Building Satellite Data Awareness One Meteorological Dataset at a Time

Many types of satellite data are used by individuals from both public and private domains for research, applications, education, resilience planning and decision making. Potential uses of satellite data are apparent to those familiar with using these types of scientific data, however, are likely unfamiliar to the general public or non-scientists such as decision makers or policy managers. NASA’s Global Hydrology Resource Center (GHRC) Distributed Active Archive (DAAC) has worked to improve data awareness and to increase data use among unconventional users of satellite data. Several efforts have been employed ranging from introductory documents to hands-on activities, all with the goal of increasing data awareness and the understanding of the many applications of meteorological satellite data. Examples of these innovative materials created by GHRC DAAC’s team of graphic designers, data scientists, computer programmers, and Earth/atmospheric scientists include micro articles (short, interesting articles about a topic - such as satellite instruments), featured data articles, web site display images, overviews of important papers, and data use examples. In particular, this presentation will highlight the artistic efforts used to communicate the value of satellite and airborne data through the use of posters, hands-on activities, and online story maps and describe the outcomes from the use of these materials. Through these efforts, GHRC strives to inform and educate non-scientists about satellite data and its many uses.