We're going on a mission right now. You want to go? 709 00:27:43,840 --> 00:27:45,840 You bet. 710 00:27:45,840 --> 00:27:47,840 Alright. I'll get you in a flight suit and I'll let you talk to our 711 00:27:47,840 --> 00:27:49,840 pilot, Captain Ford. Let's go. 712 00:27:51,840 --> 00:27:53,840 Hello, RJ. 713 00:27:53,840 --> 00:27:55,840 How's our newest hurricane hunter today? 714 00:27:55,840 --> 00:27:57,840 I'm fine. But why are you guys called the hurricane hunters? 715 00:27:57,840 --> 00:27:59,840 Our mission is weather reconnaissance. 716 00:27:59,880 --> 00:28:01,880 But our most famous type of mission 717 00:28:01,880 --> 00:28:03,880 is to fly into hurricanes. 718 00:28:03,880 --> 00:28:05,880 Why do you need to fly into a hurricane? 719 00:28:05,880 --> 00:28:07,880 We fly into hurricanes to gather data 720 00:28:07,880 --> 00:28:09,880 which will help determine the location and intensity 721 00:28:09,880 --> 00:28:11,880 of the hurricane. If the storm is well 722 00:28:11,880 --> 00:28:13,880 developed, we can locate the center 723 00:28:13,880 --> 00:28:15,880 and the rain bands using satellites. 724 00:28:15,880 --> 00:28:17,880 If the hurricane is less developed, 725 00:28:17,880 --> 00:28:19,880 then it's harder to locate the center of the storm 726 00:28:19,880 --> 00:28:21,880 and it becomes more of a hunt. 727 00:28:21,880 --> 00:28:23,880 Are we going to fly through a hurricane? 728 00:28:23,880 --> 00:28:25,880 Not this time. But you better get strapped in. 729 00:28:25,880 --> 00:28:27,880 We're almost ready to go. 730 00:28:29,880 --> 00:28:31,880 Captain Gibson, 731 00:28:31,880 --> 00:28:33,880 what's your job on this mission? 732 00:28:33,880 --> 00:28:35,880 I'm a meteorologist or what they would call 733 00:28:35,880 --> 00:28:37,880 an aerial reconnaissance weather officer. 734 00:28:37,880 --> 00:28:39,880 What we do is collect 735 00:28:39,880 --> 00:28:41,880 all the data about the storm 736 00:28:41,880 --> 00:28:43,880 such as where it's located and how strong 737 00:28:43,880 --> 00:28:45,880 it is. We take all the information 738 00:28:45,880 --> 00:28:47,880 and we send it via satellite to the National Hurricane Center 739 00:28:47,880 --> 00:28:49,880 where they can start working on their forecasts. 740 00:28:49,880 --> 00:28:51,880 How does the data you collect 741 00:28:51,880 --> 00:28:53,880 help meteorologists? 742 00:28:53,880 --> 00:28:55,880 The National Hurricane Center sends us out 743 00:28:55,880 --> 00:28:57,880 to gather all the data. 744 00:28:57,920 --> 00:28:59,920 You see, RJ, when we fly into a storm 745 00:28:59,920 --> 00:29:01,920 system, not only do we have weather sensors 746 00:29:01,920 --> 00:29:03,920 dotting the aircraft all the way around, 747 00:29:03,920 --> 00:29:05,920 we also release 748 00:29:05,920 --> 00:29:07,920 sensors called drop sonnets. 749 00:29:09,920 --> 00:29:11,920 What's happening? 750 00:29:11,920 --> 00:29:13,920 It looks like we found our tropical disturbance. 751 00:29:13,920 --> 00:29:15,920 Not quite a tropical storm yet, but we'll have to 752 00:29:15,920 --> 00:29:17,920 keep our eye on it. It does decrease 753 00:29:17,920 --> 00:29:19,920 in intensity and perhaps become a hurricane 754 00:29:19,920 --> 00:29:21,920 a little later on this week. That's so cool. 755 00:29:21,920 --> 00:29:23,920 What other types of storms are there? 756 00:29:23,920 --> 00:29:25,920 RJ, there are four main types of storms. 757 00:29:25,960 --> 00:29:27,960 First, you start out with a tropical wave. 758 00:29:27,960 --> 00:29:29,960 That's just an area below pressure. 759 00:29:29,960 --> 00:29:31,960 It just causes a lot of rainfall 760 00:29:31,960 --> 00:29:33,960 and doesn't have high wind speeds. 761 00:29:33,960 --> 00:29:35,960 But as the storm intensifies, it becomes 762 00:29:35,960 --> 00:29:37,960 a tropical depression. Those have wind 763 00:29:37,960 --> 00:29:39,960 speeds up to 38 miles per hour. 764 00:29:39,960 --> 00:29:41,960 It doesn't quite have a closed circulation 765 00:29:41,960 --> 00:29:43,960 of winds. Once it reaches 766 00:29:43,960 --> 00:29:45,960 39 miles per hour, all the way up to 767 00:29:45,960 --> 00:29:47,960 73 miles per hour, 768 00:29:47,960 --> 00:29:49,960 it becomes a tropical storm. 769 00:29:49,960 --> 00:29:51,960 It does have a closed circulation of air. 770 00:29:51,960 --> 00:29:53,960 When does a tropical storm become a hurricane? 771 00:29:54,000 --> 00:29:56,000 A hurricane begins when the winds 772 00:29:56,000 --> 00:29:58,000 reach 74 miles per hour. 773 00:29:58,000 --> 00:30:00,000 There's five different categories of hurricanes. 774 00:30:00,000 --> 00:30:02,000 Category 1 starts at 74 775 00:30:02,000 --> 00:30:04,000 and goes up to 95 miles per hour. 776 00:30:04,000 --> 00:30:06,000 Then you have Category 2. 777 00:30:06,000 --> 00:30:08,000 That goes from 96 miles per hour 778 00:30:08,000 --> 00:30:10,000 to 110 miles per hour. 779 00:30:10,000 --> 00:30:12,000 Then Category 3, 111 780 00:30:12,000 --> 00:30:14,000 to 130 miles per hour. 781 00:30:14,000 --> 00:30:16,000 Wow, that's a powerful storm. 782 00:30:16,000 --> 00:30:18,000 Have you had very many 783 00:30:18,000 --> 00:30:20,000 Category 3 hurricanes? 784 00:30:20,000 --> 00:30:22,000 Yes, we've had several that reached Category 4 785 00:30:22,040 --> 00:30:24,040 hurricanes. That's when the winds get 786 00:30:24,040 --> 00:30:26,040 from 131 to 155 787 00:30:26,040 --> 00:30:28,040 miles per hour. Has there ever been 788 00:30:28,040 --> 00:30:30,040 a Category 5 hurricane? 789 00:30:30,040 --> 00:30:32,040 Yes, but only two have ever made landfall in the last 790 00:30:32,040 --> 00:30:34,040 century. It requires the winds 791 00:30:34,040 --> 00:30:36,040 to be above 155 miles 792 00:30:36,040 --> 00:30:38,040 per hour, and the conditions have to be 793 00:30:38,040 --> 00:30:40,040 just right for that to happen. 794 00:30:40,040 --> 00:30:42,040 Well, I'm glad there aren't very many Category 795 00:30:42,040 --> 00:30:44,040 5 hurricanes. Me too. 796 00:30:44,040 --> 00:30:46,040 Do you guys have a bathroom on the plane? 797 00:30:46,040 --> 00:30:48,040 Yes, we do. 798 00:30:48,040 --> 00:30:50,040 It's in the back. 799 00:30:52,040 --> 00:30:54,040 RJ, 800 00:30:54,040 --> 00:30:56,040 did you find it yet? 801 00:30:56,040 --> 00:30:58,040 I think I'll wait. 802 00:30:58,040 --> 00:31:00,040 Thanks a lot. 803 00:31:00,040 --> 00:31:02,040 This was awesome. Anything for the 804 00:31:02,040 --> 00:31:04,040 Treehouse Detectives. 805 00:31:04,040 --> 00:31:06,040 Wow, 806 00:31:06,040 --> 00:31:08,040 I actually flew with the Air Force Reserve 807 00:31:08,040 --> 00:31:10,040 Hurricane Hunters. Wait till the 808 00:31:10,040 --> 00:31:12,040 guys read my get up and go sheet on this one. 809 00:31:14,040 --> 00:31:16,040 So what's up? 810 00:31:16,040 --> 00:31:18,040 Will Hurricane Ichabod continue to receive 811 00:31:18,040 --> 00:31:20,040 water vapor? Will it become a 812 00:31:20,080 --> 00:31:22,080 Category 2 hurricane? 813 00:31:22,080 --> 00:31:24,080 How will its strengthening affect the people living along 814 00:31:24,080 --> 00:31:26,080 the coast? Don't miss the next 815 00:31:26,080 --> 00:31:28,080 chapter of The Case of the Phenomenal Weather. 816 00:31:34,080 --> 00:31:36,080 The Treehouse Detectives 817 00:31:36,080 --> 00:31:38,080 are getting warmer. 818 00:31:38,080 --> 00:31:40,080 Keep your eyes open and 819 00:31:40,080 --> 00:31:42,080 answer the following questions. 