Mapping the Watery Hills and Dales

Abstract:

This classroom activity explains and demonstrates how the Global Positioning System satellites work to provide precise location information to positions on the ground, as well as to other satellites whose job is to map the surface of Earth. The activity is specifically tied to NASA's Jason-1 and Topex/Poseidon spacecraft in their mission to map ocean topography. In addition to the concepts of distance vs. time and triangulation, the article also introduces Doppler effect. The activity was originally published in Technology Teacher, a magazine published by the International Technology Education Association (ITEA).

Subject:

Science and Technology

Grade Level:

Primary

Collection:

NASA