820 00:31:42,080 --> 00:31:44,080 What is probability? 821 00:31:44,080 --> 00:31:46,080 What force 822 00:31:46,080 --> 00:31:48,080 holds satellites in orbit 823 00:31:48,120 --> 00:31:50,120 around the Earth? 824 00:31:50,120 --> 00:31:52,120 How will GIFs help meteorologists 825 00:31:52,120 --> 00:31:54,120 predict storms earlier? 826 00:31:54,120 --> 00:31:56,120 The center 827 00:31:56,120 --> 00:31:58,120 of the storm is located near a 828 00:31:58,120 --> 00:32:00,120 latitude of 18 north 829 00:32:00,120 --> 00:32:02,120 and a longitude of 53 west. 830 00:32:02,120 --> 00:32:04,120 It now has maximum 831 00:32:04,120 --> 00:32:06,120 sustained wind at 108 832 00:32:06,120 --> 00:32:08,120 miles per hour. Ichabod is 833 00:32:08,120 --> 00:32:10,120 now a strong Category 2 834 00:32:10,120 --> 00:32:12,120 hurricane. The National Hurricane 835 00:32:12,120 --> 00:32:14,120 Center has issued a hurricane 836 00:32:14,120 --> 00:32:16,120 warning now for the northernmost 837 00:32:16,160 --> 00:32:18,160 islands of the Western Antilles and 838 00:32:18,160 --> 00:32:20,160 the Virgin Islands. And a hurricane 839 00:32:20,160 --> 00:32:22,160 watch for the islands of the Bahamas. 840 00:32:22,160 --> 00:32:24,160 Wow, the hurricane is moving closer 841 00:32:24,160 --> 00:32:26,160 to Florida. I think our hypothesis 842 00:32:26,160 --> 00:32:28,160 is correct. It's getting stronger and 843 00:32:28,160 --> 00:32:30,160 closer. Look, I just put the coordinates on the map. 844 00:32:30,160 --> 00:32:32,160 Guys, the hurricane is still 845 00:32:32,160 --> 00:32:34,160 a long way away. I don't think we should jump 846 00:32:34,160 --> 00:32:36,160 to any conclusions. 847 00:32:36,160 --> 00:32:38,160 And we learned from the hurricane hunters that a Category 2 848 00:32:38,160 --> 00:32:40,160 storm can do some major damage. 849 00:32:40,160 --> 00:32:42,160 I wonder if anyone in the NASA Y-Files 850 00:32:42,160 --> 00:32:44,160 Kids Club has experienced a hurricane. 851 00:32:44,200 --> 00:32:46,200 I don't know, but I think it would be good 852 00:32:46,200 --> 00:32:48,200 if we could speak to someone who has. 853 00:32:48,200 --> 00:32:50,200 I already asked some of our club members. 854 00:32:50,200 --> 00:32:52,200 In this hurricane book, it says that 855 00:32:52,200 --> 00:32:54,200 wind isn't the only thing that causes damage 856 00:32:54,200 --> 00:32:56,200 during a hurricane. The storm surge 857 00:32:56,200 --> 00:32:58,200 and rain can also cause flooding. 858 00:32:58,200 --> 00:33:00,200 Storm surge? What's that? 859 00:33:00,200 --> 00:33:02,200 When the wind pushes seawater 860 00:33:02,200 --> 00:33:04,200 towards the shore, the water piles 861 00:33:04,200 --> 00:33:06,200 up, creating a wall of water that can be up to 862 00:33:06,200 --> 00:33:08,200 24 feet high. It also says 863 00:33:08,200 --> 00:33:10,200 that tornadoes can even occur during a hurricane. 864 00:33:10,200 --> 00:33:12,200 Tornadoes? 865 00:33:12,240 --> 00:33:14,240 Like in The Wizard of Oz? 866 00:33:14,240 --> 00:33:16,240 We're not in Kansas. 867 00:33:16,240 --> 00:33:18,240 And I'm not Dorothy. 868 00:33:18,240 --> 00:33:20,240 You don't have to be in Kansas to have tornadoes. 869 00:33:20,240 --> 00:33:22,240 Even though Kansas is in Tornado Alley. 870 00:33:22,240 --> 00:33:24,240 Hey look guys, I'm getting an email 871 00:33:24,240 --> 00:33:26,240 back from Jonathan Juarez in Miami. 872 00:33:26,240 --> 00:33:28,240 His home was destroyed by Hurricane Andrew. 873 00:33:28,240 --> 00:33:30,240 I'm sure he has a lot of information. 874 00:33:30,240 --> 00:33:32,240 Let's contact him. 875 00:33:36,240 --> 00:33:38,240 Hi, my name is Jonathan Juarez 876 00:33:38,240 --> 00:33:40,240 and I'm here with my cousin Jimena Valdez 877 00:33:40,280 --> 00:33:42,280 and we are both Hurricane Andrew survivors. 878 00:33:42,280 --> 00:33:44,280 Hi Jonathan, will you tell us 879 00:33:44,280 --> 00:33:46,280 what it was like to go through Hurricane Andrew? 880 00:33:46,280 --> 00:33:48,280 Yes, I was 5 years old 881 00:33:48,280 --> 00:33:50,280 at the time. I was getting ready for my first day 882 00:33:50,280 --> 00:33:52,280 of kindergarten when Hurricane Andrew 883 00:33:52,280 --> 00:33:54,280 hit my neighborhood outside of Miami. 884 00:33:54,280 --> 00:33:56,280 I can't believe you survived a hurricane. 885 00:33:56,280 --> 00:33:58,280 Did you hide in your house or run? 886 00:33:58,280 --> 00:34:00,280 Well, our family stayed inside the bathroom 887 00:34:00,280 --> 00:34:02,280 since it was the only room in the house 888 00:34:02,280 --> 00:34:04,280 without any windows. It seemed like 889 00:34:04,280 --> 00:34:06,280 a good idea, but we didn't take any shoes 890 00:34:06,280 --> 00:34:08,280 with us. So after the storm, we 891 00:34:08,320 --> 00:34:10,320 went over to Jonathan's house 892 00:34:10,320 --> 00:34:12,320 barefoot because all our shoes had been 893 00:34:12,320 --> 00:34:14,320 blown away during the hurricane. 894 00:34:14,320 --> 00:34:16,320 I don't remember that much about 895 00:34:16,320 --> 00:34:18,320 what happened during the storm 896 00:34:18,320 --> 00:34:20,320 because it's pretty amazing, but 897 00:34:20,320 --> 00:34:22,320 I fell asleep for 898 00:34:22,320 --> 00:34:24,320 most of the storm and when I woke up 899 00:34:24,320 --> 00:34:26,320 it was over. 900 00:34:26,320 --> 00:34:28,320 You fell asleep? 901 00:34:28,320 --> 00:34:30,320 Yeah, but when I woke up I noticed that 902 00:34:30,320 --> 00:34:32,320 the whole top floor of my house 903 00:34:32,320 --> 00:34:34,320 was ripped off. Do you still live in the same 904 00:34:34,320 --> 00:34:36,320 neighborhood? No, but the neighborhood 905 00:34:36,360 --> 00:34:38,360 looks pretty normal now. It doesn't look 906 00:34:38,360 --> 00:34:40,360 anything like it did ten years ago 907 00:34:40,360 --> 00:34:42,360 and there's no way to describe the damage. 908 00:34:42,360 --> 00:34:44,360 My advice would be to stay 909 00:34:44,360 --> 00:34:46,360 in the safest place of your house, preferably 910 00:34:46,360 --> 00:34:48,360 away from windows, and 911 00:34:48,360 --> 00:34:50,360 put up plywood shutters if you 912 00:34:50,360 --> 00:34:52,360 don't have the steel ones. Also, 913 00:34:52,360 --> 00:34:54,360 remember to bring a change of clothes and an 914 00:34:54,360 --> 00:34:56,360 extra pair of shoes. 915 00:34:56,360 --> 00:34:58,360 Wow, you would never think a hurricane 916 00:34:58,360 --> 00:35:00,360 could destroy your entire house. 917 00:35:00,360 --> 00:35:02,360 Yeah, your house and everything in it. 918 00:35:02,360 --> 00:35:04,360 That'd be just my luck to go 919 00:35:04,400 --> 00:35:06,400 to Florida and get stuck in a hurricane. 920 00:35:06,400 --> 00:35:08,400 I just finished entering our notes that we took 921 00:35:08,400 --> 00:35:10,400 at MOSI from our problem log. 922 00:35:10,400 --> 00:35:12,400 You can download your own problem log from the NASA 923 00:35:12,400 --> 00:35:14,400 Wi-Fi's website. 924 00:35:14,400 --> 00:35:16,400 We have a lot of new information. I think we need 925 00:35:16,400 --> 00:35:18,400 to go to the problem board. 926 00:35:18,400 --> 00:35:20,400 We know the tropical depression is now a hurricane. 927 00:35:20,400 --> 00:35:22,400 We know that hurricanes 928 00:35:22,400 --> 00:35:24,400 generally move from the east to the west. 929 00:35:24,400 --> 00:35:26,400 And we know that water vapor is the 930 00:35:26,400 --> 00:35:28,400 primary source of energy that drives a hurricane. 931 00:35:28,400 --> 00:35:30,400 What we need to know is more 932 00:35:30,400 --> 00:35:32,400 about the probability that the hurricane will 933 00:35:32,440 --> 00:35:34,440 actually hit Florida. 934 00:35:34,440 --> 00:35:36,440 Where should we go? Let's go talk to Dr. D. 935 00:35:36,440 --> 00:35:38,440 I'm sure he can help us out. 936 00:35:40,440 --> 00:35:42,440 Hi, Dr. D. 937 00:35:42,440 --> 00:35:44,440 What are you doing? 938 00:35:44,440 --> 00:35:46,440 Working on a tornado box. Your work on hurricanes 939 00:35:46,440 --> 00:35:48,440 inspired me to start this project. 940 00:35:48,440 --> 00:35:50,440 Are tornadoes just mini hurricanes on land? 941 00:35:50,440 --> 00:35:52,440 Hey, guys. Have we missed 942 00:35:52,440 --> 00:35:54,440 anything? Just showing them my tornado box. 943 00:35:54,440 --> 00:35:56,440 Oh, cool. 944 00:35:56,440 --> 00:35:58,440 Tornadoes and hurricanes are different from each other, 945 00:35:58,440 --> 00:36:00,440 but it turns out they're very similar in that 946 00:36:00,480 --> 00:36:02,480 they're both low-pressure regions, 947 00:36:02,480 --> 00:36:04,480 and they have counter-clockwise wind patterns. 948 00:36:04,480 --> 00:36:06,480 They also both have tremendous energy. 949 00:36:06,480 --> 00:36:08,480 I'm concerned if the hurricane is going to ruin 950 00:36:08,480 --> 00:36:10,480 our fun. How can we predict 951 00:36:10,480 --> 00:36:12,480 where it will hit land? 952 00:36:12,480 --> 00:36:14,480 You've asked one of the biggest questions a meteorologist asked. 953 00:36:14,480 --> 00:36:16,480 To find an answer to this question, they ask such 954 00:36:16,480 --> 00:36:18,480 questions as, where has the hurricane 955 00:36:18,480 --> 00:36:20,480 been? Are there high and low pressure 956 00:36:20,480 --> 00:36:22,480 systems that affect the hurricane? 957 00:36:22,480 --> 00:36:24,480 And what are the speed and directions of the steering winds? 958 00:36:24,480 --> 00:36:26,480 Steering winds? 959 00:36:26,480 --> 00:36:28,480 Yes, those are the winds that push the hurricane a lot. 960 00:36:28,520 --> 00:36:30,520 That's a lot of variables. 961 00:36:30,520 --> 00:36:32,520 Remember, with the scientific process, 962 00:36:32,520 --> 00:36:34,520 we have to keep track of all the variables. 963 00:36:34,520 --> 00:36:36,520 We're pretty good at making predictions. 964 00:36:36,520 --> 00:36:38,520 Let's see. We have a number of 965 00:36:38,520 --> 00:36:40,520 objects. I want you to pick them up one at a time 966 00:36:40,520 --> 00:36:42,520 and see if you can tell which ones will float. 967 00:36:42,520 --> 00:36:44,520 That's easy. 968 00:36:44,520 --> 00:36:46,520 I think this apple will definitely float. 969 00:36:46,520 --> 00:36:48,520 I played bobbing for apples before, and I remember 970 00:36:48,520 --> 00:36:50,520 seeing the apples float in the bucket. 971 00:36:52,520 --> 00:36:54,520 Yep, I was right. 972 00:36:54,520 --> 00:36:56,520 You used your previous experience to make a prediction. 973 00:36:56,560 --> 00:36:58,560 Hurricane forecasters also rely 974 00:36:58,560 --> 00:37:00,560 upon their previous experiences. 975 00:37:00,560 --> 00:37:02,560 They look upon what previous hurricanes 976 00:37:02,560 --> 00:37:04,560 had in similar situations. 977 00:37:04,560 --> 00:37:06,560 Okay, let's try this golf ball. 978 00:37:06,560 --> 00:37:08,560 I think it will float. 979 00:37:08,560 --> 00:37:10,560 Oops, it sank. 980 00:37:10,560 --> 00:37:12,560 Well, try this bowling ball. 981 00:37:12,560 --> 00:37:14,560 I think you made this one too easy. 982 00:37:14,560 --> 00:37:16,560 It will definitely sink, because it's too heavy. 983 00:37:16,560 --> 00:37:18,560 Alright, let's see. 984 00:37:20,560 --> 00:37:22,560 Wow, two in a row wrong. 985 00:37:22,560 --> 00:37:24,560 I guess you can't tell just 986 00:37:24,600 --> 00:37:26,600 whether something will sink or float. 987 00:37:26,600 --> 00:37:28,600 What are some other ways we can tell if something will sink or float? 988 00:37:28,600 --> 00:37:30,600 You need to know both the mass and the volume of each object. 989 00:37:30,600 --> 00:37:32,600 If the mass of the object 990 00:37:32,600 --> 00:37:34,600 expressed in grams is greater 991 00:37:34,600 --> 00:37:36,600 than the volume expressed in milliliters, 992 00:37:36,600 --> 00:37:38,600 it will sink, because it's denser 993 00:37:38,600 --> 00:37:40,600 than water. The problem with hurricanes 994 00:37:40,600 --> 00:37:42,600 is there are so many variables, it's a very complex 995 00:37:42,600 --> 00:37:44,600 problem. And even if we knew 996 00:37:44,600 --> 00:37:46,600 all the variables precisely, we're not 997 00:37:46,600 --> 00:37:48,600 quite sure how they all fit together. 998 00:37:48,600 --> 00:37:50,600 So, what do they do? 999 00:37:50,600 --> 00:37:52,600 Instead of being able to make an exact prediction, 1000 00:37:52,640 --> 00:37:54,640 all weather forecasters can do 1001 00:37:54,640 --> 00:37:56,640 is to talk about probabilities. 1002 00:37:56,640 --> 00:37:58,640 We need to learn more about probabilities. 1003 00:37:58,640 --> 00:38:00,640 Let's look at an example. 1004 00:38:02,640 --> 00:38:04,640 When we flip this coin, 1005 00:38:04,640 --> 00:38:06,640 will it come up heads or tails? 1006 00:38:06,640 --> 00:38:08,640 We don't know. 1007 00:38:08,640 --> 00:38:10,640 That's right, because it's a random event. 1008 00:38:10,640 --> 00:38:12,640 But what's the likelihood that it'll come up heads? 1009 00:38:12,640 --> 00:38:14,640 I guess it'll come up heads about half the time. 1010 00:38:14,640 --> 00:38:16,640 That's right. And probability says 1011 00:38:16,640 --> 00:38:18,640 it'll come up heads about 50% of the time. 1012 00:38:18,640 --> 00:38:20,640 Let's try it. 1013 00:38:20,680 --> 00:38:22,680 I get heads, 1014 00:38:22,680 --> 00:38:24,680 tails, 1015 00:38:24,680 --> 00:38:26,680 tails, 1016 00:38:26,680 --> 00:38:28,680 and another tails. 1017 00:38:28,680 --> 00:38:30,680 Wait, it didn't come up heads half the time. 1018 00:38:30,680 --> 00:38:32,680 Well, that's alright, because probability says 1019 00:38:32,680 --> 00:38:34,680 if we do a lot of trials, 1020 00:38:34,680 --> 00:38:36,680 it'll abruptly be 50%. 1021 00:38:36,680 --> 00:38:38,680 Let's keep trying. 1022 00:38:38,680 --> 00:38:40,680 Got heads, 1023 00:38:40,680 --> 00:38:42,680 another heads, 1024 00:38:42,680 --> 00:38:44,680 a tails, 1025 00:38:44,680 --> 00:38:46,680 and heads. 1026 00:38:46,680 --> 00:38:48,680 Yes, it's looking better. I think I remember the weatherman 1027 00:38:48,720 --> 00:38:50,720 saying last week that there was a 60% probability 1028 00:38:50,720 --> 00:38:52,720 of rain. Does that mean 1029 00:38:52,720 --> 00:38:54,720 it's going to rain 60% of the day? 1030 00:38:54,720 --> 00:38:56,720 No, I think that means that if there are 10 similar 1031 00:38:56,720 --> 00:38:58,720 days, then it would rain on 6 of them. 1032 00:38:58,720 --> 00:39:00,720 I think you're catching on. 1033 00:39:00,720 --> 00:39:02,720 Hurricane forecast will give the most probable 1034 00:39:02,720 --> 00:39:04,720 landfall time and location. 1035 00:39:04,720 --> 00:39:06,720 They also want to predict the strength of the hurricane. 1036 00:39:06,720 --> 00:39:08,720 The more confident they are, 1037 00:39:08,720 --> 00:39:10,720 the higher the percentage of the probability. 1038 00:39:10,720 --> 00:39:12,720 But can't some of the variables change 1039 00:39:12,720 --> 00:39:14,720 after they make a prediction? 1040 00:39:14,720 --> 00:39:16,720 You bet. That's the problem. For example, 1041 00:39:16,760 --> 00:39:18,760 if a hurricane's steering winds slow down 1042 00:39:18,760 --> 00:39:20,760 and the hurricane stalls over very warm water, 1043 00:39:20,760 --> 00:39:22,760 it might not only change the landfall 1044 00:39:22,760 --> 00:39:24,760 time, but it might also allow the hurricane 1045 00:39:24,760 --> 00:39:26,760 to gain its strength. 1046 00:39:26,760 --> 00:39:28,760 So how do they get the exact measurements? 1047 00:39:28,760 --> 00:39:30,760 And how many variables do they have to measure? 1048 00:39:30,760 --> 00:39:32,760 Hold on now. Weather satellites are a great 1049 00:39:32,760 --> 00:39:34,760 tool for making predictions and tracking hurricanes. 1050 00:39:34,760 --> 00:39:36,760 Why don't you talk to Nita Rapp 1051 00:39:36,760 --> 00:39:38,760 at NASA Langley Research Center? 1052 00:39:38,760 --> 00:39:40,760 Just get an email from her. She's right now at the 1053 00:39:40,760 --> 00:39:42,760 Air and Space Center in Hampton, Virginia. 1054 00:39:42,760 --> 00:39:44,760 I don't live too far from there. I'll ask my mom to take me. 1055 00:39:44,800 --> 00:39:46,800 Hi, Ms. Rapp. 1056 00:39:46,800 --> 00:39:48,800 Thanks for meeting us. Sure. 1057 00:39:48,800 --> 00:39:50,800 What's the problem? We need to learn more about 1058 00:39:50,800 --> 00:39:52,800 collecting weather data. Yeah. 1059 00:39:52,800 --> 00:39:54,800 We're worried about Hurricane Igobot in the Atlantic Ocean. 1060 00:39:54,800 --> 00:39:56,800 And we want to make sure it doesn't 1061 00:39:56,800 --> 00:39:58,800 ruin our trip to Florida. Well, that wouldn't be good. 1062 00:39:58,800 --> 00:40:00,800 Weather data is collected in 1063 00:40:00,800 --> 00:40:02,800 many ways, but one way is by a weather satellite. 1064 00:40:02,800 --> 00:40:04,800 What is a weather satellite? 1065 00:40:04,800 --> 00:40:06,800 A weather satellite is a man-made object 1066 00:40:06,800 --> 00:40:08,800 that's put into orbit around a planet 1067 00:40:08,800 --> 00:40:10,800 to help gather data all around the globe. 1068 00:40:10,800 --> 00:40:12,800 It helps improve weather forecasting. 1069 00:40:12,840 --> 00:40:14,840 That's just what we need. 1070 00:40:14,840 --> 00:40:16,840 How do satellites get into space? 1071 00:40:16,840 --> 00:40:18,840 They're launched into orbit by rockets 1072 00:40:18,840 --> 00:40:20,840 and sometimes even the shuttle takes them up. 1073 00:40:20,840 --> 00:40:22,840 Okay, but how do they stay up there? 1074 00:40:22,840 --> 00:40:24,840 Why don't they fall back down to Earth? 1075 00:40:24,840 --> 00:40:26,840 Satellites are held in orbit by a force called gravity. 1076 00:40:26,840 --> 00:40:28,840 Here, let's do an experiment. 1077 00:40:28,840 --> 00:40:30,840 But first, I need a ball. 1078 00:40:30,840 --> 00:40:32,840 Thanks. 1079 00:40:32,840 --> 00:40:34,840 Now, pretend that you're the Earth 1080 00:40:34,840 --> 00:40:36,840 and the ball is a satellite 1081 00:40:36,840 --> 00:40:38,840 and swing it around your head. 1082 00:40:38,880 --> 00:40:40,880 This is cool, 1083 00:40:40,880 --> 00:40:42,880 but satellites don't have strings 1084 00:40:42,880 --> 00:40:44,880 attached to them, do they? 1085 00:40:44,880 --> 00:40:46,880 No. Gravity is the string 1086 00:40:46,880 --> 00:40:48,880 that holds a satellite in orbit. 1087 00:40:48,880 --> 00:40:50,880 By swinging the ball, you are giving it 1088 00:40:50,880 --> 00:40:52,880 forward motion, or momentum, 1089 00:40:52,880 --> 00:40:54,880 just like the rockets do for the satellites. 1090 00:40:54,880 --> 00:40:56,880 If the string weren't attached to it, 1091 00:40:56,880 --> 00:40:58,880 it would fly off in one direction. 1092 00:40:58,880 --> 00:41:00,880 Oh, I get it. So if we didn't have gravity, 1093 00:41:00,880 --> 00:41:02,880 the satellites would fly off into space. 1094 00:41:02,880 --> 00:41:04,880 Very good. And when the momentum 1095 00:41:04,880 --> 00:41:06,880 and the gravity are equal, 1096 00:41:06,920 --> 00:41:08,920 the satellite stays in its orbit. 1097 00:41:08,920 --> 00:41:10,920 I saw on the NASA Langley website 1098 00:41:10,920 --> 00:41:12,920 that they use geostationary satellites. 1099 00:41:12,920 --> 00:41:14,920 But what does geostationary mean? 1100 00:41:14,920 --> 00:41:16,920 Well, if you break the word apart, 1101 00:41:16,920 --> 00:41:18,920 you have geo, which means Earth, 1102 00:41:18,920 --> 00:41:20,920 and stationary, which means fixed at a point. 1103 00:41:20,920 --> 00:41:22,920 So a geostationary satellite 1104 00:41:22,920 --> 00:41:24,920 orbits at a speed that matches 1105 00:41:24,920 --> 00:41:26,920 the speed of the Earth's rotation, 1106 00:41:26,920 --> 00:41:28,920 so it always stays over the same latitude and longitude. 1107 00:41:28,920 --> 00:41:30,920 Are there other kinds of satellites? 1108 00:41:30,920 --> 00:41:32,920 Yes, there are several types 1109 00:41:32,920 --> 00:41:34,920 of weather satellites, but the most common 1110 00:41:34,960 --> 00:41:36,960 besides geostationary are the polar orbiting satellites. 1111 00:41:36,960 --> 00:41:38,960 These constantly circle the Earth 1112 00:41:38,960 --> 00:41:40,960 in an almost north-south orbit. 1113 00:41:40,960 --> 00:41:42,960 Why are polar orbiting satellites important? 1114 00:41:42,960 --> 00:41:44,960 Because they cover the entire globe, 1115 00:41:44,960 --> 00:41:46,960 unlike geostationary satellites 1116 00:41:46,960 --> 00:41:48,960 that only see the same portion of the globe all the time. 1117 00:41:48,960 --> 00:41:50,960 How many weather satellites are there? 1118 00:41:50,960 --> 00:41:52,960 Well, counting only the geostationary 1119 00:41:52,960 --> 00:41:54,960 and polar orbiting satellites, 1120 00:41:54,960 --> 00:41:56,960 there are about 18. 1121 00:41:56,960 --> 00:41:58,960 However, there are about 1122 00:41:58,960 --> 00:42:00,960 2,671 satellites 1123 00:42:00,960 --> 00:42:02,960 of all different types in space. 1124 00:42:03,000 --> 00:42:05,000 Wow, that's a lot of satellites. 1125 00:42:05,000 --> 00:42:07,000 They must be important. 1126 00:42:07,000 --> 00:42:09,000 Yes, they are, and especially weather satellites. 1127 00:42:09,000 --> 00:42:11,000 They help us monitor storm development 1128 00:42:11,000 --> 00:42:13,000 and track the movement of storms. 1129 00:42:13,000 --> 00:42:15,000 Are they just used for hurricanes and tropical storms? 1130 00:42:15,000 --> 00:42:17,000 No, they're also used 1131 00:42:17,000 --> 00:42:19,000 to help our local meteorologists forecast our weather. 1132 00:42:19,000 --> 00:42:21,000 This helps them issue warnings 1133 00:42:21,000 --> 00:42:23,000 for thunderstorms and hurricanes. 1134 00:42:23,000 --> 00:42:25,000 We can now see that meteorologists 1135 00:42:25,000 --> 00:42:27,000 have a lot of help collecting data from satellites. 1136 00:42:27,000 --> 00:42:29,000 If you want to learn about a really 1137 00:42:29,000 --> 00:42:31,000 cool satellite that will be launched in the future, 1138 00:42:31,040 --> 00:42:33,040 you need to go see Bill Smith. 1139 00:42:33,040 --> 00:42:35,040 That sounds like our man. 1140 00:42:35,040 --> 00:42:37,040 Thanks for your help. 1141 00:42:37,040 --> 00:42:39,040 But first, before we go, 1142 00:42:39,040 --> 00:42:41,040 let's go check out another hurricane room. 1143 00:42:41,040 --> 00:42:43,040 Bye. 1144 00:42:47,040 --> 00:42:49,040 Hi, Dr. Smith. 1145 00:42:49,040 --> 00:42:51,040 I'm Kaylee, one of the triage detectives. 1146 00:42:51,040 --> 00:42:53,040 We've heard that you've developed 1147 00:42:53,040 --> 00:42:55,040 a new satellite that will be able 1148 00:42:55,040 --> 00:42:57,040 to predict weather more accurately. 1149 00:42:57,040 --> 00:42:59,040 That's right. It's called the GIFS. 1150 00:42:59,080 --> 00:43:01,080 Is the satellite present? 1151 00:43:01,080 --> 00:43:03,080 No. GIFS is an acronym that stands 1152 00:43:03,080 --> 00:43:05,080 for Geostationary Imaging Foyer Transform Spectrometer. 1153 00:43:05,080 --> 00:43:07,080 Or more simply, 1154 00:43:07,080 --> 00:43:09,080 GIFS is a digital camera 1155 00:43:09,080 --> 00:43:11,080 placed on a satellite 1156 00:43:11,080 --> 00:43:13,080 high above the Earth. 1157 00:43:13,080 --> 00:43:15,080 Why is it important that the satellite remain in place? 1158 00:43:15,080 --> 00:43:17,080 Oh, because if the camera is in a geostationary position, 1159 00:43:17,080 --> 00:43:19,080 we can make 3-D movies 1160 00:43:19,080 --> 00:43:21,080 of the atmosphere. 1161 00:43:21,080 --> 00:43:23,080 Do you need to wear 3-D glasses 1162 00:43:23,080 --> 00:43:25,080 to see them? 1163 00:43:25,080 --> 00:43:27,080 No, it's not that kind of a movie. 1164 00:43:27,120 --> 00:43:29,120 Why is 3-D important? 1165 00:43:29,120 --> 00:43:31,120 Most geostationary satellites provide 1166 00:43:31,120 --> 00:43:33,120 2-dimensional movies, 1167 00:43:33,120 --> 00:43:35,120 but the GIFS adds a third dimension, 1168 00:43:35,120 --> 00:43:37,120 altitude. 1169 00:43:37,120 --> 00:43:39,120 So with the GIFS, we can tell the height of the storm 1170 00:43:39,120 --> 00:43:41,120 as well as its geographical location. 1171 00:43:41,120 --> 00:43:43,120 The 3-dimensional data from GIFS, 1172 00:43:43,120 --> 00:43:45,120 such as temperature, water vapor, and winds, 1173 00:43:45,120 --> 00:43:47,120 will be fed into computer models, 1174 00:43:47,120 --> 00:43:49,120 and this will greatly improve 1175 00:43:49,120 --> 00:43:51,120 forecasts of weather, climate, and air pollution. 1176 00:43:51,120 --> 00:43:53,120 Will GIFS help meteorologists 1177 00:43:53,120 --> 00:43:55,120 predict storms even sooner? 1178 00:43:55,160 --> 00:43:57,160 GIFS, unlike any other satellite camera, 1179 00:43:57,160 --> 00:43:59,160 can observe the upward spiraling 1180 00:43:59,160 --> 00:44:01,160 motion of air molecules 1181 00:44:01,160 --> 00:44:03,160 and alert meteorologists that storms 1182 00:44:03,160 --> 00:44:05,160 will form long before they're observed 1183 00:44:05,160 --> 00:44:07,160 on radar or in other satellite pictures. 1184 00:44:07,160 --> 00:44:09,160 So we would know not to go 1185 00:44:09,160 --> 00:44:11,160 to Florida way before the storm 1186 00:44:11,160 --> 00:44:13,160 even gets there. 1187 00:44:13,160 --> 00:44:15,160 How will GIFS predict the path of a hurricane? 1188 00:44:15,160 --> 00:44:17,160 GIFS senses the motion 1189 00:44:17,160 --> 00:44:19,160 of air molecules and clouds 1190 00:44:19,160 --> 00:44:21,160 at different altitudes in the atmosphere. 1191 00:44:21,160 --> 00:44:23,160 It provides a measure of the 1192 00:44:23,200 --> 00:44:25,200 atmospheric winds that steer the storm's movement. 1193 00:44:25,200 --> 00:44:27,200 In other words, the winds 1194 00:44:27,200 --> 00:44:29,200 tell us where the storm will go. 1195 00:44:29,200 --> 00:44:31,200 Given the speed and the velocity 1196 00:44:31,200 --> 00:44:33,200 of the wind, we can predict 1197 00:44:33,200 --> 00:44:35,200 the future position of a hurricane. 1198 00:44:35,200 --> 00:44:37,200 We talked to a family in Miami 1199 00:44:37,200 --> 00:44:39,200 whose house was destroyed by Hurricane Andrew. 1200 00:44:39,200 --> 00:44:41,200 I wonder if GIFS would have helped them. 1201 00:44:41,200 --> 00:44:43,200 Most definitely. 1202 00:44:43,200 --> 00:44:45,200 The earlier we can warn people, the more time they have 1203 00:44:45,200 --> 00:44:47,200 to prepare for the storm. 1204 00:44:47,200 --> 00:44:49,200 This will result in less property damage 1205 00:44:49,200 --> 00:44:51,200 and fewer deaths. 1206 00:44:51,240 --> 00:44:53,240 GIFS can even help save millions of dollars. 1207 00:44:53,240 --> 00:44:55,240 Wow! How can it do that? 1208 00:44:55,240 --> 00:44:57,240 Well, for each mile of coastline 1209 00:44:57,240 --> 00:44:59,240 that is warned of a hurricane coming ashore, 1210 00:44:59,240 --> 00:45:01,240 a million dollars is spent in preparing 1211 00:45:01,240 --> 00:45:03,240 for the hurricane's landfall. 1212 00:45:03,240 --> 00:45:05,240 So if you knew exactly where the hurricane 1213 00:45:05,240 --> 00:45:07,240 was going to hit, fewer people 1214 00:45:07,240 --> 00:45:09,240 would have to spend money preparing for it. 1215 00:45:09,240 --> 00:45:11,240 Right. The average error predicting 1216 00:45:11,240 --> 00:45:13,240 where landfall will occur 1217 00:45:13,240 --> 00:45:15,240 24 hours in advance 1218 00:45:15,240 --> 00:45:17,240 is 125 miles. 1219 00:45:17,240 --> 00:45:19,240 So if we were able to reduce that error 1220 00:45:19,280 --> 00:45:21,280 by, say, a small 10%, 1221 00:45:21,280 --> 00:45:23,280 well, how many miles would that be? 1222 00:45:23,280 --> 00:45:25,280 Well, 10% of 125 1223 00:45:25,280 --> 00:45:27,280 is 12.5 miles. 1224 00:45:27,280 --> 00:45:29,280 So that would be 1225 00:45:29,280 --> 00:45:31,280 12.5 million dollars. 1226 00:45:31,280 --> 00:45:33,280 That's correct. 1227 00:45:33,280 --> 00:45:35,280 We expect even much greater improvements with GIFS. 1228 00:45:35,280 --> 00:45:37,280 That's going to be awesome. 1229 00:45:37,280 --> 00:45:39,280 But I wish you had it right now 1230 00:45:39,280 --> 00:45:41,280 so we would know if the hurricane was going to be 1231 00:45:41,280 --> 00:45:43,280 anywhere near SeaWorld in Florida. 1232 00:45:43,280 --> 00:45:45,280 I'll let you know when it gets close, 1233 00:45:45,280 --> 00:45:47,280 but it won't be in the next couple of weeks. 1234 00:45:47,320 --> 00:45:49,320 Thanks, Dr. Smith. 1235 00:45:49,320 --> 00:45:51,320 You're welcome. 1236 00:45:51,320 --> 00:45:53,320 Bye. 1237 00:45:53,320 --> 00:45:55,320 So what's up? 1238 00:45:55,320 --> 00:45:57,320 Will satellites help the Treehouse Detectives 1239 00:45:57,320 --> 00:45:59,320 predict where the storm is heading? 1240 00:45:59,320 --> 00:46:01,320 Do you think there's a strong probability 1241 00:46:01,320 --> 00:46:03,320 that the storm will hit Florida? 1242 00:46:03,320 --> 00:46:05,320 Should the area be evacuated? 1243 00:46:05,320 --> 00:46:07,320 We'll be back for the conclusion 1244 00:46:07,320 --> 00:46:09,320 of The Case of the Phenomenal Weather. 1245 00:46:09,320 --> 00:46:11,320 The Treehouse Detectives 1246 00:46:11,320 --> 00:46:13,320 are close to cracking 1247 00:46:13,320 --> 00:46:15,320 the case of the phenomenal weather. 1248 00:46:15,360 --> 00:46:17,360 Let's answer these final questions. 1249 00:46:19,360 --> 00:46:21,360 How are hurricanes named? 1250 00:46:21,360 --> 00:46:23,360 What is the difference between 1251 00:46:23,360 --> 00:46:25,360 a hurricane watch and a hurricane warning? 1252 00:46:25,360 --> 00:46:27,360 How can past hurricanes 1253 00:46:27,360 --> 00:46:29,360 help to predict the track 1254 00:46:29,360 --> 00:46:31,360 of future hurricanes? 1255 00:46:33,360 --> 00:46:35,360 I'm just finishing up 1256 00:46:35,360 --> 00:46:37,360 fixing Jacob's roller coaster. 1257 00:46:37,360 --> 00:46:39,360 That's so cool. 1258 00:46:39,360 --> 00:46:41,360 Pretty soon we'll be learning the physics behind the coaster. 1259 00:46:41,360 --> 00:46:43,360 Yes, in just a few days we'll be enjoying 1260 00:46:43,400 --> 00:46:45,400 the new weather. 1261 00:46:45,400 --> 00:46:47,400 Thank goodness that hurricane isn't strengthening very fast. 1262 00:46:47,400 --> 00:46:49,400 Don't forget, we still have to worry 1263 00:46:49,400 --> 00:46:51,400 about our trip to Florida next week. 1264 00:46:51,400 --> 00:46:53,400 I'm reading this book on hurricanes. 1265 00:46:53,400 --> 00:46:55,400 And I think that if we learn something 1266 00:46:55,400 --> 00:46:57,400 about the past hurricanes, 1267 00:46:57,400 --> 00:46:59,400 then maybe we can do something 1268 00:46:59,400 --> 00:47:01,400 about the future ones. 1269 00:47:01,400 --> 00:47:03,400 That's a good idea. 1270 00:47:03,400 --> 00:47:05,400 Let's watch Dr. Tech's book. 1271 00:47:05,400 --> 00:47:07,400 He has a segment on the history of hurricanes. 1272 00:47:07,400 --> 00:47:09,400 Hello. 1273 00:47:09,400 --> 00:47:11,400 Did you know that it was not until 1953 1274 00:47:11,440 --> 00:47:13,440 that scientists like myself 1275 00:47:13,440 --> 00:47:15,440 even gave names to hurricanes? 1276 00:47:15,440 --> 00:47:17,440 Of course. 1277 00:47:17,440 --> 00:47:19,440 Back then it was 1278 00:47:19,440 --> 00:47:21,440 ladies first. 1279 00:47:21,440 --> 00:47:23,440 Now, the first tropical storm ever named 1280 00:47:23,440 --> 00:47:25,440 began with the letter A. 1281 00:47:25,440 --> 00:47:27,440 After that came the letter B 1282 00:47:27,440 --> 00:47:29,440 and then so on and so forth. 1283 00:47:29,440 --> 00:47:31,440 You get the idea. 1284 00:47:31,440 --> 00:47:33,440 In 1979, it was decided 1285 00:47:33,440 --> 00:47:35,440 to add men's names to the list. 1286 00:47:35,440 --> 00:47:37,440 Hello, my name is Bob. 1287 00:47:37,440 --> 00:47:39,440 I want a hurricane named after me. 1288 00:47:39,480 --> 00:47:41,480 In 1900, 1289 00:47:41,480 --> 00:47:43,480 the Great Galveston Hurricane 1290 00:47:43,480 --> 00:47:45,480 was the worst natural disaster 1291 00:47:45,480 --> 00:47:47,480 in U.S. history. 1292 00:47:47,480 --> 00:47:49,480 The hurricane pounded the island 1293 00:47:49,480 --> 00:47:51,480 with great force off the coast of Texas. 1294 00:47:51,480 --> 00:47:53,480 It killed many, many people. 1295 00:47:53,480 --> 00:47:55,480 It had wind forces 1296 00:47:55,480 --> 00:47:57,480 of 125 miles per hour, 1297 00:47:57,480 --> 00:47:59,480 much of what I'm going 1298 00:47:59,480 --> 00:48:01,480 to demonstrate right now. 1299 00:48:01,480 --> 00:48:03,480 Oh, well. 1300 00:48:03,480 --> 00:48:05,480 At any rate, 1301 00:48:05,480 --> 00:48:07,480 2,600 homes were devastated 1302 00:48:07,520 --> 00:48:09,520 and it destroyed 1303 00:48:09,520 --> 00:48:11,520 over three-quarters of the city. 1304 00:48:13,520 --> 00:48:15,520 On August 26, 1992, 1305 00:48:15,520 --> 00:48:17,520 Hurricane Andrew 1306 00:48:17,520 --> 00:48:19,520 hit south of Miami 1307 00:48:19,520 --> 00:48:21,520 with wind gusts of up to 1308 00:48:21,520 --> 00:48:23,520 195 miles per hour. 1309 00:48:23,520 --> 00:48:25,520 I need a fan that works. 1310 00:48:27,520 --> 00:48:29,520 Hurricane Andrew 1311 00:48:29,520 --> 00:48:31,520 cut a 25-mile-wide path 1312 00:48:31,520 --> 00:48:33,520 through the Everglades National Park. 1313 00:48:33,520 --> 00:48:35,520 And there's more. 1314 00:48:35,560 --> 00:48:37,560 A huge path of destruction. 1315 00:48:37,560 --> 00:48:39,560 62 people dead. 1316 00:48:39,560 --> 00:48:41,560 25,000 homes destroyed. 1317 00:48:41,560 --> 00:48:43,560 Another 100,000 1318 00:48:43,560 --> 00:48:45,560 damaged. 1319 00:48:45,560 --> 00:48:47,560 Well, be that as it may, 1320 00:48:47,560 --> 00:48:49,560 I will now demonstrate 1321 00:48:49,560 --> 00:48:51,560 the power of hurricanes! 1322 00:48:51,560 --> 00:48:53,560 Uh-oh. 1323 00:49:01,560 --> 00:49:03,560 What a very good idea. 1324 00:49:05,560 --> 00:49:07,560 This has been 1325 00:49:07,560 --> 00:49:09,560 The History of Hurricanes 1326 00:49:09,560 --> 00:49:11,560 with Dr. Textbook. 1327 00:49:11,560 --> 00:49:13,560 Scary. 1328 00:49:13,560 --> 00:49:15,560 See you, Dr. Textbook. 1329 00:49:15,560 --> 00:49:17,560 I'm glad we have lots 1330 00:49:17,560 --> 00:49:19,560 of satellites. 1331 00:49:19,560 --> 00:49:21,560 Isn't technology a wonderful thing? 1332 00:49:21,560 --> 00:49:23,560 But those are the hurricanes 1333 00:49:23,560 --> 00:49:25,560 from the past. 1334 00:49:25,560 --> 00:49:27,560 We still need to figure out 1335 00:49:27,560 --> 00:49:29,560 how to predict the probability 1336 00:49:29,560 --> 00:49:31,560 of the hurricane 1337 00:49:31,560 --> 00:49:33,560 that's coming to Florida. 1338 00:49:33,600 --> 00:49:35,600 Hi, I'm Ashandria. 1339 00:49:35,600 --> 00:49:37,600 And I'm Molly. 1340 00:49:37,600 --> 00:49:39,600 And we are both here from 1341 00:49:39,600 --> 00:49:41,600 Mrs. Shigley's 5th grade class 1342 00:49:41,600 --> 00:49:43,600 at Thompson Elementary School 1343 00:49:43,600 --> 00:49:45,600 in Vero Beach, Florida. 1344 00:49:45,600 --> 00:49:47,600 The hurricane game gives 1345 00:49:47,600 --> 00:49:49,600 our class the experience 1346 00:49:49,600 --> 00:49:51,600 of tracking a hurricane 1347 00:49:51,600 --> 00:49:53,600 and predicting its possible landfall. 1348 00:49:53,600 --> 00:49:55,600 How do you track hurricanes 1349 00:49:55,600 --> 00:49:57,600 in your game? 1350 00:49:57,600 --> 00:49:59,600 We use a tracking chart 1351 00:49:59,600 --> 00:50:01,600 that has lines of longitude 1352 00:50:02,600 --> 00:50:04,600 What do you mean by landfall? 1353 00:50:04,600 --> 00:50:06,600 Landfall is where a hurricane 1354 00:50:06,600 --> 00:50:08,600 is expected to strike land. 1355 00:50:08,600 --> 00:50:10,600 In the game, we issue watches 1356 00:50:10,600 --> 00:50:12,600 and warnings to land areas 1357 00:50:12,600 --> 00:50:14,600 that are in the path of the hurricane, 1358 00:50:14,600 --> 00:50:16,600 just like we're meteorologists. 1359 00:50:16,600 --> 00:50:18,600 What is the difference 1360 00:50:18,600 --> 00:50:20,600 between a watch and a warning? 1361 00:50:20,600 --> 00:50:22,600 A hurricane watch means 1362 00:50:22,600 --> 00:50:24,600 that hurricane conditions 1363 00:50:24,600 --> 00:50:26,600 are possible within 36 hours. 1364 00:50:26,600 --> 00:50:28,600 A hurricane warning means 1365 00:50:28,600 --> 00:50:30,600 that hurricane conditions 1366 00:50:31,600 --> 00:50:33,600 What are some of the forces 1367 00:50:33,600 --> 00:50:35,600 that affect a hurricane's path? 1368 00:50:35,600 --> 00:50:37,600 The hurricane in our game 1369 00:50:37,600 --> 00:50:39,600 is heading right for Cuba. 1370 00:50:39,600 --> 00:50:41,600 We have a hurricane watch 1371 00:50:41,600 --> 00:50:43,600 to issue right away. 1372 00:50:43,600 --> 00:50:45,600 But to answer your question, 1373 00:50:45,600 --> 00:50:47,600 there are some people at NOAA 1374 00:50:47,600 --> 00:50:49,600 who could definitely help you. 1375 00:50:49,600 --> 00:50:51,600 Thank you so much 1376 00:50:51,600 --> 00:50:53,600 for your very valuable help. 1377 00:50:53,600 --> 00:50:55,600 No problem. 1378 00:50:55,600 --> 00:50:57,600 So long from the Wack Wiles 1379 00:50:57,600 --> 00:50:59,600 Kids Club in the sunshine 1380 00:51:00,600 --> 00:51:02,600 Don't forget your get-up-and-go sheets. 1381 00:51:02,600 --> 00:51:04,600 Hi, I'm Kaylee, 1382 00:51:04,600 --> 00:51:06,600 and my friends and I 1383 00:51:06,600 --> 00:51:08,600 are concerned about the hurricane 1384 00:51:08,600 --> 00:51:10,600 in the Atlantic Ocean. 1385 00:51:10,600 --> 00:51:12,600 We have a trip planned to SeaWorld 1386 00:51:12,600 --> 00:51:14,600 that we don't want to miss, 1387 00:51:14,600 --> 00:51:16,600 so we need to learn more 1388 00:51:16,600 --> 00:51:18,600 about how to predict 1389 00:51:18,600 --> 00:51:20,600 when a hurricane will strike land. 1390 00:51:20,600 --> 00:51:22,600 Well, you've come to the right place. 1391 00:51:22,600 --> 00:51:24,600 The National Oceanic and Atmospheric 1392 00:51:24,600 --> 00:51:26,600 Administration began in 1970 1393 00:51:26,600 --> 00:51:28,600 to help track and predict 1394 00:51:29,600 --> 00:51:31,600 You sometimes use information you already have. 1395 00:51:31,600 --> 00:51:33,600 Do you ever use the tracks of past storms? 1396 00:51:33,600 --> 00:51:35,600 Yes. In short terms, 1397 00:51:35,600 --> 00:51:37,600 such as days or hours, 1398 00:51:37,600 --> 00:51:39,600 a storm's track may be influenced 1399 00:51:39,600 --> 00:51:41,600 by a preceding one. 1400 00:51:41,600 --> 00:51:43,600 A hurricane turns the ocean 1401 00:51:43,600 --> 00:51:45,600 as it moves over the ocean's surface, 1402 00:51:45,600 --> 00:51:47,600 bringing cold water from the bottom 1403 00:51:47,600 --> 00:51:49,600 to the top. 1404 00:51:49,600 --> 00:51:51,600 Oh, I get it. 1405 00:51:51,600 --> 00:51:53,600 We learned that a storm needs 1406 00:51:53,600 --> 00:51:55,600 warm water for energy, 1407 00:51:55,600 --> 00:51:57,600 so if the water on the surface is cold, 1408 00:51:58,600 --> 00:52:00,600 We use computers to show us 1409 00:52:00,600 --> 00:52:02,600 the track of hurricanes have taken in the past 1410 00:52:02,600 --> 00:52:04,600 as a guide to show us 1411 00:52:04,600 --> 00:52:06,600 where the current storm may go. 1412 00:52:06,600 --> 00:52:08,600 Historical records of hurricanes 1413 00:52:08,600 --> 00:52:10,600 go back to about 1492, 1414 00:52:10,600 --> 00:52:12,600 the time of Christopher Columbus. 1415 00:52:12,600 --> 00:52:14,600 In analyzing the data, 1416 00:52:14,600 --> 00:52:16,600 scientists have found that every 10 to 30 years, 1417 00:52:16,600 --> 00:52:18,600 hurricanes appear to come in different numbers. 1418 00:52:18,600 --> 00:52:20,600 This is called the decadal scale. 1419 00:52:20,600 --> 00:52:22,600 Scientists study this record 1420 00:52:22,600 --> 00:52:24,600 so that they can figure out 1421 00:52:24,600 --> 00:52:26,600 where we are in the cycle. 1422 00:52:27,600 --> 00:52:29,600 Wow, that's a lot of hurricanes. 1423 00:52:29,600 --> 00:52:31,600 Yes, it is. 1424 00:52:31,600 --> 00:52:33,600 And fortunately, not all of them become strong storms. 1425 00:52:33,600 --> 00:52:35,600 Some of them don't even make landfall. 1426 00:52:35,600 --> 00:52:37,600 We're wondering if a high-pressure system 1427 00:52:37,600 --> 00:52:39,600 could prevent hurricanes 1428 00:52:39,600 --> 00:52:41,600 from falling on land. 1429 00:52:41,600 --> 00:52:43,600 It is possible. 1430 00:52:43,600 --> 00:52:45,600 Think of a hurricane as a block of wood 1431 00:52:45,600 --> 00:52:47,600 floating in a river. 1432 00:52:47,600 --> 00:52:49,600 Where the river's currents go, 1433 00:52:49,600 --> 00:52:51,600 so goes the block of wood. 1434 00:52:51,600 --> 00:52:53,600 A hurricane is a storm in a river of air 1435 00:52:53,600 --> 00:52:55,600 which moves around the globe. 1436 00:52:55,600 --> 00:52:57,600 It's caused by areas of high and low pressure. 1437 00:52:57,600 --> 00:52:59,600 Since air circulates clockwise 1438 00:52:59,600 --> 00:53:01,600 around a high-pressure system, 1439 00:53:01,600 --> 00:53:03,600 a storm approaching it might be turned 1440 00:53:03,600 --> 00:53:05,600 to the north or northwest. 1441 00:53:05,600 --> 00:53:07,600 If the hurricane does make land, 1442 00:53:07,600 --> 00:53:09,600 how much land will be affected? 1443 00:53:09,600 --> 00:53:11,600 It depends on the size of the storm. 1444 00:53:11,600 --> 00:53:13,600 Most storms are about the size of a state, 1445 00:53:13,600 --> 00:53:15,600 200 to 300 miles across. 1446 00:53:15,600 --> 00:53:17,600 However, in the Pacific Ocean, 1447 00:53:17,600 --> 00:53:19,600 there are monster storms 1448 00:53:19,600 --> 00:53:21,600 reaching 1,000 miles in diameter. 1449 00:53:21,600 --> 00:53:23,600 Why are they so much bigger 1450 00:53:23,600 --> 00:53:25,600 The Pacific Ocean is the largest ocean, 1451 00:53:25,600 --> 00:53:27,600 so there's a lot more warm water 1452 00:53:27,600 --> 00:53:29,600 for them to move over, feeding their growth. 1453 00:53:29,600 --> 00:53:31,600 Is there more damage on one side 1454 00:53:31,600 --> 00:53:33,600 of the storm versus the other? 1455 00:53:33,600 --> 00:53:35,600 Yes, a hurricane is strongest 1456 00:53:35,600 --> 00:53:37,600 on its right-front quadrant 1457 00:53:37,600 --> 00:53:39,600 because it rotates counterclockwise 1458 00:53:39,600 --> 00:53:41,600 and the speed of a hurricane 1459 00:53:41,600 --> 00:53:43,600 must be added to its wind speed. 1460 00:53:43,600 --> 00:53:45,600 So the right-front quadrant 1461 00:53:45,600 --> 00:53:47,600 is moving faster toward you. 1462 00:53:47,600 --> 00:53:49,600 I don't think we want to be 1463 00:53:49,600 --> 00:53:51,600 on that side of the storm for sure. 1464 00:53:51,600 --> 00:53:53,600 Good luck with your project. 1465 00:53:53,600 --> 00:53:55,600 Thanks so much. Bye. 1466 00:53:57,600 --> 00:53:59,600 In another weather development, 1467 00:53:59,600 --> 00:54:01,600 there is a high-pressure system 1468 00:54:01,600 --> 00:54:03,600 over the central area of the United States. 1469 00:54:03,600 --> 00:54:05,600 It is moving towards the southeast. 1470 00:54:05,600 --> 00:54:07,600 I'm meteorologist Lisa Moser with this update. 1471 00:54:07,600 --> 00:54:09,600 I think we need to form a new hypothesis. 1472 00:54:09,600 --> 00:54:11,600 Why? 1473 00:54:11,600 --> 00:54:13,600 Because now there's a high-pressure system 1474 00:54:13,600 --> 00:54:15,600 that might keep the hurricane away. 1475 00:54:15,600 --> 00:54:17,600 So what's your new hypothesis? 1476 00:54:17,600 --> 00:54:19,600 I think it should be if the high-pressure system 1477 00:54:19,600 --> 00:54:21,600 moves to the southeastern part of the United States, 1478 00:54:21,600 --> 00:54:23,600 then the hurricane will not hit Florida. 1479 00:54:23,600 --> 00:54:25,600 I don't want to take my chances and go to Florida. 1480 00:54:25,600 --> 00:54:27,600 Dr. Dean knows a lot about pressure. 1481 00:54:27,600 --> 00:54:29,600 Maybe we should go talk to him. 1482 00:54:29,600 --> 00:54:31,600 That's a great idea. 1483 00:54:31,600 --> 00:54:33,600 But first, I think I just fixed my coaster. 1484 00:54:33,600 --> 00:54:35,600 Check it out. 1485 00:54:39,600 --> 00:54:41,600 Hi, Dr. Dean. 1486 00:54:41,600 --> 00:54:43,600 Hi, guys. 1487 00:54:43,600 --> 00:54:45,600 I have my tornado box finished. 1488 00:54:45,600 --> 00:54:47,600 Do you want to see it? 1489 00:54:47,600 --> 00:54:49,600 How does it work? 1490 00:54:49,600 --> 00:54:51,600 Remember, we went over probabilities 1491 00:54:51,600 --> 00:54:53,600 last time we were here. 1492 00:54:53,600 --> 00:54:55,600 You've been talking about hurricanes for too long. 1493 00:54:55,600 --> 00:54:57,600 Here we go. 1494 00:55:03,600 --> 00:55:05,600 That is really interesting. 1495 00:55:05,600 --> 00:55:07,600 How does it work? 1496 00:55:07,600 --> 00:55:09,600 In this case, it doesn't spin 1497 00:55:09,600 --> 00:55:11,600 because of the Coriolis effect. 1498 00:55:11,600 --> 00:55:13,600 The fan pushes the air out the top, 1499 00:55:13,600 --> 00:55:15,600 and then air going through the slots on the sides 1500 00:55:15,600 --> 00:55:17,600 will form into a vortex with a counterclockwise rotation. 1501 00:55:17,600 --> 00:55:19,600 So what's happened? 1502 00:55:19,600 --> 00:55:21,600 We think it's going to be okay to make our trip to Florida. 1503 00:55:21,600 --> 00:55:23,600 How do you know? 1504 00:55:23,600 --> 00:55:25,600 Let's start with clouds. 1505 00:55:25,600 --> 00:55:27,600 We learned that clouds form as warm moist air rises and cools. 1506 00:55:27,600 --> 00:55:29,600 This cool air condenses to form clouds. 1507 00:55:29,600 --> 00:55:31,600 It's this condensation that gives energy to hurricanes. 1508 00:55:31,600 --> 00:55:33,600 Do you know why the air cools when it rises? 1509 00:55:33,600 --> 00:55:35,600 No, I hadn't thought about it. 1510 00:55:35,600 --> 00:55:37,600 Moist air rises to a higher elevation 1511 00:55:37,600 --> 00:55:39,600 with less pressure, it expands. 1512 00:55:39,600 --> 00:55:41,600 Expansion is a cooling process. 1513 00:55:41,600 --> 00:55:43,600 Let me show you. 1514 00:55:43,600 --> 00:55:45,600 Blow on your hand like this. 1515 00:55:47,600 --> 00:55:49,600 It's pretty warm. 1516 00:55:49,600 --> 00:55:51,600 Now blow with your lips like this 1517 00:55:51,600 --> 00:55:53,600 so the air has to expand. 1518 00:55:53,600 --> 00:55:55,600 Neat. 1519 00:55:55,600 --> 00:55:57,600 It's much cooler. 1520 00:55:57,600 --> 00:55:59,600 Isn't science wonderful? 1521 00:55:59,600 --> 00:56:01,600 I'm sorry I interrupted you. Keep going. 1522 00:56:01,600 --> 00:56:03,600 We've been watching hurricanes very carefully 1523 00:56:03,600 --> 00:56:05,600 and plotting its location on the hurricane tracking chart. 1524 00:56:05,600 --> 00:56:07,600 We know that hurricanes in our part of the world 1525 00:56:07,600 --> 00:56:09,600 start in the Atlantic tropical waters 1526 00:56:09,600 --> 00:56:11,600 and move to the west. 1527 00:56:11,600 --> 00:56:13,600 Dr. Brown taught us 1528 00:56:13,600 --> 00:56:15,600 how LIDAR measures the amount of water vapor in a hurricane. 1529 00:56:15,600 --> 00:56:17,600 That's important 1530 00:56:17,600 --> 00:56:19,600 because the amount of water vapor 1531 00:56:19,600 --> 00:56:21,600 determines the strength of the storm. 1532 00:56:21,600 --> 00:56:23,600 Don't forget what the hurricane hunters were able to find out. 1533 00:56:23,600 --> 00:56:25,600 We learned that there are a lot of factors used 1534 00:56:25,600 --> 00:56:27,600 to predict the probability of landfall. 1535 00:56:27,600 --> 00:56:29,600 But we think the key to this case 1536 00:56:29,600 --> 00:56:31,600 is a high pressure region 1537 00:56:31,600 --> 00:56:33,600 in the southeast part of the United States 1538 00:56:33,600 --> 00:56:35,600 that may block the approach of the storm. 1539 00:56:35,600 --> 00:56:37,600 What do you think, Dr. D? 1540 00:56:37,600 --> 00:56:39,600 It sounds like you've really worked hard on this. 1541 00:56:39,600 --> 00:56:41,600 We're going to talk about the probability of a hurricane. 1542 00:56:41,600 --> 00:56:43,600 But remember, we can only talk about probabilities. 1543 00:56:43,600 --> 00:56:45,600 You can't know for sure. 1544 00:56:45,600 --> 00:56:47,600 Wait. Here comes a Weather Channel report. 1545 00:56:47,600 --> 00:56:49,600 Hurricane Ichabod has been quite active 1546 00:56:49,600 --> 00:56:51,600 the last 12 hours. 1547 00:56:51,600 --> 00:56:53,600 The eye of the storm was tracking northwestward. 1548 00:56:53,600 --> 00:56:55,600 But if you recall, 1549 00:56:55,600 --> 00:56:57,600 a high pressure system building in the southeast 1550 00:56:57,600 --> 00:56:59,600 is becoming stronger 1551 00:56:59,600 --> 00:57:01,600 and moving towards the hurricane's path. 1552 00:57:01,600 --> 00:57:03,600 Now when these two systems collide, 1553 00:57:03,600 --> 00:57:05,600 the ridge of the high pressure 1554 00:57:05,600 --> 00:57:07,600 is causing the storm to curve its track 1555 00:57:07,600 --> 00:57:09,600 into a northeasterly direction. 1556 00:57:09,600 --> 00:57:11,600 Therefore, the hurricane watch 1557 00:57:11,600 --> 00:57:13,600 has been discontinued over Florida. 1558 00:57:15,600 --> 00:57:17,600 The News Channel just confirmed our hypothesis. 1559 00:57:17,600 --> 00:57:19,600 We think there's a high probability 1560 00:57:19,600 --> 00:57:21,600 that the high pressure system 1561 00:57:21,600 --> 00:57:23,600 will keep the storm off the shore. 1562 00:57:23,600 --> 00:57:25,600 So we've decided to go to Florida. 1563 00:57:25,600 --> 00:57:27,600 Well, I certainly hope that you're right. 1564 00:57:27,600 --> 00:57:29,600 I was going to a conference in Florida. 1565 00:57:29,600 --> 00:57:31,600 I decided to stay here instead. 1566 00:57:31,600 --> 00:57:33,600 You may be missing some nice weather. 1567 00:57:33,600 --> 00:57:35,600 Well, I don't think I want to take any chances. 1568 00:57:35,600 --> 00:57:37,600 Okay, Dr. D. 1569 00:57:37,600 --> 00:57:39,600 You may be sorry. 1570 00:57:39,600 --> 00:57:41,600 Yeah! 1571 00:57:41,600 --> 00:57:43,600 This is awesome! 1572 00:57:43,600 --> 00:57:45,600 We're so lucky to have such great weather. 1573 00:57:45,600 --> 00:57:47,600 Too bad Dr. D. 1574 00:57:47,600 --> 00:57:49,600 didn't go to his conference. 1575 00:57:49,600 --> 00:57:51,600 Sunny skies, no rain, 1576 00:57:51,600 --> 00:57:53,600 and the temperatures are just right. 1577 00:57:55,600 --> 00:57:57,600 Oh, I should have taken my chances 1578 00:57:57,600 --> 00:57:59,600 and gone to Florida. 1579 00:57:59,600 --> 00:58:01,600 Okay, I mean, that's... 1580 00:58:01,600 --> 00:58:03,600 Was he good? 1581 00:58:03,600 --> 00:58:05,600 Look forward to even more exciting mysteries 1582 00:58:05,600 --> 00:58:07,600 next season when the NASA Wi-Files 1583 00:58:07,600 --> 00:58:09,600 becomes the NASA Sci-Files. 1584 00:58:09,600 --> 00:58:11,600 In the hurricane, I mean... 1585 00:58:11,600 --> 00:58:13,600 I think he feels like it because 1586 00:58:13,600 --> 00:58:15,600 he's soaking wet. 1587 00:58:15,600 --> 00:58:17,600 I'm getting a little wetter here. 1588 00:58:17,600 --> 00:58:19,600 Well, I mean, it's a storm. 1589 00:58:19,600 --> 00:58:21,600 I mean, people don't go out in storms dry. 1590 00:58:21,600 --> 00:58:23,600 I mean, this is realism here. 1591 00:58:23,600 --> 00:58:25,600 What's that? 1592 00:58:25,600 --> 00:58:27,600 The NASA Wi-Fi files 1593 00:58:27,600 --> 00:58:29,600 The NASA Wi-Files is made possible 1594 00:58:29,600 --> 00:58:31,600 through the generous support of 1595 00:58:31,600 --> 00:58:33,600 Bush Gardens, SeaWorld, 1596 00:58:33,600 --> 00:58:35,600 and NASA Langley Research Center's 1597 00:58:35,600 --> 00:58:37,600 Aerospace Vehicle Systems Technology Office. 1598 00:58:37,600 --> 00:58:39,600 All right, all right.